NPR's 'Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!' nods at Ann Arbor - twice
Peter Sagal
Ann Arbor listeners to the National Public Radio news quiz program "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me!" discovered a couple of unexpected local angles on the episode that aired Saturday.
Hosted by Peter Sagal, "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me" is a humor program that has fun with celebrities and just folks answering various questions about the news of the week.
Saturday, Ann Arbor came up twice: in the finish-the-limericks round and in the lightning round that ends the competition.
One feature of the show is a limericks round, in which a call-in contestant supplies the ending to limericks arising out of news items. This week's contestant was Theresa Reid, executive director of the interdisciplinary Arts Engine program at the University of Michigan.
"Ann Arbor's a beautiful place," Sagal remarked when hearing where Reid was calling from.
Listen to the segment here:
Then, in the lightning fill-in-the-blank round of the competition with celebrity guests, one of the questions was about a hazmat situation at St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, triggered by someone who had swallowed rodent poison.
Listen to the segment here:
The full episode is available for listening on the show's website.
"Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me" airs at 11 a.m. Saturday on both WEMU (89.1-FM) at Eastern Michigan University and WUOM (91.7-FM) at the University of Michigan.
The program has a history with the Ann Arbor area: "Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me" has taped episodes here three times, each time sponsored by WEMU: most recently at the Michigan Theater in 2007, and earlier at Pease Auditorium in 2005 and at the Power Center in 2003 as part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
Bob Needham is director of entertainment content for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at bobneedham@annarbor.com or 734-623-2541, and follow him on Twitter @bobneedham.
Comments
evenyoubrutus
Tue, May 3, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
I'd like to send a thank-you to everyone who responded to my original comment for adding evidence to support my argument. It is greatly appreciated.
Lonnie
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
I used to not understand the hype about NPR, but several years ago I started listening every Saturday and Sunday to their programs (especially Car Talk, Splendid Table (the traveling Sterns spoke at Kerrytown BookFest), Prairie Home Companion, Wait Wait, This American Life), and I quickly I learned what really great entertainment these shows provided. They are all very clever, fun, and educational. A great way to spend wintry weekend inside, or on your iPod out walking around. If you try listening to these shows on Saturday and Sunday, you might become a big fan, too!
Grace1
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 4:30 p.m.
On the contrary, NPR provides news, noteworthy guests, educational forums, humor. Congratulations Theresa Reid! I enjoy listening to NPR very much!
evenyoubrutus
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
NPR is dull and boring. I love how people who listen to it like to wear that on their sleeve as if it's an identifier or something. Like "the only way I get through my commute is by listening to NPR" except it actually puts you to sleep, and yet those who listen to it seem to think they have achieved a higher status of intelligence because of it. I give a big thumbs DOWN.
lumberg48108
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.
this show is fun and funny --- people who complain about NPR often prefer to listen to Rush go for it ---
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 5:45 p.m.
Much better to listen to the idiot trio Rush, Glenn, and Sean . . . and anything on WJR. Good Night and Good Luck
AdmiralMoose
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
Whatever. Wait, Wait... is the smartest, funniest show on the radio, public or commercial. But you have to listen to know it.
fjord
Mon, May 2, 2011 : 4:26 p.m.
You're obviously much better at listening to the radio than I am. Do you give lessons?