Go Fact Yourself

It’s a show worth drinking to on Go Fact Yourself! Eric Winter plays Sergeant Tim Bradford on the ABC series “The Rookie.” The show has earned a very dedicated audience, especially with kids. How does he know for sure? He’s seen them dress up as his character for Halloween. Dree Hemingway is an actor who portrays Daryl Hannah in the FX show “Love Story.” She’ll tell us about how she reached out to the real life Daryl Hannah after she got the part. Plus we’ll learn more about her other job… as a fashion model.  Areas of Expertise: Eric: The movie The Breakfast Club, tennis, and rum. Dree: The movie The Fifth Element, the movie Romeo + Juliet, and musician Kate Bush. What’s the Difference: Maine Squeeze What’s the difference between a harbor and a marina? What’s the difference between squeeze and squish? With Guest Experts: Ben Schaffer: Publisher of online magazine “The Rum Reader” and author of several books about cocktails.   Robert Mark Kamen: Screenwriter (and winemaker!) whose many works include the screenplay for The Fifth Element. 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!  

From New York City, it’s Go Fact Yourself! Seth Rudetsky is a musician, author, and Broadway savant who hosts afternoon radio on Sirius XM’s On Broadway channel. He’ll tell us about his Broadway cruise and why he believes in spreading “Jewish joy” through his weekly Broadway Shabbat. Julie Klausner is an actor and writer who hosts the podcasts “How was Your Week?” and “Double Threat” with Tom Sharpling. Julie will tell us just how dedicated fans of those shows can be – plus about her professional (and personal) collaborations with Billy Eichner.  Areas of Expertise: Seth: Carly Simon songs, the TV show “The Brady Bunch Hour,” and natural disasters. Julie: John Waters movies, Jewish celebrities, and cats.  What’s the Difference: A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste What’s the difference between a mindset and a mentality? What’s the difference between a person’s waist and their waistline? With Guest Experts: Sally Taylor: Singer-songwriter with a decades-long career– that includes working with her mother Carly Simon! Ricki Lake: Emmy-winning TV host and actor who starred as Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film Hairspray. 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

This week, a massive reality TV crossover on Go Fact Yourself! Jackie Cox turned heads as the first drag queen of Iranian descent to compete on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She’ll tell us why the show is nothing like an actual drag pageant and why drag is always political. Plus – what it’s like to act in a movie alongside an Oscar-nominated performance! Dorinda Medley was a cast member of “The Real Housewives of New York” for a little over a decade. Then, in 2023, she swapped her house for a castle to join “The Traitors”. Sadly, she was murdered first (#JusticeForDorinda!). Medley got another shot at redemption when she returned next season. She’ll tell us how these experiences led to her memoir, I Know a Thing or Two About a Thing or Two. Areas of Expertise: Jackie: The Star Trek universe, the movie Mary Poppins and The Gap. Dorinda: The TV show “Law & Order: SVU,” 1980s music, and Friedrich Nietzsche. What’s the Difference: Pot o’ Gold. What’s the difference between cannabis and marijuana? What’s the difference between a carat and a karat? With Guest Experts: Robert Picardo: Actor whose decades-long career includes several appearances in the Star Trek franchise as The Doctor. Raúl Esparza: Broadway star and actor who starred in over 100 episodes of “Law & Order: SVU.” 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

It’s a knockout combination of trivia and HBO actors on Go Fact Yourself! Matt Walsh is best known for his role as Mike McClintock on “Veep,” for which he was nominated for an Emmy – twice! He’ll tell us how he developed that character and give us advice on how to improve our improv skills. Kali Reis is a former boxer who earned an Emmy nom starring alongside Jodie Foster in “True Detective: Night Country.” She’ll tell us how she celebrated her indigenous heritage in boxing and what it’s been like to step out of the ring and onto TV. Areas of Expertise: Kali: The movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, the movie The Mask, and Mike Tyson. Matt:The Chicago Bears football team, English literature, and Austria. What’s the Difference: Prune Juice What’s the difference between pruning a plant and trimming a plant? What’s the difference between AC and DC? With Guest Experts: Mark Verheiden and Mike Werb: Authors and screenwriters, whose careers include working on the film The Mask. Charles “Peanut” Tillman: Former record-setting NFL cornerback for the Chicago Bears. 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Triv, triv, triv, triv…! This episode of Go Fact Yourself will be stuck in your head for days! Chase Masterson’s fans know her as Leeta from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” She’s deeply inspired by the imagined universe of the series – and the fans who embody its values. To that end, Chase works tirelessly at her non-profit aimed at ending bullying: The Heroic Journey. Jay Mohr had been working in comedy for years when he landed his first movie: Jerry Maguire. But he’s still known for his great work in comedy (“SNL,” “Action”) … and as an impressionist. He’ll tell us about the secret to a great impression and what it was like to work with the celebrity he became famous for impersonating. Areas of Expertise: Chase: The best commercial jingles of the 1970s and 1980s, 1980s slang, and Word of the Year winners. Jay: The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers album, the TV show “Deadwood,” and 1990s Yankees World Series teams.  What’s the Difference: Chase and Jay What’s the difference between to chase and to pursue? What’s the difference between a bluejay and jaybird? With Guest Experts: Linda November: Cleo award-winning singer whose career includes many pop hits and even more popular jingles.  Jim Beaver: Actor, writer, and film historian whose career includes playing Whitney Ellsworth on “Deadwood.” 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

** Come see us record in New York! January 24 & 26! Tell everyone you know! ** Politics, high fashion, and trivia– it must be Go Fact Yourself! Ashly Burch is a YouTuber and voice actor, who was a recent guest on episode 177 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us as guest co-host. Al Madrigal is an actor and comedian. He’s known for sitcoms like “Lopez vs. Lopez” and his many appearances as Senior Latino Correspondent on “The Daily Show.” He’ll tell us about some of the scrutiny that title came with. Everything he does now is a big step up from one of his first jobs, where he was forced to fire people on a regular basis. Mary Lynn Rajskub is a comedian and actor, previously seen in “24.” She’ll tell us about the triumphs – and difficulties – of the show. These days, she’s seen on the Netflix series “North of North” – an incredibly important showcase of Inuit culture; and her son says she’s perfect on the show as “the white lady.” Areas of Expertise: Al: U.S. Latino politicians, San Francisco’s Mexican restaurants, and Jack Reacher. Mary Lynn: The city of Iqaluit, Canada, the movie The Florida Project, and Cybill Shepherd's wardrobe in “Moonlighting.” What’s the Difference: Flying Saucer What’s the difference between an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) and an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP)? What’s the difference between gravy and sauce? With Guest Experts: Blanca Pacheco: Former mayor, city councilwoman, and current member of the California State Assembly. Glenn Gordon Caron: Award-winning writer, producer, and director who created the show “Moonlighting.” Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Ashly Burch Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Go Fact Yourself is coming to New York! On January 24, we’re joined by Jackie Cox and Dorinda Medley at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater at Symphony Space. On January 26th we’re joined by Julie Klausner and Seth Rudetsky at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan.  Plus, this weekend is our episode with Al Madrigal and Mary Lynn Rajskub – with guest co-host Ashly Burch! We’ll give you a special preview of what’s to come. 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Ring in the New Year with trivia on Go Fact Yourself! Paul Feig is a director of comedies like Bridesmaides and thrillers like the newly released thriller The Housemaid. He’ll tell us why he gets a similar thrill from working in both genres. And we’ll learn more about where his acute sense of fashion comes from.  Anjali Bhimani is an actor, especially known for her voice work in videogames. She’ll tell us why portraying the character Symmetra for the Overwatch games has been especially meaningful for both her and gamers. Plus: why puppies are the perfect addition to a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.  Areas of Expertise: Paul: The 2025 Dodgers starting lineup, the TV show “The Brady Bunch,” and martinis. Anjali: Late 70s to early 90s musicals (especially Sondheim), the greater human skeletomuscular system, and lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. What’s the Difference: Whip it What’s the difference between beating and whipping (when it comes to cooking)? What’s the difference between a whip and a lash? With Guest Experts: Jon Weidman: Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated writer, whose decades of work include three collaborations with Stephen Sondheim. Maureen McCormick: Actor, singer and best-selling author who played Marcia Brady on “The Brady Bunch.” 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

This episode of Go Fact Yourself is a real thriller! Loni Love is an Emmy-winning TV host, known for her over 1000 episodes of the talk show “The Real.” You can see her host The Rose Parade this New Year’s Day. She’s had an interesting career that included a poor-performing stint as an engineer. Nick Cho has made a name for himself on social media as “Your Korean Dad,” where he gives parental advice and insight to viewers. He’ll tell us about how his kids encouraged him to get into content creation and why he’s something of a coffee bean snob. Areas of Expertise: Loni: Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, and how to pack for a cruise. Nick: 1980s arcade games, Asian-Americans in the media from the 1980s to 2000s, and Gen Alpha slang. What’s the Difference: Advice Column What’s the difference between getting advice and getting counsel? What’s the difference between a column and a pillar? With Guest Experts: Siedah Garrett: Grammy-winning and two time Oscar-nominated singer and actor, whose career includes hit songs with Michael Jackson. Gedde Watanabe: Actor, whose career includes roles on Sixteen Candles, Mulan, “ER,” and more. 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. Additional editing by Valerie Moffat. Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Set sail for Trivia on Go Fact Yourself!  Christine Lakin is best known for her role as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the sitcom “Step By Step.” She’ll tell us about what it was like being the childhood crush of so many men and women. Plus, what it was like to “fall into” her work as an audiobook narrator. Jon Lovett is the founder of Crooked Media and host of Lovett or Leave It. He’ll tell us how he manages to feel okay despite being so in tune with the world of politics. And we’ll learn more about how he wound up as a speech writer for the Obama administration… after winning a contest (sort of). Areas of Expertise: Christine: The TV show “Below Deck,” the TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world.  Jon: Kazuo Ishiguro novels, the TV show “The Real Housewives of New York City,” and Taco Bell What’s the Difference: Practically Speaking What’s the difference between a practical solution and a pragmatic solution? What’s the difference between your larynx and your pharynx? With Guest Experts: Courtland Cox: Longtime executive producer of “Below Deck.” Captain Lee Rosbach: Captain for ten seasons on “Below Deck.” Dorinda Medley and Alex McCord: Cast members of“The Real Housewives of New York.” 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!

Surprised that there’s no new episode of Go Fact Yourself today? Worry not! We’ve got new episodes coming back to back for the next two weeks. Plus, give the gift of GFY this holiday season! Check out our merch – including a holiday ornament – at MaxFunStore.com.  Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten 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!

It’s a home box office of trivia with Go Fact Yourself! Ashly Burch is a YouTuber and comedian who was a recent guest on episode 177 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us as co-host.  Lilan Bowden is an actor, perhaps best known for her role in the Netflix series “Murderville.” She’s had an extensive career across film and TV. But she’s been especially affected by her Disney series “Andi Mack,” and how much the role endeared her to kids. A Martinez is known by public radio listeners as the host of NPR’s Morning Edition. He’s been a part of public radio for years. But before that, he made his name (literally!) in the world of sports radio. That’s also where he learned some… unique interviewing skills. He’ll explain. Areas of Expertise: A: The TV show “Veep,” the movie New Jack City, and the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers Lilan: The TV show “The Comeback,” the YouTube show “Ms. Rachel,” and The Jim Jones Cult aka “The People’s Temple” What’s the Difference: Taylor Swift What’s the difference between a tailor and a seamstress? What’s the difference between fast and quick? With Guest Experts: Damian Young: Actor whose career includes playing Mark Berman on HBO’s “The Comeback” Laura Silverman: Actor who played Jane Benson on HBO’s “The Comeback” Matt Walsh: Actor and comedian who founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and received two Emmy nominations for his role as Mike McLintock in the series “Veep” Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Ashly Burch Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. This episode was edited by Valerie Moffat Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

It’s time to go to the polls with Go Fact Yourself! It’s a collection of some of our favorite trivia segments that feature politicians as experts. In this episode: Peter Sagal and Rebecca Makkai from ep. 45. Helen Zaltzman and Lewis Black from ep. 79. Antonio Villaraigosa from ep. 164. Kitty Felde and Charlie Hankin from ep. 51. Parker Molloy and Kevin Allison from ep. 99. Matt Rogers and Mimi Rogers from ep. 178. With Guest Experts: Gov. Madeleine May Kunin, author, ambassador and three-term governor of Vermont. Charlie Uhrig, former mayor of Solvang, California Kermit Roosevelt III, professor at University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School. Senator Barbara Boxer, representing California in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2017. Rep. Laura Gillen: United States Congresswoman serving New York’s fourth district. 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!

After an extensive competition amongst our MaxFun Members, it all culminates in the 2024(ish) Listener Tournament Finals – a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!  (Do YOU want to be a guest on the show? Make sure to support us in the 2026 MaxFunDrive and stay tuned for our next Listener Tournament!) Khalil Goodman is a photographer who works in public communications in Barbados. He also loves cosplay and will tell us about some of his favorite characters that he’s encountered – plus, what it would take to get people to cosplay as the hosts of this show. Kristen Pilotte is a government contractor and aerospace engineer. She’ll tell us about how she’s joining us while she’s on call for very important space-related work. We’ll also learn more about how some of her upcoming projects involve humans in space. And of course, cats! Areas of Expertise: Khalil: The animated TV series “X-Men ‘97,” the band Garbage, and the work of Agatha Christie. Kristen: The “Duck Tales” videogame, the US manned space program, and the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” What’s the Difference: Mind your Manners What’s the difference between etiquette and manners? What’s the difference between a cause of death and a manner of death? With Guest Experts: Isaac Robinson-Smith, Holly Chou and Alison Sealy-Smith: Voice actors whose work includes playing characters on the series “X-Men ‘97.” Dr. Don Thomas: Author, engineer, educator, and astronaut. 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!

The beat is fresh and so is the trivia on the Best of Hip-hop special of Go Fact Yourself! It’s a boxed set of our favorite rap trivia from over the years, including Hall of Fame MCs and DJs as experts. Appearing in this episode: Gina Yashere from ep. 142 Evette Dionne from ep. 121 Seán Devlin from ep. 87 Sarah Jones from ep. 167 DJ Jazzy Jeff from ep. 100 Marc Evan Jackson from ep. 176 Open Mike Eagle from ep. 165 With Guest Experts: Ahmad: Hip-Hop artist who earned a Gold Record for his track, “Back in the Day.” Speech: Rapper and founding member of hip-hop group Arrested Development. DJ Jazzy Jeff: Actor, producer and Grammy-winning hip-hop pioneer. Big Daddy Kane: Grammy-winning rapper and producer, known for his groundbreaking rhymes. DJ Spinderella: Grammy-winning DJ, rapper and producer, known for her work as a member of the group Salt-N-Pepa. Candyman: Rapper and producer who co-wrote and performed the hit song “Knockin’ Boots.” Darryl “DMC” McDaniels: Founding member of Run-DMC and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 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!

Consider yourself at home– with trivia on Go Fact Yourself! Stephen Tobolowsky is an actor, writer, and director. He’s perhaps best known for his role as Ned Ryerson from the classic film Groundhog Day. He’ll tell us about what it’s like being part of such an iconic movie – and how its fans keep him humble. Aparna Nancherla is a comedian, who’s also a prolific voice actor. She’ll tell us why voicing the character Moon Tobin on “The Great North” represents a lifelong dream for her. Plus, she’ll workshop some titles for her upcoming stand-up special that will premiere on Dropout TV.  Areas of Expertise: Stephen: The work of Charles Dickens, the movie Children of Men, and the Jamaican Switch scam. Aparna: The movie Home Alone, the movie Jurassic Park, and naked mole rats.  What’s the Difference: Pay Up What’s the difference between a deposit and a down-payment? What’s the difference between extortion and blackmail? Guest Experts: Dr. Rochelle Buffenstein: Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, known for her groundbreaking work with naked mole rats.  Shani Wallis: Legendary singer and actor who's appeared in dozens of film and stage productions – including the 1968 Oscar-winning Best Picture Oliver! 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!

It’s a trivia dream come true on Go Fact Yourself! Cooper Barnes is an actor, best known as the superhero Captain Man in the Nickelodeon “Danger Force” franchise. He’ll tell us what it’s like to have kids as fans, and why portraying a superhero is harder than it looks. (Hint: It rhymes with blandex.) Larissa FastHorse is an award-winning playwright – the first known female Native American to have a play produced on Broadway. She’ll tell us why it earned her a level of fame she didn’t expect. Plus, how she helped update some famous (and infamous) elements of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Areas of Expertise: Cooper: Comic book artists of the 1990s comic boom, the 1986 Transformers movie, and monkeys. Larissa: The original play and 1954 musical Peter Pan, the movie The Sound of Music, and Pierre, South Dakota. What’s the Difference: That’s Fair What’s the difference between a carnival and a fair? What’s the difference between just and fair? Guest Experts: Dr. Anne Bryant: Composer and producer of numerous songs for television, film and advertising – including the hit theme to Transformers. Cathy Rigby McCoy: Award-winning actor, producer, and gymnast, who played Peter Pan on stage in thousands of productions around the world. 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!

It’s a bouquet of trivia on Go Fact Yourself! Mimi Rogers is an actor – best known these days for her role in the Amazon series “Bosch.” She’s acted in that family of shows for ten years, but she’ll tell us about how her part was never supposed to last that long. Plus, Mimi reveals some secrets about her time on the set of Austin Powers.   Matt Rogers is one of the hosts of the podcast Las Culturistas. He’ll tell us about how he started the show with his co-host Bowen Yang, his Christmas themed album and tour that he manifested, and what it was like to actually meet the Queen of Christmas: Mariah Carey. You can stream “The Las Culturistas Culture Awards” on Peacock now. Areas of Expertise: Mimi: Types of flowers, Italian cooking, and the TV show “Sex and the City.” Matt: Mariah Carey, the TV show “The Real Housewives of New York” (pre-reboot), and Long Island.  What’s the Difference: Boring! What’s the difference between drilling and boring? What’s the difference between a hog and a boar? Guest Experts: Dr. Nicole Cavender: Director of the Botanical Gardens at The Huntington. Rep. Laura Gillen: United States Congresswoman serving New York’s fourth district.  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!

BELIEVE! In trivia! Brendan Hunt is best known as Coach Beard on the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso.” He’ll tell us about how the show got started, why they decided to put out another season, and why fans always recognize him in airports. Ashly Burch is a well-known part of gaming culture. She’s voiced characters of such critically-acclaimed games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Life is Strange. She’ll demonstrate her voice work and tell us about her YouTube series “I’m Happy You’re Here.” Areas of Expertise: Ashly: The show “Parks and Recreation” seasons 3 and 4, 2006’s (aka 2005’s) Pride & Prejudice, and aerial silks. Brendan: Elvis Costello’s under-appreciated album Spike, the Beatles song “Hey Jude,” and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 What’s the Difference: Payback What’s the difference between restitution and reparation? What’s the difference between a spinal cord and a spinal column? Guest Experts: Jeri Heiden and John Heiden: Grammy-winning designers whose work included albums for Madonna, Pink, Elvis Costello, and more. Mara Marini: Actor who’s appeared in shows like “Parks and Recreation,” “Schitt’s Creek,” and “Blackish.” Natalie Morales: Actor who’s appeared in shows like “Parks and Recreation” and films like My Dead Friend Zoe. 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!

We ask the questions, you give the reply on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Jodie Sweetin has been in show business for most of her life. She’s famous for her role as Stephanie Tanner on "Full House." She’ll tell us what it was like being on a major TV show at such a young age and how she revisited that time in her podcast, "How Rude Tanneritos." Marc Evan Jackson is best known for his stoic performances across a number of TV roles including for "The Good Place" and "Brooklyn 99." He’ll tell us why he loves the fans of the shows he’s a part of and explain why the art of improv is so important.  Areas of Expertise: Marc: The TV show “The Office,” vessels in the Maine windjamming fleet, and the lyrics to the song “Knockin’ Boots” by Candyman Jodie: Jim Henson movies, the TV show “Arrested Development,” and American Girl Dolls.  What’s the Difference: Treasure Island What’s the difference between to treasure and to cherish? What’s the difference between a traffic median and a traffic island? Guest Experts: Candyman: Rapper and producer who co-wrote and performed the hit song “Knockin’ Boots.” Dave Goelz: Emmy-winning performer and producer who’s worked with the Muppets for more than 50 years – and in several movies with Jim Henson. 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!

Get lost in a world of trivia on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Georgia Hardstark is best known for her incredibly popular podcast “My Favorite Murder.” It’s a show all about true crime, but she and her co-host still manage to find a lot of humor and heart in their subject matter. She’ll explain.  Tim Bagley is an actor, comedian, and writer, who’s earned critical praise (and Emmy buzz) for his performance in the HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere.” He’ll tell us about some of the emotional moments from behind the scenes that turned into great moments for his character.  Areas of Expertise: Tim: Chaka Khan, Mitzi Gaynor, and communicating with the dead Georgia: The TV show “Lost,” the band Sublime, and frozen food. What’s the Difference: Ow! What’s the difference between to burn and to scald? What’s the difference between to be hurt and to be injured? Guest Experts: Paulette McWilliams and Kevin Murphy: Founding members of the Grammy Award-winning group Rufus.  Jorge Garcia: Award-winning actor and comedian who played Hurley on the TV show “Lost.” 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!

Set a course for trivia! It’s time to boldly go… Fact Yourself! Steven Weber is an actor with a storied career that includes TV shows like “Wings” and “Chicago Med.” He’ll tell us why he actually has trouble watching some of his earlier work… mainly due to vanity. Plus, he shares about why feels he should have won “Celebrity Jeopardy!” Kiran Deol is a comedian. In her new special, “Joysuck,” she talks about life’s difficulties and how to find joy in spite of them. And then we’ll learn more about what she considers the ideal nap.  Areas of Expertise: Kiran: The IN-N-Out burgers menu, the movie The Shawshank Redemption, and types of vodka. Steven: The original “Star Trek” TV Series, Borscht Belt hotels, comedians and singers, and the book The Grapes of Wrath. What’s the Difference: Pickle Ball What’s the difference between pickling and fermenting? What’s the difference between a gala and a ball? Guest Experts: Jeff Zarrinnam: One of the owners and operators of Hollywood Distillery. Walter Koenig: actor and pop culture icon who originated the role of Pavel Chekov on “Star Trek.” 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!

Kick off your shoes and play some trivia on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Thomas Jane is an actor whose roles often required a lot of training. He’ll tell us how he got in shape for The Punisher, learned to play baseball for 61*, and more. Plus, we’ll learn about the unusual way he was paid for his very first film gig. Grey Delisle is a singer and voice actor whose characters can be heard in everything from “The Simpsons” to “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” She’ll give us samples of some of her most well-known voices and tell us about her newest music album, The Grey Album. Areas of Expertise: Grey: The Carter Family, Robert Duvall, and Dr. Pepper. Thomas: Pioneers of UFOlogy (specifically J. Allen Hynek), the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and absinthe.  What’s the Difference: Frenemies What’s the difference between genial and congenial? What’s the difference between an enemy and a nemesis? Guest Experts: Carlene Carter: Grammy-nominated musician and third- generation member of the Carter family. Cary Guffey: Former actor known for his childhood role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  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!

It’s a silky-smooth brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!  Tom Papa is a comedian known for his podcast, radio show, and TV specials. These days, he may be even better known for his other passion: baking bread. He’ll tell us how that started and how his family indulged his new hobby.  Rosalind Chao is an actor who’s appeared in everything from “Star Trek: The Next Generation", The Joy Luck Club, and Netflix’s “The 3 Body Problem.” Before all that, she was on the most-watched episode of television ever – a little thing called the series finale of “M*A*S*H.”” Areas of Expertise: Rosalind: Disneyland in the late 1980s, the TV show “The White Lotus” Season 3, and snacks from Trader Joe’s. Tom: The band The Grateful Dead, Godzilla and the Jersey Shore. What’s the Difference: Fabric Softener What’s the difference between silk and satin? What’s the difference between to cuddle and to snuggle? Guest Experts: Patravadi Mejudhon: Actor, playwright, and director, whose first Western role was in Season 3 of “The White Lotus.” Tom Constanten: Composer, musician, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer as a member of The Grateful Dead. 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!

From Broadway to Beverly Hills, it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Amy Hill is an actor with an extensive career, including roles in Lilo & Stitch and over 90 episodes of the rebooted “Magnum P.I.” She’ll tell us how she got that part and how it brought her closer to her daughter … literally. Alec Mapa is a comedian and actor, who often plays stereotypically flamboyant characters. He’ll explain why he actually doesn’t mind that, plus what it’s like being a guest judge on “Rupaul’s Drag Race.” Our guest host this week is Mallory O’Meara, who was a contestant on episode 168. Areas of Expertise: Amy: Traveling alone, biographical documentaries, and the TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” Alec: Filipino superstitions, The TV Show Drag Race Philippines and the musical Gypsy What’s the Difference: Lethal Weapon What’s the difference between something lethal and fatal? What’s the difference between a gun and a firearm? Guest Experts: Alex Baskin: Executive Producer of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and host of the podcast, “Bravo’s Hot Mic” Lane Bradbury, Maureen Moore, Kate Reinders, and Leigh Ann Larkin: Actors whose careers include playing June in Broadway productions  of Gypsy from 1959-2008. Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Mallory O’Meara 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!

It’s a voyage of trivia on Go Fact Yourself! Tim Russ is a director, musician, and actor, perhaps best known for his role as Lieutenant Commander Tuvok on “Star Trek: Voyager.” He’s also appeared in other roles across different editions of the franchise – but it wasn’t until he attended a convention that he understood how dedicated the fanbase is. Plus: he’ll tell us how he explores the stars in real life! Amber Nelson is a comedian who also hosts a number of podcasts. One, “The Brighter Side,” is all about finding optimism in troubling times (something that Amber never expected to work). Another, “Some Place Under Neith” examines stories of missing women and children. Areas of Expertise: Tim: Astronomy, Alien invasion movies of the 1950s and 60s, and World War II. Amber: The TV show “The Twilight Zone,” Korn songs, and World War I. What’s the Difference: Eye Spy What’s the difference between a telescope and a spyglass? What’s the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist? Guest Experts: Marc Scott Zicree: Screenwriter, producer, and author of the book The Twilight Zone Companion.  Jack Moran: U.S. Army Staff Sergeant in WWII. 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!

It’s a one-on-one trivia match between TV all stars! Betsy Brandt is best known as Marie on “Breaking Bad,” a role she reprised in the final episode of the series’ successor “Better Call Saul.” She’ll tell us why she was so dedicated to keeping her return a secret. Plus, why she wasn’t optimistic about “Breaking Bad” being a success. Cirroc Lofton played Jake Sisko on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” Even though he was a massive part of Star Trek, he never actually watched anything from the franchise for himself. He’ll tell us how his podcast, “The 7th Rule,” is finally fixing that. Areas of expertise: Betsy: The plays of Anton Chekhov, baking pies, and cheese Cirroc: Tupac’s “Makaveli” album, The Kobe Bryant-era Lakers Championships, and “The Twilight Zone” original series What’s the Difference: Opiate of the Masses What’s the difference between opiates and opioids? What’s the difference between a Catholic church service and a mass? Guest Experts: Carlos Carrasco: Actor who’s appeared in shows like “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and the film Speed  – plus a recent production of Chekhov. James Tupper: Actor who’s appeared in shows like “Revenge” and “Big Little Lies” – plus a recent production of Chekhov. Metta World Peace: Former NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers.  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!

Thanks so much for your help during the #MaxFunDrive! J. Keith has some more details on the great things coming that YOU helped make happen! If you’re a member and want to get more podcast pins along and support a great cause, go to maximumfun.org/pinsale. Plus, enjoy a collection of some of our greatest moments from over the years that was recently part of a public radio pledge showcase. Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jim Newman 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!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month. Help us make our goal to unlock even more gifts … for YOU! It’s only $1/month to BOOST your membership too – every little bit helps! Bruce Vilanch was a guest on episode 124. Some guests struggle to give us three topics they love that they’re willing to be quizzed on. And then there’s Bruce. In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, Bruce tells us about the many other topics that we didn’t cover when he was a guest  – including the Titanic, commercial passenger planes, and the divine Bette Midler. Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jim Newman 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! And of course… maximumfun.org/join!!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month. Help us make our goal to unlock even more gifts … for YOU! It’s only $1/month to BOOST your membership too – every little bit helps! Go Fact Yourself takes a lot of work to put together, including crafting the perfect quiz for our contestants. What would happen if we just took it easy and allowed AI to craft the questions, hints, and fun facts?  We have J. Keith and Helen step into the contestant chairs to find out!  Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jim Newman 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! And of course… maximumfun.org/join!!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month.  That contribution goes directly into making this show possible. In this special mini episode, J. Keith speaks with show director and Go Fact Yourself co-creator Jim Newman. Jim does a lot of work behind the scenes before the show has even started – booking guests for the show is an intensive process. He’ll shine a light on the bookings that fell through and guests that have really delivered for this trivia podcast.  Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten 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!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution (or an annual prepay) for as little as $5 a month.  No matter what level you join, every MaxFun Member gets access to the most popular gift of all: The Bonus Content Library. This is a bank of hundreds– maybe even thousands– of hours of bonus episodes from every show across the network. That includes Go Fact Yourself! In this special preview, you’ll hear clips from just a few of the GFY BoCo collection– including full episodes with MaxFunsters Brea Grant, Clint McElroy and more; GFY success stories where we interview past contestants whose dreams came true because of this show; and the original Go Fact Yourself pilot (which was just released this year!) 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!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution for as little as $5 a month.  Happy #MaxFunDrive! It’s trivia so fine it’ll blow your mind on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Jerry O’Connell got his start as a child actor in the film Stand By Me. His acting career blossomed from there and continued for decades – but now he’s had a second career as an Emmy-nominated TV host. He’ll tell us how that came about after some advice from Kelly Ripa, plus why his dad thought his first film would be a flop.  Mallory O’Meara is an author and podcaster. She hosts the shows "Reading Glasses" and "Reading Smut" on the MaxFun Network. She’ll tell us all about how both podcasts celebrate book culture in very different ways. Her latest book, Daughter of Daring: The Trick-Riding, Train-Leaping, Road-Racing Life of Helen Gibson, Hollywood’s First Stuntwoman is out now.  Areas of Expertise Jerry: 1980s music, 1980s movies, and 1990s Los Angeles news. Mallory: Haunted house books, werewolf movies, Washington Capitals Hockey from 2019 to the present.  What’s the Difference: Break the Bank What’s the difference, in music, between a rest and a break? What’s the difference between a food bank and a food pantry? With Guest Experts: David Naughton: Actor and singer, who starred in the film An American Werewolf in London. Toni Basil: Award-winning singer, dancer, and choreographer behind the hit song “Oh Mickey.” 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!

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution for as little as $5 a month. Or, prepay for the year and get a bonus reward! J. Keith and Helen share a few updates on the MaxFun Drive, including how to get an autographed baseball card featuring the hosts!  Plus, Ben Lindbergh from the "Effectively Wild" podcast joins J. Keith's search for a deep dive into very specific baseball trivia that came out of one of our GFY quizzes. 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!

It’s not MaxFunDrive without a wild kickoff spectacular! Former real-life VJ and host of MTV's Spring Break 1999, Dave Holmes, takes your favorite MaxFun hosts through some wacky ‘90s- and Spring Break-themed mini games!! Featuring: Dave Holmes, Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya, Dimitry Pompée, Tom Lum, Ellen Weatherford, Alex Schmidt, Brenda Snell, Drea Clark, Alonso Duralde, Dan McCoy, Jordan Morris, Manolo Moreno, Ella Hubber, Caroline Roper, Ella McLeod, John-Luke Roberts, Justin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Mike Cabellon, Sierra Katow, Hal Lublin, Danielle Radford, John Moe, Christian Dueñas, Christian Duguay.

This show is supported by our beloved MaxFun Members! To become one yourself as part of the #MaxFunDrive, go to maximumfun.org/join and set up a recurring monthly contribution for as little as $5 a month.  Happy #MaxFunDrive! And we’ve got a couple of contestants who supported Go Fact Yourself in 2024! In this episode… Guests: Sam Gladston is a professional wrestler who performs for Superkick’d in Toronto. He’ll tell us how he got his start and how body building helped save his life.  Noelle Sciarini is an email marketing specialist. She’ll tell us the secret to crafting the perfect email that people actually want to click on. Plus, we’ll hear more about how this is the FIRST podcast she’s ever been on! Both Sam and Noelle were two of the first 100 listeners to support Go Fact Yourself in the 2024 MaxFunDrive. Areas of Expertise Sam: The Krakoan era of X-Men, competitive bodybuilding from the late 90s and onwards, witches in media, the movie Labyrinth, and the TV show “Star Trek: Voyager.” Noelle: 1990s film adaptations of classic books, the TV show “The Great British Bake-off,” the musical The Secret Garden, cross-country running, and word games. 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: Lisa Klink: TV writer, known for her work in the “Star Trek” universe. Marsha Falco: Game inventor whose games include SET, Karma, and Quiddler. 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!

J. Keith and Helen provide some early details for the MaxFun Drive! Look forward to lots of new episodes in the podcast feed along with tons of contests and giveaways exclusively for those who support Go Fact Yourself. Starting March 17th, go to Maximumfun.org/jointo become a MaxFun Member and support Go Fact Yourself. 

We’re halfway to an EGOT on this brand new Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Phil Rosenthal is an Emmy-winning writer and producer, who went from producing and writing “Everybody Loves Raymond” to hosting “Somebody Feed Phil” – the Netflix series where he samples cuisine from around the world. He’ll tell us about some of his most memorable dishes. Sarah Jones is a Tony-winning actor and writer, whose celebrated solo shows involve playing multiple characters – some of whom show up in this recording! Sarah and her characters can be heard on her acclaimed podcast, “America, Who Hurt You?” Areas of Expertise Phil: Stanley Kubrick, Hollywood restaurants, and the TV show “The Odd Couple.” Sarah: 1990s East Coast hip-hop, the origins of New York accents, and dating apps.   What’s the difference: Better Safe than Sorry What’s the difference between a safe and a vault? What’s the difference between to repent and to atone?   With Guest Experts: Lowell Ganz: Oscar-nominated writer, who’s responsible for more episodes of “The Odd Couple” than anyone else.  Adam Klugman: Collaborator and son of Jack Klugman, star of “The Odd Couple.” Big Daddy Kane: Grammy-winning rapper and producer, known for his groundbreaking rhymes. Spinderella: Grammy-winning DJ, rapper and producer, known for her work as a member of the group Salt-N-Pepa. 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! You can also hear a different version of our episodes – and play a corresponding trivia quiz – at laist.com/gofactyourself ***New Radio Stations Carrying GFY!*** You can now hear the show LIVE on the radio on NPR stations LAist 89.3 in Southern California, WUTC 88.1 in Chattanooga, WUWM 89.7 in Milwaukee, and KODK 90.7 in Kodiak. Check their respective websites for details on how and when to listen. LAist Airtimes: Saturdays at 10am & 5pm. Sundays at 8pm. (All times Pacific) Ask YOUR local NPR station about picking up GFY in your area!

Real celebrity trivia is CONFIRMED for Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Jennifer Tilly is an actor who’s dazzled in dozens of films, including her Oscar-nominated turn in Bullets Over Broadway. She’s also voiced characters in everything from the Chucky franchise to “Family Guy.” But the most difficult thing she’s ever done is appearing as herself on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” She’ll explain why, and tell us all about her championship poker skills. Adam Savage is best known as one of the hosts of “Mythbusters.” Along with his co-host Jamie Hyneman, Adam tested hundreds of myths to determine their plausibility. He’ll tell us about some of his favorite experiments and why the show was such an intense production. Catch Adam now on Tested.com. Areas of Expertise Jennifer: The Royal Family (especially Harry and Meghan), jewelry designers, and The Beatles. Adam: Raymond Chandler, juggling, and palindromes. What’s the difference: Dish the Dirt What’s the difference between a dish and a plate? What’s the difference between filth and grime? With Guest Experts: Eddie Muller: Author and founder of the Film Noir Foundation Tal Bachman: Award-winning musician who co-hosts “The Musical Mystery Tour” on The Beatles channel on Sirius XM. 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! 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)

It’s a touchdown for trivia on Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Ryan Kalil and Yeardley Smith from episode 75. Heidi Gardner from episode 80. Meg Rowley and Moujan Zolfaghari from episode 99. Keegan-Michael Key from episode 136. Billy Gardell and Gina Yashere from episode 142. Bobby Massie from episode 151. Ann-Margret from episode 164. With Guest Experts: Glover Quin: Former Pro-Bowl defensive back for the Detroit Lions. James Farrior: All-Pro linebacker, two-time Super Bowl champion, and member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor. Jon Ryan: Super Bowl Champion punter for the Seattle Seahawks. Greg Townsend: Two-time NFL Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Raiders. Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Guest Co-host Moujan Zolfaghari 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! 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)

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!

It’s a brand new joyful joyful episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Lisa Ann Walter endeared herself to an entire generation for her role in The Parent Trap. She was so grateful to embody such an iconic character and never expected to impact audiences like that again… but then she got her role on “Abbott Elementary.” She’ll tell us more about her varied career and how her mom helped her win “Celebrity Jeopardy!”  Tre’vell Anderson is a writer and journalist who’s been busy: they published not one, but TWO books in the same year. One, We See Each Other, explores the seminal moments of black and trans people in film and television; the other, Historically Black Phrases, covers some famous lines from the culture like “Do you got McDonald's money?” You can also hear Tre’vell on the podcast “What a Day.” Areas of Expertise Tre’vell: The film Sister Act 2, the trans pioneer Lucy Hicks Anderson, and Madea – the character played by Tyler Perry, particularly in the plays.  Lisa: Oscar-nominated films before 1975, Fleetwood Mac lyrics, and ballroom dancing. What’s the difference: flexible flier What’s the difference between flexible and pliable? What’s the difference between a zeppelin and a blimp? With guest experts: Bill Duke: Actor and filmmaker, known for appearing in films like Commando and Predator and for directing films like Deep Cover and Sister Act 2. Anna Trebunskaya: Dance champion and 11-time pro on “Dancing With The Stars.” 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!

J. Keith shares an update on Go Fact Yourself's upcoming radio debut on NPR station LAist 89.3 -- plus a preview of our debut episode! Starting September 14th, you can look forward to the show on the radio regionally and online globally --  Saturdays at 10 AM and 5 PM and Sundays at 8 PM (All Pacific Time) 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 trivia for the whole family on this episode of Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Negin Farsad is a comedian and host of the comedy and news podcast, Fake the Nation. Her career has taken her on some pretty interesting journeys – including an actual psychedelic trip. She’ll tell us about that and why she thinks humanity is actually a lot of fun right now. Shane O’Neill writes The Style Memo newsletter for The Washington Post (which you can sign up to read for free). He’ll provide some insights into the link between power and style, what it’s like to write for such a big audience and why he’s thrilled that fat pants are making a comeback.  Areas of Expertise Negin: The TV show “Modern Family,” what to do with a kid in New York City, and Paris. Shane: The B-52s, Sandra Bernhard, and the history of New York nightlife from Studio 54 to the present.  What’s the difference: petrified forest What’s the difference between fossilized and petrified? What’s the difference between a forest and the woods? With guest experts: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons: actor, best known for playing Lily on the show “Modern Family.” Sandra Bernhard: performer, actor, singer, and author, now touring her one-woman show, Easy Listening. 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 showsin LA by YOU!

Go for gold with this Best of the Olympics special of Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Erin Foley from ep. 72 Heidi Gardner from ep. 78 Denise Crosby from ep. 108 Liz Miele from ep. 110 George Hahn from ep. 135 Ify Nwadiwe from ep. 145 Frank Turner from ep. 154 With guest experts: Julie Heldman: Olympic Gold Medalist and one of women’s tennis’ Original Nine. Her book, Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey, is available now. Des Linden: two-time US Olympian, world-record holder in the 50k, and winner of the Boston Marathon. Tara Lipinski: Olympic Gold Medalist and member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Kimberly Vandenberg: Olympic Medalist swimmer with Team USA. 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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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. 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

Just say yes to a preview of the members-exclusive BoCo from Go Fact Yourself! In the full episode… Guests: Clint McElroy is a former radio broadcaster and the father of the McElroy podcast siblings Justin, Travis, and Griffin. Clint is one of the voices behind “The Adventure Zone” podcast where he plays Dungeons and Dragons along with his sons. Clint will tell us what it’s like turning podcasting into a family business and what it’s like to turn an audio show into a graphic novel.  Ella McLeod is one of the hosts of “Comfort Creatures,” an animal enthusiast podcast. But that doesn’t mean that she’s in love with every animal. For instance, she’s not a fan of pigeons. Ella is the author of the upcoming book The Map that Led to You.  Areas of Expertise: Clint: The musical Guys and Dolls, the TV show “Star Trek: The Animated Series,” and fantasy football.  Ella: Greek gods and goddesses, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Taylor Swift. What’s the difference: Everyday Grind What’s the difference between every day and everyday? What’s the difference between a cup and a mug? Experts: Trey Fanjoy: Award-winning director, whose work includes several music videos for Taylor Swift.  You can see a picture of Clint McElroy with Taylor Swift on our showpage at Maximumfun.org Faith Prince: Actor, whose legendary performances include winning a Tony award for Guys and Dolls (And who loves Michael Jeter’s Tony Awards performance). Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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

This episode is part of The #MaxFunDrive! If you love Go Fact Yourself, please go to Maximumfun.org/join to become a MaxFun Member, or to upgrade or boost your existing membership. For a monthly contribution as little as $5 a month, you have a direct hand in helping this show continue.  Plus, you have a chance to BE on the show! Happy #MaxFunDrive! We’ve got more fun and surprises for you than ever before. Listen to the pledge breaks for details on all the exciting stuff. And thank you for your support! In this episode… Guests: Rich Permenter is a team leader at a large financial firm in Missouri. He’ll tell us how being a finalist in the Listener Tournament is the culmination of a lifelong love of trivia … at least until he gets on “Jeopardy!”. Rich was so dedicated to joining the podcast that he actually delayed a procedure for his son! Ashley Pagnotta is a professor of physics and astronomy at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Her research focuses on the science behind exploding stars – which she says aren’t a problem for us here on Earth. Ashley is currently on sabbatical working on a new project: Astronomer in Residence at the Grand Canyon! Areas of Expertise Ashley: The Killer B’s of the 1990s Houston Astros, Formula One racing from 2018 to the present, and the movie Clueless. Rich: The TV show “Boy Meets World,” 1980s baseball cards, and the band The Aquabats. What’s the difference: A glimmer of hope What’s the difference between to glimmer and to shimmer? What’s the difference between a hope and an aspiration? Experts: Christian Jacobs: lead singer and founder of The Aquabats. James Hinchcliffe and Alexander Rossi: icons of auto racing and hosts of the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast. Hosts:  J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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

This episode is part of The #MaxFunDrive! If you love Go Fact Yourself, please go to Maximumfun.org/join to become a MaxFun Member. For a monthly contribution as little as $5 a month, you have a direct hand in helping this show continue.  Plus, you have a chance to BE on the show! Happy #MaxFunDrive! We’ve got more fun and surprises for you than ever before. Listen to the pledge breaks for details on all the exciting stuff. And thank you for your support! In this episode… Guests: Ify Nwadiwe is a comedian, actor, and one of the hosts of Maximum Film!, which he and his co-hosts describe as “a movie podcast that isn’t just a bunch of straight white dudes.” On the show, Ify prides himself on getting to express his unique taste in film, like his opinion that Pacific Rim is a perfect movie.  Laurie Kilmartin is a former writer for “Conan” and one half of the podcast The Jackie and Laurie Show. Every week they discuss the state of women in comedy with their peers. Even though the industry still has a long way to go, they’re happy to report that things HAVE gotten better! Laurie’s new comedy special, “Cis Woke Grief Slut,” is available now.  Areas of Expertise: Ify: MTV’s “The Challenge,” Black hockey players, and Godzilla. Laurie: The TV show “The Walking Dead,” Living British royals, and the Irish Republican army.  What’s the difference: Drilling for oil What’s the difference between a drill sergeant and drill instructor? What’s the difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil? Experts: Jordan Wiseley: Actor, athlete, and four-time champion of MTV’s “The Challenge.” Josh McDermitt: Actor, famous for portraying Eugene Porter on “The Walking Dead.” Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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

This special network wide event is a celebration of the MaxFunDrive! If you’d like to support podcasts you love for just $5 a month and get bonus gifts in the process, go to maximumfun.org/join.  We’re kicking off the most exciting time of the year for the MaxFun Network with a trivia game show featuring hosts from tons of great podcasts. J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong from “Go Fact Yourself” are joined by: Danielle Radford - “Tights and Fights”  John-Luke Roberts -“Sound Heap with John-Luke Roberts”  Brea Grant & Mallory O’Meara -“Reading Glasses” If you’d like to hear more hosts competing for trivia supremacy, visit Maximumfun.org for the full version of this show.

In this special mini-episode, we look back on some of the first 144.74 episodes of Go Fact Yourself! As we approach the beginning of the #MaxFunDrive, listeners and GFY staff discuss some of their favorite moments through the years – everything from meeting iconic actors, to literally bowing before your heroes, to personal connections in times of trouble.  Plus, we preview some of the special treats coming for you in this year’s drive – starting March 18! In this episode… Guests: Listener Lyn on Bill Kurtis and John Ullinskey from episode 44. Listener Bobby on Adam Ferrara, Ethan Russell, and Glyn Johns from episode 95 GFY sound engineer Dave McKeever on Ed Saxon from episode 120 GFY Editor and Associate Producer Julian Burrell on Jordan Morris and Yeardley Smith from episode 56 Helen Hong on Ryan Kalil, Yeardley Smith, and Anthony Daniels  from episode 75 J. Keith van Straaten on Xeni Jardin and Tommy Chong from episode 34 Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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 us in the MaxFunDrive and seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Face front, true believers! It’s the Best of Comic Books special from Go Fact Yourself! The superheroes of Marvel and DC comics are everywhere in pop culture, so it makes sense that a lot of our contestants over the years would choose them as their areas of expertise. In this omnibus collection, you’ll hear from guests like John Hodgman and Jackie Kashian discussing characters like Spider-Man and the Legion of Super-Heroes. In this episode… Guests: Jackie Kashian from episode 14 John Hodgman from episode 102 Dylan Brody from episode 38 Hal Lublin from episode 60 Myq Kaplan from episode 132 Experts: Mark Waid: Comic book author who’s written stories for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Boom Studios. 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. Chris Claremont: New York Times bestselling author and writer of the bestselling comic book issue of all time. Matt Forbeck: New York Times bestselling author whose books include Captain America: The Ultimate Guide to the First Avenger. Marv Wolfman: Legendary and award-winning comic book author and editor, whose career includes creating the character Black Cat for Spider-Man. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Remember it, write it down, take a picture: it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Krystina Arielle is a host and actor, currently fronting “Star Wars: The High Republic,” a multimedia series about stories from the franchise. She appeared on episode 105 of GFY and joins us today as guest co-host. Guests: Sarah Wayne Callies is an actor, perhaps best known for her roles in “Prison Break” and “The Walking Dead.” She recently launched Caliber Studios, a company devoted to creating podcasts. One of her first projects is her “Prison Break” rewatch series. It’s a big step for Sarah, but not just because of the new business venture; it’s also one of the few times she’s watched her own work.  Michael Yo is an emmy-nominated host, actor and comedian. His new special “I Never Thought” is streaming on YouTube. He’ll tell us about how his comedy has evolved over the years and the impact that his jokes have had on his parents. You can hear Michael Yo almost every day on Sirius XM. Areas of Expertise: Sarah: The sonnets of Edna St. Vincent Millay, lyrics from Paul Simon’s Graceland album, and the movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.  Michael: The movie Friday, the movie Gladiator, the 2001 Miami Hurricanes championship football season. What’s the Difference: No Strings Attached What’s the difference between twine and string? What’s the difference between attach and affix? Experts: Angela Means: Chef and actor, best known for her role as Felisha in the film Friday. Stephan Elliott: Award-winning writer and director, whose work includes The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.  Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Krystina Arielle 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. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Trivia and podcasting are a love story for the ages on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: David Wilcox is an award-winning singer and songwriter, who happens to be one of J. Keith’s very favorites. His lyrics showcase his passion for intense and often very personal storytelling, so personal that some people have commissioned him to write songs about their lives – with surprising results. David’s album My Good Friends is available now. Gretchen McCulloch is a bestselling author and award-winning linguist. How did she discover how much she loved linguistics? It all started with a stolen book… and ended with her writing her own book. Gretchen is the host of the podcast Lingthusiasm, where she’s posed important questions to listeners like “Is frowning something you do with your forehead or your mouth?” Areas of Expertise: David: Donald Fagen’s album The Nightfly, model year changes on air-cooled Volkswagens from 1949 to 1973, and plumbing. Gretchen: The YouTube show “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries,” the musical SIX, and unexpected recipes that you can make with rhubarb. What’s the Difference: Birds of a Feather What’s the difference between a nest and a roost? What’s the difference between denizens and citizens? Experts: Will Lee: Grammy award-winning musician, whose thousands of album appearances include The Nightfly. Ashley Clements: Award-winning actor, who starred in “The Lizzie Bennet Diaries” and hosts the YouTube show, “The Look Back Diaries” Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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. Seeing our next  live-audience show in Los Angeles  by YOU!

Pod hearts a trivia show-la on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Billy Gardell is one of the stars of the CBS sitcom “Bob Hearts Abishola.” He’s had an extensive career across film and television, but people are always surprised to learn that he’s also a comedian. He’ll explain. Plus, he’ll tell us all about his life-changing weight loss journey. Gina Yashere is a comedian and writer who can also be seen on “Bob Hearts Abishola.” She was one of its creative voices behind the scenes. She’ll tell us about how she influenced the development of the show, including creating a role for herself.  Areas of Expertise: Billy: The Pittsburgh Steelers, the TV show “The Honeymooners,” and marriage Gina: Pickleball, 1990s hip-hop, and elevators What’s the Difference: Snob Hearts Gorgonzola  What is the difference between a “snob” and an “elite"? What is the difference between “gorgonzola” and “blue cheese”? Experts: Ahmad: Hip-Hop artist who earned a Gold Record for the song “Back in the Day.” James Farrior: All pro linebacker, two-time Super Bowl champion, and member of the Pittsburgh Steelers hall of honor 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 show in Los Angeles by YOU!

It’s a hair-raising brand-new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Philip Bowen is a singer and songwriter. Many discovered him on the latest season of “America’s Got Talent,” where he played a System of a Down cover on… the violin. He’ll explain why his biggest competition on the show wasn’t from other musicians… but from dogs and children. Philip’s debut album “Old Kanawa” is out now. Nafis M. White is an interdisciplinary artist. Her main medium? Hair! Check out her complex works that are held together only by bobby pins. She’ll tell us about how she considers the observer’s entire experience – including why the sounds, smells, and a place to sit. Nafis’s next exhibition will be in San Francisco at the Museum of the African Diaspora in March. Areas of Expertise: Philp: West Virginia University Mountaineers athletics, The Wheel of Time series, and coffee. Nafis: Coach Prime Deion Sanders, Durand Bernarr’s Tiny Desk concert, and slime molds. What’s the Difference: Turf Tow What is the difference between “turf” and “lawn"? What is the difference between “tow” and “haul”? Experts: Jed Drenning and Owen Schmitt: Former West Virginia University athletes and hosts of the “In the Gun” podcast. Durand Bernarr: Singer, songwriter, and producer. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live Show Engineer is Jeremy Beavers Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

You can’t handle this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Ron Funches is a comedian and actor. Ron says that growing up, a lot of people used to make fun of his voice. But now that he’s voiced characters in everything from the Trolls movies to “Harley Quinn” on HBO, he’s more than vindicated. He’ll tell us about how his work focuses on positive affirmations and why he’s so proud to be a dad. Ever Carradine is an actor who has appeared in series like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Commander in Chief.” Acting is a family business for her; she’s following in the footsteps of John, David, and Keith Carradine. She’ll explain what it was like growing up on film sets and her new non-acting role at SAG-AFTRA. Areas of Expertise: Ron: 1990s professional wrestling, the TV show “I Love Lucy,” and marijuana strains. Ever: 1990s supermodels, the film A Few Good Men, and the 2004 Boston Red Sox. What’s the Difference: Mary Lou What is the difference between "happy" and "merry"? What is the difference between a bathroom and a loo? Experts: Keith Thibodeaux: actor and musician who played “Little” Ricky Ricardo on “I Love Lucy” Kevin Pollak: award-winning actor and comedian, whose many TV shows and films include A Few Good Men. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live Show Engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

These fancy things will never come in between you and this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Yakov Smirnoff is an iconic comedian, who made a name for himself after making Johnny Carson laugh on “The Tonight Show.” He’ll explain how he had to fight for the chance to be on the show and how he learned to make art in the face of tragedy. Salamishah Tillet is a scholar, activist, curator, and writer, who won a Pulitzer Prize for her work in The New York Times. She’ll tell us about what it was like to keep that honor a secret – even from her friends and family. Areas of Expertise: Salamishah: The Nadal/Federer tennis rivalry, the Donovan McNabb era of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Beyoncé/Rihanna. Yakov: The Canary Islands, the science of love, and the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. What’s the Difference: Make Some Noise What is the difference between sound editing and sound mixing? What is the difference between a yell and a shout? Experts: Kuk Harrell and Tricky Stewart: Songwriters, producers and executives, whose multiple Grammy awards include hit songs with Beyoncé and Rihanna. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa: Writer, producers, and directors of many TV shows and films, including Crazy, Stupid, Love. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Guest Live Show Engineer is Jeremy Beavers. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angelesby YOU!

You might as well jump into this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guest Co-host Niccole Thurman has appeared in shows like HBO’s “Jellystone” and “The Operation with Jordan Klepper” and has very particular criteria for her hotel rooms. Guests: Anna Camp is an actor, best known for her role in the Pitch Perfect movie series. She’ll tell us about some of her upcoming projects and the time that she helped out Morgan Freeman during a difficult moment behind the scenes.  Mike Schmidt is a comedian and host of the podcast “The 40-Year-Old Boy.” He’ll tell us about how the show has evolved since it started more than 14 years ago. Plus, we’ll learn why it took three chances before he finally got to appear on this show. Areas of Expertise: Mike: The movie Reservoir Dogs, The Road Warriors wrestling team, and the band Van Halen Anna: Southern cuisine, the play and movie A Streetcar Named Desire, and the TV show “Vanderpump Rules.” What’s the Difference: Cops and Robbers What is the difference between a sheriff and chief of police? What is the difference between a criminal and a crook Experts: Greg Renoff: Author of the book Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal Emily Mann & Daphne Rubin-Vega: Director and star, respectively, of the 2012 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Niccole Thurman Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live Show Engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Look closely in the water and you’ll see a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Kathleen Madigan is a comedy icon. How did she get her start? By wanting to have a drink at a decent bar… that just happened to feature stand-up. She’ll tell us what it’s like to have such an extensive career and why throwing the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs baseball game is so complicated. You can find Kathleen on tour. Ron Pope is a singer-songwriter whose song, “A Drop in the Ocean,” has been streamed over one billion times and gone platinum. He’ll tell us how he found success with his music on TV and how he learned to write music in the midst of personal tragedies. Ron’s new album Inside Voices is available now. Areas of Expertise: Kathleen: The Loch Ness Monster, the convenience store chain Buc-cees and “Ozark” the TV show vs. the real Ozarks.  Ron: The band Counting Crows, the TV show “Yellowstone” and New York’s best slice of pizza.  What’s the Difference: Along Came a Spider and Sat Down Be-Cider What is the difference between a spider and an arachnid? What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice? Experts: Adrian Shine: Naturalist who has studied life in Loch Ness for over 50 years. Steve Bowman: Founding member and drummer for Counting Crows. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live Show Engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angeles by YOU!

As the regular version of the podcast is edited down, some moments naturally get left on the cutting room floor. The only way to hear them is to be at the live show… or to be a MaxFun member and hear some in your bonus feeds! We share a brief preview of what MaxFun members can hear right now in their Bonus Content feed! Not a member? Go to maximumfun.org/join and select “Go Fact Yourself” as a podcast you support!

Drop back and avoid the sack, it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Keegan-Michael Key is an Emmy and Peabody award-winning actor, writer, and prodcuer. Elle Key is an award winning film, television, and commercial director and producer.  The Keys are the authors of the new book The History of Sketch Comedy: A Journey Through the Art and Craft of Humor. Elle and Keegan will tell us about how the book was born from conversations they had as they geeked out about the “science” of comedy, and how they documented the world’s first recorded joke. Plus, Keegan tells us more about how his comic origin story came from seeing his dad laugh at Eddie Murphy.  Areas of Expertise Keegan: The Matthew Stafford era of the Detroit Lions football team, New York City phrases & slang, and Jewish cooking.  Elle: Art, painting & colors, 1980s action movies, and Jewish cooking. What’s the Difference Affront and A-back What is the difference between an affront and an offense? What is the difference between spare ribs and baby back ribs? Experts: Glover Quin: Former Pro-Bowl defensive back for the Detroit Lions. John Badham: Film director whose films include Saturday Night Fever and several 1980s action movies. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Credits: Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live Show Engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our next live-audience show in Los Angele

Your trivia begins… now! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Jason Pargin is known by many for his presence on TikTok, and by many others as the author of the bestselling John Dies at the End book series. He tries to make sure that infrequent readers gain some joy through his books – whether that’s writing a funny title like Zoey Punches the Future in the D*** or not requiring people start at the beginning to enjoy the sequels. Why is he so sensitive to the needs of infrequent readers? Because he’s one too! Check out his latest Zoey Ashe book, available now! Joyelle Nicole Johnson has been touring a solo show entitled “Not the Mama,” where she celebrates having a hysterectomy. (Woo-hoo!) It’s part of her conscious decision not to have children, a choice that she says goes all the way back to her failed attempt at being a middle school teacher. Joyelle will tell us all about that, plus how she made the decision not to attend Sunday school as a child – thanks in part to George Carlin. Areas of Expertise Jason: The Patrick Swayze film Roadhouse, the British panel show “Taskmaster,” and Twitter. Joyelle: Stevie Wonder songs, how to live in luxury in Brooklyn, and drag queens &“Drag Race” & “Drag Race All Stars.” What’s the Difference Paper Plains What’s the difference between paper and parchment? What’s the difference between a plain and prairie? Experts: Alex Horne: Creator, producer, and co-host of “Taskmaster.” Shea Couleé: “Drag Race” star who appeared on three seasons of the show, including winning Season 5 of “Drag Race All Stars” 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 show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Is you okay out there?! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Ed Begley, Jr. is a second-generation actor. Why did he decide to get into Hollywood? Because he wanted to do exactly what his dad did. Over the years he’s been nominated for an Emmy seven times, guested on game shows, and even had dinner with the Beatles. Ed’s memoir “To The Temple of Tranquility… And Step On It!” is available for pre-order now. GloZell is a comedian who has endeared herself to her YouTube audience with catchphrases, green lipstick… and an extreme take on the cinnamon challenge. She’ll tell us about how all of that led to her scoring an interview with President Barack Obama at the White House. Areas of Expertise Ed: Electric vehicles, U.S. geography, the movie Midnight Run. GloZell: The TV show “The Love Boat,” the Alanis Morrisette album Jagged Little Pill, and looking for a cowboy. What’s the Difference Do you read me? What’s the difference between a typeface and a font? What’s the difference between something being legible and readable? Experts: George Gallo: Director, producer and screenwriter of several films, including writing Midnight Run. Glen Ballard: Songwriter Hall of Famer, who won three Grammys for Jagged Little Pill. 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 show in Los Angeles by YOU!

After several “Best of” episodes focused on humans, we’re finally putting the spotlight where it belongs: on animals! This special episode is dedicated to those guests who chose cute critters as their area of expertise. That includes Monique Powell from the band Save Ferris, author Susan Orlean, comedy writer Jenny Jaffe and more! Plus, we have an ark full of experts that include scientists, veterinary specialists and AN ACTUAL ANIMAL!  Don’t have a cow; listen now! In this episode… Guests: Monique Powell from Episode 5. Susan Orlean from Episode 15. Jenny Jaffe from Episode 48. Jonatha Brooke from Episode 86. Alison Leiby from Episode 87. Experts: Dr. Rachel Malamed, Veterinary Behaviorist. Dr. Linnea Newman, Director of Global Technical director of poultry for Merck Animal Health. Crouton, the most popular resident of Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary, who has over 60,000 followers on Twitter. Beth Hyman, co-founder of Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary who rescued Crouton and helps run his popular Twitter account. Dr. David Kersey, professor of veterinary sciences and giant panda reproduction expert. Dr. Nicole Duplaix, senior instructor at Oregon State University’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences and the founder of the International Union of Conservation for Nature’s “Otter Specialist Group.” 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 show in Los Angeles  by YOU!

Your word is “trivia” on a brand new episode of Go F-A-C-T Yourself! In this episode… Sarah Rodenbaugh is a writer, actor and producer, whose new film, Hangman, is playing in festivals around the country. She steps in as guest co-host for this episode. Guests: Lisa Lampanelli is a retired comedian. Her 30-year career involved selling out Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall, numerous specials and so much more. She tells us about some of her biggest TV experiences, including “The Celebrity Apprentice” and the US version of “Taskmaster.” And she explains how adjusting from such a busy career to retirement required a lot of trial and error.  Will Leitch is a writer. He balances a career in sportswriting with publishing popular novels. His most recent work, The Time Has Come, is set in his home town of Athens, Georgia – a town that he’s gotten a lot of comments about since the 2020 election. He’ll tell us about how his book got an unexpected boost from the greatest horror writer of all time. Areas of Expertise: Lisa: Punctuation, spelling, and 1980s new-wave music Will: Roger Ebert’s movie reviews, the fighters in the game Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!, and songs from Meat Loaf’s Bat Out Of Hell Album.  What’s the Difference:  Jury Box What’s the difference between a summons and a subpoena? What’s the difference between a box and a carton? Experts: Dev Shah: Winner of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Ellen Foley: Actor and singer, known for being the featured female vocalist on Meat Loaf’s “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.” Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Sarah Rodenbaugh 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 show in Los Angeles by YOU!

Face front, true believers! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Jill Twiss is an award-winning comedy writer and children’s book author. For years, she worked as an SAT tutor. She’ll explain how that directly led to her big break: writing for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” AND the publication of her first children’s book about a former Vice President’s gay bunny. Plus, Jill tells us how she got the chance to contribute material to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Myq Kaplan is a comedian who was introduced to many audiences on two competition shows – “Last Comic Standing” and “America’s Got Talent.” On AGT, Myq sometimes had to compete against cute children and well-trained dogs. He’ll tell us about how his latest show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is based on advice he would give his younger self… and how he doubts he would have listened. Areas of Expertise: Jill: The TV show “The Good Place,” the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and the SAT. Myq: Linguistics, psychedelics and Spider-Man. What’s the Difference:  Preaching to the Choir What’s the difference between a preacher and a pastor? What’s the difference between a choir and a chorus? Experts: Rebecca Feldman and Sarah Saltzberg: Writers and performers, who originated the roles that became Olive and Logan in the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Marv Wolfman: Legendary and award-winning comic book author and editor, whose career includes creating the character Black Cat for Spider-Man. 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 show in Pasadena by YOU!

Your prayers have been answered – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! In this episode… Guests: Niccole Thurman is a comedian and voice actor. She appeared as a guest on episode 126 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us today as guest co-host.  George Hahn is a writer and media personality. He was dubbed an “urban raconteur” by The New York Times. He’ll tell us about how he earned the nickname by heavily criticizing New York City… only to fall back in love with it after he left. Plus, he’ll share some critical fashion tips and discuss how he was cast as “Great Looking Guy” on “Sex and the City.” Alexandra Petri is a Washington Post columnist. She got her start at the publication as an intern, writing uncredited articles and having a very unprofessional outgoing voicemail. Alexandra’s newest book is Alexandra Petri's US History Important American Documents (I Made Up). It includes falsified versions of this country’s history – like how “Sesame Street” characters were involved on D-Day. Areas of Expertise: George: Mid-century modern design, various methods of making coffee, and the Bond films of Sean Connery and Daniel Craig.  Alexandra: The musical Jesus Christ Superstar, NBC’s hit(?) 2013-2015 show “Hannibal,” and Alice Roosevelt Longworth. What’s the Difference:  Wedding Band What’s the difference between a wedding band and a wedding ring? What’s the difference between a cover band and a tribute band? Experts: Caterina Murino: Actor and model, whose career includes the role of Solange Dimitrios in the Bond film Casino Royale. Ted Neeley: Actor and musician, best known for the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar. Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Niccole Thurman 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 show in Pasadena  by YOU!

**The 2023 Listener Tournament registration is now LIVE.** Want to be a guest on the show?  If you are a supporter of our show through maximumfun.org, you should have already received an email with a link to register for the opportunity! (If you haven't, please contact Stacey @ maximumfun.org). The deadline to register is July 16, 2023. We’ve got more than one piece of trivia sure to fill you with glee on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!  In this episode… Guests: Danielle Koenig is a comedy writer and host of the podcast “How to Survive.” She was a previous contestant on episode 57 of “Go Fact Yourself” and rejoins us this week as co-host. Joseph Solano is perhaps best known by the nickname he uses as an extremely reactive Twitch streamer and podcaster: Joez McFly. He frequently showcases his love of Yankees baseball, and he’ll reveal how his fandom has paid off in relationships as well as actual money.  Catie Turner is a singer-songwriter who rose to prominence as a contestant on season sixteen of “American Idol.” Being selected for the show is actually a long process that has to be kept a secret until the show airs, and Catie will tell us why she struggled with that. Catie’s latest EP, Comedy & Tragedy Act I, was a chance to fulfill her childhood theater ambitions. You can find her new EP and when she’s going on tour near you on her website. Areas of Expertise: Joseph: The anime “One Piece,” the video game Final Fantasy VII, and steaks. Catie: Disney World, The TV show “Glee,” and Bucks County Pennsylvania. What’s the Difference:  Coffee, Tea or Free… What’s the difference between caffeine free and decaffeinated? What’s the difference between non-dairy and dairy free? Experts: Luci Christian, Brina Palencia, and Eric Vale: Voice actors whose careers include the respective roles of Nami, Tony Tony Chopper and Sanji on “One Piece.” Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale: Actors whose careers include the characters Tina Cohen-Chang and Artie Abrams on “Glee.” Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten Danielle Koenig 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 show in Pasadenaby YOU!

**The 2023 Listener Tournament registration is now LIVE. If you are a supporter of our show through maximumfun.org, you should have already received an email with a link to register. (If you haven't, please contact Stacey @ maximumfun.org). The deadline to register is July 16. ** It’s time to drop in and chat with a friend down under on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Steph Tisdell is a First Nations Australian comedian, who incorporates her Yidinjy heritage and perspective into her work. Why? Because, in her words, they are “the funniest race in the world.” She’ll explain. Plus, she tells us how her latest work aims to improve the representation of her fellow aboriginal people in an area of show business that is especially lacking: Stunties. Andy Saunders is a First Nations Australian comedian whom Tisdell has called, “a guide, a mentor and an uncle.” He and his wife Deb famously appeared on “The Block,” a TV show about competing to renovate homes. Andy credits his time on the show with giving him great exercise and helping him get recognized. You can see more of the couple’s home design expertise on their YouTube show “Deb & Andy DNA of Design.” Areas of Expertise Steph: Orchids, parrots, and Dr. Phil. Andy: Surfing, the movie Avatar, and time travel. What’s the Difference: Pool Cue What’s the difference between pool and billiards? What’s the difference between a line and a queue? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong  Steph Tisdell Andy Saunders With guests experts Dr. Irene Pepperberg: award-winning animal psychologist and behaviorist Kathy “Gidget” Zuckerman: surfer who inspired movies, TV shows and professional surfers. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Making sure you contact us if you were selected to listen to a Zoom show by YOU

Time to spread the love of sci-fi on a brand new episode of  Go Frak Yourself! Jason Kravits is an actor, singer and improviser who last appeared on episode 7 of Go Fact Yourself. This week, he saves the day, filling in as co-host in place of Helen Hong. Lisa Loeb is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, who writes and performs music for both children and grown-ups. She often has concerts catering to both of her target audiences on the same day, but she’ll tell us how her music for kids is often the most popular song for adults! Plus: how her fandom of the character Hello Kitty led to some great opportunities. You can hear Lisa every day on her Sirius XM radio show, “Stay With Lisa Loeb.” Reggie Watts is a comedian, actor and musician. He just wrapped up an eight-year stint as the band leader on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” It’s a job that he really enjoyed, but he’ll explain why he made a point to stop coming to rehearsals. Reggie will also tell us about being a contestant on “Jeopardy!” and why he was more familiar with a famous parody version of the show prior to his appearance on the real thing. Reggie’s book, Great Falls: MT: Fast Times, Post-Punk Weirdos, and a Tale of Coming Home Again, is available for preorder now. Areas of expertise Lisa: “Rupaul's Drag Race” (but not good with names). Strength training. Peanut butter. Reggie: Model railroading, The TV show “Battlestar Galactica.” Butt rock. What’s the difference: Sing for your Supper What’s the difference between a song and a ballad? What’s the difference between supper and dinner? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Jason Kravits Reggie Watts Lisa Loeb With guests experts Val & Zach Fishbain: co-founders of the Los Angeles-based peanut butter company Spread The Love. Katee Sackhoff: actor who portrayed the character Kara “Starbuck” Thrace on “Battlestar Galactica.” Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Making sure you contact us if you were selected to listen to a Zoom show by YOU

Prepare to be properly whelmed by a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Ellen Acuario is known by many for her fearless and biting commentary on TikTok. Her presence on the app was a result of wanting to provide the perspective that she didn’t have as a child. She carried this energy into her first children’s book BE YOU: The Adventures of Penguin and Panda. Plus: here about how she met Helen Hong many years ago! Mike Pesca is an award-winning journalist who hosts the popular news podcast “The Gist,” which publishes new episodes every day. He’ll tell us how he finds the energy to make a constant stream of content and what changes he would make to NPR. We’ll also learn about how he and his wife helped a family of Ukrainian refugees. If you’d like to help out this family and learn more about their story, visit their GoFundMe page.  Our guests will answer trivia about the many things we love about film. Areas of expertise Ellen: Tennis.The movie 10 Things I Hate About You. Steven Yeun. Mike: College nicknames and mascots. The movie Caddyshack. The International Criminal Court in The Hague. What’s the difference: All Alone What’s the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy? What’s the difference between being lonely and being lonesome? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Ellen Acuario Mike Pesca With guests experts Karen McCullah & Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith: The writing duo behind movies including The House Bunny, Legally Blonde, and 10 Things I Hate About You,. Larisa Oleynik: Actor whose work includes 10 Things I Hate About You. Michael O'Keefe: Actor who played Danny Noonan in Caddyshack. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Learn the ropes and brush up on your facts for this new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Cenk Uygur is the creator of the progressive news network The Young Turks. Before that, he was an on-camera personality for MSNBC. He’ll tell us how his old gig helped him understand why he needed to make a space for news and information. Plus we’ll learn why it took so long for him to finish his first book, and why he’s convinced that the United States is a progressive country.  Niccole Thurman is known for her roles in comedy. Her latest work includes voicing several characters on the HBO series “Jellystone” and appearing on many episodes of “The Opposition with Jordan Klepper” – but she actually didn’t intentionally pursue comedy. She’ll explain that, plus tell us the odd circumstances that led her dog Izzy to join us on stage. Our guests will answer trivia about cows and snakes in the oddest of places. Areas of expertise Niccole: The musician Hosier, facts about the Kansas City metro area, and predicting the outcome of true crime segments on “Dateline.” Cenk: 1980s WWF, fantasy football, and happiness. What’s the difference: Electric Toothbrush What’s the difference between something that is electric and something that is electrical? What’s the difference between plaque and tartar? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Cenk Uygur Niccole Thurman With guests experts Sly James: Former mayor of Kansas City. David Cook: Winner of the seventh season of “American Idol.” Jake “The Snake” Roberts: Former wrestler for the WWF throughout the 1980s, who currently appears on All Elite Wrestling.  Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Eat a tablet, pray for great music, and prepare to love this brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! A.C. Newman is a founding member of the band The New Pornographers. The band’s newest album is Continue as a Guest, and A.C. will explain why the title was born from a sense of existential dread that he felt during the pandemic. We’ll also hear about a project from A.C. that failed to get off the ground: a broadway musical set in a gritty version of the Archie comics universe (years before “Riverdale” was ever a thing). Sukh Ojla is a comedian, playwright, and author. She got her start in comedy attending a free workshop. The twist? She thought that it was to work on her writing. She stuck with comedy and also eventually became a published author with her debut novel Sunny. The only downside is that she’s had to come to terms with the permanence of books compared to a stand-up set. Our guests will compete to answer trivia about companionship through music and books. Areas of expertise A.C.: Marvel Legends action figures, the Paisley Underground, and SCTV (in particular, “5 Neat Guys”). Sukh: The movie Rocky IV, the book Eat, Pray, Love, and Greek deities. What’s the difference: Jagged Little Pill. What’s the difference between a claw and a talon? What’s the difference between a tablet and pill? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong A.C. Newman Sukh Ojla With guests experts Steve Wynn, of the band The Dream Syndicate. Michael Quercio, of the band The Three O’Clock Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson, of the band The Bangles Elizabeth Gilbert, author of many books including Eat, Pray, Love and founder of The Onward Book Club. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Thank you to all of our new, upgrading, and boosting MaxFun Members who contributed in the name of Go Fact Yourself! We’ll have more information on some special rewards YOU unlocked in this episode. Sing a song and survive at sea – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Bruce Vilanch is an Emmy award-winning comedy writer and game show icon. He’ll tell us about what may be his greatest achievement yet: writing a new musical with Dolly Parton. Bruce is also happy to celebrate his career low-lights as well. He’s got an upcoming book about his work on The Star Wars Holiday Special. Josefina López is a playwright and screenwriter, perhaps best known for creating Real Women Have Curves. The play has always been a point of pride for her. For many Hispanic actors, it’s the first time they get to play roles that they can be proud of. Josefina also has a diplome de cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu in France. She’ll tell us about how she’ll combine her knowledge of food and plays in writing an upcoming musical. Our guests will compete to answer trivia about squares, shipwrecks, and Saigon. Areas of expertise Bruce: Classic cartoon characters, Jewish food, and the SS Andrea Doria. Josefina: Mexican muralists, the history of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, and the musical Miss Saigon. What’s the difference: It’s hip to be square. What’s the difference between rap and hip-hop? What’s the difference between a handkerchief and a pocket square? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Bruce Vilanch Josefina Lopez With guests experts Mike Stoller: Member of the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, known for co-writing hits like “Hound Dog,” “Stand By Me,” and more. Richard Maltby Jr., Tony award-winning theater director, producer and lyricist, who wrote the lyrics for the musical Miss Saigon.  Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

This podcast is made possible by our beloved MaxFun Members and is part of the annual #MaxFunDrive! To find out how you can contribute to the show and earn great gifts for as little as $5 a month (or boost for as little as $1)  go to Maximumfun.org/join. (Make sure to select Go Fact Yourself as a podcast you support!) *NEW: If 100 people join, upgrade, or boost TODAY (3/31), we’ll add a Zoom hangout this weekend!* Plus, listen to find out how YOU could be a guest on Go Fact Yourself! We’ve entered the finale of the #MaxFunDrive! J. Keith and Helen celebrate the occasion with a live Twitter Spaces chat.  They’ll take questions from listeners about what the future may hold for Go Fact Yourself. Plus, they’ll discuss the stretch goals that Go Fact Yourself listeners can look forward to as more sign up to support the podcast. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our  upcoming live shows in LA  by YOU!

This podcast is made possible by our beloved MaxFun Members and is part of the annual #MaxFunDrive! To find out how you can contribute to the show and earn great gifts for as little as $5 a month go to Maximumfun.org/join.  Plus, listen to find out how YOU could be a guest on Go Fact Yourself! And… Join Helen & J. Keith on Twitter for an “Ask Us Anything” on Wednesday, March 29 at 1pm PT (4pm ET). @gofactyourpod  It’s a beautiful day in the #MaxFunDrive – The latest edition of Go Fact Yourself! Get ready for the conclusion of our first-ever Listener Tournament, welcoming our two finalists to this special episode of the podcast. Lyn Fortman learned a lot about herself during the pandemic. After a great deal of introspection, she discovered more about her gender identity, that she’s happy to share in the hopes that it helps others along their journey. Lyn will tell us about her career as a corporate recruiter and why she’s proud to advocate for colon cancer screenings. Patrick Parker considers himself an all-purpose blerd (a portmanteau of “Black nerd”). If there’s something to be nerdy about– from comics, to RPGs, to pro-wrestling and more, chances are that he’s at least dabbled. Patrick will explain his goal to achieve his masters in social work, and why he so enjoys being a stay-at-home dad. Our guests will answer trivia questions about funny families and notable neighbors. Areas of Expertise Lyn: The Crossfit Games, the comic strip For Better or For Worse, and Jimmy Pardo’s Never Not Funny podcast (seasons 14 to current). Patrick: The movie A Christmas Story, Black superheroes from Marvel Comics, and the TV show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” What’s the Difference: Minute Maid What’s the difference between being the adjectives “minute” and “miniature”? What’s the difference between a housekeeper and a cleaning person? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Lyn Fortman Patrick Parker With Guest Experts Lynn Johnston: creator of the comic For Better or For Worse. David Newell: actor best known for his role as Mr. McFeely on “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.” Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

We’ve got some new information on gifts and stretch goals for the #MaxFunDrive! To hear our BoCo episode – plus hundreds of hours of other bonus content – follow the instructions on this video. Plus, we’ll explain some new details about how YOU can be part of an episode of Go Fact Yourself and what attendees of our upcoming live show in Pasadena can look forward to. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Sarah Rodenbaugh Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

This podcast is made possible by our beloved MaxFun Members and is part of the annual #MaxFunDrive! To find out how you can contribute to the show and earn great gifts for as little as $5 a month go to Maximumfun.org/join.  Plus, listen to find out how YOU could be a guest on Go Fact Yourself! Welcome to the podcast, b****! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Griffin and Rachel McElroy are the married duo behind the MaxFun podcast “Wonderful!” where they showcase things that bring them joy. That sort of positivity is hard to maintain when the news cycle gets serious. But they try to always find room to talk about what makes Cheetos so great. Griffin is one third of The McElroy Brothers. Together they have made such popular podcasts as “My Brother, My Brother and Me,” and “The Adventure Zone.” Their latest in a series of graphic novels based on “The Adventure Zone” is entitled The Eleventh Hour and is available now. When she’s not podcasting, Rachel works in the grant writing business. She’ll tell us about why so many companies and people who apply for grants know they need money… even if they don’t understand what they need it for.  Our guests will compete to answer trivia about TV shows featuring teenagers and time travel. Areas of Expertise Griffin: Pokémon, Singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen, and the TV show “The O.C.” Rachel: St. Louis Blues hockey from 2019 to the present, 20th century American poetry, and the TV show “Quantum Leap” What’s the Difference: I Solemnly Swear What’s the difference between being honest and truthful? What’s the difference between a vow and an oath? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Griffin McElroy Rachel McElroy With Guest Experts Deborah Pratt: writer, executive producer, and voice of Ziggy on “Quantum Leap” Melinda Clarke: actor and podcaster, who played Julie Cooper on “The O.C.” Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

MaxFun Members rejoice! Soon you’ll hear an exclusive MaxFun crossover episode of Go Fact Yourself that features jarrett hill from “FANTI” and Brea Grant from “Reading Glasses.” This mini-episode is a special preview of that show. Plus we’ll explain our schedule for the #MaxFunDrive and how YOU can get involved. To hear our complete BoCo episode – plus hundreds of hours of other bonus content – follow the instructions on this video. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong jarrett hill Brea Grant With Guest Experts Ryka Aoki: Poet, composer, teacher and novelist (Light from Uncommon Stars), whose books have received several awards. (It’s a surprise!): A fabulous expert whom you’ll meet in the Bonus Content feed. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

It’s a brand new special mini-episode of Go Fact Yourself! Helen Hong delivers some stand-up comedy for our live audience in Las Vegas. Plus, she and J. Keith give you a rundown of the upcoming schedule changes in honor of the MaxFunDrive. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

**Come see our live-audience show at the Center for Inquiry in Los Angeles on February 26! Info available now now!** Feel free to excuse yourself from the room so you can listen to a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Sean Patton works hard to stand out in the crowded field of stand-up comedy. His new special, “Number One,” is based on a routine that he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. With his latest work he strives to be two things: unexpected and honest. Sean will tell us how he achieves that and how he convinced comedian Michael Che to produce his special.  Evette Dionne has written a lot about how fat-phobia shows up in modern society. She’ll explain how this shows up in the field of medicine and share some advice on how to avoid unhelpful doctors and medical practices. Plus she’ll tell us how a nerdy pun helped convince her to date her future husband.  Our guests will answer trivia on the sound of music and the sound of bodily functions.  Areas of Expertise: Sean: The band Rage Against the Machine, Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations, and flatulence etiquette. Evette: Romantic comedies, hip-hop from the 1990s and 2000s, and all things Beyonce. What’s the Difference: Helpful Hints What’s the difference between aiding and abetting?  What’s the difference between a hint and a clue? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Sean Patton Evette Dionne With Guest Experts Lizzie Post, author of the book Emily Post’s Etiquette – The Centennial Edition and host of the podcast “Awesome Etiquette.” Speech, rapper and founding member of the hip-hop group Arrested Development. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

**Come see our live-audience show at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena on February 11! Reserve your seats now!** Have an old friend for dinner and get ready for a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Brad Rutter has won more money on “Jeopardy!” than anyone in the history of the show, turning his knowledge into a trivia career, which includes ABC’s “The Chase.” What’s the secret to his trivia prowess? Turns out, it’s not studying! Brad will also tell us about how his career also led to becoming not-quite-best-friends with Catherine O’Hara. Muffy Marracco has also turned her trivia prowess into a career – now on GSN’s “Master Minds.” Despite her TV game show fame, when she’s recognized these days, it’s for her quizzes on TikTok. She’ll tell us about some of her adventures on TV and why trivia is one of the only things she’s truly competitive about. And be careful, she’s ready to shank! Our guests will answer trivia on movies about terror and teenagers.  What’s the Difference: A Pair-a-"para" What’s the difference between paranormal and supernatural? What’s the difference between a paramedic and an EMT? Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Brad Rutter Muffy Marracco With Guest Experts Wiley Wiggins: Artist, designer, and actor, who appeared as Mitch in the film Dazed and Confused. Ed Saxon: Chair of USC’s graduate producing program who won a Best Picture Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

You’re on deep background for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Mike Doughty is a singer-songwriter who’s written music as a solo artist and with the band “Ghost of Vroom.” He finds it easier to start songs than to finish them; so as an incentive to do better, he promised one new song a week for fans who support him on Patreon. He’ll tell us about that and why he would like exactly $35 for his work (sort of) appearing on “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Ting Lim is a Singaporean comedian based in Brisbane, Australia. She’s fallen in love with the area because of the landscape and the generosity of her Australian audiences. The kindness that she’s found in her new home is a far cry from her experience in Singapore; she’ll tell us about how she got in trouble with the justice system for the crime of littering. Our guests will answer trivia about freedom of the press and freedom of the whales. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Mike Doughty Ting Lim With Guest Experts Jason James Richter, actor whose work includes starring in films in the Free Willy franchise. Dr. Malena Simon, senior scientist at the Greenland Climate Research Centre Bob Woodward, associate editor of the Washington Post who reported on the Watergate scandal with Carl Bernstein. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LAby YOU!

You might just make it after all! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Rose Abdoo is an actor who you can see now in HBO’s “Hacks” and Hulu’s “Reboot.” Her acting aspirations began in college – thanks to how much she hated waiting in lines to register for classes. She’ll explain. Plus we’ll learn more about how seriously Rose takes her characters, from their backstories to their outfits. Ben Gleib is a comedian who’s always looking for new ways to showcase himself. At the peak of the pandemic, he decided to create the world’s first virtual comedy venue at nowherecomedyclub.com. As much attention as that’s gotten him, he’s also got a secret talent that he’s equally proud of: being an expert at playing the kazoo. Ben’s new special is called “The Mad King.” Our guests will answer trivia about music, music and even more music! Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Rose Abdoo Ben Gleib With Guest Experts: Sonny Curtis, singer-songwriter, whose long career includes membership in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and writing and performing theme song to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” Paul Williams, Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer, singer, and actor who wrote the lyrics to the theme of “The Love Boat.” 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Places, everyone! It’s time to lift the curtain on the Best of Broadway special on Go Fact Yourself! We’ve recently brought the podcast back to live audiences for the first time in two years! To celebrate, we’ve put the spotlight on some of our favorite past guests who love musicals and stage performances that were meant for live audiences. That includes guests like actors Rachel Bloom, Jessica McKenna, Eliza Skinner– and more! Plus we’ve got an all-star cast of experts that includes Tony-winners, famed performers, and stand-out composers. Time to take the stage! Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jessica McKenna from Episode 40 Rachel Bloom from Episode 59 Jade Cata-Pretta from Episode 64 Arden Myrin from Episode 65 Eliza Skinner from episode 67 With Guest Experts Rory O’Malley, Tony Award-nominated actor who’s performed in the stage shows Hamilton and The Book of Mormon. Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, award-winning songwriters who’ve worked on Broadway and films, including Disney’s Frozen Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tony-winning actor from the musical RENT Lee Wilkof, Actor and originator of the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Michel Cerveris, actor, singer and guitarist who’s won two Tony Awards. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LAby YOU!

Cordon off the area, this an active trivia game show scene – on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Mike Petriello is a writer for MLB.com. He’s still buzzing from the fact that the baseball season happened – and that we got to see such a strong World Series match-up that included the sport’s newest villain. Mike will tell us how he’s made a career out of researching baseball statistics and analytics, and translating them into something that the average fan can understand. You can also hear Mike on the podcast “Ballpark Dimensions.” Abbi Crutchfield is an actor and comedian. She collaborated with her husband and fellow comedian Luke Thayer on the podcast “The Kid is in School,” where they celebrate the freedom to chat again without a child in their house. Speaking of chatting, Abbi has a lot of thoughts about  all of the changes going on at Twitter, an app that she’s called her “Disneyland.” Our guests will compete to answer trivia questions about the music and TV hits of the 1990s. What’s the Difference: Strain What’s the difference between force and pressure? What’s the difference between a colander and a strainer? Areas of Expertise: Mike: James Bond movies, the best rock records of 1996, and dead sports teams. Abbi: Nail polish, curly hair care, and the TV show “Murder She Wrote.” Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Mike Petriello Abbi Crutchfield With guest experts: Louis Herthum, actor, whose career includes multiple roles in 25 episodes of “Murder She Wrote." Chris Ballew, lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America, and children’s music artist known as Casper Babypants. Greg Graffin, lead singer of Bad Religion and author of the new book Punk Paradox Go Fact Yourself was devised and is produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.  Check out our NEW merch! Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Come to America and bring some new recipes with you – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Greg Wyshynski is the Senior NHL writer for ESPN. He writes about hockey after a lifetime of being a fan of the sport; as such, he’s seen it change a lot over the years. While he thinks making changes for player safety should always be applauded, there’s a part of him that will always miss the fights on the ice. You can find more of Greg’s thoughts on hockey on the podcast “Puck Soup.” Zainab Johnson is a comedian and actor. She can be seen on the Amazon Prime show “Upload,” where her character showcases the ability to succeed at some unorthodox sports. She’ll explain. Plus, she’ll tell us about the finer points of why getting booked in Hollywood hardly ever comes down to talent.  Our guests will compete to answer trivia questions about diverse casts in movies and diverse dishes on cooking shows. What’s the Difference: Health Food What’s the difference between healthy and healthful? What’s the difference between taste and a flavor? Areas of Expertise: Greg: The Food Network programming, Taco Bell, and the band The Smashing Pumpkins. Zainab: The movie Coming to America, Lauryn Hill’s song “The Ex-Factor,” and traditional American breakfast foods. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Greg Wyshynski Zainab Johnson With guest experts: John Landis, writer, producer and director of several films including Coming to America. Alton Brown, Best-selling author and Peabody-winning host of several shows on “The Food Network” 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our  upcoming live shows in LA  by YOU!

** Come see us record LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 6! ** Avengers, Assemble – at the Center for Inquiry for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Rob Corddry is perhaps best known for “Childrens Hospital,” the comedy show that he created and starred in. It was so well-received, it earned him four Emmy awards. But his first Emmy award actually came years earlier as part of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”... sort of. He’ll tell us about that and explain the skills he’s gathered as an Eagle Scout.  Mimi Pond learned to love drawing early on from her dad and from some of her favorite comics. That led to her creating the graphic memoirs Over Easy and The Customer is Always Wrong. She’ll tell us about why she doesn’t have much patience for stick figures, and discuss the magic of Oakland, California.  Our guests will compete to answer trivia about comic book characters on the page and small screen.  What’s the Difference: Hall of Justice What’s the difference between a hallway and a corridor? What’s the difference between “illegal” and “unlawful”? Areas of Expertise: Rob: The TV show “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” the movie The Abyss, and CIA tradecraft Mimi: Mad Magazine, Patty Hearst and shopping at Costco. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Rob Corddry Mimi Pond With guest experts: Mark Evanier, blogger, comic book writer, and author of the book Mad Art : A Visual Celebration of the Art of Mad Magazine and the Idiots Who Create It Paperback. & Sergio Aragones, illustrator best known for his contributions to Mad Magazine and creating Groo The Wanderer. Jed Whedon & Jeffrey Bell, two of the showrunners for “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Pour yourself a cup of ambition – it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Clinton Kelly is best known as one of the hosts of the TLC show “What Not to Wear.” For years he critiqued the outfits of others and helped them make better fashion choices. And even though he’s proud of the advice he’s given others, he says his attitude towards clothes has softened these days: If it feels good, wear it! He’ll also tell us about the process of writing his first novel.  Jackie Fabulous is a comedian who got her big break on “America’s Got Talent.” Her performance was so impressive that it earned her a standing ovation and special show of affection from judge Simon Cowell. But she’ll tell us about how she still hasn’t earned praise from her entire family yet. Jackie is the host of the podcast “Relatable with Jackie Fabulous” and her stand-up special “Menoplause” is streaming now. Our guests will compete to answer trivia about music, movies, and musicians-turned-movie stars. What’s the Difference: Grateful Dead What’s the difference between “thankful” and “grateful”? What’s the difference between a corpse and a cadaver? Areas of Expertise: Jackie: Jennifer Lopez, early hip hop music, and immigration law. Clinton: The movie 9 to 5, dinner etiquette, and 1980s parody pornography Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Clinton Kelly Jackie Fabulous With guest experts: Patricia Resnick, Tony and BAFTA award nominated writer, whose credits include writing the original screenplay for 9 to 5. Corey Rooney, Grammy-winning songwriter and music producer, whose work includes multiple hit records with Jennifer Lopez. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

What happens in Vegas will be recorded for a podcast – again! Once more, live from the Game Show Boot Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Amy Schneider has a 40 game win streak on “Jeopardy!” It’s the second-longest streak in the history of the show; and yet, she and her classmates in 8th grade predicted she would go on to appear on the show. Amy will tell us everything that went into her time as a trivia champion, including perfecting her buzzer technique.  Brandon Blackwell is also a “Jeopardy!” winner. In fact, he’s competed in trivia all around the world. What’s the difference between winning a competition in the U.S. vs. winning one in the U.K.? It all comes down to the bottom line. Brandon will also tell us why understanding his physical limitations as a child led to his career in trivia.  Our guests will compete to answer trivia about graduate-level science and high school-era TV shows. What’s the Difference: Betting the Farm What’s the difference between betting and gambling? What’s the difference between a farm and a ranch? Areas of Expertise: Amy: The book Moby Dick, the Dutch war for independence, and theTV show “Daria” Brandon: The Periodic Table, winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, and things Paulie Walnuts has said on the TV show “The Sopranos.” Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Amy Schneider Brandon Blackwell With guest experts: Dr. Eric Scerri, UCLA professor and author of the book The Periodic Table: Its Story and its Significance. Susie Lewis, Co-creator of the MTV series “Daria”  Tracy Grandstaff, voice of Daria 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

Viva Las Vegas! Live from the Game Show Boot Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! James Holzhauer is one of the all-time great “Jeopardy!” champions, racking up a 32-game win streak. It helped that he approached the game with his skills as a professional gambler. He’ll explain more about that and tell us about how he’s now banned from most casinos on the Las Vegas strip. You’ll also hear more about James’ charity work with Project 150 to help unhoused students in Las Vegas. Victoria Groce is also a “Jeopardy!” champion and one of the only people whose trivia knowledge intimidates James. She’ll tell us about how her first day on “Jeopardy!” was part of a whirlwind of life changes that could only be fueled by tea and energy drinks. Plus we finally find where the worlds of trivia and knitting overlap Our guests will compete to answer trivia about baseball, bargaining, and boys with violins. What’s the Difference: Dealer’s Choice What’s the difference between haggling and bargaining? What’s the difference between a choice and a decision? Areas of Expertise: James: 1990s Major League Baseball, the NES game “Tecmo Super Bowl” and “The Simpsons” seasons one through eight. Yesika: The movie The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the musician Kishi Bashi, and celiac disease. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong James Holzhauer Victoria Groce With guest experts: Kishi Bashi, musician and subject of the film Omoiyari. Greg Maddux, Hall-of-Fame baseball player, who led the MLB in wins and Cy Young Awards in the 1990s. 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. Live show engineer is Dave McKeever. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Seeing our upcoming live shows in LA by YOU!

It’s time to have the time of your life on a brand new live-audience episode of Go Fact Yourself! Drew Carey is no stranger to the world of game shows. In 2007 he became Bob Barkers’ successor as host of “The Price is Right.” He’ll tell us the special advice Bob gave him when he took over, and explain why he doesn’t expect to match the 50-year tenure of his predecessor. You can also hear Drew’s “Friday Night Freakout” weekly on Stevie Van Zandt’s Sirius XM channel “Little Steven’s Underground Garage.” Yesika Salgado is a poet and activist, whose work has been featured in many publications. She also has a strong presence on social media. She’ll explain why she refers to her fans as “mangos” instead of “followers.” Plus, she’ll tell us about the secret science (and lack thereof) behind slam poetry. This episode was produced in conjunction with KPCC and recorded live at the Crawford Family Forum in Pasadena. Our guests will compete to answer trivia about dirty dancing to garage rock. What’s the Difference: Home plate What’s the difference between ceramic plates and porcelain plates? What’s the difference between a “plate appearance” and an “at-bat” in baseball? Areas of Expertise: Drew: The movie The Producers, garage band rock, and Cleveland. Yesika: The movie Dirty Dancing, the show “Sex in the City,” and Catholocism. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Drew Carey Yesika Salgado With guest experts: Miranda Garrison, starred as Mrs. Pressman and worked as an assistant choreographer on Dirty Dancing. Don Caverhill, rock musician, composer and producer – and original member of The Kingsmen. 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. Seeing our upcoming live show in LA by YOU!

**Come see us LIVE in Las Vegas on August 21! Go to gofactyourpod.com/vegas for tickets!** Prepare to run from the undead on this episode of Go Fact Yourself! Alex Goldman just wrapped up eight years of hosting the podcast “Reply All.” Even though he’s naturally curious as a storyteller, he says he’s happy to finally have a break from the grind of his old show. Alex also has a lot of thoughts about how the culture of the internet has changed in the near-decade that he’s been podcasting and what his next project might be. Liz Miele has been a comedian since she was 16. She says that the secret to going for the job at such an early age is not having friends. But she still had to deal with performing in a lot of venues that she wasn’t legally allowed to spend too much time in, like bars and strip clubs. Liz’s new special “The Ghost of Academic Future” will be available on September 6th, and her book Why Cats are A**holes is available now. Our guests will compete to answer trivia about medicine, marathons and monsters. What’s the Difference: Doctor Doctor! What’s the difference between a doctor and a physician? What’s the difference between a PhD student and PhD candidate? Areas of Expertise: Alex: The Evil Dead movie franchise, 90s indie rock in Southeastern Michigan, and early hip-hop. Liz: Rom-coms with Meg Ryan, marathon running and training, and taking care of curly hair. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Alex Goldman Liz Miele With guest experts: Des Linden, two-time US Olympian, world-record holder in the 50k, and winner of the Boston Marathon. Bruce Campbell, prolific actor, author and producer who played Ash in the Evil Dead franchise. 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. Sending friends to see us in Las Vegas by YOU!

No new episode this week, but here's a reminder of our upcoming live shows: August 14th in Pasadena: It's Drew Carey vs. Yesika Salgado. August 21st in Las Vegas: James Holzhauer vs Victoria Groce and Brandon Blackwell vs Amy Schneider Get info and tickets at gofactyourpod.com/liveshows                 (If anyone asks the Secret Number is 12.)

**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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Hold your loved ones close because it’s a wonderful trivia life on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Rabia Chaudry is a really accomplished journalist, author and attorney. But she may be best known for her advocacy for incarcerated individuals to receive better assistance in the justice system – topics covered on her popular podcast “Undisclosed” and book, Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth and Justice after Serial. She’ll tell us what it’s been like to help out so many people… and some of the other less serious projects that she’s also been a part of. Rabia’s upcoming book is entitled Fatty Fatty Boom Boom. Adam Richman is a TV host whose work has famously centeredl around food. He’ll tell us about how he got his start on the show “Man v. Food.” where he tackled monstrous meals and described the experience for the audience. That opened the door for him to host the shows “Modern Marvels” and “Adam Eats the 80s” where he helps tell the human stories behind meals. Our guests will answer questions about family corporate dramas and family Christmas classics. What’s the Difference: Pay Your Taxes What’s the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance? What’s the difference between a tax credit and a tax rebate? Areas of Expertise Rabia: The West Memphis Three, The TV Show “Succession,” and Punjabi Food. Adam: The 1998 France World Cup Soccer Team, The movie It’s a Wonderful Life, and Traditional Jewish food. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Rabia Chaudry Adam Richman With guest experts: David Rasche, award-winning actor, with a long career on Broadway, film and TV... including playing Karl on “Succession.” Karolyn Grimes, actor and author, whose many credits include playing Jimmy Stewart’s younger daughter Zuzu in It’s a Wonderful Life. 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 hangmanfilm.com by YOU!

Turn the lights down… the show is about to start! It’s the “Best of Movies” special of Go Fact Yourself, featuring new behind-the-scenes commentary! The movie industry has adapted a lot in the past two years, and so has our show. These clips are back when we recorded with a live audience (something we plan to do again this year!). You’ll hear from guests like Paul F. Tompkins, Cristela Alonzo, Anthony Rapp, and many more as they discuss films like The Goonies, Jaws and Young Frankenstein. Roll film! Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Cristela Alonzo guest host from Episode 40 Pamela Ribon from Episode 3 Jason Kravits from Episode 7 Paul F Tompkins from Episode 15 Allie Goertz from Episode 36 Anthony Rapp from Episode 40 With guest experts: Jeff B. Cohen, Former Goonie and Co-founder of the entertainment law firm Cohen Gardner LLP. Danny Goldman, Actor who appeared in Young Frankenstein. Carl Gotlieb, Screenwriter of Jaws and author of The Jaws Log. Penelope Spheeris, director of films such as The Decline of Western Civilization parts 1, 2 and 3 and Wayne’s World. Stephen Park, actor who’s known for his performances in the films Fargo and Do the Right Thing. Helen Hong, comedian and actress who appeared in the film Inside Llewyn Davis and who’s the regular co-host of Go Fact Yourself! 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 hangmanfilm.com by YOU!

It’s the freshest podcast on the shelf – the 100th episode of Go Fact Yourself!  #GFY100 You can WATCH the unedited archived video of this episode from our livestream with KPCC public radio.  DJ Jazzy Jeff is a DJ legend and hip-hop pioneer. He’s produced tons of hits over the years– including the theme song for the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” on which he also played a role as himself. Now the show has been reimagined as “Bel-Air” on Peacock, with another actor playing Jazz. He’ll tell us about what it’s like to see someone play him on screen and how he’s trying to help the next generation of DJs. Faith Salie is a multiple Emmy-winning contributor to “CBS Sunday Morning.” She’s also a regular panelist on the show “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” where she gets to show off her competitive spirit. She’ll tell us about how her love of winning goes all the way back to trying to win her high school pageant. You can hear Faith on her new podcast “Broadway Revival.” Our guests join us on our 100th episode to talk about rap, Broadway and the best treats to celebrate a major occasion. What’s the Difference: Weight-ingTo Exhale What’s the difference between weight and mass? What’s the difference between breathing and respiration? Areas of Expertise: Jeff: The early days of hip-hop (pre-1985), the ‘82-’83 Philadelphia 76ers NBA championship season, and how to make popcorn. Faith: The Lincoln Memorial, the musical Sunday in the Park with George and Coca-Cola cake Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong DJ Jazzy Jeff Faith Salie With guest experts: James Lapine, director, playwright, screenwriter and librettist who’s won a Peabody and multiple Tony Awards. Author of the book Putting it Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created “Sunday in the Park with George.” Darryl McDaniels, a founding member of Run DMC and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductee. 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. Mask-upgrading by YOU.

NOTE: We’ve renumbered all of our shows to accurately reflect all of the bonus episodes we’ve done. Look forward to our 100th episode next month! It’s third down and goal to go for a trivia touchdown on Go Fact Yourself! Meg Rowley is managing editor of Fangraphs, and a host of the baseball podcast “Effectively Wild.” She’s endeared herself as an authority on all things baseball, from analytics to the bodily functions of the players. In addition to America’s pastime, she’ll tell us more about why she thinks Arizona is a very underrated state.  Wajahat Ali is a columnist for The Daily Beast. He’s just released a new book Go Back to Where You Came From (And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American). He’ll tell us about how the book was inspired by some of the less helpful recommendations he’s gotten over the years. Plus, he’ll explain why being a lawyer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  Our guests will talk about ball games both on the field and on the diamond. What’s the Difference: Knot Again! What’s the difference, when sailing, between a knot and a nautical mile? What’s the difference between Recurring and Reoccurring? Areas of Expertise: Meg: The 2013 Seattle Seahawks football team, The 1999 version of the movie The Mummy, and Nora Ephron. Wajahat: The 2021 San Francisco 49ers football team, 1980s and 90s Stand-up comedians, and Famous brown people. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Moujan Zolfaghari Meg Rowley Wajahat Ali With guest experts: Jon Ryan, member of the Super Bowl-winning 2013 Seattle Seahawks football team. Paula Poundstone, award-winning comedian, best-selling author, and host of the podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-upgrading by YOU.

***** Come see us LIVE (on video) for our 100th show celebration! Livestreamed on Wednesday, February 16 at 6pm PST. Scheduled guests DJ Jazzy Jeff & Faith Salie! Get your FREE tickets at bit.ly/GFY100 and brought to you by public radio station KPCC! ***** Hey! What a wonderful kind of day! To get along with a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Simon Adler is senior producer for the hit show Radiolab. He recently wrapped up a documentary series for the show all about cassette tapes – what he says led to some of the earliest examples of on-demand audio throughout the world. Then, he’ll tell us about how to use film techniques when working with sound and the secret to making a great podcast. Sophie Saint Thomas is a writer, whose pieces about sex and drugs have appeared in publications like GQ, Vice and Forbes. She’ll explain how the first time she pitched an article about sex got her kicked off of her school newspaper. Plus, she’ll tell us more about the magic that is goth karaoke. Our guests will answer trivia about adult relationships and children’s television. What’s the Difference: Holy Water! What’s the difference between “holy” and “sacred?” What’s the difference between an ocean and a sea? Areas of Expertise: Sophie: The movie True Romance, David Bowie’s “Berlin” trilogy, and Ketamine. Simon: Mario Kart 64, The PBS TV show “Arthur” and the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Simon Adler Sophie Saint Thomas With guest experts: Saul Rubinek, award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director, whose many credits include the movie True Romance! Marc Brown, Author and illustrator of the Arthur book series and executive producer of the PBS television series based on the books. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-upgrading by YOU.

It’s time to celebrate love, both true and tragic, on a brand new Go Fact Yourself! Hari Kondabolu is a comedian. He got a lot of attention for his film The Problem with Apu, where he pointed out the issues he had with the character Apu on “The Simpsons.” Even though he also got a lot of expected negative responses to the film, he’ll tell us why some of the reactions left him pretty confused. Hari’s standup special “Warn Your Relatives” is available now on Netflix.  Sofie Hagen is also a comedian who’s worked all over the world. She’ll tell us why behavior that that she learned in Denmark led to her being unintentionally rude when she moved to England. Plus, she breaks down why she’s such a strong advocate for fat liberation (not to be confused with body positivity). Sofie is also the voice behind the podcasts “Who Hurt You?” and “Bad People” Our guests will answer trivia about foreign languages, foreign audiences and inaccurate portrayals of foreign characters.  What’s the Difference: Upstairs Maid What’s the difference, when referring to a building, between a story and a floor? What’s the difference between made of and made from? Areas of Expertise: Hari: The film Untamed Heart, the Hindu epic Ramaya, and the band Weezer before the “green album” Sofie: The Danish film Kærlighed På Film, the musical Phantom of the Opera, and the Irish boyband Westlife Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Hari Kondabolu Sofie Hagen With guest experts: Tony Bill and Tom Sierchio, director and writer of the film Untamed Heart. Sierra Boggess, Broadway actor and singer, who played Christine in Phantom of the Opera and its sequel. Charles Hart, Lyricist of the musical “Phantom of the Opera” and its sequel. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-upgrading by YOU.

Vote YES for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Kevin Allison is best known as creator and host of the podcast “RISK!” The show is all about encouraging people to tell stories that they never thought they’d share in public. He’ll tell us why people want to share some of their biggest secrets – and how more than one person’s secret involves cannibalism. Parker Molloy is a writer, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast and more. But she’s also been described as “Everyone’s first Twitter follow.” She’ll tell us where that moniker came from and explain why she has so much love for her life in Chicago. Our guests will answer questions about princes, new girls and boxers. What’s the Difference: All Wet What’s the difference between a liquid and a fluid? What’s the difference between a submarine and a submersible? Areas of Expertise: Kevin: The Tao Te Ching, ADHD, and Prince’s House Party Playlist. Parker: Musicians on the Saddle Creek Records label, Chicago Cubs baseball from 1991-2021, and U.S. Senate 2000-2021. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Kevin Allison Parker Molloy With guest experts: Dave Finkel, executive producer and show-runner of the TV show “New Girl.”  Steve Welch, editor of the Prince episode of “New Girl.” Senator Barbara Boxer, representing California in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2017. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Stand en pointe and tune up that guitar – it’s a high-art filled episode of Go Fact Yourself! Alicia Coppola is an actor, seen in shows like “Jericho” and “Why Women Kill.” But her career on camera actually began as part of a game show: MTV’s “Remote Control,” where she learned so much from people like Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn… including some experiences she never thought she’d need to go through. You can hear Alicia Coppola on her podcast “Bootstrap Bitch.” Alicia is joined by her former on-screen husband from “Why Women Kill,” comedian and actor Adam Ferrara. Alicia has also been a guest on “The Adam Ferrara Podcast,” which Adam says is all about him and his friends trying to be better people. How’s that going? Not so well… but he’ll tell us why he doesn’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.  Our guests will answer questions about classic dance, classic rock, and the heroes who helped make them happen.  What’s the Difference: Country Bumpkin! What’s the difference between straw and hay? What’s the difference between a bump and a lump? Areas of Expertise: Alicia: The movie The Turning Point, high-end luxury handbags, and the TV shows “The Real Housewives” of New York and  Beverly Hills. Adam: The Stephen Pressfield book The War of Art, The Who’s album Who’s Next, and The Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Kitty Felde Alicia Coppola Adam Ferrara With guest experts: Leslie Browne: dancer, teacher, and actor who earned an Oscar nomination for her film debut in The Turning Point. Ethan Russell, legendary rock-and-roll photographer and Glyn Johns, legendary rock-and-roll producer & engineer – both seen in The Beatles Get Back documentary! Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

A 14-letter phrase for a trivia podcast: It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Jaret Reddick is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the band Bowling for Soup. Between his band and the theme song for  “Phineas & Ferb,” his music has been a fixture for children -- but so has his iconic role as the voice of Chuck E. Cheese. You can hear more of Jaret’s voice in his podcasts “Jaret Goes to the Movies'' and “Rockstar Dad.” Jaret’s opponent is Time magazine journalist Molly Ball. She’s known for her political scoops and her book about Nancy Pelosi, but Molly got involved in covering politics almost entirely by accident. Plus, she’ll tell us about what it was like to win big money on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” Our guests will answer trivia about comedy, crosswords, scents and censorship! What’s the Difference: Something Stinks! What’s the difference between a scent and an odor? What’s the difference between “instinctive” and “instinctual”? Areas of Expertise: Jaret: John Hughes movies, The band Mötley Crüe, and comedian George Carlin. Molly: Crossword puzzles, The life and works of the American poet James Merrill, and The 1990s Colorado Rockies baseball team. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jaret Reddick Molly Ball With guest experts: Kelly Carlin, writer, performer, producer and radio host and author of the book A Carlin Home Companion, Will Shortz, founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and Puzzle Editor of the New York Times since 1993. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

We’re on our way to where the air is sweet on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Jackson Galaxy is the host of the TV show “My Cat From Hell.” On the show, he showcases his skills as an expert on cat behavior to help people better understand their problematic kitties. These days he can’t go into anyone’s home, but he’s learned how to share his special tips over Zoom. Here’s a big one: Don’t stack litter boxes on top of each other! Jackson’s opponent is comedian Shalewa Sharpe. She’s been seen on Comedy Central, the podcast “2 Dope Queens,” and on a viral video from “The Tonight Show” where she shared her love of the movie Black Panther… before being surprised by an appearance from Chadwick Boseman! You can hear Shalewa on her podcast “The War Report.” Our guests will answer questions about big cats, big books and Big Bird! What’s the Difference: Must I? What’s the difference between odors that are musty and musky? What’s the difference between “obligated” and “obliged?” Areas of Expertise: Jackson: Rock n Roll music from 1974-1977, the TV show “Outlander,” and the upper West Side of New York Shalewa: The Rock Band “The Breeders,” the TV show “Sesame Street,” and shopping for plus-size clothing online. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jackson Galaxy Shalewa Sharpe With guest experts: Diana Gabaldon, author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times-bestselling Outlander novels. Emilio Delgado, actor, voice artist, and singer, whose many credits include playing Luis on “Sesame Street” for 44 years! Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Practice that evil laugh -- it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Saladin Ahmed is an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer who prides himself on showcasing truly lived-in worlds. He says that whether you're writing a story set in the Marvel universe or Detroit, the little details matter. But he’s also helped affect things in our world too -- like when he helped call out some racist art on a box of Corn Pops. You can find Saladin’s creator-owned imprint at copperbottle.net. Talia Lavin’s writing has appeared in The New Yorker and The Washington Post. But her most well-known work may be the viral joke that she made as a contestant on “Jeopardy.” That wasn’t the only time she took a big risk either; she’ll tell us about the time that she catfished a white supremacist dating site. Talia’s book about that adventure, Culture Warlords, is available now.  Our guests will face off in a trivia battle about timeless nerdy inspirations. What’s the Difference: Pain in the Butt What’s the difference between “tortuous” and “torturous?” What’s the difference in the function of the anus and the rectum? Areas of Expertise: Saladin: Mythological monsters, 20th Century American poetry, and action figure cartoons of the 1980s Talia: The TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” author Terry Pratchett, and the “Monkey Island” video games Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Saladin Ahmed Talia Lavin With guest experts: Alan Oppenheimer, actor, who has appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies for over six decades -- including as Skeletor! Denise Crosby, actor and producer whose numerous film and television roles include playing Lieutenant Tasha Yar (and her daughter) on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Go Fact Yourself and Depresh Mode with John Moe got together to celebrate MaxFun Block Party! If you enjoyed this conversation we had with host John Moe, be sure to subscribe to Depresh Mode with John Moe on maximumfun.org.

Listener beware, you’re in for a scare -- It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Roxane Gay is an award-winning writer and culture critic. Her books and blogs feature tons of biting insight that’s endeared her to millions of readers. Her best advice for aspiring professional writers? Be relentless. She’ll explain that and why she still has blind spots when people ask her for the answers to their problems. You can also see Roxane’s writing in her newsletter, “The Audacity.” Ricky Duran is a singer-songwriter who first made a name for himself on the NBC show "The Voice" in 2019. The show is all about joining up with one of four professional musicians to both win the show and help with your career. Ricky will tell us what he got from his mentor, Blake Shelton who still helps him to this day! Ricky’s new single “Waiting on You” is available now.   Our guests will answer trivia questions about childhood movies that could thrill, chill and delight! If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 74174. What’s the Difference: Sure Shot What’s the difference between “ensure” and “insure"? What’s the difference (to a bartender) between a jigger and a shot? Areas of Expertise: Roxane: 1990s hip-hop, the movie Pretty Woman, and the fictional world of Clive Cussler novels. Ricky: Slasher movies, planets of our solar system, and Jimi Hendrix. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Roxane Gay Ricky Duran With guest experts: Heather Langenkamp, award-winning actor and producer, whose many credits include playing the lead character in A Nightmare on Elm Street. Laura San Giacomo, award-winning actor, whose many credits include the shows “NCIS,” “Just Shoot Me,” and the film Pretty Woman. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here -- It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Bridger Winegar is a writer and podcaster who’s worked on shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” Since he started as a Production Assistant, he knows the early parts of show business are pretty thankless; so he does his best to be helpful to those just starting out-- even if he’s sometimes a little too helpful. He’ll tell us all about that and why it was hard to interview his former boss on his podcast “I Said No Gifts!” Ginny Hogan is a comedian whose writing has appeared in The Atlantic and The New Yorker. Between her writing and her work in the condiment industry, you could say she’s done it all… so why can’t she use her real name as her twitter account? Her greatest accomplishment might be her research blog where she analyzed the profiles from all of her online dates and discovered some startling revelations about herself. Ginny's scripted podcast “Yes We Mustard” is available on Audible.  Our guests will answer trivia questions about great music of the 1990s and a great show of the 2000s! What’s the Difference: Minnie Driver! What’s the difference between “small” and “little”? What’s the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? Areas of Expertise: Bridger: The movie Clifford 1990s Power Pop, and Utah Cuisine Ginny: The TV show “Gilmore Girls,” The history of Facebook, and Sobriety Memoirs Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Bridger Winegar Ginny Hogan With guest experts: Dan Wilson, Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer, who helped lead the 1990s power pop movement with Semisonic. Keiko Agena, actor, from “Gilmore Girls,” whose recent credits include “Better Call Saul” and “Prodigal Son.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Note: due to technical difficulties, J. Keith’s audio sounds worse than usual. We’ve taken steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Grab your Batmobiles and thingamabobs, it’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Nina West is a drag performer who won Miss Congeniality on the TV’s “Rupaul’s Drag Race.” Since then, she’s focused on making kindness her brand -- especially since she’s got such a massive audience of kids watching her work. Nina’s also taking part in a national tour of the musical Hairspray later this year. Brandon Collins is a film critic, comedian and podcaster. You can hear his reviews on the podcast “Medium Popcorn,” where his critique eventually got the show recognized by rogerebert.com and Rotten Tomatoes. Brandon also hosts the podcast “Drunk Black History” where he showcases under-discussed black historical figures -- and if you support the show on Patreon, he’ll even arrange for a certain celebrity to call and say thanks. Our guests will answer questions about heroes from Disney, comic books and history! What’s the Difference: Car Sick! What’s the difference between the purpose of shocks and struts? What’s the difference between a sign and a symptom when referring to illness? Areas of Expertise: Nina: 1990s Disney Animated Movies, The musical Wicked, and Columbus, Ohio. Brandon: The movie The Dark Knight, Why Scream is the best horror film ever, and Googling Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Nina West Brandon Collins With guest experts: Ron Clements and John Musker, award-winning film directors, who spent over three decades at Disney. Eric Roberts, multiple Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated actor. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

We’re getting the band back together and playing the hits on a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Kitty Felde fills in for Helen Hong as our special guest host for this week! She was previously a guest on episode 51. John Fugelsang can be heard every weekday on SiriusXM radio as the host of the show “Tell me Everything with John Fugelsang.” He’s interviewed tons of guests from different industries for years. So what’s the secret to having great conversations with people? It all comes down to practice -- and learning how to find someone’s geek zone.  Thao Nguyen is a songwriter, whose newest album “Temple” is out now. It was actually inspired by something that was truly special to her: her first trip to Vietnam with her mom. She’ll tell us about why the journey was so meaningful -- plus, how her onstage performance helps with her road rage issues.  Our guests will answer trivia questions about sobs, jobs, and Bobs! What’s the Difference: Life and Death What’s the difference between an autobiography and a memoir? What’s the difference between grieving and mourning? Areas of Expertise: Thao: The author Toni Morrison, Making vegan Phở, and 1990’s “Entertainment Tonight” John: The Godfather films, The Beatles after their breakup, and Jesus. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Kitty Felde John Fugelsang Thao Nguyen With guest experts: Laurence Juber, multiple Grammy-winning composer and musician, who worked with several Beatles. Bob Goen, television personality whose storied career includes hosting several game shows,  pageants, and “Entertainment Tonight.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Drop a dope beat and lock it in your pocket, it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Alison Leiby is a comedian who’s written for successful shows like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” But for all her success at making people laugh, she’s actually really interested in horror… but not enough to actually watch any scary movies herself. She’ll explain more about how this led to her podcast “Ruined.” Alison faces off against her fellow comedian Seán Devlin. He really enjoys performing pranks -- both for laughs, like when he was part of the team that put together Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm, and to affect political change, like when he helped wall off a Canadian Prime Minister from his work to make a point about food shortages. Seán’s debut comedy album “Airports, Animals'' is available now. Our guests will answer trivia questions about freshwater mammals, fresh beats and a fresh prince! What’s the Difference: Rare Earth! What’s the difference between something being “rare” and something being “scarce?” What’s the difference between the ingredients in garden soil and potting soil? Areas of Expertise: Alison: Otters, Mid-Aughts celebrity tabloid culture and  gossip blogs, and “The Soup” episode of the TV show “Seinfeld” (NOT “The Soup Nazi”). Seán: The Toronto Raptors, The TV Show “The Office,” and the career of Will Smith. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Alison Leiby Seán Devlin With guest experts: Dr. Nicole Duplaix, senior instructor at Oregon State University’s Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences and the founder of the International Union of Conservation for Nature’s “Otter Specialist Group.” DJ Jazzy Jeff, actor, producer and hip-hop pioneer.  Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Break out the hotdish -- it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Trace Beaulieu is best known for his time as one of the major creative forces behind the film-riffing series “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” Between working on that show and being nominated for two Emmys, he’s gotten more than his fair share of Hollywood. Still, he’s glad he decided to move back to his home state of Minnesota, where he can still catch a fish in the St. Croix river whenever he wants.Trace is still riffing on movies with his latest project “The Mads.” Trace will compete against his fellow Minnesota resident: musician and playwright Jonatha Brooke. She’s got a lot of experience creating content for a live audience.That includes the play My Mother has 4 Noses which, appropriately enough, her mother inspired her to write. Like any performer, she’s missed the energy of a live crowd. To help settle that longing a little, she’s performed over 50 COVID concerts on YouTube… even if she’s had to get creative to make the audience feel real. Our guests will answer trivia about royalty, hot dogs and cute cows. What’s the Difference: High Anxiety! What’s the difference between “your majesty” and “your highness” when addressing royalty? What’s the difference between fear and anxiety? Areas of Expertise: Jonatha: The TV show “Schitt's Creek,” the Twitter account @M_Crouton, and Cults. Trace: Monty Python, Boris Karloff as Frankenstein’s Monster, and Minnesota Cuisine. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Trace Beaulieu Jonatha Brooke With guest experts: Crouton, the most popular resident of Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary, who has over 60,000 followers on Twitter. Beth Hyman, co-founder of Squirrelwood Equine Sanctuary who rescued Crouton and helps run his popular Twitter account. Andrew Zimmern, Emmy and James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer, teacher and social justice advocate. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! David Pogue is an Emmy-winning “CBS Sunday Morning” correspondent and an author who’s written over 100 books (mostly covering science and technology). That’s given him some special insight; like why published tech instructions are so terrible. David’s newest book is “How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos” and believe it or not, it’s actually a really hopeful read! David will compete against his colleague and fellow Emmy-winner from “CBS Sunday Morning,”: actor and writer Nancy Giles! She’s been seen on Broadway and in plenty of movies, but a lot of people may actually have heard her work elsewhere -- as the voice for medicine commercials. Nancy also has a podcast called “The Giles Files.” Our guests will discuss the magic of movies, superheroes and witches! What’s the Difference: Eggs-cuse Me! What’s the difference between an omelet and a frittata? What’s the difference between “excuse me” and “pardon me?” Areas of Expertise: David: Movie special effects, The Electric Light Orchestra album “Out of the Blue,” and Steve Jobs. Nancy: “The Bob Newhart Show,” sitcom second bananas of the 1960’s, and black hair products from the 1970s (not including the horrific Jheri Curl). Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong David Pogue Nancy Giles With guest experts: Colin Chilvers, director, producer, author and special effects pioneer, who earned a BAFTA and an Oscar for his work as Director of Special Effects on the movie Superman. (or was it Superman: The Movie?) Erin Murphy, actor, TV host, writer, and autism advocate... who played Tabitha on the TV show “Bewitched.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

You can watch a video version of this episode! Follow us on social media (@gofactyourpod) and send us a direct message to receive the link. In space, no one can hear you trivia! This brand new Go Fact Yourself was recorded as part of Politifact’s  “United Facts of America: A Festival of Fact-Checking.” Hari Sreenivasan is an anchor and senior correspondent for "PBS Newshour." As a journalist, he’s dedicated most of his professional life to helping viewers understand facts from fiction. But even before that, he used to watch the news for another reason: to help his parents learn English.  Hari’s opponent is fellow broadcaster Jessica Yellin. She began her career as a journalist with the goal of one day becoming a White House correspondent -- which she accomplished! Now she’s got a new goal: delivering “calm news” through Instagram to provide information without a panic attack.  What’s the Difference: Just the Facts What’s the difference between “assume” and “presume?" What’s the difference between proof and evidence in a court of law? Areas of Expertise: Hari: TV shows about Mars, current events on Mars, baking chocolate chip cookies. Jessica: David Bowie, the TV show “Dynasty” and how to do makeup in the car. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Hari Sreenivasan Jessica Yellin With guest experts: Katie Stack Morgan, research scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory who’s currently a Deputy Project Scientist on the Mars 2020 rover mission. Linda Evans, award-winning actor, writer and speaker who played Crystal Carrington on “Dynasty.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

G’day all! It’s a brand new Australia edition of Go Fact Yourself! Kate Mulvany is best known these days for her role on Amazon Prime’s “Hunters” where she plays a Nazi-hunting nun. But one of her most acclaimed roles was Shakespeare's Richard III. She’ll tell us about why the role was so deeply personal for her and explain why she still gets starstruck after all these years. Kate’s opponent is Josh Szeps. He’s the host of the podcast “Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps.” He wants his show to be a place that leans into discussions of heady topics like “What’s wrong with men?” and “Am I racist?” but with a sense of honesty and understanding. We’ll hear about some of the hilarious interactions he’s had with guests and the record-setting appearance he had on another game show as a kid.  Our guests will also answer trivia questions about childhood fandom turning into lifelong passion. What’s the Difference: Pirates What’s the difference between “aye” and “aye-aye”? What’s the difference between a sea song and a sea shanty? Areas of Expertise: Josh: Frequent flier programs, the Season 3 finale of the TV show “The West Wing,” and Jerry Seinfeld’s stand-up routine (not the TV show). Kate: Rasputin’s relationship with the Romanovs, the correct way to eat Vegemite and the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Kate Mulvany Josh Szeps With guest experts: Mark Nasr, Senior Vice President of Air Canada and the president of its loyalty program. Nell Campbell, actor and singer whose many credits include playing Columbia in the stage and film version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Off the top rope for the three count fall, it’s the reigning defending champion of trivia: Go Fact Yourself! Colt Cabana is a professional wrestler who appears every week on All Elite Wrestling on TNT. Wrestling is a little different in the middle of a pandemic; but even though he can’t be in front of a crowd much, he’s found other ways to keep his audience engaged. He’ll tell us all about that and why his mother thinks of him as the “Hebrew Hunk” of wrestling. Colt takes on a fellow TV personality: Emmy-winning TV host Sukanya Krishnan. Her first day on a job was covering one of the most significant events of the last 20 years: the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But not all of her work is so serious: one of her latest projects is being the host of game show “90 Day Fiance: Love Games” on Discovery Plus -- a show J. Keith wrote! Our guests will also talk about ‘80s hits (music and movies) and winning gold (championships and Grammys). What’s the Difference: Weather or Not What’s the difference between weathering and erosion? What’s the difference between fog and haze? Areas of Expertise: Colt: The 1989 Chicago Cubs, First Amendment audits and the movie Over The Top. Sukanya: 1970s and 1980s TV sitcom themes, Whitney Houston trivia and Spanish slang Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Colt Cabana Sukanya Krishnan With guest experts: Steve Dorff, member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame who had #1 hit tracks across four decades. David Mendenhall, award-winning actor, producer and entertainment attorney with over 50 film credits -- including Over the Top. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Get settled on the couch and grab some snacks: it’s another “Best Of” edition of Go Fact Yourself! As we all were stuck inside for most of the past year, TV was one of the only sources of entertainment that didn’t go away. We’ve collected some of our favorite contestants from the early episodes of the show who chose TV shows as their area of expertise. You’ll hear from tons of great guests like Cristela Alonzo, Pete Holmes and many more, as they talk about shows like “Mad Men,” “The Golden Girls,” and “Jeopardy.” Happy binging! Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Cristela Alonzo from Episode 4 Pete Holmes from Episode 9 Louis Virtel from Episode 17 Alison Rosen from Episode 24 Glen Weldon from Episode 27 With guest experts: Jim Colucci, Entertainment writer, radio reporter, editor at CBS Watch magazine and author of Golden Girls Forever. Allan Havey, actor and comedian, from “Mad Men.” Jerome Vered, writer and all-time winner of “Jeopardy.” Gloria Loring, actror and singer-songwriter from “The Facts of Life.” Brian Firkus actor, singer and embodiment of drag-queen Trixie Mattel. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.

Make sure to listen to our second pledge break for a very special announcement that could put YOU on an episode of GFY... It’s all about that classic trio of music, movies and medicine this week on our second #MaxFunDrive episode of Go Fact Yourself! Justin McElroy’s podcast career spans multiple shows including the hugely popular “My Brother, My Brother and Me,” and “The Adventure Zone.” Through it all, he’s never lost sight of the things he owes his career to: a lifetime of insulting his brothers and the recently shut down Yahoo Answers service. Justin will compete against his wife Dr. Sydnee McElroy. She shows off her medical expertise on the podcast “Sawbones” (which she hosts with Justin!) and “Still Buffering” (which she hosts with her siblings). Sydnee’s also asked to display her knowledge in other unconventional places… mainly at family functions and to strangers who want her to check their moles.  This episode is a special Max Fun Drive edition of trivia competition. To become a Max Fun Member and support Go Fact Yourself for as little as $5 a month, go to Maximumfun.org/join What’s the difference: Oh Rob! What’s the difference between a robbery and a burglary? What’s the difference between rob and steal? Areas of Expertise Justin McElroy: Wood working, the show Sleep No More and the band They Might Be Giants Sydnee McElroy: Archie comics, the movie Grease 2 and making slime Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Justin McElroy Dr. Sydnee McElroy With guest experts: Maxwell Caulfield, actor and filmmaker with dozens of credits across Broadway, TV and film -- including Grease 2. John Linnell, founder of Brooklyn alternative rock legends They Might Be Giants. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.

Go Fact Yourself is joining forces with Politifact for the United Facts of America -- a (virtual) festival of fact checking -- May 10-13. To get 30% off tickets to the event and to see a special video edition of Go Fact Yourself, visit bit.ly/FactsFest and enter the promo code “FACTS2021” at checkout. And… make sure to listen to our second pledge break for a very special announcement that could put YOU on an episode of GFY... Whether you want to sing about Summer lovin’ or the Big Bang, we’ve got you covered on this special #MaxFunDrive episode of Go Fact Yourself! Dave Shumka is one of the hosts of Maximum Fun’s “Stop Podcasting Yourself,” which has been around for 13 years. While things have certainly changed in the world of podcasting, Dave says their longevity can be attributed to their show’s vague initial premise of “bland white people.” Dave’s opponent is Laura House, the voice behind one of Maximum Fun’s newest shows, “Tiny Victories.” The show is meant to be a celebration of the little things in life. Laura will explain how the podcast is a reflection of a mindset that she tries to bring into the real world.  This episode is a special Max Fun Drive edition of trivia competition. To become a Max Fun Member and support Go Fact Yourself for as little as $5 a month, go to Maximumfun.org/join What’s the difference: The Greenhouse Effect What’s the difference between a greenhouse and a hothouse? What’s the difference between “effective” and “efficacious” when referring to vaccines? Areas of Expertise: Dave Shumka: Erotic thrillers, 1990’s Canadian popular music and Dairy Queen Lauar House: The movie Grease, The movie Grease 2 and Gothic English literature Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Dave Shumka Laura House With guest experts: Tyler Stewart, drummer for the band Barenaked Ladies. Randal Kleiser, director of the film Grease. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.

Sing a Broadway hit from your favorite local landmark and get ready for the newest episode of Go Fact Yourself! Lewis Black is famous for his brand of curmudgeonly comedy. He’s been a constant presence on “The Daily Show” since it was hosted by Craig Kilborn. But despite that tenure, people are still surprised to learn that he remains part of the show now that it’s hosted by Trevor Noah. He’ll tell about how his role has changed over the years and how he got his Emmy for an unexpected reason. Lewis’s comedy special “Thanks for Risking Your Life” is available now. Helen Zaltzman is a podcaster of the highest order. She’s the host of “The Allusionist” and “Veronica Mars Investigations.” In addition to hosting her own shows, she also does her best to provide assistance to her peers with her podcaster support group. She’ll tell us about that and why her grandmother’s gravestone is one of the funniest things she’s ever seen. Our guests will answer trivia questions about big windmills for small towns and big stage roles for small meows. What’s the difference: thyme of the season What’s the difference between an herb and a spice? What’s the difference between seasoning and flavoring? Areas of Expertise: Lewis Black: 1960’s Broadway, the film Dr. Strangelove and reasons not to practice Judaism Helen Zaltzman: Old English riddles, themed towns in the United States and the TV show “Naked and Afraid Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Lewis Black Helen Zaltzman With guest experts: Charlie Uhrig, mayor of Solvang, California Betty Buckley, Tony award-winner known as “The Voice of Broadway” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.

Grab a roundtrip ticket and go for the gold, it's a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Heidi Gardner is a cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” known for her kooky characters and celebrity impressions. Now that she’s in her fourth season with the show, she’s experienced it all. That includes some celebrity encounters with people she’s imitated on TV.  Orlando Leyba is a stand up comedian. Between his appearances on "The Tonight Show" and his new special "Adorable," he has one goal with his comedy: to radiate joy. He’ll tell us about how that mission has led him through a fun career path...and some bizarre encounters with fans. “Adorable” is streaming now on HBO Max.  Our guests will answer trivia questions about ice skating, flight taking and code breaking! What’s the difference: Code of Conduct What’s the difference between a cipher and a code? What’s the difference between a train engineer and a train conductor? Areas of Expertise: Heidi Gardner: Figure skating, the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team” and the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Orlando: Airline travel hacks, the TV show “Fixer Upper” and how to make fluffy eggs. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Orlando Leyba Heidi Gardner With guest experts: Gary Leff, author of the popular travel blog “View from the Wing” and co-founder of insideflyer.com. Tara Lipinski, member of the U.S. figure skating Hall of Fame who won the gold medal at the 1998 Olympics.   Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.

This episode is sponsored in part by Cancer Support Community Los Angeles and their fundraising comedy game show, “Funny On Purpose” -- hosted by J. Keith! Featuring scheduled guests (and former GFY guests) Ophira Eisenberg, Laraine Newman, Mindy Sterling and more! Go to http://bit.ly/FunnyonPurpose to watch the show on April 1! You’ve been served some out-of-the park trivia on the newest episode of Go Fact Yourself!  Jason Benetti is the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago White Sox, and Jason had a firsthand look at the strangest baseball season in history. Even though there weren’t any crowds, each game did showcase some not-safe-for-work dialogue from the players. Jason will tell us some of the ways he managed to cover that up for viewers and what it was like calling a no-hitter in an empty stadium.  Jason’s competitor is Liz Feldman, an Emmy award-winning writer who’s worked in comedy for years. Now, she’s reached new career highs with the Netflix series “Dead to Me.” She’ll tell us all about why she’s decided to wap the show up in its third season and how she came up with the concept after a pitch meeting that was severely lacking in La Croix flavors. Our guests will answer questions about restaurants, shyness and comedy that involves puppies and courtrooms. What’s the difference: I Have Reservations What’s the difference between a reservation and an appointment? What’s the difference between someone who is reserved and someone who is shy? Areas of Expertise: Jason Benetti: The book Infinite Jest, the TV show “Survivor” and the film Best in Show. Liz Feldman: The current LA Dodgers, NBC Sitcoms of the 1980s and famous lesbians. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Liz Feldman Jason Benetti. With guest experts: Michael Hitchcock, actor, writer and producer who’s appeared in all of Christopher Guest’s improvised films. Marsha Warfield, comedian and actor whose career spans four decades.  Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask wearing by YOU.

**J. Keith is running for office! If you live in Los Angeles, please check out the Progressive Slate he’s on for Mid City West Neighborhood Council at mcw2021.com! Register for your ballot by March 9 and mail it in by March 16** Sing a song, watch a movie and let it go on this brand new Go Fact Yourself! Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez are an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony-winning songwriting couple. They’re best known for music they’ve made for Disney movies, including Frozen and Coco -- and now the theme music for “WandaVision!” They’ll give us a crash course on how they’ve written such memorable songs over the years -- everything from deciding which story beats demand to be sung to how to incorporate math into dramatic lyrics. This will be a couples contest for questions on commercials, constipation and comedy. What’s the difference: Number Two What’s the difference between the name suffixes “Jr.” and “II”? What’s the difference between a laxative and a stool softener? Areas of Expertise Kristen Anderson-Lopez: Religious musicals from the 1970s and 1980s, TV commercial jingles that aired in the tri-state area from 1981 to 1986 and Symptoms of schizophrenia. Robert Lopez: The TV show “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” The making of the film The Godfather and The history of hamburgers. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Robert Lopez Kristen Anderson-Lopez With guest experts: Lynn Ahrens, Tony-winning songwriter whose career highlights include TV’s “Schoolhouse Rock,” Broadway’s Ragtime and dozens of commercial jingles. Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff, Peabody-winning writer/performers from “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask wearing by YOU.

Head to Tosche station and make a stop at the royal palace, it's a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Yeardley Smith has been the voice of Lisa Simpson since 1989. Yeardley’s normal voice actually sounds very similar to the voice of her famous character, but she’ll explain the subtle ways that it’s changed over the years. You can hear Yeardley on “The Simpsons” and on the true crime podcast “Small Town Dicks.” Plus, she was an expert on episode 57 of Go Fact Yourself! Ryan Kalil is a ten-year veteran of the NFL. He played center for the Carolina Panthers for most of his career. Even though he’s spent most of his life as an athlete, his early passions were steeped in pop culture and comedy. He’ll tell us about how his love for superheroes led to him becoming a jock. Ryan is also the founder of the production company Mortal Media. Our guests will answer questions about the dark side of the force, the strong side of sports and the Walt Disney family of entertainment. What’s the difference: Tinder and Bumble What’s the difference between tinder and kindling? What’s the difference between “bumble” and “fumble”? Areas of Expertise: Yeardley Smith: Cooking, knitting and Princess Diana  Ryan Kalil: The life and work of Walt Disney, The movie The Rocketeer and The original Star Wars trilogy. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Yeardley Smith Ryan Kalil With guest experts: Ingrid Seward, writer of 18 books on the royal family and the editor of “Majesty Magazine.” Anthony Daniels, actor best known for playing the role of C-3PO in the Star Wars films.  Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask wearing by YOU.

Check in with your doctor and take a seat in the makeup chair, it’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Cady Huffman has been seen in TV shows like “The Good Wife” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” She’s also a Broadway star, perhaps best known as her role in the original cast of The Producers -- for which she won a Tony! She’ll tell us about how being up for a prestigious award doesn’t mean that you can take the day off from performing on-stage. You can see Cady on the webseries “Cady Did.” Jonah Ray is a comedian and actor who hosted the revival of the series “Mystery Science Theater 3000.” He’ll tell us about what it was like to see the famous spoof comedy show tackle movies that he grew up with. We’ll also learn more about what could be his crowning achievement: Being friends with Weird Al. Jonah is the host of the podcast Jonah Raydio. Our guests will answer questions about hot flashes, cold-hard facts and the best places to keep your major awards. What’s the difference: You got dissed What’s the difference between misinformation and disinformation? What’s the difference between being uninterested and disinterested? Areas of Expertise: Cady Huffman: the TV show “Call the Midwife,” cat peculiarities and menopause.  Jonah Ray: 1994 punk music, the movie Ed Wood and Hawaii. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Cady Huffman Jonah Ray With guest experts: Dr. Jen Gunter, OB/GYN and author of the books The Vagina Bible and the upcoming The Menopause Manifesto. Ve Neill and Yolanda Toussieng, makeup artist and hair stylist who both won back-to-back Academy Awards for their work on the films Mrs. Doubtfire and Ed Wood. Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask wearing by YOU.

Set the kettle to a full boil and put on a quality flick! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Alice Ripley is a Tony Award-winning Broadway icon, whose trailblazing performances include Side Show and Next to Normal. She recently appeared in the one-woman show, The Pink Unicorn, which is being adapted into a film. She’ll tell us all about that… and why she’s one of the reasons that this podcast exists! (Hint: She would be the expert if J. Keith were a guest!) Lee Wilkof is an actor who originated the role of Seymour in the musical Little Shop of Horrors -- and he appeared with Alice Ripley in a revival that was headed to Broadway … until it wasn’t. Lee has been acting for decades on stage and screen -- including the badge of honor for any performer: numerous appearances on “Law & Order.” You can see Lee in the short film Any Song and as an expert on episode 67 of Go Fact Yourself. Our guests will answer questions about high-quality tea, high-quality gold and high-quality movies. What’s the difference: Silver and gold  What’s the difference between silver and sterling silver? What’s the difference between gold-plated and gold-filled? Areas of Expertise Alice Ripley: Making tea, English words from Latin and Greek elements and getting out stains.  Lee Wilkof: The battle of Gettysburg, the film Barry Lyndon and Jewish food. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Alice Ripley Lee Wilkof With guest experts: Jinlan Zhong, Chinese tea expert and owner of Music City Tea in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Ryan O’Neal, Oscar-nominated actor from many memorable films including What’s up, Doc? and Barry Lyndon Go Fact Yourself was devised and 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. Mask wearing by YOU.

We’re down 40-Love, but we’re gonna turn this prison escape around! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Freddie Wong is a filmmaker and host of the podcast “Story Break” right here on the Maximum Fun Network. If you haven’t heard it, Freddie and the rest of the panel improvise silly stories for movies. That includes sequels for movies series like Star Wars and Boss Baby. What’s their secret for such creative ideas? It all starts with the basic understanding that every creative idea is stupid on some level. You can also hear Freddie on the “Dungeons and Daddies” podcast. Competing against Freddie is Erin Foley, host of the podcast “Sports without Balls,” where she interviews women athletes and sports enthusiasts. She’ll tell us all about her favorite conversations that she’s had on the show and explain once and for all which sport is sexiest. Erin Foley’s comedy album “Deep Dive” is available now. Our contestants are joined by guest co-host Allie Goertz in a show that was recorded earlier this year in front of a live audience at the Angel City Brewery! (So some of the stuff mentioned isn’t quite so timely anymore.) What’s the difference: Clean the table  What’s the difference between “sterilize” and “disinfect”? What’s the difference between flatware and cutlery? Areas of Expertise: Freddie Wong: Magic, burgers in Los Angeles and the movie Face/Off. Erin Foley: Women’s tennis, cheesy dance pop from the 1990’s and the TV show “The Bachelor.” Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Allie Goertz Freddie Wong Erin Foley With guest experts: Julie Heldman, Olympic Gold Medalist and one of women’s tennis’ Original Nine. Her book, Driven: A Daughter’s Odyssey, is available now.  Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, screenwriters whose credits include the screenplay for the film Face/Off. Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded from the Angel City Brewery in downtown Los Angeles, by our live sound engineer, Dave McKeever. Theme Song by Jonathan Green Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Christmas-Merrying by YOU.

Can we get a price check on podcasts? It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself -- featuring stars from the hit NBC sitcom “Superstore”! Ben Feldman is an actor known for playing quirky and lovable characters on shows like “Mad Men” and “Drop Dead Diva.” But he’ll tell us about one role that allowed him to showcase his talent of portraying a jerk… and Helen Hong was there to see it in person! Ben is in the upcoming series “Monsters at Work” on Disney+. Ben’s opponent is renowned comedian and actor Lauren Ash. Like Ben, she also stars in “Superstore.” She’ll tell us about how the show has helped her navigate uncharted waters, including life in a pandemic and stan twitter. Lauren also hosts the podcast “True Crime and Cocktails” This week, our contestants will answer questions about the joy of competition and the magic of true love. What’s the difference: Copycat What’s the difference between “Imitate” and “Emulate”? What’s the difference between cat hair and cat fur? Areas of Expertise Ben Feldman: The play and move Glengarry Glen Ross, 1990’s Alt-Rock, Los Angeles sandwiches. Lauren Ash: The TV show “The X-Files,” The TV show “90-Day Fiance” and the 1992-93 Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Ben Feldman Lauren Ash With guest experts: David and Annie Toborowsky, couple featured on the TLC series “90 Day Fiance” and stars of “Spice It Up” on Facebook Watch.  (“90 Day Fiancé” currently airs Sunday nights on TLC and new 90 Day spinoffs will be on the new streaming platform Discovery+, launching January 4th).   Joe Mantegna, Tony Award-winning actor who performed in the original cast of Glengarry Glen Ross. Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, 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 Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Mask-wearing by YOU.

Here’s the story… of a lovely podcast! It’s a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! David Lindsay-Abaire is a playwright, lyricist and the first Pulitzer prize-winning contestant in the history of our show. He’ll tell us all about the great productions he’s made for broadway and how he managed to win such a prestigious award... when he wasn’t even nominated for it. Rachel Dratch has had a storied career in comedy. She endeared herself to “Saturday Night Live” when she co-created and embodied the character Debbie Downer. She’ll tell us about how she developed the bit along with the signature trombone sound that plays in her segments.  This week, our contestants will answer questions about classic skits, classic comedy and classic families -- that were all on TV! What’s the difference: Shear Madness What’s the difference between shears and scissors? What’s the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath? Areas of Expertise David Lindsay-Abaire: Boston slang words, notable graduates of Sarah Lawrence College and the TV game show “Match Game” from 1973 to 1982. Rachel Dratch: 1983-1984 Pop Music Lyrics, Modern Art in the collection of MoMa, and the TV show “The Brady Bunch.” Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong David Lindsay-Abaire Rachel Dratch With guest experts: Joyce Bulifant, author and actor, who’s appeared on Broadway, in movies and on television. Susan Olsen, artist, author, and actor... who played Cindy Brady on “The Brady Bunch.” Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, 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 Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Mask-wearing by YOU.

Do you hear the people sing? It’s another edition of Go Fact Yourself! Jim O’Heir is best known for his role as Jerry/Larry/Terry/Garry on NBC’s beloved comedy “Parks & Recreation.” But despite the show’s monstrous fanbase, he says that he still hears people confuse it with another beloved NBC comedy. You can probably guess which one. He’ll tell us all about his career and why he was so shocked when he won his first Emmy award. Dulcé Sloan is a frequent correspondent on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” What’s one of her most memorable things about working on the show? It’s gotta be the costumes -- she’s dressed up as everything from a Christmas Tree to God with an afro. Plus, she’ll tell us about how she feels right at home with Korean culture, from the history to the TV to the food. Guests answer questions about (and shed some tears for) intergalactic voyages, international plays and the perfect Korean meal spread. What’s the difference: Trust but Verify What’s the difference between “distrust” and “mistrust”? What’s the difference between “verify” and “confirm”? Areas of Expertise: Jim O’Heir: The 2020 U.S. election, The musical Les Miserable, The TV show “Mama’s Family.” Dulcé Sloan: The TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” the TV show “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and historical Korean dramas. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jim O'Heir Dulcé Sloan With guest experts: Judy Kuhn, multiple Tony, Olivier and Grammy-nominated Broadway actor.  Nana Visitor, actor best known for her roles in the TV shows “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Wildfire” Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, 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 Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell. Mask-wearing by YOU.

Perfect your stroke and dance in Purple Rain, it’s time for Go Fact Yourself! Michael Peña is an actor whose career began with his roles in dramas like Crash and World Trade Center. But after a while he decided, much to the hesitation of his agent, that he wanted to take his career in a new direction: comedy. He’ll tell us about his memorable roles in the Ant-Man and Dora The Explorer films and how his entire career began because a family friend noticed he was good at impressions. Michael will compete against his wife: screen-writer and fine artist Brie Peña! She’s traveled with Michael a lot for his job and even gotten to live in other countries with her family for months at a time. What’s one of the most significant things she misses from her travels? Well… it used to be nice seeing how eager the English were to hug their friends.  Our contestants are ready to answer questions about birdies, a Tiger and a Prince What’s the difference: Couch Potato What’s the difference between a couch and a sofa? What’s the difference between a sweet potato and a yam? Areas of Expertise: Michael Peña: Tiger Woods’ golf coaches and techniques, movie quotes from early Woody Allen films, grunge music featured at Lollapalooza 1992. Brie Peña: The music and producing work of Prince from 1979 to 1985, renovating old Dutch colonial houses, French bulldog behavior and the pros and cons of having one.  Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Michael Peña  Brie Peña With guest experts: Rudy Duran, award-winning golf coach and Tiger Woods’ first golf coach Lisa Coleman, Emmy and Grammy award-winning musician, who played keyboard for Prince’s band “The Revolution” Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, 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 Associate Producer and editor is Julian Burrell. Mask-wearing by YOU.

Turn up your favorite song and raise a glass, it's time for more Go Fact Yourself! Eliza Skinner is known for her comedy and musical improvisation, but she’s also got a TV show out now on Disney+! “Earth To Ned” is a talk show with a cast made up entirely of puppets from the Jim Henson company. She’ll explain why, despite all the aliens and spaceships, it’s still a lot like its contemporaries… just with more coordination to make the host talk. Eliza Skinner’s debut comedy album, “Regarding My Lovers,” is available now.  Eliza’s opponent is her friend and fellow TV producer Josh Gondelman. He works behind the scenes on the show, “Desus and Mero,” which has gone through some creative changes since the quarantine started. He’ll explain. Plus, he’ll tell us all about his discovery that a good pep talk can make all the difference in a rough situation (even when that situation is 2020).  Our contestants will answer questions about life behind the scenes and classic shows on the stage and screen What’s the difference: God complex What’s the difference between the gospel and the scripture? What’s the difference between “complex” and “complicated”? Areas of Expertise Eliza Skinner: Stephen Sondheim, the Jamestown colony and Beanie Babies Josh Gondelman: The NBA bubble in Florida, the first seven seasons of the TV show “Cheers” and celebrities from Massachusetts. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Eliza Skinner Josh Gondelman With guest experts: Michel Cerveris, actor, singer and guitarist who’s won two Tony Awards. George Wendt and Bernadette Birkett, actors best known for their respective roles as Norm and Vera on the show “Cheers.” 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.

Binge some classic television and brush up on your U.S. history, it’s time for another episode of Go Fact Yourself! Frank Conniff is a comedian and writer who’s made a career out of mocking bad movies. He was one of the minds behind the Peabody award-winning show “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” where he and his co hosts mocked hundreds of movies. And while you might think he hates all the bad movies that he makes fun of, he’ll explain why all the jokes are actually an extension of his love of cinema. Frank continues the tradition of “MST3K” on his newest live show “The Mads are Back.”  Frank’s opponent is actor Courtney Henggeler. You may have seen her on the show “Cobra Kai.” While that show had a very dedicated following when it was streaming on YouTube Red, it’s since gained a lot of popularity when it moved to Netflix. She’ll tell us all about that show and some fun stories from her other projects that include pitches to Lifetime and turning off Justin Timberlake. Our guest co-host is a former guest! It’s comedian and actor Jill-Michele Melean. Our contestants will answer trivia on books to read, shows to stream and presidential dreams. What’s the difference: Standing on ceremony What’s the difference between a physical stance and a physical posture? What’s the difference between “ceremonial” and “ceremonious”? Areas of Expertise Frank Conniff: The singer-songwriter Laura Nyro, tin pan alley songwriters of the 1930s and the Kennedys. Courtney Henggeler: Britney Spears, the TV show “Beverly Hills: 90210, and cooking for a Jewish man who is afraid of butter.  Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Frank Conniff Courtney Henggeler With guest experts: Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer-winning author and Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Professor of History, Harvard University. Ian Ziering, actor known for his roles in “Beverly Hills: 90210” and “Swamp Thing.” 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.

Out of the park and onto the stage, it’s a new Go Fact Yourself! Wink Martindale is a radio and TV legend. He got his start as a disc jockey in Memphis, Tennessee and eventually became a fixture as a game show host. He’s been the moderator of tons of shows like “Tic-Tac-Dough” and “High Rollers.” He’ll tell us some great stories from his career before settling into a game show role he’s less familiar with: being a contestant. You can find more Wink on his YouTube channel and in his book Winking at Life. Opposite Wink is actor Arden Myrin. She’s practically done it all when it comes to her roles on TV; everything from a guest appearance “Friends” to starring on the Netflix series “Insatiable.” Recently she was featured in the Los Angeles Times not for her career accomplishments, but for her ability to decorate her home on a budget. Arden is the host of “The Bachelor” fan podcast “Will You Accept This Rose?” and is the author of the new book Little Miss Little Compton. Our contestants will  answer trivia about killer plants, bespectacled athletes and the law of desserts. What’s the difference: Torte Reform What’s the difference between a torte and a tart? What’s the difference between “reformed” and “transformed”? Areas of Expertise Wink Martindale: radio history, the 1950’s St. Louis Cardinals and Elvis Presley Arden Myrin: the movie Moonstruck, the musical Little Shop of Horrors and the fact that not all cats can be bonded.  Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Wink Martindale Arden Myrin With guest experts: Lee Wilkof, American actor and originator of the role of Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors. Bill Virdon, former Major League Baseball player, manager and coach 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.

Tune up your guitar and try to write one great song… It’s a new Go Fact Yourself! Jade Catta-Preta is best known as the host of “The Soup” on the E! Network. How did she develop into such a strong lead for the show? Well it turns out that she learned english by watching talk show hosts when she was growing up. She’ll tell us more about her time on TV and explain how she’s still making comedy in 2020. You can get tickets now to Jade’s next stand-up show in October. Jade’s fellow contestant is musician Dave Hill. If you think you haven’t heard of his work, you may recognize one of his tracks as the theme song to HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He’ll tell us about how he landed that gig... by exerting as little effort as possible. You can hear Dave on “Dave Hill’s Podcasting Incident” right here on the Maximum Fun Network. Our guests will answer trivia about hit musicals, hit music and animals taking hits of sedatives. What’s the difference: Calm Down! What’s the difference between a domesticated animal and a tame animal? What’s the difference between a sedative and tranquilizer? Areas of Expertise Dave Hill: The rules of ice hockey, electric guitars and dog breeds. Jade Catta-Preta: Miley Cyrus, the musical RENT and laser hair removal Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jade Catta-Preta Dave Hill With guest experts: Tim Parnin, musician, guitar shop owner and vice president of technology for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Tony-winning actor from the musical RENT 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.

Grab some headphones and kick back on the couch -- or in the car--for a special musical episode of Go Fact Yourself! Grant-Lee Phillips is known for his career as a singer and songwriter. He’s released albums with his band Grant Lee Buffalo and as a solo act. But you also may recognize him as the town troubadour from the TV series “Gilmore Girls.” He’ll tell us what it’s like to play a musician on TV and how preparing for the “Gilmore Girls” revival series helped train him for quarantine life. Check out his new album out September 4! Grant-Lee will compete against his fellow singer-songwriter Nellie McKay. Nellie actually joins us from her car since, she’s currently on tour (from a social distance). Her original albums and soundtracks have earned her a devoted following over the years. But she’s also known for emulating the work of others -- whether that’s an album of covers or impersonating late-great comedian Joan Rivers. Our guests will answer trivia about the magic of music, the magic of movies and the magic of magic! What’s the difference: Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay What’s the difference between a dock and a pier? What’s the difference between a bay and a gulf? Areas of Expertise Grant-Lee Phillips: Houdini, Western Wear, the Winchester Mystery House Nellie McKay: Billy Strayhorn, Leftist Politics and Cary Grant. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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.

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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.

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. 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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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.

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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.

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: J. Keith van Straaten 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! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wear a mask!

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! 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

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wear a mask!

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wash your hands!

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong 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! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wash your hands!

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: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jordan Morris With Guest Experts: Monique Powell, songwriter and lead singer of the band Save Ferris Yeardley Smith, actor who’s best known as the voice of Lisa Simpson. 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. The show is engineered and edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wash your hands!

The 2020 MLB season is in question, but we’re happy to celebrate baseball on Go Fact Yourself! There have been a lot of contestants who have chosen baseball as their areas of expertise; we’ve quizzed folks like comedy legend Fred Willard, voice actor Phil Lamarr and Maximum Fun founder Jesse Thorn -- and more! We decided to put some of the best segments in one convenient episode. Along the way, we’ve got a murderer’s row of outstanding experts including World Series play-by-play broadcasters, world-class historians and world champion players. Let’s play ball! Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Phil LaMarr from Episode 2 Fred Willard from Episode 13 John Ross Bowie from Episode 14 Sandeep Parikh from Episode 26 Jesse Thorn from Episode 50 With Guest Experts: Jon Weisman, author of 100 Things Dodgers Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Dr. Joe Price, Co-Director for The Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College. Bobby Ojeda, former baseball player and current podcaster. Dan Shaughnessy, sports columnist for the Boston Globe. Jon Miller, award-winning TV and radio play-by-play commentator for the San Francisco Giants. 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. The show is engineered and edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Visit us @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wash your hands!

It’s a special, experimental Quarantine Edition of Go Fact Yourself recorded at our various homes and with no live audience! Jimmy Pardo is a comedian and host of the long-running podcast "Never Not Funny." He also owns the distinction of being a guest on the very first episode of Go Fact Yourself.  When he was first on the show, he answered trivia questions about 1980’s music. But this time we’re revisiting BOTH of his other areas of expertise to determine if he is truly the Facting Champion! Along the way, Jimmy will discuss how he’s podcasting from home, music from his hometown and favorite baseball hometeam.  Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jimmy Pardo With Guest Experts: Jason Benetti, Sportscaster for the Chicago White Sox. Bill Champlin, musician, singer and songwriter who’s performed with the band Chicago. Oliver Pardo, son of Jimmy Pardo. 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. The show is engineered and edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself … whenever that is! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt! Let us know what you think of this experimental format. @gofactyourpod on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. And wash your hands!

Happy Max Fun Drive month! To celebrate, we’re changing up our episode schedule in March. This week, we’ve got a pair of interviews that aired as part of Go Fact Yourself’s shows in Chicago. First, J. Keith and Helen will speak with Larry Potash from WGN TV’s morning show. Then they’ll speak with Bill Leff and Dane Neal from the recently ended "Bill & Wendy Show." Both interviews will feature special mini-versions of our usual trivia games! Go Fact Yourself will be back with full episodes on March 20th and 27th -- just in time for the Max Fun Drive! Make sure to contribute at maximumfun.org/join Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Larry Potash Bill Leff Dane Neal 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. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

Strike up the band! It’s a music-filled episode of Go Fact Yourself! Oscar Nunez  is best known for his role as Oscar Martinez in the classic NBC comedy "The Office." Between its original run on television and streaming distribution on Netflix, it’s earned fans of all ages. Oscar will tell us all about some of his most memorable moments in front of the camera, including sharing a kiss with Steve Carrell and performing a strip-tease for Betty White. You can see Oscar on the Netflix series "Mr. Iglesias." Oscar will compete against Molly Knight, journalist for the sports publication The Athletic. She mainly covers the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. She’ll share her insights into the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal that she says robbed the Dodgers of the 2017 World Series. Plus she’ll recall simpler times in her journalistic career -- like when she was a reporter for "Shopping Centers Today" magazine. Molly’s book, The Best Team Money Can Buy, is available now. The guests will discuss the most important music of their lives, doggies and the beauty in finally quitting your day job. What’s the Difference: Look who’s talking What’s the difference between an interpreter and a translator? What’s the difference between a windbag and a blowhard? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Oscar Nunez: Travel, iconic fashion designers, and David Bowie. Molly Knight:  The first six solo albums of Tori Amos, the best-selling artists as per the Recording Industry Association of America, and countries of Africa. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Oscar Nunez Molly Knight With guest experts: Arthur Spivak, producer and manager who's worked with Paul Reiser, Prince and Tori Amos  Ann Magnuson, actor whose latest credits include "The Man in the High Castle" and "Star Trek: Picard" Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

Slackers of the world unite! Fire up your flux capacitors! "Go Fact Yourself" has trivia that spans the timeline this week! Gareth Reynolds is best known as one of the hosts of "The Dollop." It’s a podcast that shares stories from U.S. history in a fun and engaging way. That includes some less savory information -- like the details about George Washington’s teeth. Gareth will also tell us personal stories, including what it was like to be a writer for "Arrested Development" and how he first met his cat, Jose. Gareth’s new comedy record, "Riddled with Disease," is available now. Ali Spagnola also works in comedy, but in a different medium. Her presence on social media has earned her millions of followers across many platforms. What’s even more impressive is that she’s done it all while being physically fit, musically talented and breaking multiple world records. She’s even found a way to turn the hate that comes with being a prominent online figure into something very positive and constructive. The guests will discuss lessons from history, movies about the past and animated shows about the future! What’s the Difference: Too fry fry, hush hush (eye to eye) What’s the difference between pan frying and sauteing? What’s the difference between a pan and a skillet? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Gareth Reynolds: The Green Bay Packers from the 1990s until now, the film Back to the Future and animals. Ali Spagnola: The TV show "Futurama," the TV show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and CrossFit. Appearing in this episode: Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Gareth Reynolds Ali Spagnola With guest experts: James Tolkan, retired actor best known for his role in the Back to the Future film series. Mike Rowe, writer/producer for "Futurama." Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at Center For Inquiry Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

Click your heels three times and remember there’s no place like home: "Go Fact Yourself" is officially the greatest trivia show on ice! Jamie Loftus is a comedian and a host of "The Bechdel Cast" podcast. Her show is all about analyzing film from a feminist perspective. One movie that holds up surprisingly well under such scrutiny? Alien! She’ll explain. Plus, she’ll discuss what gives her a special edge in this trivia contest: her certification as a Mensa Genius. Jamie’s upcoming appearances can be found on her website. Jamie will compete against her fellow comedian and feminist Craig Shoemaker. He describes his work as “comedy for the soul.” That’s not just a pun on his name; He’ll tell us about how his work has actually helped people in real life. He also has a number of personal aspirations as well, including to sing Les Miserables on Broadway. You can hear Craig on his podcast "Can I Help You?" The topics discussed include classic movies, ice rinks and the power of love. What’s the Difference: Music history What’s the difference between a Grammy award for "song of the year" and "record of the year"? What’s the difference between "historic" and "historical"? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Jamie Loftus: Chuck E. Cheese, Zambonis and the collective works of Alfred Molina. Craig Shoemaker : Fatherhood, the film The Wizard of Oz and fixing people. Appearing in this episode: Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jamie Loftus Craig Shoemaker With guest experts: Joe Keeler, Francois Martindale, ice maintenance experts for the Los Angeles Kings NHL team. Aljean Harmetz, author of the book The Making of the Wizard of Oz. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at Center For Inquiry Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

Perfect your comic punchlines and read up on your history for this episode of Go Fact Yourself! Charlie Hankin is perhaps best known for his comics in The New Yorker magazine. For you aspiring cartoonists, he shares the secret to getting your work in the famed publication. He also discusses how he’s already walked away a winner on another game show: "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" Charlie can be seen on his YouTube show "Good Cop, Great Cop." Also joining us is writer and podcaster Kitty Felde. Her show "Book Club for Kids" is all about showcasing kids’ perspectives on books and sharing them with the authors. As a veteran Capitol Hill reporter, she’s ready to share some amazing details about U.S. politics… like how Washington D.C. is home to the ugliest shoes in the country. We’ll get into topics like U.S. presidents, classic science-fiction films and regal living spaces. What’s the Difference: There’s no place like home What’s the difference between a home appraisal and a home assessment? What’s the difference between a palace and a castle? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Charlie Hankin: the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, the making of the atomic bomb and the Heaven’s Gate cult. Kitty Felde: The Dodgers baseball team’s move to LA from Brooklyn, Theodore Roosevelt and his children and the TV show Bonanza. Appearing in this episode: Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Charlie Hankin Kitty Felde With guest experts: Kermit Roosevelt III, professor at University of Pennsylvania's Carey Law School. Dan Richter, writer and actor who performed in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

It’s the 50th episode of Go Fact Yourself! And we’ve got a t-shirt! To help us celebrate, we’ve brought on Maximum Fun founder, Jesse Thorn. These days, MaxFun is known for dozens of quality podcasts. But in Jesse’s early days, he recorded the talk show that would become "Bullseye" in his apartment. The humble beginnings helped him learn a lot about interviewing great guests… and about the value of a good suit. In addition to “Bullseye,” you can hear Jesse on the podcasts "Jordan Jesse Go!" and "Judge John Hodgman." Jesse’s opponent for this momentous episode is actor Kelly Hu. She’s best known for appearances in tons of hit movies, including her role as Lady Deathstrike in X2: X-Men United. But even though audiences love her work, she’ll explain why she can’t stand to watch herself in any film or show she’s ever been a part of. Plus: a look into her desire to be a pageant winner without having a talent to showcase. Our guests will answer questions about baseball, cadavers and what can be mixed into chocolate. What’s the Difference: Murder! What’s the difference between a coroner and a medical examiner? What’s the difference between a knife and dagger? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Jesse Thorn: The hip-hop group Dungeon Family, the city of San Francisco and the San Francisco Giants baseball team. Kelly Hu: Dog training, Hawaiian food and chocolate-making. Appearing in this episode: Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jesse Thorn Kelly Hu With guest experts: Jon Miller, award-winning TV and radio play-by-play commentator for the San Francisco Giants. Patricia Tsai and Emily Walden, owner and manager of the Chocovivo chocolate-making shop in Los Angeles. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!Get our NEW Go Fact Yourself t-shaped shirt!

FINALLY! An episode of Go Fact Yourself that celebrates trivia AND elitism! In July, Atsuko Okatsuka had perhaps the most on-brand experience that a comedian can have in LA: she got on stage ready to perform right as an earthquake struck. She’ll tell us about why she was so poorly equipped to deal with the situation. Atsuko is also the host of "Let’s Go Atsuko!" a woke Japanese game show. What exactly makes a game show woke? Well… she’ll explain.  Joel Stein is a writer whose work has appeared in TIME magazine. It’s been an avenue of great success... but it’s also led to a lot of people wanting him fired. Joel is excited to discuss some of the trivia topics he knows about. But they all pale in comparison to his greatest passion: elitism. In celebration of his new book In Defense of Elitism: Why I’m Better Than You and You are Better Than Someone Who Didn’t Buy This Book, he’ll tell us why we need to embrace expertise over instinct. This week’s discussion topics include cleanliness, classic sitcoms and fancy fountains. What’s the Difference: What a dump What’s the difference between a cobweb and a spiderweb? What’s the difference between "unkempt" and "unkept"? If you’d like to submit a question for our What’s the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on "Get Involved." Areas of Expertise Atsuko Otatsuka: Kiehl’s products, the Netflix series "Queer Eye" (seasons 3 & 4) and The Americana at Brand shopping mall. Joel Stein: Old world wine, the TV show, "Taxi" and the first 30 years of president Lyndon B. Johnson’s life. Appearing in this episode: Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Atsuko Okatsuka Joel Stein With guest experts: Jim Doyle, Oscar-winning effects designer and director of design technology at Water Entertainment Technology. Randall Carver, actor from There Will be Blood and "Taxi". Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!

Mysteries will be solved and species saved on this episode of Go Fact Yourself! Jenny Jaffe is a comedy writer who grew up with an obsession for 90’s Nickelodeon animated shows. Her career has now come full circle: she’s landed a gig to writing for the upcoming version of "Rugrats!" She’ll tell us about that and some of her other obsessions that haven’t been a part of her work.. yet. Jenny will take on actor/writer Jim Rash. Jim is a pretty accomplished guy. He’s known for his role as Dean Craig Pelton on NBC’s "Community." He’s also won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for the film The Descendants. But in spite of his success, he’s still not above searching for some quality advice on Instagram… even if he has trouble following it. You can hear Jim now as the voice of Gyro Gearloose on the new version "DuckTales." This week’s trivia topics include moisturizing, basket weaving and cuddly critters. This episode is sponsored by Fake Radio: America’s premier old-time-radio comedy troupe. To find out more about their show and how to attend their live performances, visitfakeradio.net/gofactyourself. What’s the Difference: It puts the lotion in the basket What’s the difference between lotion and ointment? What’s the difference between rattan and wicker? Areas of Expertise Jenny Jaffe: 90’s Disney movies, anxiety disorders and phobias, and pandas Jim Rash: Sid and Marty Krofft shows, The movie Clue, and giving advice to others that he doesn’t take. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jenny Jaffe Jim Rash With guest experts: Dr. David Kersey, professor of veterinary sciences and giant panda reproduction expert. Jonathan Lynn, director of the film Clue. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!

This week on Go Fact Yourself, it’s not just a game of trivia: it’s a game of hardcore roller derby AND a game of Super Mario! You probably know Adam Conover from his TruTV show, "Adam Ruins Everything," where he uncovers the complicated, and often problematic, backstories behind topics like voting, football, Hawaii and more. He’ll also tell us about his own complicated backstory: as the only member of his family without a PhD. Adam can also be heard on the podcast "Factually!". Adam’s opponent is comedian and writer Jill-Michele Melean. She was the first (and last) Latina cast member on “MADtv.” She was known for her celebrity impressions, most notably for Britney Spears and Drew Berrymore. And don’t worry… she’s happy to demonstrate. Jill-Michele can be seen in her stand up special "White/Latina" on Amazon Prime. The guests will also discuss topics like clean eating, public transportation and the value of tasteful plastic surgery. This episode is sponsored by Trivia Con, happening April 3-5, 2020 in Las Vegas. What’s the Difference: Clang, clang, clang What’s the difference between a bell and a chime? What’s the difference between a tram and a trolley? Areas of Expertise Adam Conover: Western philosophy, the TV show "Succession" and the history of the Nintendo video-game character, Mario. Jill-Michele Melean: Eating clean, being the best aunt ever, everything Drew Barrymore. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Adam Conover Jill-Michele Melean With guest experts: Shauna Cross, novelist, screenwriter and roller derby athlete. Jeff Ryan, author of Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!

Whether you’re in the mood to surf some waves or binge some TV, this episode of Go Fact Yourself is for you! As an actor, Quinn Cummings saw success at an early age. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the film The Goodbye Girl. It was a great experience, but one that put a bit of a strain on her relationship with her mother… and her hair. She’ll explain. Quinn can be heard on the podcast "Quinn Cummings Gives Bad Advice". Like Quinn, Greg Behrendt also has experience giving others advice, especially with relationships. He’s written several books about love, including He’s Just Not That Into You and serves as a private life coach. What exactly are his qualifications? Just a 30-year comedy career, multiple books on the New York Times bestseller list and the fact that he survived cancer (twice). The guests will compete to answer trivia questions about surf music, animated Netflix shows and their respective expertise on cats and dogs. This episode is sponsored by Spencer Marks’ new science-fiction novel Living History. Go to livinghistorynovel.com and enter the promo code "HELEN" to purchase the book for a discount and to have it personally autographed. What’s the Difference: wasted What’s the difference between liquor and liqueur? What’s the difference between trash and garbage? Areas of Expertise Quinn Cummings: High fashion, the Netflix series "Bojack Horseman" and domestic cats. Greg Behrendt: Surf music, dog shows and Dots candy Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Quinn Cummings Greg Behrendt With guest experts: Mike Hollingsworth, Emmy-nominated producer and supervising director of "Bojack Horseman." Dean Torrence, one half of the surf-music duo Jan and Dean. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at the Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan theater at The Center For Inquiry in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Go to gofactyourpod.com for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!

It’s another helping of Go Fact Yourself in Chicago, now more delicious and savory than ever! Peter Sagal is the host of the NPR program "Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!" But his experience with trivia shows goes all the way back to when he was a contestant on "Jeopardy"… and quickly found himself in the negative dollars. That doesn’t mean he’s bad at trivia; he’s just bad at pressing buttons. He’ll tell us about that and why he’s so dedicated to disrupting the narrative of Chicago deep-dish pizza. Opposite Peter is author Rebecca Makkai. Her book The Great Believers earned her the distinction of being a finalist for the Pulitzer prize. It’s a truly special accomplishment -- but she had an even bigger dream as a child: teaching dogs how to talk. The guests will discuss the local food scene, whether or not a hot dog is a sandwich and, yes, a lot of discussion about the windy city. What’s the Difference: The Windy City What’s the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? What’s the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning? Areas of Expertise Peter Sagal: Chicago food culture, James Cameron movies and running Rebecca Makkai: The film Clue, the state of Vermont and the furnace girl murder of Lake Bluff, Illinois Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Peter Sagal Rebecca Makkai With guest experts: Gov. Madeleine May Kunin, author, ambassador and three-term governor of Vermont. Bob Schwartz, Senior Vice President of Vienna Beef and author of the book Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at Sleeping Village in Chicago. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell. Come to our next live tapings in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 13 -- Go to gofactyourpod.com for FREE tickets!

It’s the first episode of Go Fact Yourself from Chicago! Two-time Peabody Award winner Bill Kurtis is a news anchor with one of the most famous voices in television and radio. You may have heard him as the scorekeeper for the program "Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!", but he’s also known for his narration in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. He’ll explain how that role changed his life forever and share other stories from his extensive career. Bill will compete with his fellow broadcaster and fellow Peabody Award winner Sarah Spain, host and contributor for ESPN. She’s often seen on the sports debate show "Around the Horn." She’ll tell us how she crafts an effective argument on the show and how she’s battling the negativity that comes with being a woman in the sports industry. Also, doggies! The guests will answer questions about war veterans, improv comedy characters and the windy city. What’s the Difference: Cubs & White Sox What’s the difference between a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout? What’s the difference between stitching and darning? Areas of Expertise Bill Kurtis: Frank Sinatra’s big band music, World War II in Okinawa and the prairie Sarah Spain: Rescue dogs, 90’s "Saturday Night Live" characters and grammar. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Bill Kurtis Sarah Spain With guest experts: Julia Sweeney, actor and comedian who’s appeared in four seasons of "Saturday Night Live." John Ullinskey, WWII veteran who served aboard the USS Arikara and participated in the D-Day Invasion and the Battle of Okinawa Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at Sleeping Village in Chicago. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

This episode of Go Fact Yourself features quick wits and facts about hit flicks! Jena Friedman is a comedian and longtime contributor to television, perhaps her best known work was as a producer on "The Daily Show." She’ll talk about how she was so dedicated to her work on the show that she was willing to risk her life if it meant getting the shot that she needed. Jena’s new series "Soft Focus" is on Adult Swim. Jena’s opponent is Jack O’Brien, co-host of "The Daily Zeitgeist" podcast. Before that, he was the co-founder of Cracked.com. How did he turn the website into such a success? Well, he decided to take everything that worked about the original Cracked magazine… and completely ignore it. He’ll explain. The guests will take a deep dive into the lore of the Jaws franchise, the history of comedy and why it is never a good idea to take a bath at a funeral. What’s the Difference: Emergency What’s the difference between a fire engine and a fire truck? What’s the difference between a pandemic and an epidemic? Areas of Expertise Jena Friedman: The TV show "Ghostwriter," the history of improv and the ebola virus. Jack O’Brien: The film Jaws 2, the film Rocky IV and Wu-Tang Clan solo records from 1993 to 1997. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jena Friedman Jack O’Brien With guest experts:

C’est l’heure pour un nouvel épisode de Go Fact Yourself*! (In case your French is a little rusty: It’s time for a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!) Jim Beaver is an actor who’s known for his roles in TV shows like, "Breaking Bad," and, "Justified," where he’s earned a reputation as a "tough guy"-type who’s usually associated with guns. He’s also done a lot of research on major Hollywood figures from other eras. He’ll explain why he didn’t let the technological limitations from his youth get in the way of his research of actor John Garfield. Jim Beaver can be seen in the final season of "Supernatural". Jim will face off against Erica Rhodes, who’s currently tearing it up on NBC’s "Bring The Funny" and who had a memorable turn on "Modern Family". She’s been involved in show-business since she was 10 as a voice on the radio-drama "Prairie Home Companion". Erica’s newest comedy album is "Sad Lemon" and she’ll explain how she settled on the title after a little crowdsourcing. The guests will discuss classic musicals set in France, American traitors and the finer aspects of going Dutch. What’s the Difference: Going Dutch What’s the difference between Holland and The Netherlands? What’s the difference between a levee and a dike? Areas of Expertise Jim Beaver: Benedict Arnold, movies based on Raymond Chandler novels and "Adventures of Superman" Erica Rhodes: The film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, philosopher Friedrich Neitzsche, and the poet William Wordsworth. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jim Beaver Erica Rhodes With guest experts: Dr. Stephen Brumwell, award-winning author of several books on American history. Dr. Betsy Bogart, singer and Film Studies teacher at UCLA. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Go Fact Yourself is coming to Chicago! Join us on August 9 & 10 at Sleeping Village. Visit gofactyourpod.com for tickets and details. Our patented mind-control techniques compel you to hear this episode of Go Fact Yourself! Jamie Kennedy is a comedian and actor. He’s spent most of his life working in film and television with some big names like Frank Oz and David O. Russell. But how did he decide that he wanted to spend his life in Hollywood? It all goes back to his minor background role in a classic Robin Williams film. Jamie Kennedy can be seen in the upcoming film Ad Astra. Jamie will face off against a frequent collaborator of his: comedian Melissa McQueen. These days, she’s known for wearing sequins and sparkly outfits while performing on comedy stages across the country. But she’ll tell us about how she used to work to help other people perform on stage… as a karaoke KJ. The guests will chat about government secrets, child-actors and the value of passing on deceased relatives' clothing. What’s the Difference: Impostors What’s the difference between "duplicate" and "replicate?" What’s the difference between a robot and an android? Areas of Expertise Jamie Kennedy: The MK Ultra conspiracy, pacemakers and lyrics to the Big Bopper song "Chantilly Lace." Melissa McQueen: Lyrics from the Hall & Oates album Rock & Soul Part 1, the film The Royal Tenenbaums and The Pizzagate Conspiracy. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Jamie Kennedy Melissa McQueen With guest experts: Brian Dunning, science writer and host of the award-winning "Skeptoid Podcast". Grant Rosenmeyer, producer and actor who’s appeared on Broadway, film and television. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

  Go Fact Yourself is coming to Chicago! Join us on August 9 & 10 at Sleeping Village. Visit gofactyourpod.com for tickets and details. Cristela Alonzo is a comedian and former guest on Go Fact Yourself. This week, she’s stepping in as the co-host! Her new book "Music to My Years" will be out in October. Jessica McKenna is known for the podcast "Off Book" where she and her co-host Zach Reino improvise a full musical with special guests… even if the guests aren’t totally aware of what’s going on when they first join the program. Jessica is also a voice-artist who’s cornered a very specific portrayal: scrappy ten-year-old boys. She’ll explain what’s behind her expertise. Jessica will face off against someone who also knows a lot about musicals: actor Anthony Rapp. He was part of the original cast of Rent and now stars on the CBS show "Star Trek: Discovery." You could say he’s a pretty accomplished guy, but he’ll tell us about his formative years where he got some unsolicited advice from legendary stage actor Yul Brynner. The guests will also discuss American presidents, contemporary films and denim jackets. What’s the Difference: Pay me back What’s the difference between "loan" and "lend?" What’s the difference between a charge card and a credit card? Areas of Expertise Jessica McKenna: American Presidents, the musical Hamilton and Christmas & Christmas movies Anthony Rapp: The Coen Brothers movies, the Chicago Cubs baseball team from the early 2000’s to the present and the Mass Effect video-game series. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Cristela Alonzo Jessica McKenna Anthony Rapp With guest experts: Rory O’Malley, Tony Award-nominated actor who's performed in the stage shows Hamilton and The Book of Mormon. Stephen Park, actor who’s known for his performances in the films Fargo and Do the Right Thing. Helen Hong, comedian and actress who appeared in the film Inside Llewyn Davis and who’s the regular co-host of Go Fact Yourself! Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

It’s Go Fact Yourself…. IN SPAAAAACE! Or at least with a lot of discussion about space, plus tons of comedy and trivia! Gaby Dunn is the author of the book Bad With Money and the host of the podcast of the same name. That makes her something of an authority on personal finance. And her findings on commerce are supported by some conspiracy theories that are equally insightful. Opposite Gaby is comedian Dwayne Perkins! His star has risen in recent years with him getting his own comedy special. That success has earned him a lot of love from his peers… and just a hint of resentment as well. You can find Dwayne on the podcast Movie Night. Our guests will talk about money, sitcoms and iconic supporting actors. What’s the Difference: Colors What’s the difference between purple and violet? What’s the difference between a tint and a shade? Areas of Expertise Gaby Dunn: The TV show “Law & Order: SVU,” The OJ Simpson Trial, NASA’s Apollo Missions. Dwayne Perkins: Jay-Z lyrics, The TV show “Seinfeld,” Flavors of tea. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Gaby Dunn Dwayne Perkins With guest experts: Amy Shira Teitel, space flight historian, author and YouTuber. Larry Thomas, Emmy-nominated actor who’s appeared on the TV shows “Scrubs,” “Arrested Development” and “Seinfeld.” Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Are you a true fashionista? Are you surrounded by the lore of classic comics? Do you just want to laugh and learn some great trivia? Whether you check one or all of those boxes, this episode of Go Fact Yourself is for you! Mindy Sterling is an actor who’s perhaps best known for her role in the Austin Powers films. She’s also had several TV roles, earning her two Emmy nominations! The only problem was that those two nominations happened in the same year… and in the same category. You can find Mindy on Twitter and on Instagram. Mindy will face off against author and humorist Dylan Brody! Dylan has made a career out of being funny. But he’ll explain why that’s changed in that profession as he got older. These days, he’s also interested in helping other people overcome their creative barriers to make what they’ve always wanted. To learn more, go to his website. Our guests will discuss their passions, kitchenware and the finer points of telling jokes as a grown-up. What’s the Difference: Home on the Range What’s the difference between an oven and a range? What’s the difference between a deer and an antelope? Areas of Expertise Mindy Sterling: How to put on makeup, decorating your apartment and "Project Runway." Dylan Brody: Nikola Tesla, Korean Martial Arts and the John Byrne/Chris Claremont era "X-Men" comics. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Mindy Sterling Dylan Brody With guest experts: Kentaro Kameyama, fashion designer who won season 16 of "Project Runway." Chris Claremont, New York Times bestselling author and writer of the bestselling comic book issue of all time. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.  

Dolphins and music and sports, oh my! It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself! Margaret Cho is a comedian and actress, known for her role in "30 Rock" as Kim Jong-il, for which she received an Emmy nomination. Margaret is also heavily tattooed, but she’ll explain why she’s ready to slow down the body art now that she only has space on her bodies that would be painful. You can find her tour schedule on her website. Margaret will face off against fellow comedian and actor Jamie Kaler! He rose to prominence for his role in the TBS series "My Boys." He’s also a former Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He’ll explain why the punctuality he developed as a Navy man was a poor preparation for a career in Hollywood. Jamie can be found in the YouTube series "Dads in Parks" and the "Father Time" podcast Our guests will reminisce about their careers and answer trivia questions about marine life, basketball and celebrities from the ‘80s and ‘90s. What’s the Difference: Something fishy What’s the difference between a seal and a sea lion? What’s the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? Areas of Expertise Margaret Cho: Korean revenge movies, YouTube beauty wars and The Beach Boys Jamie Kaler: The Dirty Harry film series, the basketball player Larry Bird and potty training. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Margaret Cho Jamie Kaler With guest experts: Gary Holland, longtime high school basketball coach, whose players included Larry Bird. Gary Griffin, keyboardist, vocalist and music producer who’s played with The Beach Boys. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

This episode of Go Fact Yourself is part of a balanced breakfast of trivia and comedy! Allie Goertz is a writer who hosts the fellow Max Fun podcast "Everything’s Coming up Simpsons". As if that didn’t give her enough funny things to surround herself with, she’s also the first woman editor for MAD Magazine! She’ll explain why even the silliest MAD content requires a lot of hard work. Allie faces off against Jason Stuart! He’s a comedian and actor. He’s appeared in a number of films like Birth of a Nation stars in the new TV series "Smothered." He’s always been openly gay in his showbiz career. But these days he says he’s, "only gay on the weekends." He’ll explain. Our guests will discuss breakfast, math and seminal "Saturday Night Live" films. What’s the Difference: Make it Count What’s the difference between a number and a numeral? What’s the difference between arithmetic and mathematics? Areas of Expertise Jason Stuart: LGBTQ History, Barbra Streisand, and breakfast cereal. Allie Goertz: The Beatles movies, the film Wayne’s World and giving advice. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Allie Goertz Jason Stuart With guest experts: Penelope Spheeris, director of films such as The Decline of Western Civilization parts 1, 2 and 3 and Wayne’s World. Mikal Vollmer, cereal box collector, lecturer and historian and creator of the online zine about breakfast cereal Free Inside. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

It might be the most highbrow episode of Go Fact Yourself yet! Suzy Nakamura is an actor who’s been seen in shows like "Dr. Ken" and "The Goldbergs". Her work has endeared her to a large number of fans, but she’ll explain what she’s had to correct them about an unfortunate number of times. Suzy’s opponent is Mark L. Walberg! He’s the host of shows like "Antiques Roadshow" and "Temptation Island" (and is not to be confused with the actor who shares his name). Mark will tell the story of how his son inadvertently helped him win another trivia game show, "The Weakest Link." Our guests will discuss minor league baseball, math, and traditional holiday ballet. What’s the Difference: Mean What’s the difference between "facetious" and "sarcastic"? What’s the difference between a median and a mean in mathematics? Areas of Expertise Suzy Nakamura: The Gutenberg Bible, the city of Chicago and Instagram cats Mark L. Walberg: The film Pitch Perfect, moonshine and ballet. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Suzy Nakamura Mark L. Walberg With guest experts: Stephen Tabor, rare book curator for the Huntington Library. Bianca Bulle, principal ballerina for Los Angeles Ballet. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

This week’s episode of Go Fact Yourself features topics that are really scary and really funny! Dave Anthony is a comedian, but he loves making people think just as much as he loves making them laugh. He hosts the podcast "The Dollop" where he tells people about the U.S. history that they probably didn’t learn in school. That includes some less-discussed details about George Washington’s teeth. Dave’s opponent is Xeni Jardin! She’s the co-editor of one of the premier blogs on the internet: "Boing Boing". As someone who’s worked with websites for years, she’s got a lot of thoughts on what makes the internet such a great platform for conversation… and why it’s often not-so-great as well. Our guests will take deep dives into trivia, advocate for important causes and even get to meet a personal hero. What’s the Difference: Warship/Worship What’s the difference between a battleship and a destroyer? What’s the difference between a church and a cathedral? Areas of Expertise Dave Anthony: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner, why Halloween is better than Christmas and climate change. Xeni Jardin: Golden retrievers, the film Blade Runner and marijuana. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Dave Anthony Xeni Jardin With guest experts: Doctor Alex Hall, director for the UCLA center for climate science. Tommy Chong, comedian, writer, actor and cannabis activist. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

Grab your favorite science-fiction novel and settle into your 1400's English outfit for this episode of Go Fact Yourself! Sara Schaefer is an accomplished comedian and writer. She won an Emmy for her time as a blogger on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." And yes, you can win an Emmy for blogging! But that was not her first Emmy nomination, that came during her time as a writer for a show that might help her out today: "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" Sara's new comedy album "LIVE LAUGH LOVE" is available now. Sara's opponent is Kurt Braunohler! He's the host of the Los Angeles comedy show "Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen". These days, he's got a pretty great professional life, but that wasn't always the case. He'll recount some of the roughest parts of his career, including when he performed an hour of stand-up to an audience of three people. You can see Kurt in the Showtime series "Black Monday" As our guest's trivia prowess is pushed the limit, we'll learn more about the postal service, barnyard animals and the two Coreys. What’s the difference: Mail/Male What’s the difference between certified mail and registered mail? What’s the difference between a bull and an ox? Areas of Expertise Sara Schaefer: Joni Mitchell, crafting and Tudor England Kurt Braunohler: Science-Fiction literature, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and movies that feature both Coreys Haim and Feldman. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Sara Schaefer Kurt Braunohler With guest experts: Dr. Muriel C. McClendon, UCLA professor whose area of research is Tudor England. Larry Niven, author of numerous science-fiction books, including the Ringworld series. This episode is sponsored by CA Trusts. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.

In honor of the #MaxFunDrive, Go Fact Yourself presents a special network crossover! Guy Branum is a comedian and host of the podcast "Pop Rocket". He's also a pop culture savant, as detailed in his book My Life as a Goddess. If you want to know more about the pop culture he loves, you'll have to read the book… but he's happy to provide a glimpse through some of his answers today. His opponent is a fellow comedian for whom he has a lot of respect (and fear): Emily Heller! You can hear her as the host of the podcast "Baby Geniuses". Her show is all about explaining things. Today she’ll key in on a very important topic: Martha Stewart's barnyard animals. From personal heroes to classic television to the subtleties of regional coffee pot designs, this episode has it all. This show is directly funded by our Maximum Fun Members. As part of our annual #MaxFunDrive, you can sign up for as little as $5 a month at maximumfun.org/donate to help support this and other Max Fun shows you listen to AND earn great gifts in the process! What’s the difference: Coffee/Coughy What’s the difference between a teapot and a coffee pot? What’s the difference between phlegm and mucus? Areas of Expertise Emily Heller: The TV show "Frasier", the musical group Indigo Girls and how to have a good time at Disneyland. Guy Branum: Academy Award nominees for best actress, the TV show "30 Rock" and grains. Appearing in this episode: J. Keith van Straaten Helen Hong Guy Branum Emily Heller With guest experts: Emily Saliers, Grammy Award winning musician and one-half of Indigo Girls. Margaret Cho, comedian and actress. Go Fact Yourself was devised by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, and produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun. The show was recorded at The Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher. The show is edited by Julian Burrell.