Go Fact Yourself

Twice a month, host J. Keith van Straaten and co-host Helen Hong bring together the smartest celebrities they know and make them look dumb...and then smart again! Recorded before a live audience in downtown Los Angeles, this game show features comedians, actors and musicians answering arcane questions on topics they claim to be experts in. But don't worry, if they slip up, there are real experts on hand to give us the facts! If you're in the Los Angeles area and would like to be in the audience for a podcast taping, get your free ticket at gofactyourpod.com!

Ep. 57: Jordan Morris 04/17/2020

Ep. 56: Best of Baseball 04/03/2020

Ep. 55: Jimmy Pardo 03/27/2020

Ep. 54.5: J. Keith & Helen on WGN TV and radio 03/06/2020

Ep. 54: Oscar Nunez & Molly Knight 02/21/2020

Ep. 54: Oscar Nunez & Molly Knight Strike up the band! It’s a music-filled episode of Go Fact Yourself! 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 "." Oscar will compete against , 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, , 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 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: With guest experts: , producer and manager who's worked with Paul Reiser, Prince and Tori Amos , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our ! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/13251704

Ep. 53: Gareth Reynolds & Ali Spagnola 02/07/2020

Ep. 53: Gareth Reynolds & Ali Spagnola Slackers of the world unite! Fire up your flux capacitors! "Go Fact Yourself" has trivia that spans the timeline this week! is best known as one of the hosts of "." 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, "," is available now. 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 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: With guest experts: , retired actor best known for his role in the Back to the Future film series. , 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 . Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW ! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/13063568

Ep. 52: Jamie Loftus & Craig Shoemaker 01/17/2020

Ep. 52: Jamie Loftus & Craig Shoemaker Click your heels three times and remember there’s no place like home: "Go Fact Yourself" is officially the greatest trivia show on ice! is a comedian and a host of "" 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 . Jamie will compete against her fellow comedian and feminist . 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 "" 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 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: With guest experts: Joe Keeler, Francois Martindale, ice maintenance experts for the . , 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 . Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW ! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/12773456

Ep. 51: Charlie Hankin & Kitty Felde 01/03/2020

Ep. 51: Charlie Hankin & Kitty Felde Perfect your comic punchlines and read up on your history for this episode of Go Fact Yourself! 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 "" Also joining us is writer and podcaster . Her show "" 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 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: With guest experts: , professor at University of Pennsylvania's Carey Law School. , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! Get our NEW ! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/12600371

Ep. 50: Jesse Thorn & Kelly Hu 12/20/2019

Ep. 50: Jesse Thorn & Kelly Hu 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, . These days, MaxFun is known for dozens of quality podcasts. But in Jesse’s early days, he recorded the talk show that would become "" 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 "" and "." Jesse’s opponent for this momentous episode is actor . 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 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: With guest experts: , award-winning TV and radio play-by-play commentator for the San Francisco Giants. Patricia Tsai and Emily Walden, owner and manager of the 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself!Get our NEW ! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/12473063

Ep. 49: Atsuko Okatsuka & Joel Stein 12/06/2019

Ep. 49: Atsuko Okatsuka & Joel Stein FINALLY! An episode of Go Fact Yourself that celebrates trivia AND elitism! In July, 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 "" a woke Japanese game show. What exactly makes a game show woke? Well… she’ll explain. 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 , 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 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: With guest experts: Jim Doyle, Oscar-winning effects designer and director of design technology at . , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/12297158

Ep. 48: Jenny Jaffe & Jim Rash 11/15/2019

Ep. 48: Jenny Jaffe & Jim Rash Mysteries will be solved and species saved on this episode of Go Fact Yourself! 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 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, visit. 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: With guest experts: , professor of veterinary sciences and giant panda reproduction expert. , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/12053654

Ep. 47: Adam Conover & Jill-Michele Melean 11/01/2019

Ep. 46: Quinn Cummings & Greg Behrendt 10/18/2019

Ep. 46: Quinn Cummings & Greg Behrendt 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, 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 . Like Quinn, also has experience giving others advice, especially with relationships. He’s written several books about love, including 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 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: With guest experts: , Emmy-nominated producer and supervising director of "Bojack Horseman." , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . Go to for information and tickets to the next recording of Go Fact Yourself! /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/11697272

Ep. 45: Peter Sagal & Rebecca Makkai 10/04/2019

Ep. 44: Bill Kurtis & Sarah Spain 09/20/2019

Ep. 43: Jena Friedman & Jack O’Brien 09/06/2019

Ep. 42: Jim Beaver & Erica Rhodes 08/16/2019

Ep. 41: Jamie Kennedy & Melissa McQueen 08/02/2019

Ep. 40: Anthony Rapp & Jessica McKenna 07/19/2019

Ep. 40: Anthony Rapp & Jessica McKenna Go Fact Yourself is coming to Chicago! Join us on August 9 & 10 at Sleeping Village. Visit for tickets and details. is a comedian and . This week, she’s stepping in as the co-host! Her new book will be out in October. is known for the podcast 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 . 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: With guest experts: , Tony Award-nominated actor who's performed in the stage shows Hamilton and The Book of Mormon. , actor who’s known for his performances in the films Fargo and Do the Right Thing. , 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 in Los Angeles. Theme Song by Jonathan Green. Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is . The show is edited by . /episode/index/show/gofactyourself/id/10587008