Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

We ask Peter about the guest who's most surprised him, plus other listener questions

December 16, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • This special bonus episode of *Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!* features host Peter Sagal participating in a listener 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session, hosted by visual host Emma Choi, which is being shared publicly as a 'season of giving' offering. 
  • Peter Sagal revealed that his current musical torture is being forced by his young son to listen exclusively to "Wheels on the Bus," though he personally favors the song "A Little Bit of Everything" by Dawes and is currently moved by "Golden" by K-pop Demon Hunters. 
  • Peter Sagal believes the show's longevity is due to the infusion of new, talented panelists and producers who bring perspectives he lacks, and he strongly advocates for running without listening to anything to allow thoughts to flow freely. 

Segments

Bonus Episode Introduction
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(00:00:18)
  • Key Takeaway: This episode of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! is a shared bonus Peter AMA, usually reserved for Wait Wait Plus supporters.
  • Summary: Peter Sagal introduces the episode as a special bonus for all fans, normally exclusive to Wait Wait Plus subscribers. This sharing is part of the ‘season of giving’ to showcase bonus content. Listeners are encouraged to sign up at plus.npr.org/waitwait to support NPR and hear Part 2.
Favorite Song Dilemma
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(00:04:04)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter Sagal is currently forced to listen to “Wheels on the Bus” by his three-year-old son, but his personal favorite song is “A Little Bit of Everything” by Dawes.
  • Summary: When asked for one song to listen to forever, Peter cited his son’s preference for “Wheels on the Bus.” He mentioned his personal favorite is “A Little Bit of Everything” by Dawes. He also admitted to currently being deeply moved by the song “Golden” by K-pop Demon Hunters.
Most Surprising Guest Revelation
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(00:05:58)
  • Key Takeaway: Rapper RZA of Wu-Tang Clan was surprised when Peter Sagal revealed his unexpected enthusiasm for HGTV, which RZA had previously confessed in a People Magazine feature.
  • Summary: Peter enjoys when serious guests reveal unexpected sides, like a sense of humor. He recounted the moment they surprised RZA by asking about his interest in HGTV. RZA confirmed this interest, which he had shared in a ‘10 Things You Don’t Know’ list.
Show Evolution and New Talent
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(00:08:12)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter believes the show has changed most significantly by incorporating newer, talented panelists and producers who bring fresh perspectives he cannot provide alone.
  • Summary: The show has evolved by integrating newer talent, including Emma Choi, who is younger than the show itself. Peter credits these new voices for keeping the program fresh and preventing it from fading away. He enjoys the surprise of seeing new panelists deliver unexpected humor.
Failed Hobbies and Running Consistency
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(00:10:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter has failed miserably at hobbies like bread baking, surfing, soccer, and golf, but running is the one athletic pursuit that has consistently stuck.
  • Summary: Due to athletic limitations and ADHD, Peter has abandoned many enthusiastic pursuits, leaving his garage full of unused sports equipment. He noted that running has remained consistent, perhaps because it is the ‘great athletic pursuit for people with no athletic talent.’ He humorously suggests that those who can’t play sports run, and those who can’t run run long.
Running Soundtrack Philosophy
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(00:11:36)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter passionately argues that runners should avoid listening to anything to allow their thoughts to process, though he admits to sometimes succumbing to distraction.
  • Summary: In his book about running, Peter argued against listening to media while running, viewing it as blocking an important moment alone with one’s thoughts. He believes this quiet time allows for creative ideas and relaxation. Despite this belief, he confesses to sometimes listening to news podcasts due to an ‘addict for distraction’ tendency.
Casting Peter Sagal in a Movie
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(00:13:53)
  • Key Takeaway: If a movie were made about Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!, Peter would cast Stanley Tucci or Jason Alexander as himself, depending on his physical health.
  • Summary: Peter’s casting choices for himself are Stanley Tucci if he is doing well, or Jason Alexander if not, noting both are bald men. He shared a lengthy anecdote about finally embracing his lifelong balding process after being teased by founder Doug Berman with a Tufts University t-shirt.
Peter’s Dirty Dancing 2 Writing History
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(00:17:08)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter Sagal was the original writer for the screenplay that became Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, but it was heavily rewritten to focus on dancing instead of its original political drama set before the Cuban Revolution.
  • Summary: Peter was commissioned to write a drama set in Cuba on the eve of the revolution, focusing on a young American girl’s romance with a Cuban revolutionary. Producers later stripped out the history and politics to transform the script into Dirty Dancing 2 for commercial appeal. He noted that the actor who plays the teacher in the film owes his role to a cameo Peter wrote for himself.
Underdog Condiment Recommendation
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(00:21:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Peter’s favorite underdog condiment is Harissa, a spicy paste from North Africa, which he fondly remembers from eating merguez sandwiches in the South of France.
  • Summary: Peter named Harissa as the condiment that deserves more recognition. He associated its best flavor with street food eaten during a writing fellowship in the South of France. He is actively seeking a brand of Harissa in America that matches the taste he experienced there.