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Based on "The Alzo Era begins in Austin! | Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" from NPR Podcasts Watch the original video

The Alzo Era Kicks Off: News, Nonsense, and Olympic Feats in Austin with 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me'

Episode summary

NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" introduces Alzo Slade as its new official judge and scorekeeper, live from Austin, Texas, with host Peter Sagal. The episode features listener contestant Jenny Stout, who correctly answers questions about Vanilla Ice performing at America's 250th birthday celebration, the rise of 20-year-old YouTube horror director Kane Parsons, and the "tarps off" trend in Major League Baseball where fans remove their shirts to rally their teams.

The show also welcomes decorated Olympian Alana Myers Taylor, who discusses her bobsledding career, including winning a gold medal while pregnant and being the first woman to make the US men's national team in a four-man sled. She reveals the "monobob" is a single-person sled event and shares humorous anecdotes about wearing her medals for perks. The panel then plays "Bluff the Listener," with a segment on mosquito repellent potentially attracting mosquitoes, highlighting the surprising nuances of common summer experiences.

The air in Austin, Texas, crackled with anticipation as NPR's beloved news quiz, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," rolled into the Bass Concert Hall. But this wasn't just another stop on their tour; it was a landmark moment, marking the official inauguration of a new comedic reign. With a flourish, host Peter Sagal welcomed Alzo Slade as the show's new judge and scorekeeper, declaring the dawn of "the Alzo era" – a pronouncement met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from the live audience.

Slade, never one to miss a beat, immediately leaned into his new role with characteristic wit. "I am the most decorated black scorekeeper in 'Wait, Wait' history," he quipped, setting a playful tone for the evening. His elevation to this official position grants him the "awesome power of judging and scorekeepering," a responsibility he clearly embraces with a blend of humor and authority. The show, known for its sharp satire and delightful absurdity, was ready for a fresh perspective, and Slade seemed poised to deliver.

The Week's Wackiest Headlines

The heart of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" lies in its ability to dissect the week's news with a comedic scalpel, and this episode was no exception. The first listener contestant, Jenny Stout from Salt Lake City, Utah, embarked on the "Who's Alzo This Time" challenge, where panelists Brian Babal, Rachel Coer, and Tom Papa joined Alzo Slade in uncovering the bizarre undercurrents of current events. Jenny, a busy mom supporting graduate students, shared a touching reason for calling in: to honor her late father, who introduced her to the show and fostered her love for NPR.

From Pop Stars to Political Parties

The first quote, delivered in Alzo's "vanilla ice" imitation, plunged into the peculiar world of a National Mall concert celebrating America's 250th birthday. Vanilla Ice, alongside Brett Michaels of Poison, was among the few performers who didn't drop out. Peter Sagal's deadpan observation that the lineup felt like a "Grammys In Memoriam reel" perfectly captured the general sentiment. The discussion then veered into the truly surreal: a UFC cage match being constructed on the White House lawn for President Trump's 80th birthday. Brian Babal's hilarious comparison of the White House construction to a "Breaking Bad meth lab" or "Air Force One on some blocks" highlighted the bizarre spectacle, evoking the feeling of a house guest overstaying their welcome and "ruining everything."

The YouTube Generation Takes Over Hollywood

Next, the panel explored how the digital age is reshaping the entertainment industry. Variety magazine highlighted 20-year-old Cain Parsons, a hot new Hollywood director who got his start at age nine posting Minecraft videos on YouTube. His horror films, like "Back Rooms," along with "Obsession" by another former YouTuber, are now dominating the box office, grossing over $100 million on their opening weekends. The panelists mused on the challenges of drawing young people to theaters in an era of expensive popcorn and constant "skip ad" buttons, yet these young filmmakers are succeeding. Tom Papa's daughters, in their early 20s, offered a glimpse into this demographic, describing the films as "really scary" with "hidden undertones." The conversation underscored the rapid rise of these directors, with one becoming a potential "has-been before he can legally rent a car" – a testament to the accelerated pace of digital fame.

"Tarps Off": A New Sporting Tradition?

The final news item for Jenny involved a quirky new trend in Major League Baseball: "Tarps Off." This practice, which started among a few fans at a Cardinals game, involves hundreds of spectators in the bleachers taking off their shirts and waving them over their heads. It supposedly helps the team win, with the Cardinals manager even personally buying tickets for fans willing to participate. While some praised it as "body positive," others, like Tom Papa, humorously noted the prevalence of "white man titties out there." The question of women's participation sparked a lighthearted debate, with Rachel Coer suggesting that "feminism needs to step it up" if women don't want their teams to win. Jenny, with her keen ear for the absurd, correctly identified all three news stories, making her father proud.

Unconventional Wisdom: Hollywood, Sharks, and Deet

The show continued with quickfire panel questions that revealed more surprising insights from the week.

The Age-Old Question: Animals or Actresses?

Brian Babal tackled a study revealing that Hollywood films are four times more likely to feature a talking animal than a woman over 60. This statistic sparked a humorous debate about sexism and ageism versus the "talent" of talking animals. Rachel Coer offered a personal take, saying she "kind of gets it" because animals "have never asked me when I'm going to have a child, or told me that I'm getting a little pudgy." While acknowledging that women over 60 deserve jobs, she playfully implied some personal experiences with "judgy" older women.

Swimming with the Sharks (and Gatorade?)

Rachel Coer then delved into Club Med's plans to open its first beach resort on the coast of South Africa, a region notorious for its three species of man-eating sharks. This raised serious environmental concerns about shark nets, which can harm other endangered species and even trap sharks, making them "more angry" and viewing the resort as an "all-inclusive" buffet. This led into the "Bluff the Listener" game, where Mickey Clunk from Northfield, Minnesota, had to discern truth from fiction.

The Truth About Bug Spray

Tom Papa presented a "summer twist" about insect repellent, claiming that the chemical DEET may actually be attracting mosquitoes, who learn that "where there's DEET, there's the possibility of a blood meal." Rachel Coer's fictional story involved a Texas pool company replacing water with blue Gatorade to prevent swimmer dehydration, resulting in sticky swimmers but no fainting. Brian Babal's fabricated tale featured "Miss Molly," a psychic in Venice Beach who reads people's futures from their sunburns, with peeling shoulders leading to divorce and burnt noses predicting shady contractors. Mickey correctly identified Tom Papa's story about DEET attracting mosquitoes as the truth, a surprising scientific revelation confirmed by Nola Davis, a science correspondent at The Guardian.

An Olympian's Journey: Alana Myers Taylor on Bobsledding and Beyond

The "Not My Job" segment brought an actual Olympian to the stage: Alana Myers Taylor, the most decorated American bobsledder ever, with six world championships and multiple Olympic medals, including a recent gold at the Milan Cortina Games. Now living in Austin, she arrived on stage wearing her gold medal, admitting she mostly uses it "when I want to pull something on my husband, you know, tell him he's got to take out the garbage."

From Softball to Monobob: A Unique Path to Gold

Alana's journey to bobsledding was unconventional, starting from a collegiate softball career. She discussed her gold medal in "monobob," a new Olympic discipline where a single person pushes, runs, jumps into, and then navigates the sled alone. This innovation, she explained, took over a century to realize, with the traditional two-person and four-man bobsleds relying on pushers who then "do nothing preferably" once inside. For Alana, the monobob offers the luxury of "no backseat drivers," avoiding the nightmare scenario of a teammate needing a bathroom break during a championship run.

Breaking Barriers (and Stereotypes) on the Ice

Alana also made history as the first female elite athlete to compete against men in a straightforward competition, making the US men's national team in a four-man sled, with her husband as one of her crew. She humorously noted that having her "pretty swole" husband as a strength and conditioning coach and "bodyguard" helped keep the male pushers in line. She also revealed a truly astonishing feat: winning one of her gold medals while unknowingly pregnant, making it "the worst five-person bobsled" technically a two-person sled with three occupants. Despite her prowess on the ice, she confessed that her nanny takes her kids sledding, as she "can't just be on a radio flyer" after driving a bobsled. When asked about using her medal for free food, she shared that while a bronze once snagged her a free Frosty at Wendy's, the gold medal now implies wealth, leading people to expect a good tip rather than a complimentary meal.

White Castle Wisdom

For her "Not My Job" quiz, Alana played "Sletter Meet Slider," answering questions about White Castle Hamburgers for Austin listener Crystal Craig. She aced all three questions: correctly identifying White Castle's original reputation for cleanliness (a response to Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"), its unique Valentine's Day "Love Castle" fine dining experience, and its modern innovation of using a robot chef named "Flippy" to flip burgers, ensuring they are "untouched by human hands until it arrives in yours." Alana Myers Taylor, the bobsledding legend, left the stage with a perfect score, earning a "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me gold medal."

Quirks, Calendars, and Condiments: More News from the Edges

The show rounded out its comedic journey with more panel insights and the "Limerick Challenge."

The Allure of the Home-Grown

Rachel Coer revisited the "divorce rumspringer" concept, a recommendation for recently divorced individuals to "do whatever you want for a while." She humorously suggested that instead of wild abandon, people could embrace simpler, Amish-inspired activities like "turn your own butter" or "knit all your clothing," so "your kids won't have their hearts broken again." Tom Papa added that this trend simply puts a "fun label on something we all know people do and they shouldn't."

Rome's Not-So-Sacred Calendar

The "Limerick Challenge" began with Sebastian, a new father from Mend, Vermont, calling in. Alzo Slade, in his new role as official limericist, read the first about luxury homes now being sold with chickens and coops, fulfilling "the Instagram fantasy" until "they all get bird flu." Tom Papa shared a childhood memory of a "dancing chicken" in an arcade, only to discover the music also "electrified the floor." The next limerick revealed a scandal in Rome: the famous "sexy priest calendar" features models who are not all actual priests. The panel mused on the appeal of such a calendar, with Rachel suggesting it's about "a guy just having a job and believing in something."

Ranch Diplomacy in Europe

The final limerick unveiled Hidden Valley Ranch's plan to hire "ranch dressing ambassadors" to promote America's "number one cultural export" in Europe. Alzo Slade, a self-proclaimed "ranch dressing enthusiast" and frequent European traveler, confessed to always bringing ranch dressing and "Swisher Sweet blunts" in his suitcase because "they don't have ranch over there." The panel jokingly worried about the implications of "ranch diplomacy" if a "war with Europe starts." Sebastian, the new father, proved his mettle by correctly completing all three limericks, earning a perfect score and a well-deserved "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me gold medal."

As the show concluded, the energy in Austin remained high, a testament to the seamless blend of sharp humor, surprising news, and engaging personalities. With Alzo Slade firmly in his new seat, "the Alzo era" promises more laughter, more insights, and certainly more memorable moments from the ever-unpredictable world of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."

Based on "Democrats in Virginia think they've found a winning message | America, Actually" from Vox Watch the original video

Virginia Democrats' Risky Bet: Can Affordability and Corruption Flip the Midterms?

Episode summary

Vox's "America, Actually" explores how Virginia Democrats are attempting to craft a winning message for the 2026 midterms, focusing on the competitive 1st congressional district. The central claim is that while gerrymandering has created a sense of powerlessness among voters, a new message combining affordability and corruption could galvanize support. This is evidenced by volunteer Katie Citizen's shift from Republican to activist after the 2016 election, and candidate Tim Sinsky's observation that both Republicans and Democrats are frustrated by politicians enriching themselves while everyday costs rise.

The practical takeaway is that Democrats believe they can motivate their base and sway independents and Republicans by explicitly linking rising costs to politicians' perceived self-enrichment, exemplified by Donald Trump's "for sale sign in front of the White House." This strategy aims to overcome voter apathy caused by complex issues like gerrymandering and capitalize on a tangible, relatable frustration across the political spectrum.

The political landscape is already bracing for the 2026 midterms, which are shaping up to be an all-out brawl. But beyond the traditional partisan clashes, a quieter, yet equally fierce, battle is being waged over the very lines that define electoral power: congressional maps. From Texas to California, states are redrawing their political boundaries, fueling a contentious debate around a term that often puts people to sleep: gerrymandering. Yet, beneath the academic jargon, this process has tangible impacts on everyday citizens and the fairness of democratic representation.

To understand this complex issue and its human face, we traveled to Ashland, Virginia, a small town just outside Richmond. Known for its historic charm and ties to the Civil War, Ashland calls itself "the center of the universe." Politically, it holds a unique significance as it sits within Virginia's First Congressional District – one of only about 35 truly competitive districts nationwide. This makes Virginia a critical crucible for testing new political strategies and understanding the evolving dynamics of American democracy.

The Gerrymandering Gauntlet

The current gerrymandering fight gained significant momentum when Donald Trump encouraged Republicans to draw more "safe red seats" to consolidate power in the House. Democrats, in turn, felt compelled to fight back, particularly in states like Virginia. Their strategy involved drawing new congressional maps designed to counter Republican gains elsewhere. This led to a ballot measure, a referendum, where Virginia voters actually had a say in reshaping their state's political map. Voters approved the referendum, but the courts later struck down the new map, throwing the entire region into political flux.

This rollercoaster of events has left many volunteers and candidates grappling with complex questions about fairness and political pragmatism. Katie Citizen, a dedicated volunteer with Indivisible Virginia, exemplifies this journey. A mother of three, Katie was once a self-described Republican, largely disengaged from politics until the 2016 election. "Donald Trump kind of pushed you towards engagement and pushed you out of the Republican party," the interviewer observed. "Yes," she affirmed. Her activism has since escalated, from attending and planning protests to co-founding a weekly publication, "Weekly Action RVA," which offers practical ways to "defend democracy."

For Katie, the gerrymandering issue has been particularly challenging. "It's interesting, right? Because I feel like for such a long time the message was drilled, right? Gerrymandering is not a good thing. We don't like it," she explained. "And then all of a sudden we're going out and volunteering and telling people vote for this, right?" She found herself in an "uphill battle to convince people now, not that you're convincing them now gerrymandering is okay, but then you're trying to explain in this particular situation with these factors, this is what we're doing and this is why."

Her personal evolution on the issue reflects a broader dilemma for Democrats: "I definitely don't support gerrymandering, but then I think it was the fact like the conditions, right? Well, we're not this wasn't an idea that we just dreamed up. This was a response to what had already been done and also it was a vote for the people." For Katie, these factors made her "feel more comfortable to be able to support it." In essence, she felt her hands were tied; it was a necessary, albeit imperfect, response.

The court's decision to strike down the new maps was a "huge blow to everyone," Katie recalled. "It's like you know the air out of your sails, right? Like you're just like it's just another thing." This morale hit had a ripple effect, leading to a sense of powerlessness among volunteers. "People start to feel like what does it matter? Like I tried and we're doing all these things and we even voted and we said, you know, used our voice and it still didn't work." This confirms a negative feeling many already harbor – a lack of agency in the political process. Katie, once "all in democracy" before her deep engagement, now admits, "the closer I get to [it] I'm like what is going on right?"

Frustration as Fuel: A Candidate's Perspective

Katie volunteers for Tim Sinsky, one of the Democratic candidates running in Virginia's First Congressional District. Sinsky's political journey also stems from frustration. After 15 years working in politics, including an internship for the Obama campaign and roles in the U.S. Senate, he became disillusioned. "I didn't like what I saw," he stated. He shifted to community organizing, focusing on education, economic fairness, and environmental justice. "You really can't do what I do and think that this system works for everyday people. It doesn't." For Sinsky, the core problem is that "people get left out in the cold. Unless you can write the biggest check or you have the most money, you don't feel like you have a fair shot in the system."

When confronted with the apparent hypocrisy of Democrats embracing gerrymandering, Sinsky didn't shy away. He acknowledged it as a "major problem" but emphasized, "it's not like Democrats drew first blood with this one. Donald Trump doesn't think he should be held accountable by anybody. So, he's trying to change the rules because he doesn't like the game." For Sinsky, the Democrats' attempt in Virginia was an "imperfect way to fight back to preserve our democracy and have some semblance of accountability for this administration which is actively trying to attack our democracy."

The dilemma is stark: "It does kind of sound like you all are saying we save democracy by further making the system undemocratic though," the interviewer pressed. Sinsky conceded, "That is a fair point to make, right? Like how far do you go with trying to save democracy if the things you're doing are eroding it?" He argued that the conversation must also include what Republicans had "already done" in states like Texas, Indiana, Florida, and Louisiana, where maps were drawn without public input. "Virginiaians chose this," he stressed, highlighting the referendum as a key differentiator. While acknowledging that "politics is fundamentally flawed," he believes "we need to add some remedies to these."

Beyond Gerrymandering: The Search for a Resonating Message

While gerrymandering is a critical issue for political insiders and engaged activists, it can be a "heady" concept for the average voter. Sinsky and Katie understand that to win, they need a message that resonates more broadly. They believe they've found a "sweet spot": combining affordability with corruption.

"For my experience with everyday people, Republican, Democrat, left, right, everyone between, it's all about affordability and corruption," Sinsky explained. However, he noted a distinction: "Talking about Donald Trump's corruption is harder to get through. But when we talk about insider trading by congressional members, people hate that." Why the difference? Most people aren't paying close attention to the nuances of political scandals. "What's right in front of people is gas prices. What's right in front of people is the cost of groceries going up."

The connection, Sinsky argues, lies in the perceived unfairness: "It's when you see that they're enriching themselves. You don't have to know the nuances of the stock market or insider trading. You just see that they're getting wealthier while at the same time everybody else is getting it. It's harder to live. Life shouldn't be this unaffordable." When politicians are seen enriching themselves while ordinary people struggle, "that drives people crazy," regardless of party affiliation. Katie echoed this sentiment, referencing Trump's "gold statues" and ostentatious displays of wealth. "It should anger everybody. Like why is that fair? That's not how the office was set up."

On the Ground: Voices from the Candidate Forum

At a candidate forum hosted by Indivisible Virginia at the Libby Mill Library, the themes of affordability and corruption were front and center. Activists, many spurred to action by Trump's presidency, reiterated their commitment. One protester, who became politically engaged after Trump started "dismantling democracy" and "firing people," affirmed that affordability and corruption are "top of the list of what we talk about with the people I hang out with."

When asked why Trump's corruption might resonate more now, after years of accusations, the sentiment was clear: "It's much more blatant and out there, you know, and him disregarding the Constitution at every turn." The sheer "amount of power he's got and the amount of control over money" makes it more impactful. While acknowledging that this message primarily motivates fellow Democrats, there's a strong belief that its clarity will drive engagement. "His corruption is that much more apparent and his complete disregard of the well-being of the American public," one activist stated. "It's so clear."

Lauren Natali, the event coordinator for RVA Indivisible, acknowledged the difficulty of their past battles, particularly the redistricting referendum. "We passed that redistricting referendum and it was a hard sell. Our side does not like gerrymandering. We like fairness. We like rule of law." Despite the challenges, she urged continued action: "We've shown what we're capable of. We've built the networks. We've learned the tools. Now, let's keep up the push through the midterms."

The Democratic candidates themselves reinforced these themes. From public interest lawyers to unapologetically progressive grassroots candidates, the calls for "mandatory ethics," "banning insider trading," and ensuring politicians "answer to us, not big donors" were consistent.

The Sweet Spot for 2026

As the day concluded in Virginia's First Congressional District, three key takeaways emerged for Democrats looking ahead to the 2026 midterms:

1. Gerrymandering's Double-Edged Sword: While a crucial battleground, the shifting congressional maps caused confusion, wasted valuable time and energy, and, most critically, reinforced a feeling of powerlessness among the electorate. Voters felt their agency diminished, leading to a perception that "democracy is on life support."
2. Corruption as a Cross-Cutting Issue: Democrats are increasingly leaning into the message of corruption, recognizing its potential to resonate beyond their base. It's a concern that can appeal to independents and even some Republicans who may have supported Trump on economic grounds.
3. The Affordability-Corruption Nexus: The most promising strategy lies in combining these two issues. The argument is simple yet powerful: as prices rise for most Americans, making life harder, Donald Trump and other politicians are perceived as enriching themselves, putting a "for sale sign in front of the White House." This potent combination, Democrats believe, can not only motivate their base but also sway enough independent and disaffected Republican voters to secure victories in competitive districts like Virginia's First.

The challenge for Democrats in Virginia, and across the nation, is to translate this "sweet spot" message into tangible action and sustained engagement. The fight for the 2026 midterms will be fierce, but Democrats in Virginia believe they've found the message that might just turn the tide.