NPR's beloved comedy news quiz show Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 14, 2023, with a special episode featuring interviews with John Goodman, Sam Waterston, Jenny Slate, and Stewart Copeland, as well as a never-before-heard Bluff game.

The episode opened with host Peter Sagal reminiscing about the show's early days, and how it has evolved over the years. He also thanked the show's loyal listeners for their support over the past 25 years.

The first guest of the evening was John Goodman, who talked about his new film Tár, and his memories of being a guest on Wait Wait in the past. Goodman also played a hilarious round of Bluff, in which he had to guess which of three headlines was real.

Next up was Sam Waterston, who talked about his long career in television and film, and his role in the upcoming season of The Crown. Waterston also played a round of Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank, in which he had to fill in the blanks in famous quotes about news and politics.

After Waterston was Jenny Slate, who talked about her new book Little Weirds, and her experiences as a female comedian in a male-dominated industry. Slate also played a round of Not My Job, in which she had to answer questions about topics that she knew nothing about.

The final guest of the evening was Stewart Copeland, drummer for the legendary rock band The Police. Copeland talked about his new memoir Strange Things Happen at Sea and his memories of touring with The Police in the 1980s. Copeland also played a round of the Listener Limerick Challenge, in which he had to come up with a limerick based on a news headline provided by a listener.

The episode ended with Sagal and his panelists reflecting on the show's 25-year history, and what it means to them to be a part of it. Sagal also thanked the show's listeners for their continued support and promised that Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! will continue to be the best comedy news quiz show on the radio for many years to come.

Critical Reception

The special episode of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! was met with critical acclaim from both critics and listeners. Many praised the show's writers for their clever and topical humor, as well as the cast for their comedic timing and rapport.

The episode was also notable for its high-profile guests. John Goodman, Sam Waterston, Jenny Slate, and Stewart Copeland are all accomplished actors and musicians, and they all brought their unique personalities and talents to the show.

Overall, the special episode of Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! was a fitting celebration of the show's 25th anniversary. It was funny, informative, and featured some of the biggest names in entertainment. It was a great episode for both longtime fans of the show and newcomers alike.