PETER SAGAL, HOST:
We want to remind everyone they can join us most weeks right back at the Chase Bank Auditorium in downtown Chicago, Ill. For tickets and more information, roll on over to wbez.org, or you can find a link at our website waitwait.npr.org. Right now, panel, time for you to answer some questions about this week's news.
Tom, there was an amazing medical discovery this week. Some doctors are now advising patients who need to pass a kidney stone - nobody likes that - to simply do what?
TOM BODETT: Go through the screening process as an airport.
SAGAL: No.
BODETT: No? Is this, like, something simple in the home?
SAGAL: No, you can't do it in your home. You have to go someplace special to do it. But it's relatively simple, and most people think it's fun.
BODETT: Go trampolining?
SAGAL: Getting there.
BODETT: Bouncy house?
SAGAL: More elaborate.
BODETT: Roller coaster.
SAGAL: Yes, go on a roller coaster.
(SOUNDBITE OF BELL)
SAGAL: This is seriously what happened.
BODETT: Is it to cover up the screaming or...
(LAUGHTER)
SAGAL: You can tell when somebody is on the rollercoaster for that purpose because there's screaming before the ride starts.
(LAUGHTER)
SAGAL: You know, the study - they're trying to figure out ways to help people pass kidney stones in a non-invasive way. And this is what happened. Researchers created these bags of urine to simulate bladders and they went on the Big Thunder Mountain rollercoaster at Disney World over and over, and they tested it to see what effect it has. And they found that roller coasters up and down and around - they bump those kidney stones right through your system. It's great.
BODETT: And that's when you start screaming, as I understand it.
SAGAL: Exactly. And if your kidney stone pops out right at the spot where they take you picture, buy that picture.
(LAUGHTER)
FAITH SALIE: Do you know - is there a prescription for how many times you have to?
SAGAL: As many times as is necessary - you'll know when you've done it enough, Faith.
(LAUGHTER)
SALIE: OK.
SAGAL: But be careful, if you're visiting the park, don't stand under the rollercoaster if a lot of old people just got on it. It'll be like a hailstorm down there.
(LAUGHTER)
ALONZO BODDEN: I'm just thinking, how bad is your health insurance...
(LAUGHTER)
BODDEN: ...When you say I have kidney stones and your doctor's like, look, I'd love to help you. We don't cover that.
SAGAL: Yeah.
SALIE: You know...
BODDEN: But there is a roller coaster you might want to jump on.
SALIE: ...And you know...
BODETT: Have you tried Six Flags?
SALIE: ...Buying a season pass is cheaper than the co-pay so just...
BODETT: Exactly.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "ROLLERCOASTER")
ALYSSA REID: (Singing) Come and take a ride on my roller coaster, take you up high, just to let you down, get ready for the ride 'cause I'm coming over, come and take a ride on my rollercoaster, come and take a ride on my rollercoaster...
SAGAL: Coming up our panelists pay tribute to an unsung hero, but they're lying. It's our Bluff the Listener game. Call 1-888-WAIT-WAIT to play. We'll be back in a minute with more of WAIT WAIT... DON'T TELL ME from NPR. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.