3 chapters across the catalog
A discussion regarding the lack of call waiting on certain phone lines leads to an anecdote about producer Dana Brunetti receiving a busy signal. The conversation shifts to the "tip of the day" suggesting people disable call waiting to avoid interruptions from "bigger names" on other lines.
NPR and PBS Underwriting Guidelines Analysis
The hosts examine the official underwriting guidelines for NPR and PBS, noting that they are strictly prohibited from airing traditional advertisements or "calls to action." They argue that many modern underwriting spots, including those on "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!", violate these rules by providing phone numbers and promotional descriptions. The segment critiques the blurring line between public broadcasting and commercial advertising.
John C. Dvorak details ongoing issues with AT&T (formerly SBC) regarding "phone slamming" and the unauthorized addition of services like call waiting and long-distance plans to his bill. Despite setting up a security password to prevent unauthorized changes, Dvorak discovers that low-level call center employees can bypass these protections. He suspects the persistent interference may be motivated by personal grudges from disgruntled tech users.
