It’s an X-tra special brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! 

**Come see us in SF Sketchfest in San Francisco! Sunday 1/19 at 4pm! Tickets at bit.ly/GFYSketchfest

In this episode…

Guests:

Paula Poundstone is a comedian who’s the creative voice behind the podcast “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.” You can also find her on tour throughout the next few months. How does she have time to do so much? It turns out she has a lot of time on her hands thanks to some advice from a plumber. 

Open Mike Eagle is a rapper who’s known for some very clever rhyming and word play. Turns out that he's been working on that ever since he was a kid! You can hear Mike’s newest musical project, Previous Industries, and their debut album, Service Merchandise now.

Areas of Expertise

Paula: The TV show “Breaking Bad,”  Drakes Cakes, and the desegregation of department store lunch counters in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mike: The Attitude Era of professional wrestling, the Jonathan Hickman era of X-Men comics, and the anime “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.”

What’s the Difference: Respect your Elders

What’s the difference between to respect someone and to honor someone?

What’s the difference between older and elder?

With Guest Experts:

Louise Simonson: Award-winning writer and editor who’s worked in comic books for more than 50 years. 

Betsy Brandt: Actor whose career includes five seasons of playing Marie on “Breaking Bad.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

*Listen to Bonus Content from this episode*

We make a monthly GFY Extras episode with BoCo from all of our episodes – just for Maximum Fun members! Info at: maximumfun.org/howtoboco

You can also hear a different version of our episodes – and play a corresponding trivia quiz – at laist.com/gofactyourself

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

We’ve cooked up some great trivia on this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

*Listen to Bonus Content from this episode*

We make a monthly GFY Extras episode with BoCo from all of our episodes – just for Maximum Fun members! Info at: maximumfun.org/howtoboco

You can also hear a different version of our episodes – and play a corresponding trivia quiz – at laist.com/gofactyourself

In this episode…

Guests:

Ann-Margret is a Hollywood legend. She’s appeared in everything from Bye Bye Birdie to Viva Las Vegas to Carnal Knowledge. Plus she’s won tons of awards, including an Emmy. But her proudest achievement is her marriage to her late husband, Roger Smith.

Antonio Villaraigosa is the former mayor of Los Angeles. He’s been out of politics for some time, but now he’s running for California governor. He’ll tell us why he’s campaigning and what his favorite part of being mayor was.  

Areas of Expertise

Ann-Margret: The TV show “Law & Order SVU,” the Raiders NFL team from the 1980s to the present, and musicals from the 1960s and 70s. 

Antonio: Mass transportation in Los Angeles, Los Angeles restaurants, and movies that take place in Los Angeles.

What’s the Difference: Today’s Forecast

What’s the difference between a prediction and a prophecy?

What’s the difference between a weather forecast of  “partly sunny” and “partly cloudy?”

With Guest Experts:

Susan Feniger: Award-winning chef, author, and restaurateur.

Greg Townsend: Two-time NFL pro-bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Raiders.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

—--

Trivia is the “T” Word on this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! 

In this episode…

Guests:

Cameron Esposito is a comedian who had a major revelation during the pandemic: She found out she has bipolar disorder. She’ll tell us how she learned to embrace her diagnosis and why doing stand-up is so much better than writing a book.

Chris Grace is perhaps best known for his role as Jerry in the show “Superstore.” The series always had a devoted following, but in recent years its audience has grown even larger. Chris will tell us about some of his favorite fan interactions and how he perfected the art of deadpan. 

Areas of Expertise

Cameron: The TV show “The L Word,” women-led action movies, and catholicism.

Chris: The podcast “Never Not Funny,” the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, and the poem “The Road Less Traveled.”

What’s the Difference: Heart’s Desire

What’s the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack?

What’s the difference between a desire and a craving?

With guest experts:

Jimmy Pardo: Comedian and creator of the podcast Never Not Funny. He was also a contestant on the very first episode of Go Fact Yourself.

Daniel Sea: Actor known for the role of Max on the Showtime series “The L Word.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

—--

We’re firing up some star-studded trivia on this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Marc Summers is the original host of Nickelodeon’s hit game show “Double Dare.” He’ll tell us what it was like hosting the messiest show on television… as he was getting diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. You can see Marc in the upcoming Hallmark movie Hannukah on the Rocks.

Michaela Watkins is an accomplished actor who’s expanded her talents into being an executive producer. What’s the biggest difference between the two crafts? The footwear! You can see Michaela in the upcoming film Suze.

Areas of Expertise

Marc: Johnny Carson, the TV show “Star Search,” and Comedy Magicians

Michaela: The film Bugsy Malone, the TV show “Sex and the City,” and pottery. 

What’s the difference: Corn Flakes

What’s the difference between an ear of corn and a cob of corn?

What’s the difference between crispy and crunchy?

With guest experts:

Pam Aliaga: Exhibitions Manager for the American Museum of Ceramic Art

Reniel Del Rosario: Artist in Residence at the American Museum of Ceramic Art. 

Sam Harris: Singer, theater actor, and original winner of “Star Search.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

—--

Let's nosh on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Barry Sonnenfeld is a legendary filmmaker, responsible for directing films like the Men in Black series. He’s also the author of the new book, Best Possible Place, Worst Possible Time. He’ll tell us a few stories from the book, including the iconic film that he passed up on and why sometimes success is all about having the right equipment.

Jackie Tohn is an actor, whose newest show, “Nobody Wants This,” is a huge hit on Netflix. Jackie is longtime friends with the show’s lead, Kristen Bell. She’ll tell us about the special banter they’ve developed over the years. 

Areas of Expertise

Barry: The film The Long Goodbye, Golden Oldies (or Olden Goldies), and  Swanson TV dinners of the 60s and 70s

Jackie: The film Little Shop of Horrors, “The Howard Stern Show,” and Jewish food. 

What’s the difference: Rookie Mistake

What’s the difference between a rookie and a beginner?

What’s the difference between a mistake and an error?

With guest experts:

Marc Canter: co-owner of the iconic LA restaurant Canter’s Deli.

Robert and Paul Cowsill: Members of musical group The Cowsills, who had eight singles in the top 100 during the 1960s.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

—--

Walk off with a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Josh McDermitt is an actor best known for his time playing Eugene on “The Walking Dead.” The role endeared him to a massive fanbase; but he’ll tell us about a humbling experience when he went to buy his character’s figurine. Josh was also an expert on episode 145 of “Go Fact Yourself.”

Sierra Katow is a comedian, who until recently was also a freelance coder because – surprise! – comedy isn’t always the most lucrative career. Sierra will tell us more about that, as well as her podcast on the MaxFun network, “TV Chef Fantasy League.”

Areas of Expertise

Josh: Country music from the 1990s, the 2010 Green Bay Packers who went on to win Super Bowl XLV, and Kirk Gibson’s game-winning home run from Game one of the 1988 World Series. 

Sierra: Season 3 of the animated series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” the book The Grapes of Wrath, and famous English bulldogs.

What’s the difference: Agree to Disagree

What’s the difference between consent and assent?

What’s the difference between a disagreement and a dispute?

With guest experts:

Steve Sax: Former Major League Baseball player and 2x World Series champion.

Michaela Jill-Murphy: Voice actor known for voicing the character Toph in “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Greg Baldwin: Voice actor known as the second voice of Uncle Iroh in “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

***Listen to GFY on the radio!***
You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio in the Los Angeles area on NPR station LAist 89.3 FM. You can also stream the show live around the world at LAist.com (Click the big “Listen” button at the top of the page.)

Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific)

—--

Trivia is the sweetest thing on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Sherry Cola has appeared in shows like “Good Trouble” on Netflix and films like Joy Ride. But she actually got her start on the radio, thanks to Carson Daly. She’ll tell us why it was a bit of a humbling, but important, experience and explain why she’s not a competitive person. 

Greg Proops is an actor and comedian, perhaps best known for his years on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” His new comedy album, Purple Shasta Raccoon, is available now. He’ll also tell us how he came up with the title for his last comedy album, French Drug Deal, and why he decided to improvise his entire set. You can hear Greg on his podcast “The Smartest Man in the World.”

Areas of Expertise

Sherry: The film A Walk to Remember, the film The Sweetest Thing, and the San Gabriel Valley.

Greg: The San Francisco Giants of the 1980s, Keanu Reeves in the movie Point Break, and Alexander the Great as a tween. 

What’s the difference: Speak Freely

What’s the difference between to speak and to talk?

What’s the difference between something free and something on the house?

With guest experts:

Chili Davis: Three-time World Series Champion and member of the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame.

Roger Kumble: Screenwriter, playwright, and director of The Sweetest Thing

Thomas Jane: Actor, known for films like Boogie Nights, The Punisher and The Sweetest Thing.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

At long last, the radio debut of Go Fact Yourself is upon us! 

On Saturday, October 12th at 10 a.m. Pacific, you can tune in to LAist 89.3 FM if you’re in the Los Angeles area; and if you’re anywhere else in the world, just go to LAist.com and click on the button at the top that says “Listen.”

And while you’re listening, go to GoFactYourPod.com to chat along J. Keith, Helen, and other listeners to celebrate the big day. 

The episode will re-air Saturday at 5 p.m. Pacific and Sunday at 8 p.m. Pacific.

Finally, be sure to keep an eye on 

GoFactYourPod.com/liveshows

 to find out more about our upcoming shows in Pasadena before the end of the year.

Welcome, foolish mortals, to a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

In this episode…

Guests:

Aida Rodriguez is a comedian who’s known that she wanted to perform ever since she was doing Richard Pryor impressions as a child. You can stream her comedy special “Fighting Words” on Max, which features not just her jokes, but also an intimate look at her family. You can also find Aida on tour. 

Cory Doctorow is an author who was extremely busy during the height of the pandemic – he wrote a total of nine books, including one that was the end of a saga that he hadn’t published yet. He’s also known for popularizing the term “Ensh*ttification” about how big tech has made the services they provide worse than ever. Cory’s latest book, The Bezzel, is out now.

Areas of Expertise

Aida: Norman Lear sitcoms, the Prince album Purple Rain, and Puerto Rican slang.

Cory: The Disney ride The Haunted Mansion, anti-war chants of the 1980s and ways to get robbed in Geneva, Switzerland. 

What’s the difference: Fixer-upper

What’s the difference between to renovate and to remodel?

What’s the difference between a summit and a peak?

With guest experts:

Susan Rogers: Record producer with several multi-platinum albums, including Purple Rain.

Kat Cressida: Voice artist who’s worked on video games, movies, and TV shows … and in Disney’s The Haunted Mansion ride. 

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!

It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself that’s totally bossa nova!

In this episode…

Guests:

Taran Killam was a six-year cast member of “Saturday Night Live” and has performed in more dramatic material like the film 12 Years a Slave. He also sang on Broadway as King George in Hamilton and won big as a contestant on “The Price is Right!”

Jen Kober is a comedian and actor who’s been expanding into some really colorful fields: She appears on the “The Mandalorian,” and now performs as part of “Mad Apple,” a Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas. She’ll tell us more about those projects and how her upbringing in the South colors everything in her life. Check out Jen’s new stand-up special, “No Flies on Me.”

Areas of Expertise

Taran: Frank Capra, Batavia’s Graveyard, and The 1990 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Jen: The TV show “Roseanne,” the Encyclopedia Brown book series, and political strategist Lee Atwater’s work from 1980 to 1991.

What’s the difference: Perfect pitch (or pitch perfect)

What’s the difference between perfect and flawless?

What’s the difference between pitch and tone?

With guest experts:

Bobby Herbeck: Film producer and screenwriter known for 1990s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle film.

Robby Rist: Actor, whose work includes voicing Michaelangelo in all three Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle films. 

Michael Fishman: Actor, producer, and director, best known for playing D.J. in “Roseanne.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows in LA by YOU!