Remember back in Oct. 07 when I was so excited to have found this NPR program called Wait Wait Don't Tell Me? Well I didn't think you would, hence the link. I've been listening to this program ever since I located its airtime, and since then I've also found it online. This "oddly informative new quiz" program has become kind of a staple of my Saturday mornings or slow work days.
By far the greatest thing about this show is that it's taped in Chicago. Ever since I found that out, I've wanted to go. My birthday was the perfect excuse. I looked for other things to do in the city, such as attend the symphony or a concert but given the crappy timing of my birthday there were not many options. Honestly though, once I remembered Wait Wait Don't Tell Me I didn't want to do anything else.
The show is taped live on Thursdays and airs on the weekend. On Thursday night, Mike and I stayed downtown after work. We used one of the many gift certificates we have accumulated to eat dinner at Petterino's (a new restaurant for me). Then we walked down the street to the Chase auditorium and caught the show.
Heading into the auditorium, I was afraid that because they had the past two weeks off due to Christmas and New Years that the host and panelists would be a little rusty. I was so wrong. They were raring to go. The show as it airs is only 45 minutes. The taping, however, was two hours. I learned that a lot is said during the live show that cannot air. It is a shame though because it was some of the funniest stuff. There was small segment about the porn industry's request for a government bailout and the tangents that sprung from that were hilarious, but also not suitable to air. While not everything made it to the broadcast show, they had plenty of material to use. And the result is the funny, informative show I have come to love.
If you'd care to hear my laughter (mixed in with everyone else's) you can listen to the show here (no special downloads required). And for those of you wanting to follow like I do (probably not many) it's also available on iTunes as free podcast.
2 comments:
I love that show! I'm so envious you got to go to a taping. Fun, fun, fun. Happy late birthday.
The perfect "Chicago" and yet also "locals" thing to do! I went about a year and a half ago and loved it as well. Peter Sagal has a new book out that looks really interesting...http://www.petersagal.com/
'Good on ya' with that last blog post, keep the masochist juices flowing :)
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