Today's Top Picks
Click a day to view events
Search for things to do
- Events
- Movies
- Dining
- Venues
Arts
| Napolitano charms 'Wait Wait' quiz show | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Chris Page, Get Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| February 8, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hear for yourself this weekend, as the irreverent news quiz show is broadcast locally on KJZZ-FM (91.5) at 11 a.m. on Feb. 9 (repeated 5 p.m. the following day) or available via podcast through iTunes or streaming on npr.org. Calling her "frighteningly and suspiciously normal," Sagal introduced the Democratic governor to a nearly-full audience of public radio fans at the 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater and proceeded to interview her — about the eccentric governors before her ("Evan Meacham wouldn't" go on "Wait Wait," Sagal said; "He might go on Art Bell's show" — did he mean Fife Symington?), about presidential candidate John McCain, and about her endorsement of candidate Barack Obama. He couldn't help, though, asking about her notorious lack of significant other or children. "Who stands beside you, beaming, in your photos?" Sagal asked. To which panel comedian Paul Provenza slipped in, "Barack Obama." Other personal info revealed about our governor: Her gubernatorial house is "a condo," and she does not have pets. "I can't even keep a plant alive," she said, staying jokey and light throughout the entire show segment, then leaving to watch the show from her orchestra seat. The host mock-shivered a bit after she left. "I was so thrilled and charmed," Sagal said, "I lost my place." For those unfamiliar with "Wait Wait," the weekly program quizzes both call-in listeners, celebrities and an interchangeable three-person panel of news and entertainment figures — this time comedian Provenza, Houston Chronicle blogger/editor Kyrie O'Connor and writer Adam Felber — about recent news items, to usually hilarious end. Veteran NPR newscaster Carl Kasell serves as scorekeeper, announcer and all-around comic foil. We won't give away the quiz questions asked Thursday night, but suffice it to say, topics this week included looming recession, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and, why not?, the kidnapping of dogs. Too, Segal riffed on new Phoenix Suns acquisition Shaquille O'Neal at the start of the show. "I guess, like a lot of people, he wanted to retire ...," Sagal riffed. Ending the taping, which took just under two hours — including subsequent re-takes of botched lines — Sagal assessed the Mesa Arts Center crowd. "You're such a funny audience," he quipped. "But it's a dry humor." Contact Chris Page by email, or phone (480) 898-5656 |
Rate this article
© 2008 East Valley Tribune. All rights reserved.
Reader comments (0)
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.