Go Fact Yourself

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Ep. 73: Alice Ripley & Lee Wilkof Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Set the kettle to a full boil and put on a quality flick! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Alice Ripley is a Tony Award-winning Broadway icon, whose trailblazing performances include Side Show and Next to Normal. She recently appeared in the one-woman show, The Pink Unicorn, which is being adapted into a film. She’ll tell us all about that… and why she’s one of the reasons that this podcast exists! (Hint: She would be the expert if J. Keith were a guest!)

Lee Wilkof is an actor who originated the role of Seymour in the musical Little Shop of Horrors -- and he appeared with Alice Ripley in a revival that was headed to Broadway … until it wasn’t. Lee has been acting for decades on stage and screen -- including the badge of honor for any performer: numerous appearances on “Law & Order.” You can see Lee in the short film Any Song and as an expert on episode 67 of Go Fact Yourself.

Our guests will answer questions about high-quality tea, high-quality gold and high-quality movies.

What’s the difference: Silver and gold

What’s the difference between silver and sterling silver?

What’s the difference between gold-plated and gold-filled?

Areas of Expertise

Alice Ripley: Making tea, English words from Latin and Greek elements and getting out stains.

Lee Wilkof: The battle of Gettysburg, the film Barry Lyndon and Jewish food.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Alice Ripley

Lee Wilkof

With guest experts:

Jinlan Zhong, Chinese tea expert and owner of Music City Tea in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Ryan O’Neal, Oscar-nominated actor from many memorable films including What’s up, Doc? and Barry Lyndon

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 72: Freddie Wong & Erin Foley Dec 25, 2020

Show notes

We’re down 40-Love, but we’re gonna turn this prison escape around! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Freddie Wong is a filmmaker and host of the podcast “Story Break” right here on the Maximum Fun Network. If you haven’t heard it, Freddie and the rest of the panel improvise silly stories for movies. That includes sequels for movies series like Star Wars and Boss Baby. What’s their secret for such creative ideas? It all starts with the basic understanding that every creative idea is stupid on some level. You can also hear Freddie on the “Dungeons and Daddies” podcast.

Competing against Freddie is Erin Foley, host of the podcast “Sports without Balls,” where she interviews women athletes and sports enthusiasts. She’ll tell us all about her favorite conversations that she’s had on the show and explain once and for all which sport is sexiest. Erin Foley’s comedy album “Deep Dive” is available now.

Our contestants are joined by guest co-host Allie Goertz in a show that was recorded earlier this year in front of a live audience at the Angel City Brewery! (So some of the stuff mentioned isn’t quite so timely anymore.)

What’s the difference: Clean the table

What’s the difference between “sterilize” and “disinfect”?

What’s the difference between flatware and cutlery?

Areas of Expertise:

Freddie Wong: Magic, burgers in Los Angeles and the movie Face/Off.

Erin Foley: Women’s tennis, cheesy dance pop from the 1990’s and the TV show “The Bachelor.”

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Allie Goertz

Freddie Wong

Erin Foley

With guest experts:

Julie Heldman, Olympic Gold Medalist and one of women’s tennis’ Original Nine. Her book, Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey, is available now.

Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, screenwriters whose credits include the screenplay for the film Face/Off.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded from the Angel City Brewery in downtown Los Angeles, by our live sound engineer, Dave McKeever.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Christmas-Merrying by YOU.

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

Ep. 71: Ben Feldman & Lauren Ash Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Can we get a price check on podcasts? It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself -- featuring stars from the hit NBC sitcom “Superstore”!

Ben Feldman is an actor known for playing quirky and lovable characters on shows like “Mad Men” and “Drop Dead Diva.” But he’ll tell us about one role that allowed him to showcase his talent of portraying a jerk… and Helen Hong was there to see it in person! Ben is in the upcoming series “Monsters at Work” on Disney+.

Ben’s opponent is renowned comedian and actor Lauren Ash. Like Ben, she also stars in “Superstore.” She’ll tell us about how the show has helped her navigate uncharted waters, including life in a pandemic and stan twitter. Lauren also hosts the podcast “True Crime and Cocktails”

This week, our contestants will answer questions about the joy of competition and the magic of true love.

What’s the difference: Copycat

What’s the difference between “Imitate” and “Emulate”?

What’s the difference between cat hair and cat fur?

Areas of Expertise

Ben Feldman: The play and move Glengarry Glen Ross, 1990’s Alt-Rock, Los Angeles sandwiches.

Lauren Ash: The TV show “The X-Files,” The TV show “90-Day Fiance” and the 1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays baseball team.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Ben Feldman

Lauren Ash

With guest experts:

David and Annie Toborowsky, couple featured on the TLC series “90 Day Fiance” and stars of “Spice It Up” on Facebook Watch. (“90 Day Fiancé” currently airs Sunday nights on TLC and new 90 Day spinoffs will be on the new streaming platform Discovery+, launching January 4th).

Joe Mantegna, Tony Award-winning actor who performed in the original cast of Glengarry Glen Ross.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 70: Rachel Dratch & David Lindsay-Abaire Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

Here’s the story… of a lovely podcast! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

David Lindsay-Abaire is a playwright, lyricist and the first Pulitzer prize-winning contestant in the history of our show. He’ll tell us all about the great productions he’s made for broadway and how he managed to win such a prestigious award... when he wasn’t even nominated for it.

Rachel Dratch has had a storied career in comedy. She endeared herself to “Saturday Night Live” when she co-created and embodied the character Debbie Downer. She’ll tell us about how she developed the bit along with the signature trombone sound that plays in her segments.

This week, our contestants will answer questions about classic skits, classic comedy and classic families -- that were all on TV!

What’s the difference: Shear Madness

What’s the difference between shears and scissors?

What’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath?

Areas of Expertise

David Lindsay-Abaire: Boston slang words, notable graduates of Sarah Lawrence College and the TV game show “Match Game” from 1973 to 1982.

Rachel Dratch: 1983-1984 Pop Music Lyrics, Modern Art in the collection of MoMa, and the TV show “The Brady Bunch.”

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

David Lindsay-Abaire

Rachel Dratch

With guest experts:

Joyce Bulifant, author and actor, who’s appeared on Broadway, in movies and on television.

Susan Olsen, artist, author, and actor... who played Cindy Brady on “The Brady Bunch.”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 69: Jim O’Heir & Dulcé Sloan Nov 20, 2020

Show notes

Do you hear the people sing? It’s another edition of Go Fact Yourself!

Jim O’Heir is best known for his role as Jerry/Larry/Terry/Garry on NBC’s beloved comedy “Parks & Recreation.” But despite the show’s monstrous fanbase, he says that he still hears people confuse it with another beloved NBC comedy. You can probably guess which one. He’ll tell us all about his career and why he was so shocked when he won his first Emmy award.

Dulcé Sloan is a frequent correspondent on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” What’s one of her most memorable things about working on the show? It’s gotta be the costumes -- she’s dressed up as everything from a Christmas Tree to God with an afro. Plus, she’ll tell us about how she feels right at home with Korean culture, from the history to the TV to the food.

Guests answer questions about (and shed some tears for) intergalactic voyages, international plays and the perfect Korean meal spread.

What’s the difference: Trust but Verify

What’s the difference between “distrust” and “mistrust”?

What’s the difference between “verify” and “confirm”?

Areas of Expertise:

Jim O’Heir: The 2020 U.S. election, The musical Les Miserable, The TV show “Mama’s Family.”

Dulcé Sloan: The TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the TV show “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and historical Korean dramas.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Jim O'Heir

Dulcé Sloan

With guest experts:

Judy Kuhn, multiple Tony, Olivier and Grammy-nominated Broadway actor.

Nana Visitor, actor best known for her roles in the TV shows “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Wildfire”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 68: Michael Peña & Brie Peña Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

Perfect your stroke and dance in Purple Rain, it’s time for Go Fact Yourself!

Michael Peña is an actor whose career began with his roles in dramas like Crash and World Trade Center. But after a while he decided, much to the hesitation of his agent, that he wanted to take his career in a new direction: comedy. He’ll tell us about his memorable roles in the Ant-Man and Dora The Explorer films and how his entire career began because a family friend noticed he was good at impressions.

Michael will compete against his wife: screen-writer and fine artist Brie Peña! She’s traveled with Michael a lot for his job and even gotten to live in other countries with her family for months at a time. What’s one of the most significant things she misses from her travels? Well… it used to be nice seeing how eager the English were to hug their friends.

Our contestants are ready to answer questions about birdies, a Tiger and a Prince

What’s the difference: Couch Potato

What’s the difference between a couch and a sofa?

What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam?

Areas of Expertise:

Michael Peña: Tiger Woods’ golf coaches and techniques, movie quotes from early Woody Allen films, grunge music featured at Lollapalooza 1992.

Brie Peña: The music and producing work of Prince from 1979 to 1985, renovating old Dutch colonial houses, French bulldog behavior and the pros and cons of having one.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Michael Peña

Brie Peña

With guest experts:

Rudy Duran, award-winning golf coach and Tiger Woods’ first golf coach

Lisa Coleman, Emmy and Grammy award-winning musician, who played keyboard for Prince’s band “The Revolution”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

Associate Producer and editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 67: Eliza Skinner & Josh Gondelman Oct 16, 2020

Show notes

Turn up your favorite song and raise a glass, it's time for more Go Fact Yourself!

Eliza Skinner is known for her comedy and musical improvisation, but she’s also got a TV show out now on Disney+! “Earth To Ned” is a talk show with a cast made up entirely of puppets from the Jim Henson company. She’ll explain why, despite all the aliens and spaceships, it’s still a lot like its contemporaries… just with more coordination to make the host talk. Eliza Skinner’s debut comedy album, “Regarding My Lovers,” is available now.

Eliza’s opponent is her friend and fellow TV producer Josh Gondelman. He works behind the scenes on the show, “Desus and Mero,” which has gone through some creative changes since the quarantine started. He’ll explain. Plus, he’ll tell us all about his discovery that a good pep talk can make all the difference in a rough situation (even when that situation is 2020).

Our contestants will answer questions about life behind the scenes and classic shows on the stage and screen

What’s the difference: God complex

What’s the difference between the gospel and the scripture?

What’s the difference between “complex” and “complicated”?

Areas of Expertise

Eliza Skinner: Stephen Sondheim, the Jamestown colony and Beanie Babies

Josh Gondelman: The NBA bubble in Florida, the first seven seasons of the TV show “Cheers” and celebrities from Massachusetts.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Eliza Skinner

Josh Gondelman

With guest experts:

Michel Cerveris, actor, singer and guitarist who’s won two Tony Awards.

George Wendt and Bernadette Birkett, actors best known for their respective roles as Norm and Vera on the show “Cheers.”

Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 66: Frank Conniff & Courtney Henggeler Oct 02, 2020

Show notes

Binge some classic television and brush up on your U.S. history, it’s time for another episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Frank Conniff is a comedian and writer who’s made a career out of mocking bad movies. He was one of the minds behind the Peabody award-winning show “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” where he and his co hosts mocked hundreds of movies. And while you might think he hates all the bad movies that he makes fun of, he’ll explain why all the jokes are actually an extension of his love of cinema. Frank continues the tradition of “MST3K” on his newest live show “The Mads are Back.”

Frank’s opponent is actor Courtney Henggeler. You may have seen her on the show “Cobra Kai.” While that show had a very dedicated following when it was streaming on YouTube Red, it’s since gained a lot of popularity when it moved to Netflix. She’ll tell us all about that show and some fun stories from her other projects that include pitches to Lifetime and turning off Justin Timberlake.

Our guest co-host is a former guest! It’s comedian and actor Jill-Michele Melean.

Our contestants will answer trivia on books to read, shows to stream and presidential dreams.

What’s the difference: Standing on ceremony

What’s the difference between a physical stance and a physical posture?

What’s the difference between “ceremonial” and “ceremonious”?

Areas of Expertise

Frank Conniff: The singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, tin pan alley songwriters of the 1930s and the Kennedys.

Courtney Henggeler: Britney Spears, the TV show “Beverly Hills: 90210, and cooking for a Jewish man who is afraid of butter.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Frank Conniff

Courtney Henggeler

With guest experts:

Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer-winning author and Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Professor of History, Harvard University.

Ian Ziering, actor known for his roles in “Beverly Hills: 90210” and “Swamp Thing.”

Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 65: Wink Martindale & Arden Myrin Sep 18, 2020

Show notes

Out of the park and onto the stage, it’s a new Go Fact Yourself!

Wink Martindale is a radio and TV legend. He got his start as a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee and eventually became a fixture as a game show host. He’s been the moderator of tons of shows like “Tic-Tac-Dough” and “High Rollers.” He’ll tell us some great stories from his career before settling into a game show role he’s less familiar with: being a contestant. You can find more Wink on his YouTube channel and in his book Winking at Life.

Opposite Wink is actor Arden Myrin. She’s practically done it all when it comes to her roles on TV; everything from a guest appearance “Friends” to starring on the Netflix series “Insatiable.” Recently she was featured in the Los Angeles Times not for her career accomplishments, but for her ability to decorate her home on a budget. Arden is the host of “The Bachelor” fan podcast “Will You Accept This Rose?” and is the author of the new book Little Miss Little Compton.

Our contestants will answer trivia about killer plants, bespectacled athletes and the law of desserts.

What’s the difference: Torte Reform

What’s the difference between a torte and a tart?

What’s the difference between “reformed” and “transformed”?

Areas of Expertise

Wink Martindale: radio history, the 1950’s St. Louis Cardinals and Elvis Presley

Arden Myrin: the movie Moonstruck, the musical Little Shop of Horrors and the fact that not all cats can be bonded.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Wink Martindale

Arden Myrin

With guest experts:

Lee Wilkof, American actor and originator of the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors.

Bill Virdon, former Major League Baseball player, manager and coach

Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

Ep. 64: Jade Catta-Preta & Dave Hill Sep 04, 2020

Show notes

Tune up your guitar and try to write one great song… It’s a new Go Fact Yourself!

Jade Catta-Preta is best known as the host of “The Soup” on the E! Network. How did she develop into such a strong lead for the show? Well it turns out that she learned english by watching talk show hosts when she was growing up. She’ll tell us more about her time on TV and explain how she’s still making comedy in 2020. You can get tickets now to Jade’s next stand-up show in October.

Jade’s fellow contestant is musician Dave Hill. If you think you haven’t heard of his work, you may recognize one of his tracks as the theme song to HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He’ll tell us about how he landed that gig... by exerting as little effort as possible. You can hear Dave on “Dave Hill’s Podcasting Incident” right here on the Maximum Fun Network.

Our guests will answer trivia about hit musicals, hit music and animals taking hits of sedatives.

What’s the difference: Calm Down!

What’s the difference between a domesticated animal and a tame animal?

What’s the difference between a sedative and tranquilizer?

Areas of Expertise

Dave Hill: The rules of ice hockey, electric guitars and dog breeds.

Jade Catta-Preta: Miley Cyrus, the musical RENT and laser hair removal

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Jade Catta-Preta

Dave Hill

With guest experts:

Tim Parnin, musician, guitar shop owner and vice president of technology for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tony-winning actor from the musical RENT

Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded from multiple homes at a safe social distance.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing by YOU.

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

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