Emma Eun-joo Choi
Writer, comic, and college junior Emma Eun-joo Choi is the host of Everyone & Their Mom, a new short-form comedy show from Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Follow Emma on Twitter here and on Instagram here. Follow Wait Wait…on Twitter here and Instagram here.
How’d you become the host of Everyone & Their Mom?
When I was an intern at Wait Wait, every Wednesday I gave a powerpoint about that week’s guest. It started out pretty short and factual, but quickly turned into an insane, fast paced, often profane whirlwind that was only like 25% about the guest and mostly me making fun of Doug Berman or creating imaginary situations with the guest. I also started putting a lot more videos on our instagram and making our content more chaotic, which brought a lot of new younger people to our show! At the same time, Wait Wait was looking to develop a new project aimed at a younger and more diverse audience, so that was really good timing. For the first pilot, I actually only read the credits, but everyone liked it so much that I co-hosted the next two pilots, and then eventually became the sole host!
No matter how many times I talk the timeline through, it’s still crazy to think about. I’m just really thankful that the timing worked out so well and the Wait Wait team was so open for trying out something new!
Why should we listen to it?
Part of our goal in making ETM was that we wanted to create something unlike anything on the air right now. And I think we succeeded! ETM is a weird, joyful little rabbit hole that you can get lost in for fifteen minutes a week. The world is in bad shape, and there are a lot of serious things we can talk about, but I love that we can take just a little time every week to feel happy and laugh at something stupid.
Did it take you time to get comfortable on the mic?
Yes and no. I’m used to performing, and I feel really comfortable with everyone on our staff, so when I tape over zoom it’s easy to forget that I’m recording—it feels more like I’m cracking jokes with my friends. On the other hand, I basically had to re-learn how to talk for the show. I naturally talk really fast and elide my words together—both of which are enemies of clear speech. It took a while to get used to talking slower and pronouncing my words clearly. The word “Canada” made me lose my mind.
What will you be doing in 10 years?
Man, I’d love to be in a wine and cheese club. I feel like adults are always doing fancy stuff like that.
Any fun stories about your experience on Wait…Wait!?
During some of my weekly Wednesday guest presentations, I would threaten to quit constantly and for no reason. It confused everyone since I had literally no leverage, but I thought it was hilarious.
Thanks, Emma!