Go Fact Yourself

Latest Episodes:

Ep 18: Tom Bergeron & Jodi Miller Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

Jodi Miller is a stand-up comedian and actress. She’s also known for her appearance on America’s Got Talent where she explained how guys are like cats. Her comedy album No Child Left Behind is available now.

Tom Bergeron has been a fixture on ABC for decades, hosting shows like Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos.

In this episode, we’ll hear about Jodi’s experience on America’s Got Talent and why her relationship with her cat might be an abusive one. We’ll also learn about Tom’s career as a host and a particularly embarrassing moment that he had to deal with on television.

What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a “handrail” and a “banister”?

What’s the difference between a “coat” and a “jacket?”

Areas of Expertise Jodi Miller: The Exorcist, serial killers, and Jack Daniels.

Tom Bergeron: Silent-film comedians, The Andy Griffith Show, and the curious casting history of The Wizard of Oz.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jodi Miller Tom Bergeron

With guest experts: ET Tecosky, U.S. Brand ambassador for Jack Daniels.

Clint Howard, an actor with a 50+ year career, with appearances in recent project Solo: A Star Wars Story and the upcoming festival film Apple Seed.

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 17: Louis Virtel & Laraine Newman Aug 03, 2018

Show notes

Louis Virtel is a comedian and a co-host of the podcast Keep It. He’s also the winner of Jeopardy, whose Double Jeopardy celebration went viral shortly after it aired on TV.

Laraine Newman returns to Go Fact Yourself, this time as a contestant. Newman is best known as an original cast member of the Not Ready for Primetime Players on Saturday Night Live, and she was a founding member of the legendary Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles. If she sounds familiar to you, you may recognize her as the voice of Crab Lady on Sponge Bob Square Pants, Nana from Trollhunters: Tale of Arcadia and lots of other shows.

In this episode, we’ll learn how Louis’s love of publicly answering trivia questions stems from a 3rd-grade spelling bee that he came up short in and why the winners of Jeopardy love keeping in touch with each other after their victories. Laraine will explain why she never tires of hearing people announce her name in the fashion of SNL’s Don Pardo, and how she decides what the voice of each of her characters sound like.

What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a “thumbs up” sign and the “okay” sign in SCUBA diving?

What’s the difference between a “Dead-End” and a “No-Outlet” on the road?

Areas of Expertise Louis Virtel: Jeopardy, world capitals, and Aimee Mann. Laraine Newman: Electronic Dance Music, cooking, Universal horror movies from the 1930’s and 40’s

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Louis Virtel Laraine Newman

With guest experts: Jerome Vered, writer and all-time winner of Jeopardy.

Donnie Dunagan, U.S. Marine Corp Drill instructor and the voice of the titular character in the Disney movie Bambi.

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 16: Jonathan Ames & Janet Varney Jul 20, 2018

Show notes

Jonathan Ames created several TV shows, including Bored to Death and Blunt Talk. He’s also the author of many books, including You Were Never Really Here, which was recently adapted into a movie.

Janet Varney stars in the TV show Stan Against Evil and hosts of the podcast The JV Corner.

In this episode, we’ll learn about Jonathan’s experience with having his book transformed into a movie and why, for all his literary expertise, he still has trouble pronouncing certain words. We’ll also hear more about Janet’s involvement at the annual Sketchfest and why she enjoys talking to women about their awkward teen years. And both Janet and Jonathan wonder what Jodie Foster is up to while they are on stage. Is she watching TV with someone while getting a nice neck massage? We may never learn the answer to that question. But GFY listeners will learn other things by listening to this episode.

What’s the difference?

What’s the difference between a “Presidential Pardon” and “Presidential Commutation”?

What’s the difference between “Avenge” and “Revenge”?

Areas of Expertise Jonathan Ames: 1990’s New Knicks, Detective Novels/Noir Literature and the works of Pema Chodron. Janet Varney: Jodie Foster movies from the 1970’s to the 1990’s, New York Times crossword puzzles, Alt. Rock 1990’s bands

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jonathan Ames Janet Varney

With guest experts: Tom Nolan, crime novel reviewer for the Wall Street Journal and author of several books.

Johnny Whitaker, actor who’s had roles in shows like Family Affair and General Hospital

Go Fact Yourself is coming to New York for two live tapings on July 21st and 22nd at Caveat NYC! For information on guests and to buy tickets go to gofactyourpod.com.

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 15: Paul F. Tompkins & Susan Orlean Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

Susan Orlean is a staff writer for the New Yorker and the author of books like The Orchid Thief.

Paul F. Tompkins is a comedian whose voice you’ll recognize as the character Mr. Peanutbutter on Bojack Horseman.

In this episode, we learn about why Paul can’t stop spoiling upcoming episodes of Bojack Horseman for his wife, and why he should be considered the king of coining new catchphrases. And we’ll also learn which animals in Susan’s life have been named after characters from Bojack(hint: not horses), and why it’s important to learn the title of an author’s book before interviewing her in a public forum. Plus, Susan explains more about her upcoming book and Paul discusses what makes him love podcasting so much.

Do YOU Know the Difference?

What’s the difference between a “Labyrinth” and a “Maze”?

What’s the difference between “Distinguish” and “Discern”?

Areas of Expertise Susan Orlean: Women’s fashion, 80’s music from the Congo and chicken husbandry Paul F Tompkins: SCTV, Neil Gaiman’s comic The Sandman and the film Jaws

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Paul F. Tompkins Susan Orlean

With guest experts: Dr. Linnea Newman, Director of Global Technical director of poultry for Merck Animal Health

Carl Gotlieb, Screenwriter of Jaws and author of The Jaws Log.

Go Fact Yourself is coming to New York for two live tapings on July 21st and 22nd at Caveat NYC! For information on guests and to buy tickets go to gofactyourpod.com.

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. 14: John Ross Bowie & Jackie Kashian Jun 15, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, we learn about the time Jackie Kashian’s father hit on Maria Bamford. It was at Jackie’s wedding. To find out how Maria reacted, take a listen. Also, if anyone books a guest-starring role on NBC’s Speechless, John Ross Bowie will not only have your back, but he’ll show you where the craft service table is on set. Plus, if you ever wondered, “What’s it like growing up in the Theater District in New York?”, you’ll soon find out.

Do YOU Know the Difference?

Areas of Expertise John Ross Bowie: The West Wing, Stephen Sondheim and 1986 New York Mets

Jackie Kashian: Marvel Comics since 2004, romance novels, and chicken.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong John Ross Bowie Jackie Kashian

With guest experts: Former baseball player and current podcaster, Bobby Ojeda. Comic book writer, Mark Waid.

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. 13: Andrea Savage & Fred Willard Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, J. Keith van Straaten is reunited on stage with fellow thespian Andrea Savage. You may recognize Savage from her starring role on TruTV’s I’m Sorry, and dozens of Angelenos will recognize her from a junior high production of a pirate musical, which also starred J. Keith himself. Alas, Fred Willard did not appear in that seminal musical. He was probably off filming This Is Spinal Tap or SCTV at that time. In any event, fate brought Andrea Savage and Fred Willard together to compete for trivia supremacy.

Do YOU Know the Difference? What is the difference between a bagel and a bialy? What is the difference between theater that is off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway?

Areas of Expertise Fred: WWII-era Baseball, '50s Rock & Roll, Silent film history Andrea: Little House on the Prairie, Playing Poker, Talking to your kids about beginning puberty

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Andrea Savage Fred Willard

With guest experts: Alison Arngrim, the New York Times bestselling author and actress known for playing Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie.

Dr. Joe Price, Co-Director for The Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College.

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. 12: Drew Droege & Chelsey Crisp May 18, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, actor and comedian Drew Droege faces off against Chelsey Crisp of “Fresh Off the Boat”.

We learn lots of interesting facts about Drew and Chelsey in this episode. Chelsey, now a vegan, recalls what it was like eating leeches on Fear Factor. Before Drew began starring in the Charles Busch play Die, Mommie Die!, he was most recognized for his Chloe Sevigny videos. Ever wonder what it’s like to achieve a certain level of fame doing impressions of someone even more famous...and then run into that person at a party? Droege does.

On Go Fact Yourself, it’s not uncommon for the guest experts to be as accomplished as our guests, and Chelsey and Drew were thrilled to meet their respective experts. In fact, one of our experts shares some news about a certain French Canadian chanteuse that’s never been revealed in public before.

Do YOU Know the Difference? What is the difference between a AMIABLE and AMICABLE? What is the difference between REFUTE and REBUT?

Areas of Expertise Chelsey’s Crisp: Celine Dion music, Vegan Food, and Self-tanning tips Drew Droege: 1970s Movies, Serial Killers, “Saturday Night Live”

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Chelsey Crisp, Drew Droege,

With guest experts: Laraine Newman Songwriter Michael Jay

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. 11: Edi Patterson & Wayne Federman May 05, 2018

Show notes

This week, actress Edi Patterson and comedian Wayne Federman will go head-to-head, answering such biting trivia as the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard, the politics of Beverly Hills and the finer points of childbirth. It’s a competition as funny as it is eclectic!

But first, Edi will explain how her time at the Impro theatre primarily leads to the creation of full-length, fully improvised plays (yeah with an intermission and everything). And Wayne will explain what it’s like teaching stand-up comedy… as an actual class at a University.

Edi’s areas of expertise include The Lost Boys, Midsouth Championship Wrestling from the 1980’s and Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show. Wayne’s area of expertise includes films that have won the Academy Award for Best Picture, drummers who sing while drumming and fast-food.

As always, listen to find out if your trivia knowledge surpasses those of our guests.

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Edi Patterson Wayne Federman

With guest experts: Podcaster and pro-wrestling historian Jim Cornette.

Box-office analyst and author of several books on movies

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

Ep. 10: Stephanie Miller & Jonathan Mangum Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

This week, radio host Stephanie Miller and Let’s Make a Deal’s Jonathan Mangum compete to determine who’s the facting champion of Go Fact Yourself! But before they show off their trivia prowess, they talk a little about who they are. Stephanie explains how she decided to channel her frustration with politics into a comedy tour and Jonathan discusses why he wants to continue producing Let’s Make a Deal forever, and the story behind why the show’s audience members and contestants wear crazy costumes.

Stephanie’s areas of expertise include The Bionic Woman, Soul Cycle and cheap wines, beers and liqueurs from the 1970’s (her enthusiasm for one of these helped her outsmart J. Keith’s question format). Jonathan is knowledgeable about analogue keyboards, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Arc and World of Warcraft.

Tune in to this episode to see if your knowledge of trivia surpasses those of our guests. Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Stephanie Miller Jonathan Mangum

With guest experts: Member of the Moog foundation Brian Kehew.

Herbie J. Pilato, Executive Director of the Classic TV Preservation Society and author of The Bionic Book

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. 9: Pete Holmes & Annabelle Gurwitch Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

This episode is SO MUCH FUN! Pete Holmes and Annabelle Gurwitch grace Go Fact Yourself with their wit, joy and, yes, abject frustration. And we learn fun facts about the performers. For example, Pete Holmes reveals that The New Yorker rejected his avocado cartoon, and calls into question the magazine’s editorial judgment. J. Keith reminds Annabelle Gurwitch that they both appeared in a pilot together that was so unmemorable...he had to tell her what it was.

J. Keith Van Straaten and Helen Hong sink to new lows with questions like, “What’s the difference between a treaty and an accord?”, and “What’s the difference between arbitration and mediation?” It’s madness!

In the end, we’ll find out which of our guests can be crowned the winner. Pete Holmes’ areas of expertise are Vegan Nutrition, Judd Apatow Movies, and Mad Men. Annabelle Gurwitch claims to know about Joni Mitchell's Blue, Commercials from the 1970s, and Secessionist Painters in Vienna. You know, painters like Gustav Klimt and Rudolf von Alt. Spoiler alert: Gurwitch does not get a chance to demonstrate her expertise of that subject.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Annabelle Gurwitch, New York Times bestselling author whose new book Wherever You Go, There They Are is available for purchase Pete Holmes, of HBO’s Crashing, just picked up for a third season

With guest experts: Allan Havey, actor and comedian Rodney Allen Rippy actor and former fast food pitch man

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

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