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#2 in Apple's US top episodes · Nov 1, 2026

We take John Turturro to the Cheesecake Factory

An episode of Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! · · 47 min

Actor John Turturro brings a Christopher Walken impression to NPR's news quiz, and the panel talks about the Cheesecake Factory.

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What this episode is about

Actor John Turturro is the featured guest on this edition of NPR's weekly news quiz, and the episode notes single out one moment in particular: his impression of Christopher Walken. The title, "We take John Turturro to the Cheesecake Factory," plays on a subject that also comes up when the panel gets talking.

The panel on this episode is Faith Salie, Hari Kondabolu and Paula Poundstone. According to the notes, their conversation covers the Cheesecake Factory along with learning to love a man made out of wicker, a teaser the description leaves unexplained. As the show describes itself, it offers a chance to laugh and test what you know with comedians and a celebrity guest, all built around the week's news.

In this episode

  • Actor John Turturro as the episode's guest
  • Turturro's impression of Christopher Walken
  • Panelists Faith Salie, Hari Kondabolu and Paula Poundstone
  • Talk about the Cheesecake Factory
  • Growing fond of a man made out of wicker

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Questions about this episode

Who is the guest on "We take John Turturro to the Cheesecake Factory"?

Actor John Turturro, who, according to the episode notes, shows off his Christopher Walken impression.

Who are the panelists in this episode?

Faith Salie, Hari Kondabolu and Paula Poundstone are on the panel, according to the notes.

How long is “We take John Turturro to the Cheesecake Factory”?

The episode runs 47 min and was published on October 31, 2026.

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