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    • Discussing the importance of being a good sidekick and NPR's sponsor Acorn TV's free trial offerListeners enjoyed a lively discussion about being a good sidekick, and Acorn TV offered a free 30-day trial for new users by visiting their website and using the promo code NPR.

      Acorn TV, a sponsor of NPR, offers brilliant television content ranging from cozy mysteries to dark dramas, and new users can enjoy a 30-day free trial by visiting their website and using the promo code NPR. During a segment of the NPR news quiz "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," host Peter Sagal welcomed Andy Richter as a guest host, and they discussed the importance of being a good sidekick to a host. A caller named Emily from Michigan joined the show, and the panel included comedians Maraca and Paula Poundstone. In the news quiz segment, Andy Richter read three quotations, and Emily was tasked with identifying or explaining two of them to win a voice message from a favorite show character. The first quote was about Kate Middleton's photoshopped image with her kids, which went viral and led to speculation and humor about the royal family. The second quote, which Emily correctly identified, was about a man who accidentally sent a text meant for his mistress to his wife. The third quote, which Emily missed, was about a man who was arrested for trying to sell a stolen car that belonged to a police officer. Overall, the episode showcased the entertaining and engaging nature of NPR's radio program and its sponsors.

    • British Monarchy's Past Scandals and TikTok's Uncertain FutureThe British monarchy's history of scandals reduces the likelihood of them hiding a potential affair, while TikTok's future in the US remains uncertain due to political pressure and potential buyouts

      There were significant developments on two fronts this week – the British royal family and TikTok's future in the US. Regarding the former, there have been rumors about an affair between Kate Middleton and Prince William, but the panelists discussed how Britain's monarchy has had its own scandals, making it unlikely for the royal family to be cagey about such an affair. The woman rumored to be involved is the Marchioness of Cholmondeley. As for TikTok, the House of Representatives voted to ban it unless the Chinese company selling it to Americans, but former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced plans to buy it instead. Tanning beds made a comeback as a beauty trend, despite health concerns. In summary, the British monarchy's past scandals make it less likely for them to hide a potential affair, while TikTok's future in the US remains uncertain.

    • President Biden's Love for Cars and Unique Anecdotes OverlookedPresident Biden's interview revealed his love for cars and shared anecdotes, but the focus was on his memory lapses, while his enthusiasm for trains and a game segment on 'Wait Wait Don't Tell Me' were also part of the conversation.

      During an interview with the special counsel, President Biden shared his love for cars and made vroom vroom noises while talking about his Corvette. This revelation was lost in the controversy over his memory during the interview. Biden also shared a story about representing a client who had lost a testicle. The interview transcript was released this week, but the focus was on his memory lapses rather than his unique expressions and anecdotes. Despite his love for cars, Biden is also known for his enthusiasm for trains. The discussion also included a game segment on the radio show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me." A caller from Kenosha, Wisconsin, claimed to be a bomb diffuser for the local bomb squad, but the panelists were unable to verify this claim. The game segment involved the caller telling truth or fiction on various topics, with the letter "d" being the theme for the day's bluff.

    • The letter D can lead to unexpected outcomesBe mindful of the various meanings and contexts of words and situations to avoid misunderstandings and unexpected outcomes.

      The letter D can have multiple meanings and contexts, leading to unexpected outcomes. Adam Burke's story illustrates this concept when he unknowingly attended a D and D convention for a different kind of role-play. Morocco's tale adds to this idea when a vegan bakery unintentionally delivered non-vegan doughnuts due to a mislabeled shipment. Paula Poundstone's story further emphasizes the importance of context, as a tattoo artist unknowingly inked a heartbroken man with the initial of his ex-girlfriend. These stories serve as reminders that we should be aware of the various meanings and contexts of words and situations, as they can significantly impact our experiences.

    • A Dunkin' Donuts scandal involving tiny sprinklesUnexpected paths can lead to great success, as seen in a Dunkin' Donuts sprinkle controversy and David Alan Grier's journey from theater to TV

      Truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction, even when it comes from unexpected sources. This week on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Mo Rocca's story about a Dunkin' Donuts scandal turned out to be the real deal, as reported by Emily Heil of The Washington Post. The tiny, thin T-shaped sprinkles on a doughnut were the cause of the controversy, and Mo's retelling of the story was surprisingly accurate. Meanwhile, David Alan Grier, a serious theater actor who became a comedy sensation on In Living Color, shared his unexpected journey from the stage to the small screen. Despite his success in theater, Grier was initially discouraged from joining the sketch show by his agents. But he followed his passion and the rest is history. It just goes to show that sometimes, the most unexpected paths can lead to great success.

    • Regretting missed opportunities in actingActors, like Bob Odenkirk, can miss out on significant roles and regret their decisions. He turned down parts in 'Seinfeld' and 'Forrest Gump', but learned the importance of taking risks and embracing opportunities.

      Sometimes closing the wrong door can lead to missing out on great opportunities. Bob Odenkirk shared stories from his acting career where he turned down roles in "Seinfeld" and "Forrest Gump," assuming they wouldn't be successful. However, he later regretted his decisions when he saw the movies and realized the impact they had made. The "magical Negro" trope discussed in the conversation refers to the stereotypical role of a black character with no backstory, only there to serve the white cast. Odenkirk mentioned how he was often offered such roles but refused, aiming for more substantial parts. Despite his achievements, including a Tony Award, he was once given the nickname "Dag" by Adolph Caesar during his time in the Broadway production of "A Soldier's Play." Overall, Odenkirk's experiences illustrate the importance of taking risks and embracing opportunities, even if they don't seem promising at first.

    • Unexpected experiences of famous soccer wives before marriageVictoria Beckham once appeared as a roller skating sperm, Ciara signed autographs on legal documents, and Colleen Rooney was involved in a high-profile libel trial. These experiences highlight the unique challenges faced by soccer wives before their high-profile relationships.

      Famous wives of soccer players, including Victoria Beckham, Ciara, and Colleen Rooney, have had unexpected experiences before marrying into their high-profile relationships. Victoria Beckham once appeared as a roller skating sperm in a BBC sex ed show, Ciara signed autographs on legal documents, and Colleen Rooney was involved in a high-profile libel trial with another WAG. These unexpected experiences show that even the wives of famous soccer players have had unique and unexpected challenges in their careers before achieving their current status.

    • Self-service security and pet eye contact at the airportTechnology transforms airport security and our daily lives with pets, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and engaged.

      Technology is continuously evolving and being integrated into various aspects of our lives, even in unexpected areas like self-service security at airports and daily interactions with pets. During a recent episode of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, the NPR news quiz, the panel discussed the implementation of self-service security kiosks at the Las Vegas airport and the importance of gazing into your dog's eyes every day for the health and well-being of both parties. Additionally, it was revealed that even pilots can fall asleep on the job, leading to unexpected outcomes. The episode showcased the blend of humor and current events that Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me is known for, while also highlighting the significance of staying informed and engaged with the world around us.

    • Importance of Alert and Attentive PilotsBoth pilots falling asleep during a flight highlights the need for well-rested and focused crew members in aviation safety.

      Pilots should not be treated like toddlers at the airport and left unattended in the cockpit. A recent incident where both pilots fell asleep during a flight serves as a reminder of the importance of having fully alert and attentive crew members in charge of an aircraft. While the idea of passengers taking control of planes may sound intriguing, it's not a viable solution. Instead, measures should be taken to ensure that pilots are well-rested and focused before taking off. Meanwhile, in other news, a political consultant from Englewood, Colorado, called in to discuss her work, which involves research and polling. The segment also featured a limerick game, with listeners trying to fill in the missing words in rhyming poems. The first limerick was about hand washing, with the missing word being "lied," while the second limerick was about using diaper cream on the face, with the missing word being "diaper." An interesting tidbit from the show was a dermatologist's viral TikTok video, where she recommended using diaper cream on the face to reduce inflammation. The video went viral, sparking debate and intrigue among viewers. In summary, the episode of Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me covered a range of topics, from the importance of having alert pilots to the unexpected uses of diaper cream. It's always fascinating to see the different directions a radio show can take, and this episode was no exception.

    • Tasmanian Premier Promises Chocolate Fountain, Paula Leads Quiz Game, and MoreUnexpected promises, quiz competitions, and various headlines dominated the news, including the Tasmanian premier's chocolate fountain pledge, Paula's quiz game lead, US army's SxSW impact, Harrison Ford's colonoscopy woes, inflation, and airline emergencies.

      During a radio show discussion, the premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliffe, made an unexpected promise to build a chocolate fountain if reelected. Meanwhile, in a quiz game, the players competed to answer fill-in-the-blank questions, with Paula taking the lead with a total of 10 points. In other news, various events and companies made headlines, such as the US army's sponsorship of South by Southwest leading to over a hundred bands pulling out, and Harrison Ford's complaint about the Indiana Jones theme song following him everywhere, even during his colonoscopy. Inflation continued to impact food prices, and several airlines experienced emergency landings, leading to increased criticism of Boeing. Swedish police removed climate activist Greta Thunberg from parliament, and before his infamous Oscars moment, John Cena was unexpectedly requested by ABC executives for a larger envelope instead of a smaller one.

    • Unusual announcements and unexpected developmentsAirbnb banned security cameras, billionaire plans Titanic replica, Trump document case, White House Arab leaders meeting, Elon Musk cancels contract, police helicopter grounded, farmer enlists help for goats, SpaceX completes Starship test, new beauty trend predicted, Adam wins quiz with 15 points

      This week saw a mix of unusual announcements and unexpected developments in various industries. Airbnb made headlines by banning renters from installing security cameras, while an Australian billionaire made waves by announcing plans to build a replica of the Titanic. In the world of entertainment, a judge rejected a motion to dismiss a case involving Trump's handling of documents, and senior White House officials met with Arab leaders to discuss the war in Gaza. Elon Musk canceled a contract with a former CNN host, and a police helicopter was grounded due to an unexpected discovery. In agriculture, a farmer enlisted strangers to help milk his goats when he was stuck in traffic. In technology, SpaceX completed the third test flight of their Starship rocket, and a new beauty trend was predicted on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. Amidst all these happenings, Adam emerged as the winner of the quiz with a total of 15 points.

    • Focus on financial planning despite trendsNearly 40% of Americans lack financial advice, but resources like MassMutual and Capital One's Spark Cash Plus card can help secure a financially stable future.

      While trends like eyelash extensions with ornaments may be popular, it's essential to focus on the important matters in life, such as financial planning. The Financial Educators Council shared that nearly 40% of Americans lack someone to consult for financial advice. MassMutual, an NPR sponsor, offers financial expertise with a history spanning over 170 years to help individuals plan for both the short and long term. Meanwhile, businesses can earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase with Capital One's Spark Cash Plus card. It's crucial not to overlook the significance of financial planning and taking advantage of the resources available to ensure a secure financial future.

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