Go Fact Yourself

Grant-Lee Phillips

Nellie McKay

With guest experts:

John Cox, Houdini historian to the Magic Castle and writer of the blog “Wild About Houdini.”

Jennifer Grant, actor and author of the book Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of my Father, Cary Grant.

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. 62: Dan McCoy & Jo Firestone Aug 06, 2020

Show notes

If you’d like to support this show, go to Maximumfun.org/join to become a Max Fun Member for as little as $5 a month! You’ll help keep this show going and be eligible for tons of great bonus gifts, including special bonus episodes of Go Fact Yourself.

It’s the final week of the Max Fun Drive! We’re going out with another contest between two of our fellow Max Fun podcasters!

Dan McCoy is best known as one of the hosts of “The Flop House,” where he and his co-hosts watch a bad movie every week so YOU don’t have to! Even though he still has a lot of fun doing the show, he’ll explain why the burden of bad cinema weighs heavily. Plus, he’ll tell us about being an Emmy-winning writer for “The Daily Show” and how it led to him having a brief and memorable appearance on TMZ.

Jo Firestone is more used to being a host on a game show than a contestant. On the podcast “Dr. Gameshow,” she has guests compete in listener-submitted contests. For instance: when talking to someone on the phone, can you tell whether or not it’s raining where they live just from the sound of their voice? Turns out… you can!

Our guests will answer questions about bro-y TV programs, showy rock stars and the value of psycho killers.

What’s the difference: Security Blanket

What’s the difference between “security” and “safety?”

What’s the difference between a blanket and a comforter?

Areas of Expertise

Dan McCoy: Sherlock Holmes, the band Talking Heads and Scrooge McDuck

Jo Firestone: The film When Harry Met Sally, the first two (or three) seasons of the TV show “Entourage” and Bathrooms in New York.

Appearing in this episode:

Dan McCoy

Jo Firestone

With guest experts:

Rex Lee, actor who starred on “Suburgatory,” “Young & Hungry” and “Entourage”

Chris Frantz, musician, songwriter and producer from the bands Tom Tom Club and Talking Heads.

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. 61: John Roderick & Moujan Zolfaghari Jul 24, 2020

Show notes

Happy Max Fun Drive! To celebrate we’ve brought on a pair of Max Fun podcasters.

John Roderick hosts the show “Friendly Fire.” It started out as a way to make fun of war movies; But the show has since evolved into a look at culture and humanity through film… while still finding a way to make fun of war movies. John’s new album with his band, The Western State Hurricanes. is entitled Through with Love.

Moujan Zolfaghari is one of the co-creators and voices on the improv comedy sci-fi show “Mission to Zyxx.” If you’ve never heard the show before, it’s got all the hilarious jokes from a good improv class combined with the professional sound design and cohesive story of a radio drama. Plus, she gets to play the voice of an actual spaceship!

What’s the difference: That’s so dirty

What’s the difference between obscenity and profanity?

What’s the difference between dirt and ]soil?

Areas of Expertise

John Roderick: Muscle cars, The GMC RV, the Judas Priest albums British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance.

Moujan Zolfaghari: Celebrity relationships and divorces, Farsi phrases and the movie Gremlins,

Appearing in this episode:

John Roderick

Moujan Zolfaghari

With guest experts:

Vinny Costa, editor of Street Muscle Magazine.

Joe Dante, director of hit films, including Gremlins and its sequel.

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

RERUN: Grant Imahara & Maria Bamford Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

This week we’re revisiting an episode from October of 2018 that featured Grant Imahara, whose recent death shocked and saddened us. J. Keith & Helen share some memories of Grant and how helpful he was for the show in its early days. Then you’ll hear the entirety of his competition against comedian Maria Bamford.

What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between “magma” and “lava”?

What’s the difference between “baking” and “roasting?”

Areas of Expertise

Maria Bamford: 12 step programs, Self-help and pug aging.

Grant Imahara: “Star Trek,” X-Men comics and “La Di Da Di” by Doug E. Fresh.

Appearing in this episode:

Grant Imahara

Maria Bamford

With guest experts:

Dr. Christine Dresser, pug breeder and health liason for the Pug Dog Club of America.

Gabriel Koerner, digital effects artist who appeared in the documentaries Trekkies and Trekkies 2.

Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show is recorded at the Angel City Brewery in downtown Los Angeles.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green

David McKeever is the Live Sound Engineer.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

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

Ep. 60: Ann Magnuson & Hal Lublin Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

From the mightiest of heroes to the worst of villains, it’s another LIVE edition of Go Fact Yourself! This time with special guest co-host Allie Goertz!

Ann Magnuson is a legendary performance artist, musician and actor. Her movie resume includes Cabin Boy and The Hunger. She’s also recently gained attention for her recent role in “Star Trek: Picard.” And that’s right… she’s actually MET Sir Patrick Stewart! She’ll share some fun stories of him on set and explore some of the lesser known parts of her filmography.

Hal Lublin is a podcaster, whose shows “Tights and Fights” and “We Got This with Mark and Hal” are on the Maximum Fun Network. They’re both shows that are built off his passions for different areas of pop culture… and his desire to be right all the time. Hal is also a voice actor. You can hear him as regular characters on the podcast “Good Morning Nightvale” and the Adult Swim show “Venture Bros.”

Our guests will answer questions about comic books, serial killers and covert word play.

What’s the Difference: Use Your Words

What’s the difference between “use” and “utilize?”

What’s the difference between an accent and a dialect?

Areas of Expertise

Ann: German expressionism, early 1970s TV variety shows and the Manson family

Hal: The process-era Philadelphia 76ers, Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the TV show “Saturday Night Live”

Appearing in this episode:

Allie Goertz

Ann Magnuson

Hal Lublin

With Guest Experts:

Matt Forbeck, New York Times bestselling author whose books include Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger.

Steve Railsback, actor whose credits include Broadway, film and the TV movie Helter Skelter.

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

Theme Song and Incidental Music by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is!

Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

And wear a mask!

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

Ep. 59: Rachel Bloom & Tommy Davidson Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

Sing a little song and wish upon a star, it’s another socially-distant competition edition of Go Fact Yourself!

Rachel Bloom is best known as co-creator and star of The CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which just ended last year. As a show with 157 original songs, she knows a little something about musicals. She’ll tell us more about the show and give us some insight into what life is like as a brand new mom.

Opposite Rachel is Tommy Davidson. He’s made a name for himself as the voice of Oscar Proud on “The Proud Family.” He’ll reprise the role in an upcoming sequel series on Disney+. In the 90’s though, he was famous for his work in the sketch series “In Living Color.” He’ll tell us what it was like to develop that show and share some touching insights from his early life. You can read more about both in his memoir Living in Color: What’s Funny About Me.

Our guests will also answer trivia about movies, animated musicals and going out (remember that?).

What’s the Difference

What’s the difference between secretion and excretion?

What’s the difference between a door frame and a door jamb?

Areas of Expertise

Rachel: The TV Show “Frasier,” Disney musicals and breastfeeding

Tommy: Ancient Egypt, Blaxploitation films and the music of Earth, Wind & Fire

Appearing in this episode:

Rachel Bloom

Tommy Davidson

With Guest Experts:

Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, award winning songwriters who’ve worked on Broadway and films, including Disney’s Frozen

Fred Williamson, Former NFL player and actor, producer, writer and director, whose films include Hammer and Three the Hard Way

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

Theme Song and Incidental Music by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is!

Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

And wear a mask!

(Update - July 3, 2020)

Several days after the release of this episode, a listener alerted us to recent allegations involving one of our experts, Fred Williamson. We do not have specific knowledge about the alleged incidents, and were unaware of them before we recorded and released this episode.

We can state, unequivocally, that sexual harassment and assault in the workplace is a serious issue, and that all of us have an obligation to take it seriously. No one should be the target of harassment or assault, whether in the workplace or anywhere else.

-- Your friends at Go Fact Yourself

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

Ep. 58.5: Best of Music Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

Strike up the band! It’s another Best-Of edition of Go Fact Yourself!

We’ve gone all the way back to our very first episode to find some of the best segments with guests who chose something in the world of music as their area of expertise. Guests like Alonzo Bodden, Lennon Parham, Emily Heller and more will discuss their favorite artists and genres.

Plus, we’ve got a veritable chorus line of special experts that includes authors, songwriters and legendary musicians. Now that’s what we call music trivia!

This episode is brought to you in part by Express VPN! Visit expressvpn.com/gofact to get three months FREE when you sign up.

Appearing in this episode:

Jimmy Pardo from Episode 1

Alonzo Bodden from Episode 6

Kirsten Vangsness from Episode 7

Lennon Parham from Episode 8

Chelsey Crisp from Episode 12

Emily Heller from Episode 32

With Guest Experts:

Billy Vera, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, producer and historian

Marcus Miller, Two-time Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist jazz fusion artist

Lyndsey Parker, author of the book Careless Memories of Strange Behavior: My Notorious Life as a Duran Duran Fan.

Paulette McWilliams, Legendary vocalist who sings background.

Michael Jay, Best-selling songwriter.

Emily Saliers, Grammy-winning musician and one half of Indigo Girls.

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

Theme Song and Incidental Music by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is!

Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

And wear a mask!

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

Ep. 58: Jonathan Coulton & Ophira Eisenberg May 15, 2020

Show notes

This episode of Go Fact Yourself previously streamed live on video, in partnership with NPR station KPCC and LAist! You can watch the entire unedited episode here!

Jonathan Coulton (a.k.a. “JoCo”) is folk/comedy musician who has a lot of experience in the world of trivia: he’s been the in-house musician for the NPR program Ask Me Another since 2012. Jonathan’s also known as the founder and namesake of the JoCo Cruise, a geek and culture convention on a cruise ship. How did Jonathan get so successful to the point that he got a cruise named after him? He’s not entirely sure -- but he’s doing his best to celebrate it!

Opposite Jonathan is his Ask Me Another colleague, comedian Ophira Eisenberg. You may recall that Ophira was previously on episode 23. Now, she’s returned new insight about why celebrities are so terrified of trivia and her never-ending quest to become famous in her homeland of Canada.

What’s the difference: A Shot in the Arm

What’s the difference between vaccination and immunization?

What’s the difference between a tentacle and an arm?

Appearing in this episode:

Jonathan Coulton

Ophira Eisenberg

With Guest Experts:

Mark Rivera -- Multi-instrumentalist musician best known for his work with Billy Joel.

Suzanne Somers -- Actor, author, singer and entrepreneur, known for her role of Chrissy Snow on “Three’s Company.”

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

This episode’s livestream was produced in partnership with KPCC and LAist.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is!

Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

And wash your hands!

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

Ep. 57: Walter Koenig & Danielle Koenig May 01, 2020

Show notes

Go Fact Yourself is streaming a LIVE edition of the show -- with video! It happens Tuesday, May 5th at 5 PM Pacific. To find out more and to RSVP for free, go to KPCC’s events page.

It’s the first-ever father-daughter edition of Go Fact Yourself!

Walter Koenig is a pop culture and science fiction icon. He played the character Pavel Chekov on the original “Star Trek” TV series and films. You’d think that having so much of your career tied to one particular role would get tiring. But Walter’s learned to accept his stardom… even if people like to hear more about Chekov than they do about him as a person. His new book Beaming Up and Getting Off is available now -- and you can get a signed copy!

Walter will compete against comedian and writer Danielle Koenig -- who happens to be his daughter! She’s entertained plenty of people over the years through her work on shows like “Invader Zim” and “Fashion Police.” But she’ll tell us about another way that she earned a particular reputation: for her very distinct laugh. Plus, she’ll tell us how she still manages to enjoy the Star Trek franchise despite being so tied to it.

Our guests will get into topics like classic kids’ shows, classic sci-fi and classic baseball!

What’s the difference: The bumpy road

What’s the difference between a street and a road?

What’s the difference between a speed bump and a speed hump?

Appearing in this episode:

Danielle Koenig

Walter Koenig

With Guest Experts:

Kirk Thatcher: Muppets performer and producer and one of the writers of Muppets Treasure Island

Eddie Robinson: Retired baseball player who started at first base for the Yankees in the 1955 World Series

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

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Our live show engineer is Dave McKeever.

The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is!

Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

And wash your hands!

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

Ep. 56: Jordan Morris Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

It’s another quarantine and redemption edition of Go Fact Yourself!

Jordan Morris was on episode 24 of the show where he was quizzed on his love of the La Brea Tar Pits. Even though he aced his area of expertise, he came up just short of victory.

We’re giving him another shot at proving his trivia prowess as we have fun chats about drinking games, thinking games and cartoon fame!

Appearing in this episode: