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Once, during a gutbuster of a taping of "Wait, Wait don't tell me: The NPR News Quiz", The radio program came within two words of a major lawsuit.
It had been a long and hilarious show with brilliant witticisms by panelists Mo Rocca and Adam Felber. The already giddy host Peter Sagal overemphasized two words and put the entire show into danger. While reading the list of sponsors, Sagal read the words "Robert Wood Johnson Foundation" with the stress on "Wood Johnson"
It was done discreetly enough that the exhausted editors missed it on the first run through. Luckily, panelist Sue Ellicott, already somewhat annoyed by the largely male presence on the show made reference to the "Wood Johnson" gag, saying it was "a sophomoric remark at best, but about par for this boy's club.". On the final cut session before the show aired, someone caught on, and the necessary edits were made.
Thus, that plucky British humourist saved NPR from potential embarassment and litigation, and won again over American male sardonicism by simply muddling through the "boys club". Good show indeed!
Date Written: June 09, 2004
Author: Ferucio P. Chhretan
Average Vote: 3