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We admire dimes and Aasif Mandvi gives breakup advice

March 21, 2026

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  • The episode features special guest Aasif Mandvi, known for his work on *The Daily Show*, who discusses his acting career and upcoming projects like the Peacock series *The Miniature Wife* and a Broadway revival of *Fallen Angels*. 
  • The news quiz segment covered topics including the new U.S. Mint dimes featuring Lady Liberty, the rise of prediction markets allowing bets on reality TV outcomes like *Survivor*, and the revelation of street artist Banksy's identity as Robin Gunningham. 
  • Panelists Alonzo Bowden, Paula Poundstone, and Shane Torres (making his debut) participated in games covering news about birds using cigarette butts to repel parasites and the social lives of bull sharks. 

Segments

Show Introduction and Guest Announcement
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(00:00:22)
  • Key Takeaway: Special guest Aasif Mandvi is featured to discuss his career transition away from news commentary.
  • Summary: The show opens from the Studebaker Theater in Chicago, introducing host Peter Sagal and announcer Bill Curtis. Guest Aasif Mandvi is announced, noted for leaving The Daily Show in 2017 to pursue roles where he does not have to discuss the news. The first listener contestant, Grace from Peacham, Vermont, is welcomed.
News Quiz: Reality TV Betting
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(00:02:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Prediction markets like Polymarket and Calci are now accepting bets on the outcomes of reality television shows, including specific events like how many times Jeff Probst says a catchphrase on Survivor.
  • Summary: The first quiz question concerned the new trend of gambling on reality TV outcomes. The New York Times questioned the legality of watching finalists from a boat in Fiji. Bets can be placed on shows like Survivor, including specific in-show occurrences.
News Quiz: New U.S. Dimes
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(00:05:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The U.S. Mint released new dimes honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, replacing the profile of FDR with an imaginary Lady Liberty.
  • Summary: The second quiz topic involved the controversial new dimes replacing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s profile with Lady Liberty. The design change also involved removing the olive branch from the eagle on the reverse side, leading some to perceive it as more warlike. Panelists noted that few people use dimes frequently enough to notice the change.
News Quiz: Banksy Identity Revealed
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(00:07:50)
  • Key Takeaway: A Reuters investigation revealed the identity of the anonymous street artist Banksy as Robin Gunningham, raising questions among art collectors about the future value of his work.
  • Summary: The final quiz question addressed the revelation of Banksy’s real name, Robin Gunningham. The artist remained silent following the identity leak. Art dealers expressed concern that the loss of mystery might negatively affect the prices of Banksy’s art.
Panel Discussion: Influencer Fan
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(00:10:05)
  • Key Takeaway: The late Supreme Leader of Iran, the Ayatollah, reportedly watched 300 hours of content from the looks-maxing influencer Shane Clavicular.
  • Summary: Panelists discussed a report claiming the late Ayatollah watched extensive content from influencer Shane Clavicular. The Ayatollah’s associate commented that some private aspects are between a man and God. Clavicular’s only comment on the matter was, “What’s Iran?”
Bluff the Listener: New York Trip Stories
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(00:14:37)
  • Key Takeaway: A German tourist sued for $20 million after allegedly suffering gastrointestinal distress from a taco at Los Tacos No. 1 and subsequently suing again when his phone failed inside a New Jersey Walmart.
  • Summary: Listener Dimitri from Elon, North Carolina, played the game based on memorable New York trips. Alonzo Bowden’s story described New Yorkers as aggressively nice, while Shane Torres’s story involved a Swedish death metal band playing a dental convention by mistake. The true story involved the German tourist’s multiple lawsuits stemming from a bad taco and phone reception issues.
Not My Job: Aasif Mandvi Interview
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(00:20:30)
  • Key Takeaway: Aasif Mandvi secured his role on The Daily Show on the same day he auditioned, having gone in with a surly attitude due to a recent breakup.
  • Summary: Aasif Mandvi discussed his acting background, including performing in murder mystery parties where he once worked alongside Connie Britton. His new Peacock show, The Miniature Wife, features Matthew McFadyen’s character literally shrunk to six inches tall. Mandvi recounted being hired for The Daily Show immediately after auditioning while emotionally distraught over an ex-girlfriend.
Game: Miniature Wife, Miniature Groom
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(00:27:00)
  • Key Takeaway: In ancient Roman times, wedding tradition involved breaking the cake over the bride’s head, and 17th-century European weddings sometimes featured a savory ‘bride’s pie’ containing live snakes for entertainment.
  • Summary: Aasif Mandvi played for listener Linda Evers, answering questions about wedding cake traditions. The first correct answer established that Romans broke the cake over the bride’s head. The second question revealed that 17th-century European weddings sometimes featured a savory pie with oysters, lamb testicles, and live snakes.
Limerick Challenge: News Rhymes
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(00:36:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Scientists discovered that songbirds in Poland are intentionally incorporating cigarette butts into their nests because the tobacco chemicals repel parasites.
  • Summary: Listener Sarah from Percocy, Pennsylvania, played the Limerick Challenge, correctly identifying that an interstellar comet was found to be full of alcohol. She also correctly guessed that advice for anxiety suggests stopping worry at (6:30) p.m. The segment revealed that bull sharks maintain rich social lives and form friendships.
Lightning Fill in the Blank
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(00:42:23)
  • Key Takeaway: Paula Poundstone won the game with 16 points, correctly answering questions about the Strait of Hormuz, RFK Jr.’s policy changes, and Finland being named the world’s happiest country.
  • Summary: Paula Poundstone took the lead in the final game after scoring 14 points in the Lightning Round. Alonzo Bowden scored 8 points, and Shane Torres scored 12 points in his debut. Paula Poundstone ultimately won the game with 16 points.