Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

WWDTM: Becca Mann

October 4, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Guest host Negin Farsad is filling in for Peter Sagal because he is stuck at a crafting convention in Sheboygan due to a government shutdown. 
  • The panelist introductions included Adam Felber promoting a show with Lisa Loeb, Shantira Jackson promoting her work on Clean Slate, and Hari Kondabolu promoting his upcoming stand-up special in Chicago. 
  • Special guest Becca Mann, an open water swimmer and author, discussed the physical side effects of long swims, such as swollen nostrils and a drooping uvula, and shared that her thoughts are scarier than sharks. 

Segments

Show Opening and Host Introduction
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(00:00:25)
  • Key Takeaway: Negin Farsad is guest hosting Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! because Peter Sagal is attending a crafting convention in Sheboygan due to a government shutdown.
  • Summary: The program identifies itself as the NPR news quiz, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me!. Bill Curtis introduces Negin Farsad as the guest host filling in for Peter Sagal. Farsad explains Sagal’s absence is due to a government shutdown keeping him at a crafting convention.
Listener Contestant Introduction
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(00:01:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Listener contestant Stu from Amsterdam, New York, teaches high school civics and economics.
  • Summary: The show welcomes its first listener contestant, Stu from Amsterdam, New York. Stu informs the panel that he teaches high school civics and economics. Panelists Adam Felber, Shantira Jackson, and Hari Kondabolu are then introduced.
Who’s Bill This Time Game
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(00:02:42)
  • Key Takeaway: Pete Hegseth publicly criticized generals for being overweight and having beards during a meeting in Virginia.
  • Summary: Stu plays ‘Who’s Bill This Time?’ starting with a quote from Pete Hegseth about ‘No fat generals.’ The context reveals Hegseth and President Trump criticized the appearance of generals at a meeting. The panel jokes about historical ‘fat’ military figures like Colonel Sanders and General Mills.
AI Actress News Segment
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(00:05:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Actress Emily Blunt commented on the emergence of Tilly Norwood, an entirely AI-generated actress, expressing concern for the industry.
  • Summary: The second quote involves Emily Blunt reacting to Tilly Norwood, a new AI actress unveiled by a technology creator. Panelists joke about the implications of AI actors taking roles, with Shantira Jackson noting she feels safe from competition due to demographic differences.
Office Shoe Policy News
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(00:07:24)
  • Key Takeaway: A UK company instituted a ‘clean socks only, no holes’ policy, requiring employees to remove their shoes upon arrival at the office to optimize efficiency.
  • Summary: The final news quote concerns a UK workplace instituting a mandatory no-shoe policy, requiring clean socks only. The panel reacts strongly against this intrusion on personal comfort, joking about the need to monetize showing one’s feet at work.
Panel Questions: Cousin Marriage
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(00:09:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The UK’s National Health Service officially encouraged people to look into the benefits of marrying first cousins, citing stronger family support and economic benefits.
  • Summary: Adam Felber is asked about the UK’s NHS encouraging marriage between first cousins. The rationale provided suggests this practice can lead to stronger extended family support and economic advantages. The panel reacts with humor and shock to the suggestion.
Bluff the Listener Game Setup
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(00:14:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The Bluff the Listener game topic focuses on the biggest leaps in television technology since color TV.
  • Summary: Kurt from Clemson, South Carolina, a sports broadcast TV director and producer, joins the game. The topic for the bluff segment is the next great leap in television technology following color and HD.
Bluff Game: TV Technology Stories
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(00:15:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Hari Kondabolu’s bluff claimed Telly, a free TV company, charges users a $1,000 penalty if they do not watch the mandatory, ever-present ads.
  • Summary: Adam Feldber proposed ‘WatchPals,’ AI friends to watch content with on Amazon Prime. Shantira Jackson proposed ‘Make It Better,’ a plug-in to change TV show endings. Hari Kondabolu proposed Telly, a free TV funded by mandatory, constant ads, with a $1,000 penalty for not watching enough.
Guest Interview: Becca Mann
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(00:21:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Open water swimmer Becca Mann experienced her nostrils swelling shut and her uvula hanging onto her tongue after nine hours in saltwater during a 40-mile swim.
  • Summary: Becca Mann discusses her open water swimming achievements, including the three-island crossing. She admits her own thoughts are more terrifying than sharks during long swims. She detailed severe physical swelling effects from prolonged saltwater exposure.
Guest Interview: Aquarium Incidents
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(00:27:57)
  • Key Takeaway: The San Antonio Aquarium had an incident where an octopus grabbed a child’s arm, and another where two people stole a shark using a baby stroller.
  • Summary: Becca Mann plays ‘Not My Job’ concerning closed water aquariums for listener Ryan Campbell. One question revealed an octopus grabbed a child, requiring three adults to free the child. Another question confirmed security footage showed two people walking out with a stolen shark in a baby stroller.
Limerick Challenge: News Rhymes
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(00:39:11)
  • Key Takeaway: One news-related limerick concerned fashion designers creating large garments that create personal space, while another noted a New Zealand company releasing wine specifically for pets.
  • Summary: Lauren from Stoughton, Massachusetts, plays the Limerick Challenge. One limerick described fashion creating personal space, suggesting clothing acts as armor. Another limerick detailed a New Zealand company releasing wines like ‘Pinot’ for pets, which the panel joked would lead to drunk dogs.
Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank Game
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(00:43:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Hari Kondabolu took the lead by correctly answering five questions, including that a Colorado robber was caught after walking past a TV news crew filming a story about him.
  • Summary: Shantira Jackson went first, scoring 10 points. Hari Kondabolu then scored 10 points, taking the lead with 13 total points. Adam Felber also scored 10 points, tying Hari at 13 points, forcing a tiebreaker scenario.