Ask Me Another

Want to know what J.D. Salinger was really up to during all those years as a recluse? He wrote racy letters to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, dined with Michael Jackson and cut a track with the Foo Fighters. At least according to V.I.P. Tom Ruprecht, a former Late Show With David Letterman writer and author of a totally phony oral history of Salinger’s life. In addition to faking history this week, we invite you to talk like a 1930s movie gangster, sing songs heard on television and guess your favorite author’s fictional characters.

During his time as a writer for Late Show with David Letterman, Tom Ruprecht enjoyed poking fun at then-President George W. Bush. In this podcast-only extra, Ruprecht tells Ask Me Another host Ophira Eisenberg about one joke that didn’t go over too well with the White House.  Hear the entire episode with V.I.P. Tom Ruprecht starting October 10, 2013.

(Rebroadcast) This summer spectacular, recorded outdoors in New York City's Central Park, is a jam-packed show. The Office's B.J. Novak hits the puzzle hotseat for a Shakespearean pop quiz, Wet Hot American Summer filmmaker David Wain flaunts his movie trivia prowess, and Kurt Andersen, host of PRI's Studio 360, stakes his claim as a literary romantic. Plus, a ukulele-strumming Nellie McKay joins Jonathan Coulton to sing the catchiest songs of summers past, and NPR Puzzlemaster Will Shortz tries to stump contestants with a doozy of a final anagram showdown.

Making heads or tails of the ever-changing job market can be a puzzle in and of itself. Luckily, this week's Very Important Puzzlers — Adam Davidson and Alex Blumberg, co-creators of NPR's Planet Money podcast — give the scoop on how they help listeners make sense of the global economy. Plus, a literary twist on blockbuster-style movie trailers, a tribute to city names of yesteryear, and a game all about repeating words for effect...effect...effect.

In this podcast-only extra, Adam Davidson and Alex Blumberg of NPR’s Planet Money imagine a wondrous land full of oil and diamonds, with a booming economy and where everyone eats poutine all day. Canada! What can America learn from our neighbors to the north? The economics experts weigh in. Hear the full episode, Ask Me Another #224, starting Sept. 26, 2013.

Do you know what a Russian pig sounds like? What about a Japanese bee? Find out as we test you on animal kingdom noises, spoil some TV show finales, and walk the streets with a song in our hearts. Plus, our V.I.P. may make her living as a Czech musician, but she's a Jersey girl at heart — it's Cristin Milioti, who was nominated for a 2012 Tony Award for her role of "Girl" in the Broadway musical Once.

In this podcast-only extra, hear actor and Broadway star Cristin Milioti reflect on a family game night gone horribly wrong; it involved Texas Hold'em, an unspeakable insult, and a possibly-drunk Dean Martin. Hear the entire episode with VIP Cristin Milioti in Ask Me Another #202, available starting September 19, 2013.

Do you like trivia? Do you enjoy food? This week, you can have your cake and eat it too. Two professional competitive eaters square off in a music round inspired by a certain Twisted Sister song. Our Very Important Puzzler, Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport, dishes about culinary trends, the scourge of Yelp reviews and why he hates giving wine advice. Plus, trivia rounds about nursery rhymes, bad spelling and ironic facts. Find out who's the cream of the crop, and who'll be mincemeat.

If you're crazy about public radio game shows (and who isn't?), prepare yourself for a double dose of NPR hosts. This week's Very Important Puzzler, Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me! host Peter Sagal, gives you the inside scoop on his show's zaniest moments. Plus, shop for famous homes that were once featured in films and TV shows, put your knowledge of card games to use, and shake up a classic Beatles tune to shine the spotlight on animals other than "The Walrus."

In this podcast-only extra, Peter Sagal, host of NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!" reflects on riding a hog, disappointing his father and sharpening his own parenting skills. Hear the entire Peter Sagal episode of Ask Me Another #222, available starting September 6, 2013.