Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

WWDTM: Kevin O'Leary

January 24, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • Special guest Kevin O'Leary, star of *Shark Tank* and the film *Marty Supreme*, joined the panelists on *Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!* to play the games. 
  • The news quiz segment covered President Trump's failed attempt to acquire Greenland, the discovery of tool use by an Australian cow named Veronica, and a ski jumping scandal dubbed 'Penisgate' over suit measurements. 
  • Listener contestant Jared from Defiance, Ohio, correctly answered all three 'Who's Bill This Time' questions, while contestant Rebecca correctly answered two of three in the 'Bluff the Listener' game about stadium amenities. 

Segments

Show Opening and Guest Introduction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:19)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin O’Leary, investor and star of Marty Supreme and Shark Tank, is the special guest for this episode of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!.
  • Summary: The show opened from the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, Illinois, with host Peter Sagal and announcer Bill Curtis. The introduction teased a segment with Kevin O’Leary regarding investment advice for NPR donations. The show also provided the call-in number for listener contestants.
First News Quiz Segment
Copied to clipboard!
(00:02:41)
  • Key Takeaway: President Trump’s demand to acquire Greenland at the World Economic Forum in Davos was rejected by European allies.
  • Summary: The first quote concerned President Trump’s unsuccessful attempt to secure Greenland, which he left Davos without. A biologist described a cow in Australia named Veronica using a stick as a tool to scratch itself, earning the nickname ‘bovine Einstein.’ The final quote related to a ski jumping scandal nicknamed ‘Penisgate’ concerning illegal extra fabric in suits.
Astronaut’s Husband Challenge
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Astronaut Christina Koch noted that her upcoming moon mission will prevent her husband from calling her to ask where household items are located, unlike missions to the International Space Station.
  • Summary: Panelist Adam Burke discussed the challenge for an astronaut on a moon mission: the increased communication delay prevents simple questions about household item locations. The panelists joked about the implications for a spouse left managing the home alone. The segment highlighted the difference in communication feasibility between low Earth orbit and deep space missions.
Bluff the Listener Game Begins
Copied to clipboard!
(00:14:44)
  • Key Takeaway: The ‘Bluff the Listener’ game topic focused on new or unusual features implemented in sports stadiums.
  • Summary: Listener contestant Rebecca from New York City played the game, where she had to distinguish a true stadium amenity from two fakes. Adam Burke described kiss cam-proof seating in Milan, Shantira Jackson detailed an Ozempic Lounge in Charlotte, and Mo Rocca mentioned a dedicated smoking shack for John Mellencamp at Indiana University Stadium. Rebecca correctly identified the John Mellencamp shack as the true story.
Kevin O’Leary Interview: Shark Tank Origins
Copied to clipboard!
(00:21:34)
  • Key Takeaway: Kevin O’Leary was told by a producer on the Canadian Dragon’s Den to be ‘more evil,’ mirroring a similar instruction he received for Shark Tank.
  • Summary: O’Leary discussed the origins of the format, tracing it back to a Japanese show called Begging for Money. He recounted investing in a cat DNA testing company called Base Paw, which ultimately sold for a significant amount despite initial skepticism. He also shared that directors for Marty Supreme specifically sought him out to play a rich ‘a-hole’ character.
Kevin O’Leary Game: Party Supreme
Copied to clipboard!
(00:28:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Listener Heidi Hudson won the game by correctly identifying that a cockroach stole the show on the 2023 Met Gala red carpet.
  • Summary: Kevin O’Leary played ‘Marty Supreme Meet Party Supreme’ for Heidi Hudson, answering questions about famous parties. The questions covered how a tabloid reporter infiltrated the Vanity Fair Oscar Party (bringing a pig from Babe), who stole the show at the 2023 Met Gala (a cockroach), and the low attendance (six people) at the EU’s half-million-dollar virtual party in the metaverse. O’Leary scored two out of three correct answers.
Panel Questions: News and Trivia
Copied to clipboard!
(00:33:51)
  • Key Takeaway: A new board game called The Great Hunger reenacts the Irish Potato Famine, featuring controversial pieces representing Irishmen as adorable leprechauns.
  • Summary: Mo Rocca answered a question about the controversial board game The Great Hunger, which simulates the Irish Potato Famine. Shantira Jackson defined ‘aspirational clutter’ as items bought to reflect a desired future self that is never realized, such as unused exercise equipment. Adam Burke learned that fingernails after an hour of gym use carry ten times more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat.
Lightning Fill in the Blank
Copied to clipboard!
(00:43:45)
  • Key Takeaway: Adam Burke won the overall game by correctly answering five out of seven fill-in-the-blank questions, securing a final score of 13 points.
  • Summary: In the final round, where correct answers were worth two points, Shantira Jackson scored six points, Mo Rocca scored ten points, and Adam Burke scored ten points to win. One question revealed that a U.S. aircraft carrier had to end its mission early due to persistent toilet malfunctions. Adam’s final correct answer concerned the majority of Americans believing the government is withholding information from the Epstein files.
Show Wrap-up and Final Thoughts
Copied to clipboard!
(00:50:12)
  • Key Takeaway: The panelists predicted future cow behavior, including them learning to make the ‘B’ sound to reveal they have been booing the audience.
  • Summary: The show concluded with final thoughts from the panelists and acknowledgments for the production staff and the audience at the Studebaker Theater. Host Peter Sagal thanked the panelists: Adam Burke, Shantira Jackson, and Mo Rocca. The episode ended with predictions about what cows might do next, given their newfound tool use.