Go Fact Yourself

**Come see us LIVE in Pasadena and Las Vegas! Go to gofactyourpod.com for tickets!**

We’re playing the hits this week on Go Fact Yourself! 

Audie Cornish made a name for herself as a longtime host on NPR. In January, she decided she was ready for a new challenge: producing audio and television content for CNN. She’ll tell us about some of the bumps in the road of her new journey and tell us the secret to conducting a good interview. Audie’s upcoming podcast will appear on CNN Audio.

Chrisitan Finnegan is a comedian who made his mark by making fun of celebrities on TV – an industry that he says has completely tanked thanks to Twitter. Christian has a new special out now called “Show Your Work.” He explains that it’s one part stand-up special and one part documentary about keeping an independent venue alive in the middle of a pandemic

Our contestants will have a trivia battle about classic comedy and masters of music.

What’s the Difference: Broken Down!

What’s the difference between “biodegradable” and “compostable”?

What’s the difference between “fix” and “repair”?

Areas of Expertise:

Audie: ‘60s-’70s Vintage Stax Records, Ethan Hawke movies, and Dystopias.

Christian: 1980s MTV, the 1993-2022 New York Knicks basketball teams, and the movie Better Off Dead.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Audie Cornish

Chrisitan Finnegan

With guest experts:

Diane Franklin, actor, who’s appeared in several iconic movies, including The Last American Virgin and Better Off Dead.

Sam Moore, the legendary “Soul Man,” and one part of Sam & Dave, whose long career includes several enormous hits with Stax Records

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

No new episode this week, but listen up for details on our LIVE-audience shows in Pasadena and Las Vegas! Get tickets and info at gofactyourpod.com

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

It’s the return of in-person live audiences on Go Fact Yourself! 

Larry Wilmore has been seen in everything from “The Office,” “Black-ish,” “The Nightly Show,” and so much more. He’ll tell us how his illustrious career as an actor started on “The Facts of Life,” where he played a Greek cop. As he’s built up his body of work, he’s developed a passion for conversations and (well-intentioned) disagreements. You can hear some of those on his podcast “Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air.”

Denise Crosby is best known for her portrayal of Security Chief Tasha Yar on “Star Trek.” She’s also known for her role on “The Walking Dead” where she played a mother… who happened to be a cannibal. She’ll tell us about that and what it was like to pose for “Playboy” magazine in the 80s.

Our contestants will have a trivia battle about music from across the pond and swimming down the pool!

What’s the Difference: Coax

What’s the difference between “convince” and “persuade”?

What’s the difference between “Diet Coke” and “Coke Zero Sugar”?

Areas of Expertise:

Larry: Beatles lyrics, the original Star Wars trilogy, and the Showtime era of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Denise: Pitbulls, the movie Airport, and how to make the perfect flip-turn at the wall while swimming.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Larry Wilmore

Denise Crosby

With guest experts:

Peter Asher, multiple Grammy-winning producer, guitarist and singer.

Kimberly Vandenberg, Olympic medalist swimmer with team USA.

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

This episode was produced in conjunction with KPCC and recorded live at the Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

It’s OCD vs. DVD on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Richard Kind is an award-winning actor who’s appeared in movies, television and even on Broadway – but for a long time, he thought acting would be his extracurricular activity. He decided to try his hand at becoming a lawyer before a family friend finally convinced him to dip his toe into show business. That’s led to an extensive and memorable career – including an appearance on “Celebrity Jeopardy” that he’s still not over. 

Julia Longoria is a reporter and an expert on audio storytelling. As host of the podcasts “The Experiment” and “More Perfect,” she’s produced tons of stories about the culture and politics of the United States. That includes what she considers one of the most significant parts of the country’s backstory: Spam. The next season of “More Perfect” will launch in 2023.

What’s the Difference: Friendship

What’s the difference between “amicable” and “amiable”?

What’s the difference between “aboard” and “onboard”?

Areas of Expertise:

Richard: “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” Michael Connelly books, and the Second City comedy theater.

Julia: The TV show “Monk,” Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s personal life, and outside missteps in Miami.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Richard Kind

Julia Longoria

With guest experts:

Jason Gray-Stanford, actor and podcaster who appeared in all eight seasons of “Monk.”

Larry Mathews, actor whose decades-long career includes playing Richard Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

TV & film genres abound on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Karama Horne is a writer and geek influencer. She’s also the host of “The Blerd Gurl Podcast” and the weekly “Blerd Gurl Live” on Twitch. A “Blerd” is a black nerd, and it’s not just a self-identification; Karama has spent a lot of time looking for other black people who are fans of the things she loves. Karama’s upcoming book Black Panther: Protectors of Wakanda is available for pre-order now. 

Mo Rocca is an Emmy-winning correspondent for “CBS Sunday Morning.” He’s known for being well-versed in a variety of very specific subjects (“obscure presidential history,” anyone?). He also has a lifelong fascination with obituaries. You can learn more about that in his podcast and book on the subject, both titled “Mobituaries.” Oh, and he met the Pope!

Our guests will answer trivia on stories of dystopian futures and oil-rich pasts. 

What’s the Difference: Sleeping pills

What’s the difference between being tired and feeling fatigued?

What’s the difference between a dose and dosage?

Areas of Expertise:

Mo: TV shows of 1982, Barbara Streisand before 1985, and Chanel’s best selling fragrances of 1992.

Karama: The anime “Ghost in the Shell,” the K-Pop group Shinee, and mason jars.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Mo Rocca

Karama Horne

With guest experts:

Richard Epcar and Crispin Freeman: prolific voice actors whose roles include the lead roles in the anime “Ghost in the Shell.”

Charlene Tilton and Joan Van Ark: actors whose many accomplishments include playing mother and daughter on the TV show “Dallas,” its reboot, and its spin-off.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

Go Fact Yourself returns to a live audience! Join us on Saturday June 18th at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena. Tickets are free!

It’s a wickedly good morphin’ time on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Jeff Hiller is an actor and comedian who’s latest work is on HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere.” He considers the role a special one; in addition to his character sharing a lot of his interests and personality traits, it’s the first time that he’s gotten to portray a person who’s likable! Plus we’ll learn more about his work with Shakespeare in the Park… and his cat’s instagram page.

Krystina Arielle made a name for herself by cosplaying as some of her favorite franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. She knew eventually that her fandom would lead her to working in these universes as a professional– which she does now! You can hear her latest webseries about the Star Wars: The High Republic book series on StarWars.com.

Our guests will answer trivia about teenage superheroes and misunderstood villains.

What’s the Difference: Bed Bugs

What’s the difference between the standard sizes of a King bed and a California King bed?

What’s the difference between an insect and a bug?

Areas of Expertise:

Jeff: The musical Wicked, the movie Soapdish, and public health response to HIV prevention in traditionally high risk groups, but only in the 80s and 90s.

Krystina: The TV show “One Tree Hill,” the film Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie, and the feud between Pumas and Adidas sneakers. 

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Jeff Hiller

Krystina Arielle

With guest experts:

Steve Cardenas, martial artist, musician and actor whose body of work includes playing the red Power Ranger in Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie.

Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz, award-winning writers of the book, music, lyrics, and screenplay of the musical Wicked.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

Go Fact Yourself is returning to a live audience! Join us on Saturday June 18th at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena. Tickets are free!

Get your Krusty Burgers and Duff beer ready– it’s an accidental "Simpsons" theme episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Nancy Cartwright has been the voice of Bart Simpson for more than 30 years. It’s the highlight of her extensive career as a voice actor that includes characters on shows like “Kim Possible,” “Rugrats,” and so many more. She’ll tell us about her career and her beloved backyard chicken coop. An updated version of Nancy’s book “I’m Still a 10-Year-Old Boy” is available now as an audiobook on Audible.

Al Jean worked on “The Simpsons” as a writer and executive producer for more than three decades. He became the showrunner during the third season, a position he still holds today. He’ll tell us about how the show has evolved over the years, from the Disney purchase of Fox to recording with actors over Zoom. 

Our guests will answer trivia about the fine art of glass painting and baseball.

What’s the Difference: Family Jewels!

What’s the difference between a second cousin and a first cousin, once removed?

What’s the difference between a jewel and a gem?

Areas of Expertise:

Nancy: Fellini’s movie La Strada, reverse painting technique, and punctuation & grammar.

Al: Emmy-winning sitcoms since 1970, Detroit Tigers baseball statistics, and American presidents.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Nancy Cartwright

Al Jean

With guest experts:

Dr. Karli Wurzelbacher, Curator of the Heckscher Museum of Art, and the author of several papers and articles about reverse painting, including one in the Journal of Glass Studies.

Darrell Evans, two-time All-Star, a home run champion and World Series champion with the Detroit Tigers!

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Continuing to be vigilant about COVID by YOU!

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

It's #MaxFunDrive time!

Support this show for as little as $5 a month and earn great gifts! Go to Maximumfun.org/join. You can also boost your membership for as little as $1/month!

Plus… YOU could be a guest on the show!

All new, upgrading, and boosting members can opt in to play in our tournament, whose winners get to record a mini-episode of Go Fact Yourself!

And listen for details on our stretch goals for even more opportunities. 

THANK YOU for supporting our show. We literally couldn't do it without members of MaxFun. Hopefully that includes YOU.

Will you please join, upgrade, or boost at maximumfun.org/join?

Grab the burger of the day and switch on the cable TV – it's a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In honor of week two of the #MaxFunDrive, we’re joined by two more hosts from the Maximum Fun Network! 

Travis McElroy is part of the brotherly trio behind the hit shows “My Brother, My Brother and Me” and “The Adventure Zone.” In fact, he and his brothers were so successful that they eventually decided to write the book on podcasting: Everybody Has a Podcast (Except You).

Travis also co-hosts the podcast “Shmanners” with his wife, Teresa McElroy. Together they explore the history and applications of etiquette. That includes finding the origins of idioms like “letting the cat out of the bag” which they’re happy to share with us today.

What’s the Difference: Couples Therapy!

What’s the difference between a couple and a pair?

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Areas of Expertise:

Travis: The songs of Dave Matthews Band, 1990s Nickelodeon TV shows, and job interviews.

Teresa: The TV Show “Bob’s Burgers,” the movie Ratatouille, and loading the dishwasher.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Travis McElroy

Teresa McElroy

With guest experts:

Wendy & Lizzie Molyneux, Emmy-winning writers/producers on “Bob’s Burgers”

Dan Mintz, voice of Tina Belcher on “Bob’s Burgers”

Marc Summers, Emmy-nominated producer and host of several classic shows, including Nickelodeon’s “Double Dare”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Supporting MaxFunDrive by YOU!

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

Sit your booty on the floor or in a chair for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In honor of #MaxFunDrive, we’re joined by two hosts from the Maximum Fun Network! 

If you’d like to support this show for as little as $5 a month and earn great gifts in the process, go to Maximumfun.org/join.

John Hodgman is the namesake of the “Judge John Hodgman” podcast. On the show, he plays the role of a judge who hears litigants’ disputes and decides who’s right and who’s wrong. John will tell us about what it’s like being a fake judge on the internet and about his role on the animated FXX series “Dicktown.”

Danielle Radford is one of the hosts on MaxFun’s pro wrestling podcast “Tights and Fights.” Professional wrestling doesn’t have the best reputation for… much of anything really. But Danielle and her fellow hosts have tried to create a space for everyone who’s ever loved the art form, but rarely felt like it loved them back. Plus: find out about Danielle’s life as a paralegal!

Our guests will go deep with trivia on comics, kids and comedy.

What’s the Difference: Ice Ice Baby!

What’s the difference between icing and frosting?

What’s the difference between a baby and an infant?

Areas of Expertise:

John: Cryptozoology, The Legion of Super-Heroes comic series, and Maine.

Danielle: Early 1990s Nickelodeon sitcoms and sketch shows, the video game Mortal Kombat, and Seattle.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

John Hodgman

Danielle Radford

With guest experts:

Paul Levitz, Eisner and Inkpot Award-winning writer and editor, who was president of DC Comics and wrote The Legion of Super-Heroes for over a decade.

Lori Beth Denberg, actor, comedian, wedding officiant, and podcaster... who was an original cast member on the Nickelodeon sketch show “All That!”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Supporting 

MaxFunDrive

 by YOU!

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

No full episode this week, but there are exciting things coming up in the world of Go Fact Yourself!

MaxFun Drive is from April 25th to May 6th. On April 29th and May 6th there will be back-to-back episodes of GFY featuring contestants from other MaxFun shows – plus all the great special experts that you would expect.

Not only that, but MaxFun Members can look forward to an exclusive bonus episode of Go Fact Yourself featuring the hosts of “Dr. Gameshow!”

Finally, Go Fact Yourself is returning to a live audience! It’s happening at the Los Angeles area public radio station KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum. For free tickets go to KPCC.org/gofactyourselflive.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is 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.

Becoming a Max Fun Member by YOU!

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