Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! - WWDTM: Everyone & Goodbyes

Episode Date: April 12, 2023

Emma and some of her co-hosts say goodbye to the greatest podcast the world has ever seen.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Friends, family, beloved listeners, and people who can't figure out how to get this show off their feed and are mad about it. My name is Emma Choi, and I'm the proud host of Everyone and Their Mom, a show from Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. It is my distinct honor to welcome you all today to our graduation ceremony. This is great! Over the past 13 glorious months, we've gone through so very much. Together, we've tasted hard Mountain Dew. I'm not sure what color plutonium is, but is this something that I'm going to drink? Probably not.

We've told my grandmother that her kimchi tastes like straight-up garbage. I hate to say, you know, I prefer the store-bought one because it's more flavorful. And we've fallen off a bike in Central Park. Whoa, I'm okay. We've talked to dozens of amazing people, including Jenny Slate, Orville Peck, and a small boy in New Zealand who found a big-ass worm. His name is Deidre Freed. You could say that we've talked to everyone and their mom. Hey, that's the name of the show. And now, my friends, as our journey is ending,

I would like to take this time to get a couple things off my chest. I would like to take this time to get a couple things off my chest. First of all, I need to reveal to you all that I am a nepotism baby. I know, I know. But hear me out. My real name is Emma Nju, National Public Radio. My father is Mr. National Public Radio. And my mother is, yes, it's true, Peter Sagal. National Public Radio. And my mother is, yes, it's true, Peter Sagal. I have to tell you all another bombshell piece of information. I want everyone to know that I am not, in fact, one

person, but at least nine. I know that what you're hearing right now is just one incredibly talented and physically beautiful person's voice. But there are nine incredible people behind this noise who've made this show what it is. There's Jennifer Mills, who dreamt up this nightmare baby and then fed it her heart and soul for six continuous months. And Lillian King, another founding mother, who I can only describe as the Babe Ruth of producers. There's Oja Lopez, our comedic secret weapon and wonderful friend, and Nancy Seichow, who booked some of our most amazing guests on this show and one time

spelled Rosé on herself over Zoom. Zolo Ray and Sophie Hernandez-Simone this were like those people aboard a steam engine shoveling coal into the furnace, but instead of a steam engine, it's this show, and instead of coal, it's like their amazing ideas and jokes and personalities. Of course, there's Mike Danforth, our executive producer in Token Man who male feminists did us all the way to the top. There's Kelly Wessinger, who accepted the baton from Jennifer and then ran faster and further than any of us could ever dream of. She's also the reason why the Lord of the Rings references really ramped up at a certain point in the show. And finally, there's Hayley Fager, who's been here with us since episode one and who holds the show upon their shoulders like Atlas himself. If Atlas was, like like really into urban biking.

These wonderful people and so many others make up the everyone in Everyone and Their Mom. So on this day, our graduation day, I ask that we all toss up our caps in celebration of these people and anyone else who's ever been a part of the party. Thank you, my friends. And now we're going to hear from just a few of our storied co-hosts from the past year. Josh Gondelman, Karen Chee, Vinnie Thomas, Ashley Ray, and my podfather, Peter Sagal. You all are so wonderful and smart and thoughtful in a way that's so delightful to listen to. And as a collaborator allowed me to be so stupid and silly and goofy in a way that I

really appreciate. We'll miss you. I'll miss you. We'll miss you. Who's we? I'll miss you. I will miss everyone and their mom so much. This was such a sweet and funny, smart podcast.

And I loved how goofy it was. It was an honor to be a guest and also to co-host. And I'm already a fan of whatever is coming next for the whole gang. Hi there, Emma. It's Vinny. And I'm so sad to see you go, but I'm so happy that it's because you're on to bigger and better things. Wow. Graduated with a doctorate in hand surgery, and you're only 20 years old. Valedictorian of Harvard University. Unbelievable. I'm so proud of you, and the sky's the limit for you, bucko.

Emma, everyone and their mom, I want to say I'm going to miss you so, so much. But I'm so proud of you for graduating, for making this happen. I loved my time with you with the show. Absolutely one of my favorites. But congratulations on everything. I know that you have just bright stuff ahead. Future's so bright, you're going to have to wear shades. Oh, that's so corny. Happy graduation, Emma. Now, since you hosted an NPR show before you graduated Harvard, while I did it after graduating Harvard, I'm assuming that the rest of your life will be lived like mine was, but in reverse. You'll have a lot of fun as you try various things and fail, as your hair slowly grows back. The world is your oyster, Emma. They just don't know that yet.

I look forward to continuing our vicious rivalry is your oyster, Emma. They just don't know that yet. I look forward to continuing our vicious rivalry in your postgraduate era. Thank you, my friends. I love you all like brothers. Kelly, please let me say this was NPR.