The Alzo Era begins in Austin!
The Alzo Era has officially begun at NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! as Alzo Slade steps into the role of official judge and scorekeeper in Austin, Texas, marking a historic moment for the long-running comedy news quiz. The episode kicks off with a satirical take on America’s 250th birthday celebrations, featuring a fictional concert lineup of Vanilla Ice and Bret Michaels on the National Mall, complete with a UFC cage match on Flag Day—coinciding with Trump’s 80th birthday—described as looking like a Breaking Bad meth lab. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s new wave of talent is spotlighted: 20-year-old Kane Parsons, a former YouTuber, is dominating the box office with horror films like *Backrooms*, proving that Gen Z creators are saving cinema. The show also dives into absurd summer trends, including a Texas pool filled with blue Gatorade to prevent dehydration and a psychic in Venice Beach who reads futures from sunburns. In a standout moment, Olympic gold medalist Alana Myers-Taylor—now a six-time world champion and mother of two—shares her journey from softball to bobsledding, including competing in the new monobob event and becoming the first woman to join the U.S. men’s national team in a four-man sled with her husband. The episode closes with a hilarious Limerick Challenge and Lightning Fill-in-the-Blank, where panelists predict the next stadium trend: 'Tushy’s out' and 'Wieners out'—a playful jab at baseball’s shirtless fan culture and dog shows.
The Alzo Era begins with Alzo Slade as official judge and scorekeeper, marking a historic shift in Wait Wait’s long-running format.
Hollywood’s new wave of directors, like 20-year-old Kane Parsons, are making blockbuster films from YouTube roots, with *Backrooms* grossing over $100 million in its opening weekend.
A Texas pool was filled with blue Gatorade to prevent dehydration, proving that extreme summer solutions are now part of public health strategy.
A psychic in Venice Beach reads people’s futures from their sunburns, with dermatologists calling it '90% accurate' despite being 'deeply irresponsible'.
Alana Myers-Taylor became the first woman to compete on the U.S. men’s national bobsledding team in a four-man sled with her husband, breaking gender and team barriers.
…and 5 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Alzo Era Begins in Austin
“This is very exciting. But Alzo, now that you are official, you are able to wield the awesome power of judging and scorekeepering. So as you start your reign, what do you want people to know about you? That I am the most decorated black scorekeeper in Wait Wait history.”
Vanilla Ice and the 250th Birthday Bash
“It looks like what they thought the White House was going to look like when the Obamas were there. It looks, it looks like Breaking Bad Meth Lab house.”
From YouTube to Hollywood: The New Directors
“The horror movies, Backrooms, made by Mr. Parsons and Obsession, both made by former YouTubers, are dominating the box office. They grossed over $100 million on their opening weekend.”
Tarp Off: The Shirtless Fan Phenomenon
“The announcer was like, oh, momentum's shifting out all those areoles. The momentum is shifting. They're picking up some steam with all those areoles.”
Mosquito Repellent Actually Attracts Mosquitoes
“Researchers are impressed that mosquitoes can smell DEET with their food and still want to eat it. In the same way that humans can stand alongside drunk, sweaty tourists at a Las Vegas buffet but still go back for seconds.”
“Yes It looks like what they thought the White House was going to look like when the Obamas were there. It looks, it looks like Breaking Bad Meth Lab house.”
“The horror movies, Backrooms, made by Mr. Parsons and Obsession, both made by former YouTubers, are dominating the box office. They grossed over $100 million on their opening weekend.”
“Every time I go to Europe, I take some swish or sweet blunts and some ranch dressing in my suitcase. Every time. Because they don't have ranch over there.”
Hosts
Guests
Alzo Slade
person
Peter Sagal
person
Alana Myers-Taylor
person
NPR
organization
Austin
place
White Castle
brand
Kane Parsons
person
Ranch Dressing
product
DEET
product
Vanilla Ice
person
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