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. 154: Frank Turner & Rachel Feinstein Jul 19, 2024

Show notes

We’ve got some killer trivia on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Frank Turner is a musician with a decades-long career that includes setting a new world record for touring. He’ll tell us what that was like and why he’s glad to never try something like it again. Frank’s newest album, “Undefeated,” is out now.

Rachel Feinstein is a comedian, whose new special “Big Guy” is available now on Netflix. The show’s title comes from the affectionate(?) nickname Rachel’s husband gave her. We’ll learn more about their relationship, including why Rachel decided to have a piñata at her wedding.

Areas of Expertise:

Frank: The history of London, the 1989 fall of Communism, and the band Iron Maiden.

Rachel: Russian infomercials, therapy and therapists, and love scenes and couple fight scenes in old-timey movies.

What’s the difference: Mean Streets

What’s the difference between a word's meaning and its definition?

What’s the difference between asphalt and blacktop?

Experts:

Donald Rumbelow: London crime historian and author of the book The Complete Jack the Ripper.

Orna Guralnik: Clinical Psychologist and Psychoanalyst, seen on TV’s “Couples Therapy” on Showtime.

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 153: Joyce Bulifant & Todd Newton Jul 05, 2024

Show notes

We agree to rock! – Live from the inaugural Quiz Show Expo in Burbank, California, it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Joyce Bulifant has a prolific television career that includes TV (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), film (Airplane!), and game shows (“Match Game”). She’ll share some stories from her time in show business, including teaching Fred Astaire how to dance. Check out her book, My Four Hollywood Husbands.

Todd Newton is an Emmy-award winning game show host, known for shows like “Family Game Night.” He’s also known as the host of “The Price is Right Live!”, a stage show version of the long-running TV show. He says that the production is all about giving people all over the country a taste of Hollywood. He’ll tell us tons of hosting stories and even talk about his many awesome tattoos.

Areas of Expertise

Joyce: The book The Four Agreements, The first lady of the American theater Helen Hayes, and the Palm Springs restaurant Lulu’s.

Todd: American travel destinations, Rocky movies, and hair bands from the 1980s.

What’s the difference: The Family Feud

What’s the difference between ancestry and heritage?

What’s the difference between anger and rage?

Experts:

Aaron Landman and Karla Ruiz: program director and program coordinator for Ruiz Family courses in The Four Agreements.

Fred Coury: award-winning composer who played drums with several bands, including Cinderella.

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 152: Blair Socci & Alonso Duralde Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Hey you guyyyyyyyys! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Blair Socci is a comedian who got involved in the trade in an unusual way: She started out wanting to be a novelist and got a burst of inspiration… in the shower. Along the way she wrote for magazines, was a volleyball player and even learned how to make a great salmon. Blair’s debut special ''Live from the Big Dog'' is available now.

Alonso Durlade is a prominent podcaster, hosting shows like ''Deck The Hallmark'' about Hallmark Christmas movies and MaxFun’s movie podcast “Maximum Film!” He’ll tell us about why he’s always thinking about Christmas at least a little bit and some of the prizes he’s won on other game shows. Alonso’s newest book, Hollywood Pride: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Representation and Perseverance in Film, is available now.

Areas of Expertise

Blair: Pizza, the healing ointment Aquaphor, and the actor Walton Goggins

Alonso: College radio music from 1984 to 1988, the TV show “The Electric Company,” and American Christmas after Coca-Cola’s invention of Santa Claus as we know him.

What’s the difference: Reinventing the Wheel

What’s the difference between inventing and innovating?

What’s the difference between a cog and a sprocket?

Experts:

Frank Pinello: Host of “The Pizza Show” on Vice and the proprietor of Best Pizza in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Paul Dooley: Writer and actor with a decades-long career, including playing dads in Breaking Away and Sixteen Candles – and one of the creators of ''The Electric Company.''

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 151: Carmen Lynch & Bobby Massie Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

It’s Friday night and the lights are on bright for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Carmen Lynch is a comedian who recently released not one, but TWO comedy specials, one in spanish and one in english. She’ll tell us about how the two audiences react differently to comedy. Plus, she’ll explain why “less is more” sums up her advice when traveling.

Bobby Massie is a ten year veteran of the NFL. He’ll tell us about his time in the league, including why mental preparation is so important and how he has a 100% catch rate. Bobby is also the founder of Wanderland Outdoors, a company that aims to invite people from all backgrounds to hikes and outdoor adventures with a touch of luxury.

Areas of Expertise

Carmen: Season one of the TV show “Mayor of Kingstown,” the movie When Harry Met Sally, and tall people problems.

Bobby: Safari animals, the movie Friday Night Lights, and first edition Pokemon.

What’s the difference: Concerted Effort

What’s the difference between a concert and a recital?

What’s the difference between an attempt and an endeavor?

Experts:

Tobi Bamtefa: Actor whose many roles include playing Bunny in “Mayor of Kingstown.”

Brad Leland: Actor who’s played roles in both the movie and TV show “Friday Night Lights.”

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 150: Buzzy Cohen & Debra Wilson May 17, 2024

Show notes

Twivia is what bwings us togewer on a bwand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guest Co-host:

Muffy Marracco is a renowned trivia expert, often seen on the Game Show Network. She also previously appeared on episode 120 of Go Fact Yourself.

Guests:

Buzzy Cohen is a “Jeopardy!” champion and “Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions” champion. To what does he owe his success on the show? He says it’s all about his specialized training regiment. It may be stressful, but you can’t argue with the results. Buzzy’s new book, Baby Got Facts: Totally 90s Trivia, is available now.

Debra Wilson is an actor who starred for eight seasons on “Mad TV.” She also has a prominent career as a voice actor, including being the latest voice of Daisy Duck for Disney. She’ll tell us about what it’s like playing such an iconic character. Plus: find out how you can hear her work right now by just downloading an app!

Areas of Expertise

Buzzy: The movie The Princess Bride, lyrics to Bruce Springsteen’s song “Thunder Road,” and Afro-Brazilian syncretic religions (by which he means Candomblé and Umbanda)

Debra: 1970s TV cop shows, tattoo culture, and the giant salmon-pink bird-eater tarantula.

What’s the difference: Monster Mash

What’s the difference between a monster and a creature?

What’s the difference between smash and mash?

Experts:

Joel Madden: Lead singer of the band Good Charlotte and host of the show “Ink Master”

Chris Sarandon: Actor and podcast host, whose many iconic roles include playing Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride.

Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Muffy Marracco

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 149: Adam Felber & Jiaoying Summers May 03, 2024

Show notes

It's a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Adam Felber is a writer, co-host of the “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone” podcast, and frequent panelist on the NPR quiz show “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” In contrast with other people who appear on that program, he actually doesn’t care that much about winning. He’ll explain. Plus, Adam tells us why he often has to explain to people that his weight loss journey was absolutely intentional.

Jiaoying Summers is a stand-up comedian and host of the podcast “Tiger MILF,” which she uses to showcase the multifaceted personalities of Asian women. Jiaoying will explain why she was forced to join us remotely from Hawaii, and why it’s important to embrace sucking at comedy.

Areas of Expertise:

Jiaoying: The music of Janis Joplin, daily make-up in less than 10 minutes, and dealing with an Asian mom.

Adam: The book Infinite Jest, The Prince album Sign o’ the Times and the movie Groundhog Day.

What’s the difference: Student Counsel

What’s the difference between a pupil and a student?

What’s the difference between counseling and therapy?

Experts:

Dave Getz: Artist and drummer for the band Big Brother and the Holding Company
Michael &Laura Joplin: The siblings of Janis Joplin, and contributors to the book Janis Joplin: Days & Summers.

Stephen Tobolowsky: Actor, writer, and storyteller, whose numerous roles include playing Ned in Groundhog Day.

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 148: Ivy Le & A.J. Jacobs Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

You’re not hallucinating here – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Ivy Le is a comedian, actor, and the creator of the podcast FOGO- Fear of Going Outside. Ivy says she had to start from square one for the podcast: From Googling “How to find the outdoors” all the way to learning how to camp. She’ll also tell us about “Tongue In Cheek,” her queer-focused open mic in Austin, Texas.

A.J. Jacobs is an author and puzzle podcaster. Most of his books center on his putting himself through elaborate and lengthy lifestyle experiments, like reading the entirety of the Encyclopedia Britannica or living in accordance with the bible. His latest book is entitled The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution’s Original Meaning.

Areas of Expertise

Ivy: AAPI American history, ADHD, and edibles.

A.J.: Two-letter Scrabble words, the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and weird Victorian Jobs.

What’s the difference: Steeped in history

What’s the difference between steeping and brewing?

What’s the difference between ancient history and prehistory?

Experts:

Judge Reinhold: Actor, whose many iconic roles include playing Brad in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Amy Tan: Award-winning, best-selling author and illustrator, who wrote the novel and screenplay for The Joy Luck Club

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 147: Andy Richter & Tonya Mosley Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

We’re tearing the roof off a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Rose Abdoo is an actor you can see now in “Hacks” on Max! She was also on episode 118 of GFY, and tonight she returns as a guest co-host.

Guests:

Andy Richter is an actor and comedian. He’s most famous for being the sidekick to Conan O’Brien, a role that he learned to love when he realized that it could be anything that he wanted it to be. Andy can be heard on his podcast, “The Three Questions.”

Tonya Mosley is the co-host of the legendary radio interview show “Fresh Air” along with Terry Gross. She’s interviewed a lot of people over the years and is happy to share a few tips (and confirm some rumors about Terry Gross). Tonya is also behind the true crime podcast “She Has a Name,” which uses her investigative journalism skills to tell a story that’s very personal.

Areas of Expertise

Andy: Pre-1980s soul and R&B music, professional wrestling in the 20th-century, and hot dogs.

Tonya: 1990s pop culture, the musical The Wiz, and homesteading.

What’s the difference: The Incredible, Edible Egg

What’s the difference between edible and eatable?

What’s the difference between an oval and an ellipse?

Experts:

Anaïs and Jordanne Dervaes: co-founders Urban Homestead Institute in Pasadena.

George Clinton: Grammy-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, who fronts and founded Parliament-Funkadelic.

Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Rose Abdoo

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 shows in LA by YOU!

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

Ep. 146.95 - J. Keith on Dead Pilots Society Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

It’s a #MaxFunDrive crossover!

Go Fact Yourself host J. Keith van Straten sat down with the podcast Dead Pilots Society. He and fellow MaxFun hosts Jordan Morris and John Moe discuss unscripted pilots that went nowhere.

To hear the full episode, go listen to the latest episode of Dead Pilots Society.

Want to be a listener who gets to sit in – or be a guest on the show? Make sure to support us in this year’s MaxFunDrive! maximumfun.org/join

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Show engineer is Dave McKeever.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Supporting GFY in the MaxFunDrive by YOU – Go to maximumfun.org/join

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

Ep. 146.75 - Listener Sit-In Reactions – BoCo Preview! (#MaxFunDrive) Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

Last year, we selected a few listeners to sit in on recordings of Go Fact Yourself! They got to see just how much work goes into a recording of the podcast and learned a lot along the way (but don’t tell anyone). And they seem to have enjoyed it!

Want to be a listener who gets to sit in? Make sure to support us in this year’s MaxFunDrive! maximumfun.org/join

Appearing in this episode:

Listeners:

Steven Webster

Kristen Anderson

Giovanni Sanchez

Diana Hsu

Hosts:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.