Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Stats Page

Show Details: 2023

2023-01-07

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1303
Scorekeeper
I'm the old acquaintance that should never be forgot
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Emmy Blotnick
Correct: Emmy Blotnick
Description
Best of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite interviews from 2022, including a never-heard-before Bluff the Listener Segment and Not My Job interview
Notes

The Bluff the Listener segment and the Not My Job segment with Mariska Hargitay were from the second show taping at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York back on 2022-12-09. The theme of the Bluff the Listener segment was about celery.

Another instance in which all of the correct answers for a Not My Job segment (Mariska Hargitay) were "B".

2023-01-14

NPR DB ID: 1304
Scorekeeper
I'll be a butterfly some day. I'm a very hungry cater-Bill-ar now
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Peter Grosz
Correct: Emmy Blotnick
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about butt dials gone wrong, Not My Job about real-life lawsuits, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what's the next thing they'll find in President Biden's garage?
Notes

Another instance in which all three choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

Paula Poundstone initially answered "Sugar Bowl" for her 6th Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question, but then changed her answer to "football"; which, Paula got credit for. Emmy Blotnik initially answered "Our nation's" for her 1st Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question. Peter Sagal said "No" and Emmy changed her answer to "Brazil", which got a ding and she got credit for it.

2023-01-21

NPR DB ID: 1305
Scorekeeper
Who am I wearing? Bill-enciaga, of course
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Tom Bodett
Correct: Tom Bodett
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about people going above and beyond for their mothers, Not My Job about The Lincoln Lawyer: Matthew McConaughey, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next thing to shoot up in price?
Notes

The Bluff the Listener contestant initially chose Dulcé Sloan's story but the audience reacted negatively. The contestant then changed their chose to Tom Bodett's story which was correct.

After Anthony Blinken eliminated "C" for the third Not My Job question and trying to choose from "A" or "B", the audience shouted out "A". Anthony chose "A" and it was the correct answer.

2023-01-28

NPR DB ID: 1306
Scorekeeper
Crack into this cold one. I'm a refreshing Bill-er Lite
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Negin Farsad
Correct: Maz Jobrani
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about someone getting good advice, Not My Job about people getting their face poked with Botox, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who will be the next person to come forward with classified documents?
Notes

Another instance where all three panelists started the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank segment in a three-way tie with 3 points each.

2023-02-04

NPR DB ID: 1307
Host
Guest: Peter Grosz
Scorekeeper
Squeeze your peaches. We're having Bill-inis
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Zainab Johnson
Correct: Zainab Johnson
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about people doing anything to win, Not My Job about The Brady Bunch, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who will be the next person to throw in the towel?
Notes

Peter and Mara Sagal welcomed their new baby, Theodore, on 2023-01-28, and Peter Grosz is filling in as guest host.

Zainab Johnson answered her 5th Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question with "Titanic" but Peter Grosz gave her a hint by saying "Same director". Zainab changed her answer to "Avatar" and got credit for the answer.

2023-02-11

NPR DB ID: 1308
Host
Guest: Tom Papa
Scorekeeper
Forget about the Eagles and Chiefs, I'll be your Super Bill
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Alonzo Bodden
Correct: Alonzo Bodden
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about people taking a memorable trip to Montana, Not My Job about blue jeans, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next movie theater innovation?
Notes

Geena Davis initially chose "A" for her first Not My Job question; but, after some hesistation from Tom Papa, she changed her answer to "B", the correct answer. After Tom read all three choices for the third Not My Job question, many in the audience shouted "B". Geena chose "B" and it was the correct answer.

After Hari Kondabolu finished his set of Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank questions, Tom asked Bill Kurtis if Hari did well enough to win. At least in the radio/podcast edit of the show, Bill did not state how many questions Hari answered correctly. The score reflects the number of questions Hari answered correctly on the radio/podcast edit: three.

2023-02-18

NPR DB ID: 1309
Host
Guest: Alzo Slade
Scorekeeper
Bravo! Bravo! Bill-issimo!
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Negin Farsad
Correct: Negin Farsad
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a minor controversy facing McDonald's, Not My Job about advice columnists, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next trend in dating?
Notes

Not My Job guest Rosie Perez had previously been on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! as a panelist on the show that aired on 2014-05-31. Rosie initially chose "A" for her first Not My Job question but Alzo Slade nudged her to change her answer. Rosie changed her answer to "B", which was correct. Rosie asked for a hint for her third Not My Job question and Alzo responded with "Yes. More than one of them are correct." Rosie answered "all the above" and was correct; as, it was another instance where all 3 of the choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

2023-02-25

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1310
Scorekeeper
It's our 25th year on air. Which means, it's our Bill-ver anniversary
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years
Notes

The Not My Job segment with Stephen Colbert was from the show that aired on 2017-02-11 with Glynn Washington as the guest scorekeeper.

The Not My Job segment with Rob Reiner was from the show that aired on 2012-06-13 with Peter Grosz as the guest host.

2023-03-04

NPR DB ID: 1311
Host
Guest: Josh Gondelman
Scorekeeper
Hey SZA, don't kill this Bill
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Alonzo Bodden
Correct: Alonzo Bodden
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about new opportunities for self-improvement, Not My Job about puzzles, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next sport to make major changes?
Notes

Josh Gondelman forgot about the Not My Job quiz after he finished the interview portion of the segment with Malala Yousafzai. Mo Rocca had to remind Josh about it.

Alonzo Bodden answered his sixth Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question with "Atkins", which Josh accepted as it was similar enough to the Keto or Paleo diets.

Maeve Higgins has now answered zero Lightning Fill-in-the-Blanks questions correct 3 times. The other two times were back in 2019-11-16 and 2022-02-12.

2023-03-11

NPR DB ID: 1312
Host
Guest: Negin Farsad
Scorekeeper
I am the voice of God. The one he has on his voicemail
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Peter Grosz
Correct: Peter Grosz
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a surprising secret from the world of spies, Not My Job about roles played by actors named Rick, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who will be banned after this year's Oscars and why?
Notes

All 3 choices for the third Not My Job question were lyrics from Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" as a way to rickroll Nick Kroll. Nick chose "B", but was given the point; as none of the 3 choices were correct (possibly a show first).

Negin Farsad mixed things up by having Peter Grosz, with 3 points, start the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank segment instead of either Shane O'Neill or Amy Dickinson, each having 2 points. Normally the panelist with the lowest score entering the segment would start (or chosen in case of a tie).

Peter Grosz answered "vibe" for his sixth Not My Job question. The correct answer was "water" but Negin gave him credit for the answer. Shane O'Neill was only credited for 4 correct answers for 8 additional points and a total of 10. Shane had answered 5 correct with their corresponding bell dings and confirmations from Negin. If Shane had gotten credit for all 5, he would have tied Amy Dickinson for 2nd place instead of finishing in 3rd place.

2023-03-18

NPR DB ID: 1313
Host
Guest: Karen Chee
Scorekeeper
I'm not an anchorman. I'm an anchor-gentleman
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Tom Papa
Correct: Tom Papa
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a group with the motto "The light of peace, illuminating the dark world brightly", Not My Job about Dum Dums, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what innovative thing we'll do with the giant blob of seaweed near Florida?
Notes

Sam Waterston initially chose "C" for the first Not My Job question, but Karen Chee urged him to change his answer. Sam changed his answer to "A", but Karen continued to urge Sam to change his answer again. Sam then went with "B", which was the correct answer. For the second Not My Job question, Sam initially chose "A" and Karen whispered "capuchin". Sam either didn't hear her or catch the hint, but changed his answer to "C", which was correct.

2023-03-25

NPR DB ID: 1314
Scorekeeper
The voice that makes men weep and public radio listeners pledge
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Hari Kondabolu
Correct: Hari Kondabolu
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a new form of therapy, Not My Job about Axl Rose, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next revolution in food?
Notes

David Axelrod initially chose "A" for the first Not My Job question, but the audience and Peter Sagal nudged him to change his answer. David then chose "C", which was the correct answer. For the third Not My Job question, David initially chose "B" but the audience shouted out "C". David changed his answer to "C" and it was correct.

2023-04-01

NPR DB ID: 1315
Scorekeeper
I'm legendary anchorman, or for you vegans, you legen-non-dairy achorman
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Luke Burbank
Correct: Luke Burbank
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener where the phrase "You wanna rock, young lady" played an important role, Not My Job about sloths, How Dumb Is Artificial Intelligence?, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next big celebrity trial?

2023-04-08

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1316
Scorekeeper
I'm the guy who can say anything and make it sound like breaking news. I've got a License to Bill
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part two

2023-04-15

NPR DB ID: 1317
Scorekeeper
It's a bird. It's a plane. It's me, Anchorman
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Shane O'Neill
Correct: Shane O'Neill
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a show that couldn't go on, Not My Job about piñatas, What Is Martha Stewart Up To? Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the most surprising tax write-off this year?
Notes

While Shane O'Neil was reading his bluff story, Shane started singing a portion of "I Will Always Love You" and passed it over to the audience to continue singing; and, they did.

Kaila Mullady initially chose "A" for the third Not My Job question and Peter Sagal was "desparately trying to encourage" Kaila to reconsider "B". Kaila chose "B" and that was the correct answer. When Peter asked Bill Kurtis how Kaila did, Bill started to beatbox before saying that Kaila got 2 points and won for the listener contestant.

2023-04-22

NPR DB ID: 1318
Scorekeeper
Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask, "What's that beautiful sound?" Oh, it's my voice
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Josh Gondelman
Correct: Josh Gondelman
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about about a grandma's secret recipe in the news, Not My Job about Weird Alambama, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what Netflix will do with all those DVDs?

2023-04-29

NPR DB ID: 1319
Scorekeeper
Who's got a hankerman for some anchorman?
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Maeve Higgins
Correct: Maeve Higgins
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about changes in Little League baseball, Not My Job about Paisley Park, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what's the next thing we'll be able to do at a restaurant?
Notes

This is the fifth Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! show that features an all women panel.

Brad Paisley initially chose "C" for the first Not My Job question, but Maeve Higgins and the audience nudged Brad towards "B". Brad changed his answer to "B", which was the correct answer.

Another instance where all three panelists are tied at the start of the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank segment

2023-05-06

NPR DB ID: 1320
Scorekeeper
No coronation necessary. You know who the real king is
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Matt Rogers
Correct: Matt Rogers
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about someone disappointed by a real estate deal, Not My Job about universally hated things, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the first hit TV show created without writers?
Notes

Another instance in which all three choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

Matt Rogers initially answered his fourth Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question with "pizza gang" but changed his answer to "the mafia" as Peter Sagal was about to say "the mafia". Peter accepted Matt's answer.

2023-05-13

NPR DB ID: 1321
Host
Guest: Alzo Slade
Scorekeeper
Are you there God? It's me
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Adam Felber
Correct: Adam Felber
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about old sports that are still being played today, Not My Job about weird game show prizes, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what annoyances will Washington take on next?
Notes

Another instance in which all three choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

2023-05-20

NPR DB ID: 1322
Scorekeeper
I'm the disembodied voice with a disembody that just won't quit
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Luke Burbank
Correct: Luke Burbank
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluf the Listener about a surprising TV hit, Not My Job about Dairy Queen, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who will be the surprise cover model?
Notes

Another instance where all three panelists are tied at the start of the Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank segment

2023-05-27

NPR DB ID: 1323
Scorekeeper
Po'boy? I'm a po'man. A po'anchorman
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Mo Rocca
Correct: Mo Rocca
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about someone getting a big break, Not My Job about good dogs, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next company to adopt a new name?
Notes

The listener contestant for Listener Limerick Challenge is a professional limerick writer.

2023-06-03

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1324
Scorekeeper
Who needs a beach bod when you've got this Bill bod?
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part three
Notes

The two segments with Keegan-Michael Key as a panelist were from the shows that aired on 2010-03-27 and on 2010-07-24.

When Peter Sagal segued from Keegan-Michael Key being on the show as a panelist to Keegan-Michael Key being on the show as a Not My Job guest, Peter mentioned that 8 years had past. Keegan-Michael Key appearance as a Not My Job guest was on the show that aired on 2016-08-06 show, which would be 6 years. Keegan-Michael Key was a Not My Job guest on a Best Of show that aired on 2018-07-07.

The Not My Job segment was Regina King was from the show that aired on 2019-10-12 with Chioke I'Anson as the guest scorekeeper. The Not My Job segments with Keegan-Michael Key, Colin Hanks, Bobby McFerrin and Susan Orlean had Carl Kasell as the scorekeeper.

While introducing the Not My Job segment with Colin Hanks, Peter said that Tom Hanks was a Not My Job guest in 2005. Tom Hanks was the Not My Job guest on the show that aired on 2006-05-13. Peter then said that they had interviewed Colin Hanks 6 years later in 2011. It should be 5 years.

2023-06-10

NPR DB ID: 1325
Scorekeeper
NPR policy says: when I'm a bad anchorman, I get a spanker man
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Skyler Higley
Correct: Skyler Higley
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about wild bears doing unusual things, Not My Job about state fairs, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next hot trend at the gym?
Notes

While providing options for the first Not My Job question, Peter Sagal thought Louisa May Alcott was from Little House on the Prairie. Radhika Jones corrected Peter by saying it was Laura Ingalls Wilder. For the second Not My Job question, Radhika initially chose "B" but switched to "C", which the latter was the correct answer.

2023-06-17

NPR DB ID: 1326
Scorekeeper
I'm the studly baker at the Studebaker
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Faith Salie
Correct: Faith Salie
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about lessons taught by fathers, Not My Job about actual jury duty, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next big headline about a game show?

2023-06-24

NPR DB ID: 1327
Scorekeeper
Good news, everyone. Not only is my voice beautiful, it also repels mosquitoes
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Negin Farsad
Correct: Negin Farsad
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about someone in need of an impersonator, Not My Job about pink lemonade, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who will be the next celebrities to fight in a cage match?

2023-07-01

NPR DB ID: 1328
Scorekeeper
Rub-a-dub-dub, I'm an anchorman in a tub
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Brian Babylon
Correct: Roxanne Roberts
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about the hottest new club trend, Not My Job about divorce lawyers, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: who's the next political figure to go viral?
Notes

Aleeza Ben Shalom wasn't sure which answer to choose for the second Not My Job question; so, Roxanne Roberts said that Aleeza could ask for a hint. Many in the audience shouted out "C"; which, Aleeza chose and it was the correct answer.

2023-07-08

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1329
Scorekeeper
I'm the voice Thomas Jefferson heard in his head when he wrote the "Declaration of Independence"
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part four
Notes

The Not My Job segment with Mariska Hargitay was aired as part of the 2023-01-07 Best Of show with Chioke I'Anson as the guest scorekeeper.

The Not My Job segments with George Takei, Martha Stewart and Vince Gill had Carl Kasell as scorekeeper.

2023-07-15

NPR DB ID: 1330
Scorekeeper
I'm your new summer blockbuster, "Mission: Impossi-Bill"
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about something coming to an end log after it should have, Not My Job about wolves, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be next season's top TV show?
Notes

Another instance where all three choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

Even though Joyelle Nicole Johnson has a Wait Wait Stats database ID of 100, there is a panelist ID that is used to mark multiple panelists for earlier shows. The next new person to join the panel will be the 100th panelist to appear on the show.

2023-07-22

NPR DB ID: 1331
Scorekeeper
I'm the voice so deep you can do a cannonball in it
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Helen Hong
Correct: Helen Hong
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about Kim Kardashian saving someone's life, Not My Job about buzzard eaters, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next big blockbuster double feature?

2023-07-29

NPR DB ID: 1332
Host
Guest: Karen Chee
Scorekeeper
I'm no anchorman. I'm an anchor-god
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Josh Gondelman
Correct: Josh Gondelman
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about someone taking a bold stand, Not My Job about the abandoned mall named Randall Park, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next big revelation at the next UFO hearing?
Notes

Randall Park initially chose "B" for the first Not My Job question, but Karen Chee urged him to reconsider. When Randall changed his answer to "A", Karen again urged him to change his answer. Randall changed his answer to "C", which was correct.

Normally, the panelist order for Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank is to go start with the panelist with the lowest starting score or rank and progress on up to the panelist with the highest starting score or rank. The order Karen Chee when with was: Zainab Johnson, Josh Gondelman and Tom Bodett. The order should have been Zainab, Tom and Josh, as Tom started the segment with 2 points and Josh started with 3 points.

2023-08-05

NPR DB ID: 1333
Scorekeeper
I've got three reasons you should keep listening: Bill Freaking Kurtis
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Adam Burke
Correct: Adam Burke
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about disorder in the courtroom, Not My Job about other Maggie Smiths, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be thrown at us during our next show?

2023-08-12

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1337
Scorekeeper
Still working on your summer tan? Just lie close to the radio and let my voice bronze you
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part five
Notes

The Not My Job segments with Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, and Donny Osmond had Carl Kasell as scorekeeper.

2023-08-19

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1338
Scorekeeper
I'm letting you know it's time for our radio show. I'm your Kurtis-y call
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part six
Notes

The Not My Job segment with Misty Copeland had Carl Kasell as scorekeeper.

2023-08-26

NPR DB ID: 1339
Host
Guest: Negin Farsad
Scorekeeper
I'm the voice so beautiful a sea witch once tried to take it from me in exchange for legs
Panelists
Guests
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about something unusual at the Pak'n'Save, Not My Job aboout downtown funks, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the big surprise at the next presidential debate?

2023-09-02

NPR DB ID: 1340
Scorekeeper
Me in Michigan? You got your wish-igan
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Helen Hong
Correct: Josh Gondelman
Description
Who's Bill This Time?, Bluff the Listener about a road trip, Not My Job about chess strategies, Listener Limerick Challenge, Panelist Predictions: what will be the next slang word to take off?
Notes

All three correct answers for the Not My Job questions were "A".

2023-09-09

NPR DB ID: 1341
Scorekeeper
Call the plumber, because I've got some pipes
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Maeve Higgins
Correct: Amy Dickinson
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about someone who will never forget the summer of 2023, Not My Job about the Concorde jet; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will be discovered under all the mud once they clean up Burning Man?

2023-09-16

NPR DB ID: 1342
Scorekeeper
I'm the voice that makes thunder hide under a blanket
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Josh Gondelman
Correct: Faith Salie
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about the good sides of famous villains; Not My Job about computer-generated imagery (CGI); Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what's the next thing we'll learn about a drug?
Notes

Dulcé Sloan's answer of "White Man" for her first Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank round question was accepted. The official answer was "Mitt Romney".

2023-09-23

NPR DB ID: 1343
Scorekeeper
I'm legendary anchorman, and today only, I'm legendary birthday boy
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Tom Bodett
Correct: Tom Bodett
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about a new tourist attraction in Ireland; Not My Job about what not to do; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will we find in celebrity MRI scans?
Notes

Another instance in which all three choices for the third Not My Job question were correct.

2023-09-30

NPR DB ID: 1344
Scorekeeper
Hoorah for Bill-ywood
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Jessi Klein
Correct: Jessi Klein
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about the origin of a name; Not My Job about Costco's Kirkland house brand; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: who will go on strike next?

2023-10-07

NPR DB ID: 1345
Scorekeeper
I don't mansplain, I anchrmansplain
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Roy Blount, Jr.
Correct: Roy Blount, Jr.
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about the surprising origin of a beloved game; Not My Job about vacuum cleaner salesmen; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: who or what will be President Biden's next pet?
Notes

Elizabeth Prologar initially chose "A" for the second Not My Job question, but changed her answer to "C" after getting a hint from Peter Sagal drawing things out. The correct answer was "B". For the third Not My Job question, Elizabeth answered with "A, unless that one's not right". "A" was the correct answer.

2023-10-14

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1346
Scorekeeper
I'm the ghostly anchorman, Boo Kurtis
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Eugene Cordero
Correct: Eugene Cordero
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part seven
Notes

The Bluff the Listener segment was from the show that was taped on 2023-09-01 at Hill Auditorium at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is the first time the segment has made it on a broadcasted show.

Karen Chee was the guest host for the show with Sam Waterston as the Not My Job guest.

Carl Kasell was the scorekeeper for the show with Stewart Copeland was the Not My Job guest.

2023-10-21

NPR DB ID: 1347
Scorekeeper
This voice isn't just melliflous, it's Bill-ifluous
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Alzo Slade
Correct: Alzo Slade
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about an unexpected consequences of the recent test of the Emergency Alert System; Not My Job about airport purchases; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions:
Notes

James Patterson had some assistance from the audience for the second and third Not My Job questions. For the third question, the audience shouted out "C", which James chose. It was another instance where all three choices for the third Not My Job questions were correct.

2023-10-28

NPR DB ID: 1348
Host
Guest: Peter Grosz
Scorekeeper
Carve out my insides amnd put a candle in me. I'm a Bill-o'-Lantern
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Alonzo Bodden
Correct: Alonzo Bodden
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about speakers in the news; Not My Job about spicy condiments; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will be the surprisingly popular costume this Halloween?
Notes

Paula Poundstone sneezed while Peter Grosz was explaining how the Who's Bill This Time? segment works.

For the third Not My Job question, Bernie Taupin initially chose "B" but Peter Grosz suggested that he change his answer. The audience was shouting out "C", which Bernie chose and it was the correct answer.

2023-11-04

NPR DB ID: 1349
Scorekeeper
Guest: Lakshmi Singh
Panelists
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Maeve Higgins
Correct: Maeve Higgins
Description
Who's Lakshmi This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about someone getting in trouble because of an app; Not My Job about gummy bears; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will be the next secret we learn about a presidential candidate?
Notes

For Maeve Higgin's first Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question, Peter Sagal made a joke by saying "Sam Blank-man-Fried" for "Sam Bankman-Fried" and that threw Maeve off. Peter gave Maeve a point.

2023-11-11

NPR DB ID: 1350
Scorekeeper
I'm the voice so beautiful, I can walk into any grocery store and use the intercom without asking
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Tom Bodett
Correct: Tom Bodett
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about someone getting a good deal; Not My Job about empty houses; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Listener Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what we will later learn the actors won in their new contract?

2023-11-18

NPR DB ID: 1351
Scorekeeper
I'm your Maine squeeze
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Roy Blount, Jr.
Correct: Roy Blount, Jr.
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about attempts to restore a reputation; Not My Job about jelly beans; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what's next for the perfume industry?
Notes

The listener contestant for the Bluff the Listener segment disliked Spirit Airlines and initially chose Maeve Higgins' story to Peter Sagal's disbelief. After Peter asked the listener if she wanted to stick with Maeve's story, she said "It can't be Spirit" and chose Roy Blount Jr.'s story; which, was the correct story.

Maeve answered her third Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question with "Dollars" and Peter enthusiastically accepted the answer as being close enough to "inflation". Peter also enthusiastically accepted Maeve's answer of "baseball" for her fourth Lightning question as being close enough to "Cy Young Award".

When Peter asked Bill Kurtis how Roy did answering the Lightning questions, Bill said, "Roy is the champion this week" without stating how many questions Roy answered correctly or the Roy's total score. Roy's scoring is based on the questions that made it into the edited version of the show, in which Roy answered five correct and two incorrect.

2023-11-25

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1352
Scorekeeper
I'm the guy who makes a black hat with a buckle look sexy. I'm your Bill-grim
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part eight
Notes

The Not My Job segments with Jane Curtin, Muffet McGraw, and Adam Savage had Carl Kasell as scorekeeper.

2023-12-02

NPR DB ID: 1353
Scorekeeper
Is that angel singing in three-part harmony? No, it's just me, Bill Kurtis
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about unusual marketing tricks; Not My Job about North and South Dakota; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will be the next hit show for seniors?
Notes

After Dakota Johnson incorrectly answered the first two Not My Job questions, Peter Sagal made the third question an all-or-nothing where Dakota would win if she correctly answered the question. Dakota answered the question correctly and won the voicemail greeting for the listener contestant.

In the edited version of the show, only five of Alonzo Bodden's Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank questions were included. Of those five questions, Alonzo answered four correct; meaning, the fifth correct answer would have been for one of the three questions that were edited out. The listed score for Alonzo is based on what Bill Kurtis stated on the show.

2023-12-09

NPR DB ID: 1354
Host
Guest: Negin Farsad
Scorekeeper
Happy Chanukah. Light the anchorman-orah
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Eugene Cordero
Correct: Eugene Cordero
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about a crime being solved; Not My Job abojt Shaq; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenger; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what the Word of the Year be in 2024?
Notes

After Fred Schneider chose "A" for the first Not My Job question, Negin Farsad asked Fred what his other choice would have been. Fred then chose "B", which was the correct answer.

Luke Burbank was in the middle of asking the Listener Limerick Challenge contestant about napping penguins when Negin had to stop Luke from finishing his question. The reason is that it was the topic of the third limerick.

Eugene Cordero could not think of Boris Johnson's last name for his second Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank question and answered "Boris British". Negin accepted his answer and Eugene got credit for it. For his fourth question, Eugene could not think of the word "recession" and Negin would gave the point to Eugene.

2023-12-16

NPR DB ID: 1355
Scorekeeper
Take a bite out of me. I'm the Big App-Bill
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Alzo Slade
Correct: Alzo Slade
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about something unusual happening at the barbershop; Not My Job about animal husbandry; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: who will be the next person to get $700 million?

2023-12-23

NPR DB ID: 1356
Scorekeeper
The weather outside is frightful, but my voice is so delightful
Panelists
Guests
Bluff(s)
#1
Description
Who's Bill This Time?; Panel Questions; Bluff the Listener about someone getting not quite what they wanted this holiday season; Not My Job about Jerry Lewis' telethon; Panel Questions; Listener Limerick Challenge; Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank; Panelist Predictions: what will be the next hot-selling cookie cutter?
Notes

Molly Seidel had a little bit of help from the audience and Peter Sagal the third Not My Job question.

2023-12-30

Best Of NPR DB ID: 1357
Scorekeeper
I'm the spirit of Christmas who visits you at midnight and then ends up staying for breakfast
Bluff(s)
#1
Chosen: Brian Babylon
Correct: Brian Babylon
Description
Best Of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! featuring favorite moments from the past 25 years, part nine
Notes

Tom Papa was the guest host for the 2023-02-11 show which featured Geena Davis as the Not My Job guest.

Both the Bluff the Listener segment and the Not My Job segment with Jacob Knowles are from the second tape recorded in Portland, Maine on 2023-11-17. Since the Bluff the Listener segment hasn't been aired before, both the chosen and correct stories have been recorded.

The Not My Job segment with "Weird Al" Yankovic is from his second appearance on the show, which aired on 2023-04-22.