Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! WWDTM: Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper
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Nov 22, 2025 Get ready for a hilarious take on current events from sports to pasta tariffs! The panel jokes about LeBron’s incredible career and explores the quirky world of raccoon domestication. Delve into the ancient origins of kissing with some fascinating research, and enjoy a light-hearted trivia game featuring Houdini stunts. Plus, hear the history of an iconic appetizing shop from Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper while competing in rapid-fire news challenges for some extra laughs!
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Family Roots Of Russ And Daughters
- Niki Russ Federman and Josh Russ Tupper recounted Russ and Daughters' family history from a pushcart selling heavily salted schmaltz herring to a multi-generation Lower East Side shop.
- They described longtime customers shaping standards and demanding tastes that made their clientele “the most difficult customers in the world.”
Appetizing Vs. Delicatessen
- The store distinguishes 'appetizing' (bagels, lox) from 'delicatessen' (corned beef, pastrami) as separate Jewish food traditions.
- The term 'appetizing' likely evolved from a Yiddish translation and stuck as a uniquely New York category.
Anthony Bourdain's Favorite Schmaltz Herring
- Josh recalled Anthony Bourdain eating his way down their counter and favoring the intensely salty schmaltz herring.
- He emphasized that the schmaltz herring connects people to ancestral flavors and remains on their menu.
