Go Fact Yourself

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Comedy
**Go Fact Yourself**

Twice a month, host J. Keith van Straaten and co-host Helen Hong quiz the smartest celebrities they know to find out why they love what they love! Recorded before a live audience in downtown Los Angeles, this game show features comedians, actors, and musicians answering arcane questions on topics they claim to be experts in. But don’t worry; if they slip up, there are real experts on hand to give us the facts!

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 132: Jill Twiss & Myq Kaplan Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

Face front, true believers! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Jill Twiss is an award-winning comedy writer and children’s book author. For years, she worked as an SAT tutor. She’ll explain how that directly led to her big break: writing for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” AND the publication of her first children’s book about a former Vice President’s gay bunny. Plus, Jill tells us how she got the chance to contribute material to the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Myq Kaplan is a comedian who was introduced to many audiences on two competition shows – “Last Comic Standing” and “America’s Got Talent.” On AGT, Myq sometimes had to compete against cute children and well-trained dogs. He’ll tell us about how his latest show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is based on advice he would give his younger self… and how he doubts he would have listened.

Areas of Expertise:

Jill: The TV show “The Good Place,” the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and the SAT.

Myq: Linguistics, psychedelics and Spider-Man.

What’s the Difference:

Preaching to the Choir

What’s the difference between a preacher and a pastor?

What’s the difference between a choir and a chorus?

Experts:

Rebecca Feldman and Sarah Saltzberg: Writers and performers, who originated the roles that became Olive and Logan in the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Marv Wolfman: Legendary and award-winning comic book author and editor, whose career includes creating the character Black Cat for Spider-Man.

Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience show in Pasadena by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 131: George Hahn & Alexandra Petri Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

Your prayers have been answered – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Niccole Thurman is a comedian and voice actor. She appeared as a guest on episode 126 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us today as guest co-host.

George Hahn is a writer and media personality. He was dubbed an “urban raconteur” by The New York Times. He’ll tell us about how he earned the nickname by heavily criticizing New York City… only to fall back in love with it after he left. Plus, he’ll share some critical fashion tips and discuss how he was cast as “Great Looking Guy” on “Sex and the City.”

Alexandra Petri is a Washington Post columnist. She got her start at the publication as an intern, writing uncredited articles and having a very unprofessional outgoing voicemail. Alexandra’s newest book is Alexandra Petri's US History Important American Documents (I Made Up). It includes falsified versions of this country’s history – like how “Sesame Street” characters were involved on D-Day.

Areas of Expertise:

George: Mid-century modern design, various methods of making coffee, and the Bond films of Sean Connery and Daniel Craig.

Alexandra: The musical Jesus Christ Superstar, NBC’s hit(?) 2013-2015 show “Hannibal,” and Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

What’s the Difference:

Wedding Band

What’s the difference between a wedding band and a wedding ring?

What’s the difference between a cover band and a tribute band?

Experts:

Caterina Murino: Actor and model, whose career includes the role of Solange Dimitrios in the Bond film Casino Royale.

Ted Neeley: Actor and musician, best known for the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Niccole Thurman

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing

our next live-audience show in Pasadena

by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 130: Joseph “Joez McFly” Solano & Catie Turner Jul 07, 2023

Show notes

**The 2023 Listener Tournament registration is now LIVE.**
Want to be a guest on the show? If you are a supporter of our show through maximumfun.org, you should have already received an email with a link to register for the opportunity! (If you haven't, please contact Stacey @ maximumfun.org). The deadline to register is July 16, 2023.

We’ve got more than one piece of trivia sure to fill you with glee on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Danielle Koenig is a comedy writer and host of the podcast “How to Survive.” She was a previous contestant on episode 57 of “Go Fact Yourself” and rejoins us this week as co-host.

Joseph Solano is perhaps best known by the nickname he uses as an extremely reactive Twitch streamer and podcaster: Joez McFly. He frequently showcases his love of Yankees baseball, and he’ll reveal how his fandom has paid off in relationships as well as actual money.

Catie Turner is a singer-songwriter who rose to prominence as a contestant on season sixteen of “American Idol.” Being selected for the show is actually a long process that has to be kept a secret until the show airs, and Catie will tell us why she struggled with that. Catie’s latest EP, Comedy & Tragedy Act I, was a chance to fulfill her childhood theater ambitions. You can find her new EP and when she’s going on tour near you on her website.

Areas of Expertise:

Joseph: The anime “One Piece,” the video game Final Fantasy VII, and steaks.

Catie: Disney World, The TV show “Glee,” and Bucks County Pennsylvania.

What’s the Difference:

Coffee, Tea or Free…

What’s the difference between caffeine free and decaffeinated?

What’s the difference between non-dairy and dairy free?

Experts:

Luci Christian, Brina Palencia, and Eric Vale: Voice actors whose careers include the respective roles of Nami, Tony Tony Chopper and Sanji on “One Piece.”

Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale: Actors whose careers include the characters Tina Cohen-Chang and Artie Abrams on “Glee.”
Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Danielle Koenig

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience show in Pasadenaby YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 129: Steph Tisdell & Andy Saunders Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

**The 2023 Listener Tournament registration is now LIVE. If you are a supporter of our show through maximumfun.org, you should have already received an email with a link to register. (If you haven't, please contact Stacey @ maximumfun.org). The deadline to register is July 16. **

It’s time to drop in and chat with a friend down under on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Steph Tisdell is a First Nations Australian comedian, who incorporates her Yidinjy heritage and perspective into her work. Why? Because, in her words, they are “the funniest race in the world.” She’ll explain. Plus, she tells us how her latest work aims to improve the representation of her fellow aboriginal people in an area of show business that is especially lacking: Stunties.

Andy Saunders is a First Nations Australian comedian whom Tisdell has called, “a guide, a mentor and an uncle.” He and his wife Deb famously appeared on “The Block,” a TV show about competing to renovate homes. Andy credits his time on the show with giving him great exercise and helping him get recognized. You can see more of the couple’s home design expertise on their YouTube show “Deb & Andy DNA of Design.”

Areas of Expertise

Steph: Orchids, parrots, and Dr. Phil.

Andy: Surfing, the movie Avatar, and time travel.

What’s the Difference: Pool Cue

What’s the difference between pool and billiards?

What’s the difference between a line and a queue?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Steph Tisdell

Andy Saunders

With guests experts

Dr. Irene Pepperberg: award-winning animal psychologist and behaviorist

Kathy “Gidget” Zuckerman: surfer who inspired movies, TV shows and professional surfers.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Making sure you contact us if you were selected to listen to a Zoom show by YOU

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 128: Lisa Loeb & Reggie Watts Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Time to spread the love of sci-fi on a brand new episode of Go Frak Yourself!

Jason Kravits is an actor, singer and improviser who last appeared on episode 7 of Go Fact Yourself. This week, he saves the day, filling in as co-host in place of Helen Hong.

Lisa Loeb is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who writes and performs music for both children and grown-ups. She often has concerts catering to both of her target audiences on the same day, but she’ll tell us how her music for kids is often the most popular song for adults! Plus: how her fandom of the character Hello Kitty led to some great opportunities. You can hear Lisa every day on her Sirius XM radio show, “Stay With Lisa Loeb.”

Reggie Watts is a comedian, actor and musician. He just wrapped up an eight-year stint as the band leader on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” It’s a job that he really enjoyed, but he’ll explain why he made a point to stop coming to rehearsals. Reggie will also tell us about being a contestant on “Jeopardy!” and why he was more familiar with a famous parody version of the show prior to his appearance on the real thing. Reggie’s book, Great Falls: MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again, is available for preorder now.

Areas of expertise

Lisa: “Rupaul's Drag Race” (but not good with names). Strength training. Peanut butter.

Reggie: Model railroading, The TV show “Battlestar Galactica.” Butt rock.

What’s the difference: Sing for your Supper

What’s the difference between a song and a ballad?

What’s the difference between supper and dinner?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Jason Kravits

Reggie Watts

Lisa Loeb

With guests experts

Val & Zach Fishbain: co-founders of the Los Angeles-based peanut butter company Spread The Love.

Katee Sackhoff: actor who portrayed the character Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on “Battlestar Galactica.”

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Making sure you contact us if you were selected to listen to a Zoom show by YOU

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 127: Mike Pesca & Ellen Acuario May 19, 2023

Show notes

Prepare to be properly whelmed by a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Ellen Acuario is known by many for her fearless and biting commentary on TikTok. Her presence on the app was a result of wanting to provide the perspective that she didn’t have as a child. She carried this energy into her first children’s book BE YOU: The Adventures of Penguin and Panda. Plus: here about how she met Helen Hong many years ago!

Mike Pesca is an award-winning journalist who hosts the popular news podcast “The Gist,” which publishes new episodes every day. He’ll tell us how he finds the energy to make a constant stream of content and what changes he would make to NPR. We’ll also learn about how he and his wife helped a family of Ukrainian refugees. If you’d like to help out this family and learn more about their story, visit their GoFundMe page.

Our guests will answer trivia about the many things we love about film.

Areas of expertise

Ellen: Tennis.The movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Steven Yeun.

Mike: College nicknames and mascots. The movie Caddyshack. The International Criminal Court in The Hague.

What’s the difference: All Alone

What’s the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy?

What’s the difference between being lonely and being lonesome?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Ellen Acuario

Mike Pesca

With guests experts

Karen McCullah & Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith: The writing duo behind movies including The House Bunny, Legally Blonde, and 10 Things I Hate About You,.

Larisa Oleynik: Actor whose work includes 10 Things I Hate About You.

Michael O'Keefe: Actor who played Danny Noonan in Caddyshack.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 126: Cenk Uygur & Niccole Thurman May 05, 2023

Show notes

Learn the ropes and brush up on your facts for this new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Cenk Uygur is the creator of the progressive news network The Young Turks. Before that, he was an on-camera personality for MSNBC. He’ll tell us how his old gig helped him understand why he needed to make a space for news and information. Plus we’ll learn why it took so long for him to finish his first book, and why he’s convinced that the United States is a progressive country.

Niccole Thurman is known for her roles in comedy. Her latest work includes voicing several characters on the HBO series “Jellystone” and appearing on many episodes of “The Opposition with Jordan Klepper” – but she actually didn’t intentionally pursue comedy. She’ll explain that, plus tell us the odd circumstances that led her dog Izzy to join us on stage.

Our guests will answer trivia about cows and snakes in the oddest of places.

Areas of expertise

Niccole: The musician Hosier, facts about the Kansas City metro area, and predicting the outcome of true crime segments on “Dateline.”

Cenk: 1980s WWF, fantasy football, and happiness.

What’s the difference: Electric Toothbrush

What’s the difference between something that is electric and something that is electrical?

What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Cenk Uygur

Niccole Thurman

With guests experts

Sly James: Former mayor of Kansas City.

David Cook: Winner of the seventh season of “American Idol.”

Jake “The Snake” Roberts: Former wrestler for the WWF throughout the 1980s, who currently appears on All Elite Wrestling.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 125: A.C. Newman & Sukh Ojla Apr 21, 2023

Show notes

Eat a tablet, pray for great music, and prepare to love this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

A.C. Newman is a founding member of the band The New Pornographers. The band’s newest album is Continue as a Guest, and A.C. will explain why the title was born from a sense of existential dread that he felt during the pandemic. We’ll also hear about a project from A.C. that failed to get off the ground: a broadway musical set in a gritty version of the Archie comics universe (years before “Riverdale” was ever a thing).

Sukh Ojla is a comedian, playwright, and author. She got her start in comedy attending a free workshop. The twist? She thought that it was to work on her writing. She stuck with comedy and also eventually became a published author with her debut novel Sunny. The only downside is that she’s had to come to terms with the permanence of books compared to a stand-up set.

Our guests will compete to answer trivia about companionship through music and books.

Areas of expertise

A.C.: Marvel Legends action figures, the Paisley Underground, and SCTV (in particular, “5 Neat Guys”).

Sukh: The movie Rocky IV, the book Eat, Pray, Love, and Greek deities.

What’s the difference: Jagged Little Pill.

What’s the difference between a claw and a talon?

What’s the difference between a tablet and pill?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

A.C. Newman

Sukh Ojla

With guests experts

Steve Wynn, of the band The Dream Syndicate.

Michael Quercio, of the band The Three O’Clock

Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson, of the band The Bangles

Elizabeth Gilbert, author of many books including Eat, Pray, Love and founder of The Onward Book Club.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 124: Bruce Vilanch & Josefina López Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Thank you to all of our new, upgrading, and boosting MaxFun Members who contributed in the name of Go Fact Yourself! We’ll have more information on some special rewards YOU unlocked in this episode.

Sing a song and survive at sea – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Bruce Vilanch is an Emmy award-winning comedy writer and game show icon. He’ll tell us about what may be his greatest achievement yet: writing a new musical with Dolly Parton. Bruce is also happy to celebrate his career low-lights as well. He’s got an upcoming book about his work on The Star Wars Holiday Special.

Josefina López is a playwright and screenwriter, perhaps best known for creating Real Women Have Curves. The play has always been a point of pride for her. For many Hispanic actors, it’s the first time they get to play roles that they can be proud of. Josefina also has a diplome de cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu in France. She’ll tell us about how she’ll combine her knowledge of food and plays in writing an upcoming musical.

Our guests will compete to answer trivia about squares, shipwrecks, and Saigon.

Areas of expertise

Bruce: Classic cartoon characters, Jewish food, and the SS Andrea Doria.

Josefina: Mexican muralists, the history of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, and the musical Miss Saigon.

What’s the difference: It’s hip to be square.

What’s the difference between rap and hip-hop?

What’s the difference between a handkerchief and a pocket square?

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Bruce Vilanch

Josefina Lopez

With guests experts

Mike Stoller: Member of the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, known for co-writing hits like “Hound Dog,” “Stand By Me,” and more.

Richard Maltby Jr., Tony award-winning theater director, producer and lyricist, who wrote the lyrics for the musical Miss Saigon.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 123.5: Twitter Spaces Live Chat Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

This podcast is made possible by our beloved MaxFun Members and is part of the annual #MaxFunDrive! To find out how you can contribute to the show and earn great gifts for as little as $5 a month (or boost for as little as $1) go to Maximumfun.org/join. (Make sure to select Go Fact Yourself as a podcast you support!)

*NEW: If 100 people join, upgrade, or boost TODAY (3/31), we’ll add a Zoom hangout this weekend!*

Plus, listen to find out how YOU could be a guest on Go Fact Yourself!

We’ve entered the finale of the #MaxFunDrive!

J. Keith and Helen celebrate the occasion with a live Twitter Spaces chat.

They’ll take questions from listeners about what the future may hold for Go Fact Yourself. Plus, they’ll discuss the stretch goals that Go Fact Yourself listeners can look forward to as more sign up to support the podcast.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our

upcoming live shows in LA

by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact