Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Show name	Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
Genre	Comedy, quiz
Runtime	60 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Home station	WBEZ
Syndicator	NPR
Creator	Doug Berman
Starring	Peter Sagal, Bill Kurtis
Debut	1998

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is a weekly comedy news quiz broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR) stations across the United States, featuring a panel of comedians and journalists, including Faith Salie, Tom Bodett, Roxanne Roberts, and Mo Rocca, among others, competing to see who can be the most informed about the week's events, from The New York Times to The Washington Post. The show is produced by WBEZ and distributed by NPR, with support from PBS and BBC News. Regular guests, such as Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Beck, often join the show to discuss current events, from the Midterm elections to the Olympic Games.

Introduction

The show's unique blend of humor and current events has made it a staple of American public media, with a weekly audience of over 3 million listeners, including fans of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. The program's format, which combines elements of game shows and talk radio, has been praised by critics, including The New Yorker and The Atlantic. With its lighthearted and entertaining approach to news, the show has become a favorite among fans of comedy and politics, from Saturday Night Live to The Daily Beast. The show often features interviews with notable figures, such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, as well as celebrity guests, including Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.

History

The show was created by Doug Berman and first aired in 1998 on WBEZ, with Peter Sagal as the original host, and has since become a mainstay of NPR programming, with a wide range of guests, including Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, and Chris Matthews. Over the years, the show has undergone several format changes, including the addition of new segments and the introduction of new hosts, such as Bill Kurtis, who joined the show in 1998. The program has also been broadcast on PBS and BBC Radio 4, and has been featured on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The show's success has led to the creation of several spin-off shows, including Ask Me Another and How I Built This, hosted by Guy Raz.

Format

The show's format typically features a panel of three comedians and journalists competing to see who can answer the most questions correctly about current events, from The Wall Street Journal to Al Jazeera. The show is divided into several segments, including the "Bluff the Listener" segment, in which contestants must guess which of three stories is true, and the "Not My Job" segment, in which a celebrity guest must answer questions about a topic outside their area of expertise, such as Elon Musk discussing NASA or Taylor Swift discussing The Grammy Awards. The show also features a "Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank" segment, in which contestants must fill in the blanks of a series of news headlines, from The New York Times to CNN. Regular guests, such as Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior, often join the show to discuss current events, from the Midterm elections to the Olympic Games.

Hosts_and_Panelists

The show has had several hosts over the years, including Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis, who have become synonymous with the program. The show's panelists have included a wide range of comedians and journalists, such as Faith Salie, Tom Bodett, Roxanne Roberts, and Mo Rocca, among others. Regular guests, such as Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Beck, often join the show to discuss current events, from the Midterm elections to the Olympic Games. The show has also featured a number of celebrity guests, including Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, and Jimmy Fallon, as well as politicians, such as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The show's hosts and panelists often engage in witty banter and humorous discussions, making the show a unique and entertaining listen, from The Daily Show to The Colbert Report.

Episodes_and_Segments

The show typically features a wide range of topics and segments, from politics and current events to pop culture and entertainment. The show's episodes often feature interviews with notable figures, such as Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow, as well as celebrity guests, including Taylor Swift and Elon Musk. The show's segments, such as "Bluff the Listener" and "Not My Job", have become fan favorites, and are often featured on The Tonight Show and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. The show has also featured several special episodes, including a 2016 United States presidential election special, and a COVID-19 pandemic special, with guests such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates. The show's episodes are available on NPR's website, as well as on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Awards_and_Reception

The show has received widespread critical acclaim, with praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker. The show has won several awards, including a Peabody Award and a Gracie Award, and has been nominated for several others, including an Emmy Award and a Grammy Award. The show has also been praised by fans, who appreciate its unique blend of humor and current events, from The Daily Show to The Colbert Report. The show's success has led to the creation of several spin-off shows, including Ask Me Another and How I Built This, hosted by Guy Raz. The show continues to be a popular and influential program, with a wide range of guests, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John McCain, as well as celebrity guests, including Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.

Category:American comedy radio programs