Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

We fold our phones and get roasted by Leslie Jones

This week, panelists Negin Farsad, Peter Grosz, and Sureni Weerasekera talk foldable iPhones, $5000 bribes, and the sicekst dashcam vidoes. Then, Leslie Jones joins us to

Sep 12
47 min

Our panel goes on shore leave with Maggie Smith

This week, we’re live in Ohio with poet Maggie Smith and panelists Annie Rauwerda, Mo Rocca, and Shane Torres Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 p

Sep 5
46 min

Trade wars, what are they good for?

This week, magician Carisa Hendrix joins panelists Peter Grosz, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Tig Notaro to talk fire-eating, drag, and cheetos. Support public media with

Aug 29
47 min

The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 2!

This week, we extend our summer break with Ken Jennings, Olivia Munn, Father James Martin, and Bobby Lopez! Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 po

Aug 22
47 min

The Wait Wait 2026 summer spectacular, part 1!

This week, we celebrate our endless summer with some of our favorite guests, including Jason Benetti, Mychal Threets, Lily King, and Renee Rapp! Support public media wit

Aug 15
47 min

Falling in love with an octopus, a dog, and Sally Field

This week, legendary actor Sally Field joins us to talk about working with an octopus, or not, and introduces the world to her dog, Dashiell Hammett. Plus, panelists Tom

Aug 8
48 min

Betting on a graveyard of Cybertrucks with Mary Roach

This week, we're live in Sonoma with special guest Mary Roach! Plus panelists Joyelle Nicole Johnson, Tom Papa, and Shane Torres talk gambling, Cybertrucks, and wrinkles.

Aug 1
47 min

A tick-filled odyssey

This week, Abbott Elementary's Tyler James Williams joins panelists Josh Gondelman, Hari Kondabolu, and Faith Salie See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect

Jul 25
48 min

We skip the salad bar and have a banana instead

This week, special guest Vicki Peterson joins panelists Alonzo Bodden, Helen Hong, and Dulcé Sloan See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe

Jul 18
47 min

Love Island and Pre-Teen Punks with Jason Narducy

This week, we're live in Milwaukee with musician Jason Narducy. Plus, panelists Alonzo Bodden, Adam Burke, and Negin Farsad talk the World Cup, Love Island, and new rules

Jul 11
47 min

Celebrating the 4th with nothing but bangers!

This week, we celebrate Independence Day with a collection of absolute bangers, including interviews with John Cusack, Kali Reis, Arden Cho, and Aasif Mandvi See pcm.ads

Jul 4
47 min

Reflecting Pools and Construction Zones

This week, we talk reflecting pools, hydration breaks, and hot dudes with Emmy Blotnick, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Gianmarco Soresi. Plus, Pavement's Stephen Malkmus jo

Jun 27
47 min

The World Cup, Trad Wives, and the Wedding of the Century

This week, Caro Claire Burke, the author of book of the summer "Yesteryear", joins panelists Karen Chee, Peter Grosz, and Shane O'Neill See pcm.adswizz.com for informati

Jun 20
46 min

Insult Dogs and Emotional Support Alligators

This week, Legendary comedy writer Robert Smigel (and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) join panelists Josh Gondelman, Shantira Jackson, and Shane Torres See pcm.adswizz.com

Jun 13
47 min

The Alzo Era begins in Austin!

This week, we're live in Austin with special guest Elana Meyers Taylor; panelists Brain Babylon, Rachel Coster, and Tom Papa; and new judge and scorekeeper Alzo Slade! S

Jun 6
47 min

Breaking News from Wait Wait: Our new Judge and Scorekeeper is announced!

The orange smoke is rising from the chimney of the Studebaker Theater, which can only mean one thing: the time has come to name our new Judge and Scorekeeper! See pcm.ad

Jun 4
11 min

Our (early) endless summer with Lucy Dacus and more!

This week, we celebrate an early start to summer by revisiting our interviews with Tiffany Haddish, Taimane, Becca Mann, and Lucy Dacus! See pcm.adswizz.com for informat

May 30
46 min

Brandi Carlile helps us say goodbye to Bill Kurtis!

This week, we bid a fond farewell to our beloved Bill Kurtis with Brandi Carlile and panelists Luke Burbank, Negin Farsad, and Paula Poundstone See pcm.adswizz.com for i

May 23
47 min

We make Ken Jennings relive the worst moment of his life

This week, legendary Jeopardy champion and host Ken Jennings joins panelists Tom Bodett, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Faith Salie to talk swearing on air and making up lit

May 16
47 min

Spirit Airlines, The Book of Mormon, and Grunting

This week, Double-EGOT winner Bobby Lopez joins us to talk about the 15th anniversary of Book of Mormon, and panelists Hari Kondabolu, Roxanne Roberts, and Mo Rocca say a

May 9
48 min

Chart trend

Position in the overall Apple Podcasts chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#100#198JunJulAugSep

#15

all-time peak

130

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 17, 2026).

#194 ▼ 65 All Podcasts US

#19 ▼ 9 Comedy US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I can’t count the number of times that I have burst out into spontaneous and loud laughter during this program. Most of the panelists are incredibly funny, well informed, and right up my funny-bone alley. The jokes are topical, well-thought-out, with just the right amount of spontaneity and fun. And who doesn’t love a limerick?

jvhouse · Apr 2026

Been listening to Wait Wait since I was a kid, since the show started on the radio. It was a cherished part of lazy weekends at home. Since the pandemic I’ve returned to the show as a podcast. I am pleased to hear the show grow and change with the times, in some much needed ways. It has introduced me to comedians I adore and interviewed guests who would have been unlikely to hear on NPR 18 years ago, but who I want to hear. Thanks for that! I’m a paid subscriber and feel it’s worth every penny. Please come play a show in Northern California! I’ll be there.

Roz1312 · Mar 2026

In this depressing time period, it is positively energizing to listen to Wait wait. Nothing else makes me laugh at the news and the comedy teams are dynamic and fresh. Love this podcast version and have listened for years. Something I could share with my children as they were growing

Patricias Wisdom · Nov 2025

I look forward to listening to a new Wait Wait every weekend. What a fun way to laugh and keep up with current events. Shout out to the whole team there for putting on such a entertaining and news worthy show!

Golden CO girl · Nov 2025

Love the content but I can’t listen anymore due to all of the contributors peaking their microphones the entire show. It’s painfully loud and crackly. Hire a sound mixer or have them wear earbuds to hear when they are peaking the sound. Isn’t this a professional radio show?

8935maria · Sep 2023

This was the first podcast I ever subscribed to back in 2004 or so. I have listened religiously since then and was even at Carl Kasell’s final show as part of my law school graduation celebration. I have adored this show and it’s panelists for the majority of my life but in recent years I have found myself less interested in turning it on. NPR lost its way during the Trump years becoming profoundly both-sides-y and milquetoast and WWDTM has followed suit. It hasn’t gone stale it’s gone soggy. I couldn’t even finish the last couple of weeks. Find something better. HDTGM is a good option.

KJBrady · Jul 2023

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.