0:00

Happy holidays from all of us at

0:02

Go Fact Yourself! Hey, if you're still

0:04

looking for a gift for the Go

0:06

Fact Yourself fan in your life, make

0:08

sure to see all of our new

0:10

merch for sale at Max Fun Store.com.

0:12

We've got a brand new mug, a

0:14

holiday ornament, a dingle dangle, and more.

0:16

That's at Max Fun Store.com. And for

0:18

those of you who supported us in

0:20

the Max Fun Drive this year and

0:22

opted in check your mail. Check your

0:24

mail. actual show and signed by Helen

0:26

and me. And for all our supporters

0:28

in this year's Max Fund Drive, check

0:30

your email closer to the end of

0:32

the year for info on our listener

0:34

tournament. That's right, we're going to be

0:36

recording more episodes with some of our

0:38

listeners as guests. And get ready for

0:41

more live audience shows in the new

0:43

year, including three in January. Sunday, January

0:45

5th, a 4 p.m. matinee at the

0:47

Crawford in Pasadena, with guest Paula Poundstone

0:49

and Open Mike Eagle. Then our first

0:51

ever show in... San Francisco at SF

0:53

Sketch Fest on Sunday January 19th at

0:55

4 p.m. at the Gateway Theater with

0:57

scheduled guests Adam Savage and Jennifer Tilly!

0:59

And then back at the Crawford and

1:01

Pasadena for a nighttime show on Saturday

1:03

January 25th at 7 p.m. with Virginia

1:05

Madsen and A. Martinez for the latest

1:07

info and tickets to all of these

1:09

shows go to go factor pod.com. The

1:11

episode you're about to hear is available

1:13

with a different edit on the radio

1:15

in the Elphs. area you can hear

1:17

us every weekend on LAist 89.3 FM

1:20

on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 5

1:22

p.m. and Sunday at 8 p.m. all

1:24

Pacific time. Outside of LA you can

1:26

live stream the show at those times

1:28

on LAist.com. You can also go to

1:30

our page at LAist.com/go fact yourself to

1:32

play a trivia game with brand new

1:34

questions about today's topics. This is our

1:36

last public episode of the year so

1:38

we want to take this opportunity to

1:40

say thank you. been a big year

1:42

for a little show with getting on

1:44

the radio in the LA. area and

1:46

some other cool

1:48

things we'll be telling

1:50

you about soon. you

1:52

We could not

1:54

have done it without

1:56

the kind have financial

1:59

and otherwise, of

2:01

our listeners. So thank

2:03

you again. We

2:05

hope you have a

2:07

great end of

2:09

this year So of

2:11

next one. hope you thank

2:13

you so much, end of see

2:15

me beginning of the road! I

2:17

will be in you so much and

2:19

come see me doing stand up on comedy

2:22

club will be in Erie 21st, and

2:24

then in San Diego at

2:26

Magic and Club Club, 27th and

2:28

28th. Come see me! me. Come

2:30

see Helen, and come hear Helen

2:32

right now. right now. Are

2:35

you a real know-it-all?

2:37

Do you annoy your Do

2:39

you a real by -it -all? the

2:41

you annoy your family by shouting

2:44

the answers while watching drive people

2:46

crazy when you Start

2:48

a sentence with, with... Well,

2:50

actually... Well, guess

2:53

what? what? You can go

2:55

fact yourself! the

3:02

show where we quiz the

3:04

smartest people we know we find

3:06

out why they love what they

3:09

love. love. I'm Helen Hong and now

3:11

now from the Carl Sagan and

3:13

theater at the Center for Inquiry

3:15

in Los Angeles. Here's our moderator

3:17

Jay Keith Jay Keith Van Stratton. Thank

3:19

you so much. Thank you

3:21

everybody! What a wonderful crowd!

3:23

Hello, Helen! Hello, Helen, we have

3:25

talked before how you are a before how

3:27

I'm wondering how that is going lately for

3:29

you. Well, how that I accidentally

3:32

left my garage door open

3:34

recently, door open like overnight like then

3:36

a couple of days later

3:38

I went in there and

3:40

noticed a, noticed a black plastic

3:42

bag moving like a garbage

3:44

bag. And I was like,

3:46

I was like, oh my God, there is

3:48

a critter inside this black

3:51

plastic bag. So I ever so

3:53

gingerly opened it up.

3:55

it there were two were

3:57

two possums back at...

4:00

mean. You know how you can tell that

4:02

this crowd has never had possums in their

4:04

home? Because they said had possums in their home? What

4:06

did you do? gingerly dragged

4:08

the garbage bag out to

4:10

the garbage bag out to them

4:12

free and I haven't seen

4:14

them since and I haven't seen them

4:16

since. So, oh wait, fly Come on,

4:18

come on. go on, go on,

4:21

get, yes. Quite a life lesson from

4:23

Helen Hall. All right, right everybody today on

4:25

Go Fact two guests will compete to

4:27

answer questions about facts questions may

4:29

not know and frankly facts they should

4:31

know plus we'll meet actual experts

4:33

know. two very meet actual experts on of

4:35

our guests the winner of today's And

4:38

get started and meet today's of

4:40

Helen who is up first? of

4:42

an award -winning comedian and actor

4:44

meet five seasons who is up first.

4:46

the hit sitcom comedian

4:48

and -man show is available

4:50

on Drop Out Now. it's

4:52

It's Grace! Chris Grace! Welcome Chris! Hello,

4:55

thanks for having me. Oh

4:57

my pleasure. I will have

4:59

no possum slander in my for having me.

5:01

Oh, my pleasure. in addition slander in

5:03

my home. people will Chris, in addition to

5:05

Superstore, people will remember you from

5:08

your work on shows like Broad City, Atypical, Stump

5:10

and more. More. And yeah, now Super Store, people

5:12

who know the show show... love the

5:14

show. And it's very easy. We

5:16

were talking before backstage think think a

5:18

lot of people binge the entire series

5:20

or up to what was available

5:23

to that point during the pandemic. point

5:25

kind of reactions do you get when

5:27

you run into people who recognize

5:29

you? you from the show. I'm often

5:31

asked people who recognize you from a lot

5:33

to me. I think we have a

5:35

fair amount of people watching it but then during

5:37

the pandemic people really I settled in a fair amount of

5:40

to know us which was very nice. then and

5:42

Jerry were such an adorable

5:44

couple like I love how the

5:46

addition of your two characters made

5:48

it a very very Asian heavy cast. When

5:50

on the most the most

5:52

Asian show on on television and Fresh Boat was

5:54

on at the same time. on at the same time. We

5:56

were more Asian Boat. We were more Asian

5:58

than Fresh Off The Boat. So none of

6:00

us were related to each other. Now

6:02

you actually got that role in kind

6:05

of an unexpected way. Yeah, actually auditioned

6:07

for a different role. If you go

6:09

back in Superstore, there's a role where

6:11

there was like a youth group leader,

6:13

the character is suspected, was doing nefarious

6:15

things and they interviewed him about the

6:17

stuff they found in his pockets or

6:20

something like that. Didn't get that role.

6:22

And then my agent was like, hey,

6:24

they just... wrote this other role for

6:26

you. So I actually didn't audition for

6:28

Jerry. They like created it for me.

6:30

That is, that's the dream, you know?

6:32

It is. I mean, it's really my

6:35

dream to never audition again and have

6:37

to just call me to tell me

6:39

that they have roles for me on

6:41

network television. But you must have been,

6:43

you must have made such an impression

6:45

for them to be like, we gotta

6:47

write this guy into the show. I

6:50

both probably made a good impression in

6:52

the audition and then as was referred

6:54

to, get to the job. You've got

6:56

this new show on dropout as based

6:58

on a very successful show you did

7:00

at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where you

7:03

portray who you call the greatest living

7:05

Asian actor who is... Scarlet Johansson. Oh,

7:08

we know all about her. So

7:10

it's a biographical show about Scarlet

7:12

Johansson, where I play Scarlet Johansson,

7:14

and then inevitably in the world

7:16

of the show, Scarlet Johansson also

7:18

hears about a comedian named Chris

7:20

Grace. And she decides, as she

7:22

has done before, that she can

7:24

play an Asian character. Yes. And

7:26

so she decides to do a

7:29

biographical show about Chris Grace. I

7:31

gotta say, looking at you now,

7:33

the Scarlet Johansson resemblance is uncanting.

7:35

Yeah. Yeah. We're both chameleons. Yeah.

7:37

I understand you are now part

7:39

of the Shondaland universe as well.

7:41

Yeah, I'm in a show on

7:43

Netflix called The Residence and I

7:45

believe that's all I'm allowed to

7:47

say about it. Oh, okay. Congratulations!

7:50

Congratulations on that. Well thank you

7:52

for residing in our place here

7:54

today, everybody. Chris Grace! She's

7:56

a comedian actor

7:58

and writer known

8:00

for the book writer

8:02

podcast for the the

8:04

TV show take

8:06

my wife it's

8:08

the podcast query

8:11

and the TV

8:13

show take my

8:16

wife. It's Cameron

8:18

Esposito! It's going well. well coach, great see

8:20

you. In addition addition to your work as

8:22

a stand -up and podcast and author,

8:24

people also will know you from TV you

8:26

shows like A Million Little Things, Brooklyn

8:29

Little Things, tons of late -night shows and

8:31

lots of late and stand -up specials. But

8:33

you actually have a background in improv you

8:35

Chris does. a How did you decide

8:37

to pursue stand -up instead of the improv

8:39

decide was the early stand-up instead of the I

8:41

was working already professionally early I got

8:43

my first job in improv the day

8:45

after I graduated from college, so

8:48

I'm very impressive and... There were There were

8:50

almost no women or whatever I am

8:52

that were working in improv at

8:54

the time and and a lot of guys, like

8:56

I would would be like. we're We're

8:58

doing a scene about this, and then they

9:00

would want the scene to be about me. to be

9:02

about me having. sex with

9:04

them. You know what I mean? what

9:06

I mean? Like that a lot of the

9:09

scenes ended. of the scenes essentially misogyny.

9:11

It was misogyny. So I misogyny. -up

9:13

comedy where none of that So I started

9:15

doing stand-up comedy saw you talking about

9:17

how you started actually by producing

9:19

shows when you were in Chicago about

9:21

how you it true that you

9:23

actually did not know that stand -up

9:25

comedians needed a microphone? And I was living in Boston,

9:27

you which is where I went to college, which is where I

9:29

started doing improv when I moved back home to Chicago. The

9:32

first thing I did was up up

9:34

who are are the top comics in

9:36

Chicago, and then I emailed all of

9:38

them. I And I was like, I'm a

9:40

I'm a stand of a sand of comic

9:42

in from Boston. I I just moved

9:44

here. And would you like to do

9:46

my show? to do shot. I didn't

9:49

know you had to have a microphone

9:51

or like or like time anybody I brought brought

9:53

cupcakes for the audience. I would

9:55

bring 70 cupcakes every week. I thought

9:57

that was part of it. that was

9:59

show of it But the thing that I

10:01

will say is that what I

10:03

have learned is that more people

10:05

don't start doing comedy The older

10:07

you are like it's just it's

10:09

a it's a weeding down. It's

10:11

a narrowing scope And so these

10:13

people that I booked on this

10:15

show like they're still Kumil Nanjiani

10:17

You know what I mean, and

10:19

I'm like I'm sorry I didn't

10:21

know that you would need a

10:23

microphone. You know and it sounds

10:25

like you were more prepared for

10:27

a bake sale A lot of

10:30

material that you're doing lately has

10:32

been about how you've been open

10:34

about a pretty recent mental health

10:36

diagnosis. What can you tell us

10:38

about that? So at 40 I

10:40

was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which

10:42

actually does explain the outside's confidence.

10:44

Essentially what happened was it was

10:46

during the pandemic I was in

10:48

Vancouver working on a million little

10:50

things and I was just alone

10:52

in a hotel and all this

10:54

stuff that I'd been able to

10:56

manage through friendships and relationships like

10:58

it just all collapsed in on

11:00

me. I took myself to a

11:02

rehab facility and when I got

11:04

evaluated it turns out yeah that

11:06

my personality are the symptoms of

11:08

bipolar disorder. I love having bipolar

11:10

disorder and I feel so bad

11:12

for all of you. I don't

11:14

mean to make assumptions but if

11:16

you don't have bipolar disorder then

11:18

listen to me I don't know

11:20

how many podcast ideas you have

11:22

but it's not enough. Well thank

11:24

you for bringing that to our

11:26

podcast today. Yes. A slowly unipolar

11:28

will somehow try to find a

11:30

way to get by. See if

11:32

you can keep up. All right

11:34

well Cameron and Chris we asked

11:36

each of you to provide us

11:38

with a few topics outside your

11:40

field of work that you know

11:42

and loved. Chris for you you

11:44

said that was the movie Everything

11:46

Everywhere All At Once, the podcast

11:48

Never Not Funny and the poem

11:50

The Road Not Taken. Whereas Cameron

11:52

for you it was the TV

11:54

show The L-word, women-led action movies

11:56

like everything everywhere all at once.

11:59

And Catholicism. Hey! Ha

12:01

ha ha ha! The classic spread! Yes!

12:03

Honestly, one and the same. All and

12:06

the same. All right, well later on we'll

12:08

ask each of you some in -depth trivia

12:10

questions about one of those topics, but first

12:12

we're gonna get your thoughts on something you

12:14

might know nothing about. It is time to

12:16

split some hairs with about. It is time to We'll have

12:18

one question for each of you, each worth

12:20

up to two points. If either of you

12:22

gets an incorrect or incomplete answer, the other

12:24

person has a chance to steal. you Your

12:26

topic today, or Desire. First up in Heart's Desire

12:28

is Chris. chance With steal. Chris, your question comes

12:31

from a listener. Who is it, it Helen?

12:33

It's from of Minneapolis,

12:35

of Minneapolis, Thanks, Mark.

12:38

Listeners, if you'd like to submit

12:40

a suggestion for what's the

12:42

difference round, to GoFactYourPod .com and

12:44

click on Get Involved. to well

12:46

Chris, Mark asks, while no

12:48

one desires either one, what's

12:50

the difference between a cardiac

12:52

arrest and a heart attack?

12:55

A cardiac arrest and a

12:57

heart attack. what's the difference between a cardiac

12:59

the show a as it

13:01

were. Oh, Mark. I'm going to say

13:03

that cardiac all cardiac arrests

13:05

are heart attacks. are, I'm of

13:07

them are... words out just throwing words out

13:10

there. infarctions. Oh, infarctions! And whereas,

13:12

we'll just say heart just say

13:14

is attack is a

13:16

more generic term for

13:18

the entire. entire... type of event but cardiac

13:20

specific kind of heart attack. A kind of

13:22

heart attack. right, we've got Chris's answer. We

13:24

don't know yet if he's entirely correct. got you

13:26

can try to steal by adding or changing

13:28

anything. What do you got? I'm going

13:30

to change it completely. you can try

13:32

is where the heart stops. or heart

13:35

attack is where the heart change it

13:37

completely. Cardiac arrest

13:39

is doesn't stop stops a heart

13:41

attack is where the heart essentially it hurts. strokes.

13:43

It's either too much or not enough,

13:45

you know what I mean? I

13:47

always is. All right, well, this segment

13:49

is breaking my heart. Let's go

13:51

to Helen my at the judges go for

13:53

the facts. at the Here are the

13:55

facts. facts. A cardiac arrest simply means means

13:57

the heart stops beating. See what

13:59

I'm I'm saying? for any reason, whether it's natural

14:02

causes, injury, drugs, or a heart

14:04

attack. Because a heart attack refers

14:06

specifically to a blockage that prevents

14:08

blood from supplying oxygen to the

14:10

heart muscle, which can, but not

14:12

always does, result in cardiac arrest.

14:14

That's right. Now some heart attacks

14:16

do not lead to immediate cardiac

14:18

arrest with many lives saved by

14:20

emergency surgery to remove the blockage.

14:22

You know, then not enough or

14:24

too much of it all. And

14:26

many lives are saved after cardiac

14:28

arrest with CPR, which I am

14:30

actually certified to perform, but never

14:32

has. and really don't want to.

14:34

Helen how did our guest do?

14:36

I think Cameron got one point

14:38

for that. Very nice Cameron! You

14:40

did said park stops. I'm so

14:42

tempted Chris to give you a

14:44

quarter point for saying myocardial infarction,

14:46

but well, please do I'm not

14:48

going to Oh Yes, once again

14:50

the infarction temptation was not taken

14:53

up next in hearts desire is

14:55

Cameron with desire Cameron while both

14:57

are feelings that you might sense

14:59

in your chest. What's the difference

15:01

between a desire and a craving

15:03

a desire? And a craving. Yeah,

15:05

no, I'm so glad you asked

15:07

this, because a design is something

15:09

you want long term. Okay. A

15:11

craving is something that you want

15:13

short term. That's got to be

15:15

right. Okay, well, fine. There's that

15:17

confidence. We've got Cameron's answer. Chris,

15:19

anything you'd like to add or

15:21

chain? I'll say that a desire

15:23

is an attraction of the heart

15:25

and a craving is an attraction

15:27

of the soul. Very poetic. So

15:29

you're saying I have an attraction

15:31

of the soul to peanut butter

15:33

filled pretzels? I thought so. Am

15:35

I wrong? I do, I love

15:37

them. I love them. With my

15:39

soul. Well this segment leaves a

15:41

lot to be desired. Let's go

15:43

to Helen Hong at the judges

15:45

table for the facts. Here are

15:48

the facts. A desire is a

15:50

wish to get something or for

15:52

something to happen which may play

15:54

out over time. It could be

15:56

a... desire for world peace or

15:58

for a drink after work or

16:00

for chocolate cake. A craving is

16:02

an immediate feeling of strong need

16:04

rather than want that must happen

16:06

now. It could be a craving

16:08

for warmth if you're suffering from

16:10

hypothermia. for more than one drink,

16:12

if you're suffering from alcoholism, or

16:14

for chocolate cake, if you're suffering

16:16

from life. Yes, that's right. For

16:18

instance, I could have a desire

16:20

to one day see a moray

16:22

eel in its natural habitat, but

16:24

when I'm in the water and

16:26

diving down to look, my craving

16:28

for oxygen would cause me to

16:30

give up or at least delay

16:32

any desire so that I could

16:34

get a breath. By the way,

16:36

I have seen a moray eel,

16:38

not worth dying. Come on! Cameron!

16:40

Come on! Cameron! You are really

16:43

making me want to have bipolar

16:45

disorder. Listen! Sadly I can't give

16:47

it to you. You know what

16:49

I mean? Yeah. Helen what is

16:51

our score at the end of

16:53

that round? At the end of

16:55

that round Chris Grace has zero

16:57

points and Cameron as Pizito has

16:59

three points. All right but those

17:01

scores are bound to change as

17:03

we move on to questions about

17:05

topics our guests have chosen for

17:07

themselves. That's all up ahead when

17:09

we come back on Go Fact

17:11

Yourself yourself. Go

17:17

fast! Thank you. For example, you can quickly

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17:28

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17:31

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17:33

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17:35

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17:37

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17:42

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how to approach the event. With monkey pod

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you can find the information you need more

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efficiently and focus on what really matters your

17:53

mission. Now Helen I know monkey pod sounds

17:56

like a silly name but my god what

17:58

they do is so important to

18:00

to I've volunteered at nonprofits at

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I was just talking with a couple

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of friends who work at nonprofits, and

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almost every nonprofit I talk with down

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that makes it more simple can only

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be a good thing. that said it, J.

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more I volunteer with a bunch of

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dog rescues as well as with a bunch of

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thing. They're like, the admin is so

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Whoa, what what was that? I

18:57

don't know. know. some special just for

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monkey bod. Oh my gosh, hi, it's

19:01

me, my gosh, hi,

19:03

it's me Troubled of

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troubled waters Culture Battle, to the

19:08

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Okay, everybody word association

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with troubled waters first

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one to fumble

19:16

loses Fumble, loses, go. Comedy. Panel Show, Guests.

19:19

Celebrities. Games. Oh, Oh Improvised speeches

19:21

disguised as trivia. A

19:24

very very niche flash clip. but dreaming will

19:26

not earn a girl any I'm sorry. She

19:28

will not return our phone

19:30

calls. I am afraid you're out girl

19:32

can dream. girl can dream will but

19:34

dreaming will not earn a

19:36

girl any points troubled waters on

19:39

on maximum fun or wherever you

19:41

get your your podcasts. Welcome

19:46

back to Go Fact Yourself with our

19:49

with our guests and

19:51

Cameron Esposito. Once again, here's Jakey Van

19:53

Strat. Thank you so much everybody. All

19:55

right, Chris, if you're right Chris if you're

19:57

many told you told us that you know

19:59

love the movie every... everything everywhere all at once.

20:01

The podcast Never Not Funny and the poem

20:03

The Road Not Taken. Let's find out a

20:06

little bit more about each of those. First

20:08

tell us with the movie Everything Everywhere All

20:10

At Once means to you. Well I was

20:12

subscribing to AMC where you can go see

20:15

all the movies you want to see in

20:17

this first six months of 2022 I saw

20:19

the film five times. Wow! And my husband

20:21

was like, you need to stop that membership

20:24

right now. Just buy a DVD of that

20:26

movie and cancel the membership. All right, next

20:28

tell us what the podcast Never Not Funny

20:30

means to you. I had listened when I

20:33

lived in New York and it was like

20:35

a fun podcast, but they're always talking about

20:37

like, oh, we're driving down the 101 or

20:39

whatever. I'm going to Zanko Chicken or something.

20:42

I don't like whatever, I don't live in

20:44

LA. And then when I moved out here,

20:46

it was like, friends in the car driving

20:48

around and I was like, oh, I know

20:51

what we're talking about. I know where Melrose

20:53

and Western intersect. This is for me. And

20:55

then finally tells what the poem the road

20:57

not taken means to you. I have a

21:00

passion for this poem because it is so

21:02

often misinterpreted. So people always think what it

21:04

tells you is that you should take the

21:06

path that no one else took because that

21:09

road was less traveled, right? But really, it's

21:11

a poem about essentially the two paths were

21:13

the same. And that as you become an

21:15

old man, you add nostalgia to the choices

21:18

that you made earlier in your life, and

21:20

you romanticize and say, like, ah, yes, I

21:22

took that because I was a pioneer. I

21:24

really went down that path because it had

21:27

less footsteps on it. But if you actually

21:29

looked at the paths, they're essentially the same.

21:31

Wow. Wow. Yeah, I thought it was about

21:33

where Melrose and Western were. Yeah, exactly. All

21:36

right, well to summarize Chris you said that

21:38

you know and love the movie everything everywhere

21:40

all at once The podcast never not funny

21:42

and the poem the road not taken today.

21:45

We want to quiz you about never not

21:47

funny Oh Yes, well wait, it's getting a

21:49

little warm in here. Uh oh, Chris taking

21:51

off his hoodie and revealing a t-shirt that

21:54

says never not funny. I had a feeling

21:56

The National Poet Laureate was not available to

21:58

discuss the road not take. How many t-shirts

22:00

are you in? Yeah, I believe I see

22:03

one under there under there that has a

22:05

picture of Robert Frost. Right, yeah, and then

22:07

under that is one of Michelle Yo. Yeah,

22:09

well for those who aren't familiar can you

22:12

describe a little bit about what this podcast

22:14

is? It's Jimmy Pardo and Matt Belnap and

22:16

Elliot Hoekburg and Garen Garen and having fun.

22:18

I've heard you on that show. I've heard

22:21

you on that you on that show. podcast

22:23

might have led me to listening to this

22:25

podcast the whole day. And actually when I

22:27

came out here as a comedian and actor,

22:30

one of my career goals was to be

22:32

a guest on Never Not Funny, which I

22:34

did achieve. during the pandemic, because they were

22:36

running out of guests. I'm one of the

22:39

people that can be a guest on this

22:41

podcast and then complain about other fans in

22:43

the Facebook group of this podcast. And I

22:45

mean, everyone I'm like, everyone I know is

22:48

like, oh, you need to keep your distance

22:50

from social media. And I'm like, no, I'm

22:52

in this fan. You embrace it. Yes. And

22:54

it's actually, it is my very favorite podcast

22:57

as well. expert in your topic with a

22:59

question worth up to three points but before

23:01

that to let you show your love here

23:03

or five trivia questions about your topic each

23:06

worth one point if you want it you're

23:08

a lot of hint for any two of

23:10

these five questions now Cameron do listen closely

23:12

because if Chris answers incorrectly you could steal

23:15

by the way Cameron how much do you

23:17

know about the podcast Never Not funny been

23:19

a successful podcast for nearly 20 years it's

23:21

also helped to launch other podcasts in fact

23:24

host Jimmy was a guest on the very

23:26

first episode of what show that I'm pretty

23:28

sure is recording an episode with you right

23:30

now. That would be go fact yourself. Helen?

23:33

That is correct! He's on the board! Fun

23:35

fact Jimmy returned as a guest during our

23:37

experimental COVID times episode number 55. His wife

23:39

Daniel Canig appeared with her father Walter Canig

23:42

of Star Trek on episode 57. You Chris

23:44

Grace. are on our

23:46

show right now. right, here's right,

23:48

here's question two. Even though it's

23:51

though it's Jimmy's name

23:53

on the wall, he

23:55

he isn't the only

23:57

voice you'll hear. There's

24:00

Matt Matt his co -host

24:02

and producer and one in

24:04

2006. in 2006. Elliot the

24:06

video producer since 2010.

24:09

And and Garen who has

24:11

been there since 2012,

24:13

despite having what title

24:15

usually associated with a

24:18

college student? with a college student. Oh,

24:20

oh, the intern, the That is

24:22

correct. That is correct,

24:24

very nice. very nice. Fun fact

24:27

Jimmy used to be

24:29

the the warm-up for Conan for Conan show and

24:31

John Kresinsky Mindy Kaling Kemper, and Angela Kinsey,

24:33

all of whom were on on the

24:35

office were interns for Conan's show

24:37

as well. All right, you're two right, two for

24:39

two. Here's question three three. 500 Of

24:42

the over 500 different people to

24:44

guest on Never Not Funny, you,

24:46

Chris, Helen and I have appeared

24:48

a handful of times, but there

24:50

are a handful of people who

24:52

have appeared over a dozen times.

24:54

According to the Never Not Funny

24:56

Not Funny database at Never .com, one one of

24:58

the following guests has not appeared

25:01

over 12 times. Paul Is

25:03

it Paul F. Tompkins,

25:05

Janet Varney, Janet or Maria

25:07

Bamford, or Andy Janet I

25:09

know Paul and Janet been definitely been on

25:11

more than 12 times. I'm So I'm debating

25:13

between John Hamm. John Hamm, Maria and Andy. I

25:15

think it's I think it's John or Andy, but

25:17

I want a hint for this. hint how about

25:19

that Helen, how about that appeared more

25:21

than more than 12 times. Whoa. I'm gonna

25:23

say Richter. That is correct. That is

25:25

correct very nice Nice Nice

25:27

deduction of the of Fun fact, fact

25:30

Andy Richter has appeared a

25:32

lot, but not yet cracked times

25:34

All of of those people we

25:36

mentioned have also been been guessed

25:38

on go fact for John for apparently

25:40

has standards has standards. John, we're waiting for

25:42

waiting John, please, lower them. them and them

25:44

and come the the fun. three for for

25:46

three here's question number four Although the the

25:48

show has a feed that is

25:50

free to listen to you can pay

25:52

to support the show as a platinum

25:54

member get perks perks like bonus episodes

25:56

and video feeds platinum membership is divided

25:58

into six tiers with Tier 3

26:00

called Platinum Primo and Tier 4 called

26:03

what? I don't subscribe at that level.

26:05

I'll take the hint for this. Oh

26:07

okay Helen how about that second hint?

26:10

Tier 6 is called Platinum Primo plus

26:12

plus plus plus and Tier 4 isn't

26:14

quite as positive. So I'll say Platinum

26:16

Primo plus. Helen? That is correct. Another

26:19

nicest of the hint. Fun fact, Primo

26:21

Plus is also the name of a

26:23

brand of bottled water from Pakistan. Yes,

26:26

Taste the Primo Plus of Pakistan. Chris,

26:28

you are four for four. You have

26:30

a chance to go five for five

26:32

if you can get this question correct.

26:35

However, you have no hints available. Let's

26:37

see how you do. The show is

26:39

often referred to as the award winning

26:42

podcast Never Not Funny, but this is

26:44

mostly said tongue in cheek as the

26:46

only award the host acknowledged winning was

26:48

a 2008 award for Best Comedy Podcast

26:51

from what defunct Comedy Awards entity. Terribly

26:53

sorry camera with a chance to steal

26:55

Comedy Awards. Helen is at the Comedy

26:58

Awards. It is not the Comedy Awards.

27:00

Second guest the Nobel Institute. No, they

27:02

do not have a comedy category yet,

27:04

shockingly. It was called rooftop comedy. Oh,

27:07

yes. Oh my god. Yeah, well, I

27:09

released a record with them. Oh, there

27:11

you go. level question that requires multiple

27:14

answers, it is time for your cluster

27:16

fact. We'll be bringing on an expert

27:18

to discuss your response. In 2009, Never

27:20

Not Funny did its first live star-studded

27:23

telethon that went on to raise hundreds

27:25

of thousands of dollars for a charity

27:27

called Smile Train, which provides a specific

27:30

type of life-changing surgery for children around

27:32

the world. For up

27:34

to three points, what

27:36

is the name

27:39

of this of this Next,

27:41

what type of

27:43

surgery does Smile Train

27:46

provide? And with

27:48

the final year of

27:50

the telethon being

27:52

announced as 2024, as 2024,

27:55

what is the

27:57

total amount of money

27:59

raised by the

28:02

telethon for this charity?

28:04

and we'll give it

28:06

to you if

28:08

you're within if ,000. within $100,000.

28:11

Oh, all the years?

28:13

Over all the

28:15

years, Over all called yes. It's

28:18

called It's for surgeries

28:20

to fix cleft cleft

28:22

palates, or like smiles. Okay.

28:24

I'm gonna say

28:27

that it's raised. say that

28:29

it's raised one point. 3 million. Because I swear I

28:31

remember I remember years raised like over a

28:33

hundred thousand per year. So year 1.3 say 1 .3

28:35

1.3 .3 million. All right. Helen is taking

28:37

note of those answers We've an expert

28:39

on hand it can tell us for

28:41

sure on Who do we have tonight? Joining

28:44

us tonight is a

28:46

comedian and podcast pioneer

28:48

Joining hosts is a comedian and podcast

28:50

Pioneer who hosts Never Not

28:52

Funny. It's Jimmy Parto! Chris

28:55

getting up and shaking and

28:57

hugging Jimmy. Jimmy waving to

28:59

the crowd saying hello to

29:01

Cameron. Yay! Hi Jimmy! The man,

29:03

the myth, the legend himself.

29:06

I should tell myth, the legend,

29:08

of I should tell you there was one of

29:10

those that I did not know. a good sign.

29:12

I I didn't know it was called called You

29:14

did not know. That's new to me. That the

29:16

way that you make money me. people supporting your

29:18

podcast. I'm just the guy that shows up

29:20

and way that that must be nice. We've got a

29:22

business people of things that takes care of that.

29:24

just. Well of course, people will know you from

29:27

game shows that you've hosted, your appearances on talk

29:29

shows. You, of course, continued a tour as

29:31

a you of comedian. But podcasting really changed your life.

29:33

Tell us about how that happened. You're no

29:35

stranger to this. I was doing a non how that

29:37

talk show at the UCB no stranger to this I was doing

29:39

a and a young kid, a young fan, a

29:41

kid by the name of Matt was who ran

29:43

the specialthing .com website, alternative comedy scene. He would

29:45

come every month to see that after one

29:47

of my shows he a young would you like to

29:49

turn this into a podcast? the name of Matt I

29:51

didn't know what that meant. special thing thing. we

29:53

are 19 years later. people For those people

29:55

who are unfortunately not familiar, do you do you

29:57

describe what your podcast Well, I I learned it's

30:00

about inter- sections. Um, what does never not funny

30:02

mean to you? It means I know how

30:04

to get around the city, apparently, according to

30:06

Chris. Oh yeah, let's talk about. Not Jimmy

30:08

Pardo is funny and I enjoy them. It's

30:10

all about I know where to turn right.

30:12

I recognize references. Yeah. Yeah. So it is,

30:14

we always kind of describe it as your

30:16

eavesdropping on a conversation at a party. It's

30:18

the best way to describe it. I think

30:20

one of the difficulties is that now there

30:22

are a lot of podcasts buddy's sitting around

30:24

talking but I would say that never not

30:26

funny is one of the platonic ideals the

30:28

one of the originals of the form and

30:30

it's still the best. Early on we describe

30:32

ourselves as morning radio without the bells and

30:34

whistles yeah and I can't say that anymore

30:36

because we have a lot of bells and

30:39

whistles. There's a lot of audio drops we've

30:41

turned into morning radio and which was really

30:43

always my dream anyway I just wanted to

30:45

be you know a morning radio guy and

30:47

I'm finally and with the great quality of

30:49

yours, you must have been number one in

30:51

the world. We were number one in the

30:53

world. I was, yeah, we were the number

30:55

one podcast for a while. It was the

30:57

Onion, Ricky Gervais, and I. It was pretty

30:59

crazy, you know, to go from being an

31:01

unknown comedian, it was really cool to be

31:03

an unknown comedian, to being like this top

31:05

podcast, it was really cool, you know, to

31:07

go from being an unknown comedian, it was

31:09

really, to being like this. of Kiss. I'll

31:11

say it earth shattering. Yeah, that's amazing. How

31:13

was the John Hamm connection? Like how did

31:15

that start? I had posters of John all

31:17

over my room. Which is strange because he

31:19

wasn't on television yet. He wasn't, but he

31:21

was the keyboardist for kiss behind the scenes.

31:24

Couldn't recognize him in all that makeup. We

31:26

used to play poker together back when we

31:28

were just two working actors in this town.

31:30

Yeah. I then was doing a live version

31:32

of the match game game show at the

31:34

UCB theater and John would come on that.

31:36

He has subsequently given Scott Auckland and I

31:38

credit for being the people that... pointed

31:40

out that he could

31:42

be funny could son

31:44

has become involved in

31:46

the show tell us

31:48

about that and do

31:50

you imagine him becoming

31:52

more involved or even

31:54

taking over one day

31:56

yeah my son Oliver

31:58

is now 17 years

32:00

old and so it's is

32:02

now 17 was cute at

32:04

one point that I

32:06

would it was son yeah

32:09

and not in a

32:11

weird have my the yeah

32:13

twins we're gonna force a

32:15

into show business the Olson

32:17

twins we're gonna he's 17

32:19

and I think he's he's

32:21

17 and I think he's a threat. No. Yeah,

32:23

the second he graduates second he graduates college,

32:25

I'm forced out. There's no doubt

32:27

about it. than I've ever funnier than

32:29

I've ever been. He's more charming

32:31

than I've ever been. He's certainly

32:34

smarter than I've ever been. So been.

32:36

So he will. Yeah, he'll take it

32:38

over it over someday. Assuming are still a thing.

32:40

Assuming America's still a thing. Yeah, still

32:42

one step at a time. think step

32:44

at a preserve podcasts. first, Thank you. Thank

32:46

you. Then democracy, right? I've got

32:48

a then sir. I've got

32:50

a rooftop you have it hanging

32:52

somewhere? somewhere on is a trophy so we'd

32:54

have to drill a hole in it a

32:56

hang it. it to hang it. if I did

32:59

have it have it, a hanging my neck around my neck, like

33:01

flavor on Well let's get to the reason

33:03

we brought you here. of flavor. Far as as

33:05

our game is concerned you heard

33:07

the that we Chris. First, we want to

33:09

know is the name of the the

33:11

funny Not Funny that raised money for money for

33:13

Smile What did Chris what did Chris say? Chris

33:16

said, part And, Jimmy? And Jimmy? That That

33:18

is correct for a point. Very nice. nice.

33:20

Next, we wanted to know what type of we want to

33:22

know what type of life -changing surgery

33:24

does Smile Train provide for children around

33:26

the world? Helen, what did Chris say? Chris

33:28

said cleft palate. And Jimmy? That's

33:30

correct answer. That's right again, very

33:32

nice. Very nice. And finally we to

33:34

know know the final year of

33:36

the year being telethon is the

33:38

total amount of money raised by

33:40

raised by Jimmy Pardo's Never Not for this

33:42

charity Helen? What did Chris say?

33:44

Chris said did .3 said 1.3

33:47

million. The actual answer is one point

33:49

five dollars. You dollars. You know what you if

33:51

I close it up Let's give him the

33:53

close right a full point for Chris the

33:55

nice right, a also how about a round of

33:57

applause close. And and a half million dollars of

33:59

applause? Sorry

34:03

I guess 1.3 because I forgot to

34:05

I have a $200,000 to send in.

34:07

Chris is there anything you want to

34:09

say to Jimmy? I know you you

34:11

guys have a rapport and I already

34:13

know each other but anything you want

34:16

to say to Jimmy well I mean

34:18

I'll say this for people who don't

34:20

listen to never not funny and I'll

34:22

say to Jimmy well I mean I'll

34:24

say this for people who don't listen

34:26

to never not funny and I'll say.

34:28

of living in Los Angeles. And then

34:30

to actually like have a career that

34:33

let me be on the show, I

34:35

mean I've heard you experience the same

34:37

thing with like Chicago let's say. And

34:39

I told you that you are to

34:41

me what Chicago is to you. Generally

34:43

one of the most positive forces in

34:45

my life. That's lovely. Thank you for

34:48

saying that Chris. And thank you for

34:50

tolerating that Jimmy. And my pleasure, and

34:52

be clear, Chicago the band, not Chicago

34:54

the city. Yes, yes, yes. Yeah. And

34:56

I want to say also, you've been

34:58

such a great ally and asset to

35:00

our show, not only did you appear

35:02

on our first episode without even knowing

35:05

what the heck this was, but also

35:07

over the years you've been super helpful

35:09

in terms of helping us get guests

35:11

and experts and being super supportive and

35:13

during the pandemic and all that, we

35:15

always appreciate it. And thank you so.

35:18

Well Jimmy's been wonderful having you if people

35:20

want to find out more about you and

35:22

what you're up to where can they do

35:25

that? Of course Jimmy parto.com is the easy

35:27

way, but this is a little podcast at

35:29

Never Not Funny.com and I recommend from what

35:31

I understand it's called Primo Plus. Primo Plus

35:33

is the tier that you want to be

35:35

on. The ultra Primo Jimmy Parto everybody! Awesome!

35:37

Helen what is our score after that exciting

35:40

round? At the end of that round Chris

35:42

Grace has seven points and Cameron Esposito has

35:44

three points with a round of questions for

35:46

Cameron coming up. That's right we're gonna talk

35:48

with Cameron about a topic she knows about

35:50

plus later Chris and Cameron will go head-to-head

35:52

in our Fast Facts round all to find

35:54

a winner on Go Factor self. Hey,

36:00

it's Jake it's and it's and it's the Times, and and

36:02

that means having fun with your coworkers, Or

36:04

or maybe you're not having fun and want

36:06

to. Well, you know you fun? fun? a trivia show

36:08

Big Quiz quiz thing. I In fact, I could

36:10

even host it. I've been hosting events for the

36:13

holidays with companies all over the country, and

36:15

it is always a great time when you

36:17

do it through the big quiz thing. what? You

36:19

You know what? You don't even have to

36:21

have a company. If you're having a holiday

36:23

party a just want to give a great gift

36:25

to a a great gift fan, go to Go to Big .com

36:27

and let them know that you heard about

36:29

the show through GoFact Yourself. self. I'd be to

36:31

host your event either in in or on

36:33

person or in if you don't want me either

36:35

in person or on Zoom. I'll get over it Again,

36:37

either in or or on zoom you'll always

36:39

have a great time with the big

36:42

quiz thing they'll even customize questions just

36:44

for you go to Go to thing .com

36:46

and tell them them Keith sent you. I'm Yucky

36:48

Jessica. I'm Chuck I'm shut

36:50

And and this is

36:52

terrible where we talk What are

36:54

we talking about? things we hate

36:56

that are awful. Today we're

36:58

we're discussing wonderful. A on

37:01

the the Maximum Fun Network. Host

37:03

Rachel and Griffin a real

37:05

life a real-life Mary Pooh.

37:07

Discuss a wide range of

37:09

music, video games,

37:11

poetry. poetry, snacks. But I all

37:13

that stuff. stuff. I know you

37:16

do, Yucky Jessica. It comes out every

37:18

Wednesday the worst day of the

37:20

week wherever you download your download your

37:22

our next topic, we're

37:24

our next topic, we're talking Fyota,

37:26

Cincinnati hippo from the this little

37:29

hippo hate this little hippo.

37:31

Welcome back to Go Fact

37:33

Yourself with yourself with

37:35

our guests, and Grace Esposito. Once

37:37

again, Once again, here's

37:39

J. Van Stratton. Thank you, everybody. All right Cameron, if

37:42

you're you told us that you know

37:44

and love us that show love the TV show, The

37:46

-led action movies and Catholicism let's find

37:48

out a little bit more about

37:50

each of those first more us what

37:52

the TV show First, word means to

37:54

you I show, from college in 2004,

37:56

and I was dating

37:58

a woman, a woman, although... I was closeted

38:00

because I was at a Catholic university

38:02

where you couldn't come out or you

38:05

could be kicked out of school. For

38:07

me at the time, the idea that

38:09

there was a TV show that would

38:11

show any future for lesbians. I couldn't

38:13

imagine a future. You know, it's a

38:16

very sexy show, but it was also

38:18

a show that really filled a familial

38:20

void for me. And the final thing

38:22

I'll say about it is that I

38:24

didn't have show time and my second

38:27

girlfriend stole. the episodes from Limewire and

38:29

I did get pirating permission from Eileen

38:31

Shaken who created the show after the

38:33

fact that this was okay. Okay wow

38:36

I'm glad you I'm glad you got

38:38

what would they call it in Catholicism?

38:40

Forgiveness. Okay yes I can't keep up

38:42

with all the Latin terms. All right

38:44

next tell us why you know and

38:47

love women-led action movies. I've been a

38:49

kickboxer swimmer, a basketball player, soccer, soccer

38:51

player I have I use my body

38:53

all the time. And I love to

38:55

watch women on screen get a chance

38:58

to use their bodies because that is

39:00

something that we don't talk about necessarily

39:02

out in the world. Like yes, the

39:04

current administration would like for us to

39:06

have babies, but we can also punch

39:09

you in the face. And let's not

39:11

forget. Yes. All right, and then finally

39:13

tell us what Catholicism means to you.

39:15

So I was raised super Catholic, I

39:17

studied in colleges at theology major, and

39:20

I think I never believed in anything

39:22

literally, but I do think that the

39:24

ways that we've made sense of the

39:26

world through religion, it's from an anthropological

39:28

perspective, incredibly interesting. And we're all trying

39:31

to figure out what we're doing here.

39:33

Catholics just figured it out through... colonialism.

39:35

I was going to say suppression. Yeah,

39:37

yeah. All right, so to summarize, Cameron,

39:39

you said you know and love the

39:42

TV show, the L-word, women-led action movies,

39:44

and Catholicism. Today we want to quiz

39:46

you about the L-word. Oh God, okay.

39:48

All right, yes, please. Absolutely. Very sexy

39:51

show. What are some

39:53

of your favorite

39:55

moments from The L

39:57

Word when you

39:59

think back on the

40:02

show? the one, there's a

40:04

pool. think the main couple, Well, it starts one,

40:06

Tina, they have a pool in their backyard. when

40:08

then so many sexy things would happen around

40:10

this their A few years ago, I was

40:12

at one of those high -powered lesbian dinners. You

40:14

know the ones I'm talking about. pool. A few

40:16

time, yeah. I just came. one those was

40:18

at one of those high power

40:20

lesbian dinners and I found out

40:22

that the on a I'm which was

40:24

devastating A few years ago, I was at, one of those high-powered

40:27

right dinners, and I found out the help of a

40:29

bona expert in your topic with an

40:31

expert expert level up to three points to three

40:33

that to let you show your love

40:35

even more here are five trivia questions

40:37

about the topic each worth one point worth

40:40

you wanted if you want it you're a of these

40:42

five questions. five Chris listen closely Chris Cameron

40:44

answers incorrectly if could steal answers by the

40:46

way how much do you know about

40:48

Chris by the way how not watched one episode. word

40:50

I have not you know what the L

40:52

word is? do you know what the L L stands

40:55

for? what the L stands for Lutheranism yeah okay okay Cameron I

40:57

I think it's your quiz to

40:59

lose. Two points, two points question

41:01

number one. one. first the first season

41:03

of L-word a a central motif

41:05

has been Alice's whiteboard with a

41:07

giant chart mapping the relationships

41:09

of the show's characters. of What

41:11

is the very practical and very

41:13

unimaginative name that Alice calls

41:15

The Chart? The name that That is

41:17

correct. That is correct, very

41:19

nice. Helen? That is the most creative Not

41:21

the most creative of name. Fun fact, fact, The

41:23

L Word Eileen Chaken, who I understand

41:25

gave you you special internet piracy.

41:27

She did. Saw to capitalize

41:29

on the popularity of the chart,

41:32

turning it into an the chart, turning

41:34

it networking site. She did! Aimed

41:36

it social networking site, aimed think it's called

41:38

arch - called... That's called... I think it's

41:40

look at that, okay? That's right. Look at

41:42

that. Launched This site shut down

41:44

in 2008 and Our Chart.com now leads to

41:47

leads to a site from

41:49

the Czech Republic that my

41:51

internet browser calls Here's question number two. In

41:53

season question number and In who have

41:55

been Tina, who have been

41:57

a couple for seven years are

42:00

driven to achieve a particular goal. A

42:02

goal a lot of couples have. What

42:04

is that goal which is finally achieved

42:06

in season two? They're trying to get

42:08

pregnant. Ellen? That is correct. That is

42:10

correct. No hesitation there? Fun

42:12

fact, Laurel Holliman's real-life pregnancy was

42:14

the inspiration for her character Tina's

42:16

journey. Her partner Bet was played

42:18

by Jennifer Beals, whose hit movie

42:21

Flash Dance was the inspiration for

42:23

her character in season six to

42:25

wear the iconic cut-up sweatshirt from

42:27

Flash Dance. Yes. All right, you're

42:29

two for two, Cameron. Here's question

42:31

number three. While the L-word is

42:33

lesbian, not Lutheran, I'm sorry, Chris,

42:35

not all the main characters identify

42:37

as LGBTQ. Played by the legendary

42:39

Pam Greer, Kit is a heterosexual

42:41

ciswoman who dates men, including a

42:44

man whose real name is Sunny

42:46

Benson, but is also known as

42:48

Sunset Boulevard, when he performs in

42:50

what job? Ellen? That is correct.

42:52

That is correct, yes! Fun fact,

42:54

it is not unheard of for

42:56

a straight man to be a

42:58

drag performer. In fact, Daniel Truitt

43:00

competed on season 14 of Rupal's

43:02

drag race as the show's first

43:04

openly heterosexual male contestant, his drag

43:06

name, Maddie Morphasis. Incredible. Cameron, you're

43:09

three for three, here's question number

43:11

four, you do still have your

43:13

hints available. The L-word has featured

43:15

some incredible guest stars, some of

43:17

whom played themselves, but which one

43:19

of the following famous women did

43:21

not appear as herself on the

43:23

L-word? Was it Billy Jean King,

43:25

Gloria Steinham, Melissa Rivers, Ariana Huffington,

43:27

or Sandra Bernhard? Okay, well I

43:29

know Arianna Huffington played herself and

43:32

got a haircut from Shane McCutcheon

43:34

played by Kate Menig. Billy Jean

43:36

King has to have played herself

43:38

because Dana Fairbanks is a professional

43:40

tennis player in the show. Okay,

43:42

I think it's Sandra Bernhard. Helen?

43:44

That is correct. Very nice deduction.

43:46

Fun fact, Sandra Bernhard played a

43:48

character on the show, an author

43:50

who teaches a class for budding

43:52

writers. Sandra Bernhard also appeared on

43:55

episode 155 of Go Factor Self

43:57

Act herself as an expert in

43:59

the topic of Sandra... Burnhart. Amazing!

44:01

She was lovely. Yes. was lovely.

44:03

obsessed with obsessed with gotta You got

44:05

to go listen to that episode episode. Oh

44:07

my right, All right You have a chance to

44:09

go 5 for 5. You can get

44:11

this next question five for You do still have

44:13

your hint available. next Before it was called

44:15

the You do the show had a different

44:17

title. One that was on the pilot it was

44:19

even mentioned in the press. What was

44:21

the original title of the L -word? pilot script

44:24

and even mentioned in the press.

44:26

What was the original title of

44:28

the L-word? Yeah, I'll take a hint. a

44:30

hint. how about that hint? how about that hint?

44:32

It's who might ask

44:34

to to me to

44:37

your leader. Oh, Earthlings. Is it

44:39

Earthlings? No. That is correct. Yeah.

44:41

And I know that. Yeah.

44:43

Cameron Esposito is five for

44:45

five. Fun

44:47

fact a a pilot of the show the

44:49

the title was filmed that did not

44:51

have original cast member Eric Mabeas who

44:53

replaced another actor who had already been

44:55

cast as Tim. Bonus fun fact,

44:58

I went to college with Eric Mabius.

45:00

Did you? And he was nice. he

45:02

was he? he? Cameron you obviously did you obviously

45:04

did very well in that quiz, but

45:06

now here's your expert level question

45:08

that requires multiple answers. It is time

45:10

for time for your cluster fact Wow,

45:13

I'm I'm so stressed out. We'll be bringing on

45:15

an expert to discuss your

45:17

response. your response. all the characters on

45:20

the L on go through challenges,

45:22

including including the first recurring recurring character

45:24

on television. on Max meets Max in

45:26

several episodes. In one, one, when

45:28

his friend snub at an expensive dinner

45:30

he can't afford. afford. another, when

45:32

he visits his girlfriend, Jenny's parents,

45:34

and they catch him in bed

45:36

with their daughter. with their yet another,

45:38

when Jenny throws a humiliating

45:41

surprise baby shower for him. shower up

45:43

to three points, What expensive menu item,

45:45

also the title of the episode could

45:47

not afford. afford? Next, the in the

45:49

suburb of what City is Max

45:51

Max caught in bed by his girlfriend's

45:53

parents. and And finally, what what classic

45:55

movie is the theme of his surprise

45:58

baby shower? I feel like she's from

46:00

Illinois. And what's a big city there? Chicago?

46:02

Maybe. A suburb of Chicago. Yeah, what's

46:04

the expensive menu item? Caviar. Okay. And

46:06

finally, the theme? Gotta be Gatski. Gotta

46:08

be Gatski. Gotta be Gatski. Gotta be

46:10

Gatski. Gotta be Gatsby. All right, Helen

46:12

is taking note of those answers. We

46:14

have an extra on handing. I can

46:16

tell her for sure. playing Max Sweeney

46:19

on the L-word. It's Daniel C. Daniel

46:21

C. Everybody. Hello, Daniel. Hi there. Hi,

46:23

everybody. Thank you so much for joining

46:25

us, Daniel, all the way from Vienna,

46:27

Austria. Yeah, I'm really glad to be

46:29

here. I'm already laughing over here in

46:31

the middle of the night. It's 4.52

46:33

AM right now. What are you doing

46:35

in Vienna, Austria? I actually live here,

46:37

I'm studying here, I'm in an MFA

46:40

program and... Wow! Well, thank you so

46:42

much for staying up late or waking

46:44

up early. I don't know which one

46:46

it was, but we appreciate it very

46:48

much. Well, people are familiar with your

46:50

work as an actor, but perhaps not

46:52

as much as an artist. You're a

46:54

conceptual artist. Can you tell us a

46:56

little bit about your style of work?

46:59

I am a performance artist, and I

47:01

base my works also on writing that

47:03

I do. So it's a lot of

47:05

reading, a fair amount of writing and

47:07

performance. Yeah, I still act. seasons. Where

47:09

were you in your life when you

47:11

got the call to audition for the

47:13

show? I was living in New York

47:15

City as a musician and just working

47:17

in a restaurant in the West Village.

47:20

Like I got the call on a

47:22

Wednesday night. I did a red eye

47:24

on Thursday night for the audition. And

47:26

then I think by the following day,

47:28

shooting by that following Wednesday. So it's

47:30

pretty surreal. I think it was Leisha

47:32

Haley who said, your life is never

47:34

going to be the same. And I

47:36

didn't know what she meant. But it

47:38

was really true. And I got to

47:41

go on this whole adventure for many

47:43

years and you know. become

47:45

the actor that I

47:47

I wanted to be.

47:49

to be. are you

47:51

freaking out? Oh, I'm

47:53

just such a

47:55

fan, such a so nice

47:57

to meet you. so

48:00

nice to mean, you're

48:02

so great on the

48:04

show. And I've

48:06

been a fan of

48:08

yours show, and before a

48:10

so. yours It's awesome to

48:12

get a chance to talk to

48:14

you. to I also will say, I

48:16

think you're friends with my ex

48:18

you're River Butcher. Is that true? Butcher.

48:20

Is one of my best friends. of

48:22

my best friends. What? Yeah, I love I love

48:25

River, and and like and at at life,

48:27

you know what I'm saying? And

48:29

I'm a fan a fan too Cameron

48:31

so sweet and I mean you. I mean, you're so

48:33

awesome. Thank you. a talk a little bit more

48:35

about the show. the We mentioned that you played the

48:37

first recurring first recurring role on television. on I heard you

48:39

say that you actually didn't know it was going

48:41

to be a trans story when you first joined the

48:43

show. No, I didn't have that information.

48:45

show. I just knew about the first

48:47

couple I just knew about the he comes out to

48:49

LA with the character comes out to LA with the

48:51

that he meets Alan Cummings. Alan Cummings character

48:53

exposed to possibilities for gender stuff and understands trans.

48:55

trans. Well, we we mentioned that your character

48:58

faced a lot of challenges we talked

49:00

about just sort of a few of

49:02

the smaller ones of a few of and a

49:04

lot of other people were actually upset

49:06

at how the character of Max was

49:08

treated. Can you tell us about that? Yeah,

49:10

it was challenging, you know, at that time. you tell

49:12

us about try to get the

49:14

TV show to portray Max's story

49:16

in a positive light and

49:18

in a way that was life

49:20

was life affirming and they just went. directly

49:23

for more of the drama of the difficulties

49:25

and it would would have been nice

49:27

to see him thriving and having

49:29

a good life than than But in the reboot of

49:31

the in the reboot of the show called

49:33

the Q you actually you actually got to return as

49:35

the character and of of some of of those

49:37

things it was it was really great know know because I

49:40

also want to put things in context know

49:42

with you know a culture we've learned a lot

49:44

and understood and grown a lot a lot know

49:46

we get to see him see him. you know

49:48

with his partner and they have a bunch

49:50

of kids and he's happy happy and but also like

49:52

my experience on the show was so positive

49:54

getting to work with this younger generation of

49:56

queer and trans and non -binary just such a just

49:58

such a positive expo. we've all evolved

50:01

and grown and it just was great.

50:03

Yeah, it was cool to see Max

50:05

happy. That's wonderful. When you were cast,

50:07

who were you fan-boying the most over?

50:10

Pam Greer. Yeah. Yeah. And also Jennifer

50:12

Beals, of course. Very cool. Well, let's

50:14

get to the reason we brought you

50:17

here as far as our game is

50:19

concerned. You heard the questions that we

50:21

asked of Cameron. First, we wanted to

50:24

know for that character Max. What was

50:26

the expensive menu item that was also

50:28

the title of an episode that Max

50:31

could not afford? Helen, what did Cameron

50:33

say? Cameron said, Caviar. And Daniel? In

50:35

fact, it was Lobster. If you remember,

50:38

Max likes the story about the lobster's

50:40

behave. because he's being bullied. Of course,

50:42

I apologize for disparaging. No, no, not

50:45

at all. Your character. That said, you

50:47

knew it was seafood, so that's like.

50:49

Oh, would you like to give Cameron

50:52

half a point? Yeah, I do. All

50:54

right, a half a point for Cameron.

50:56

All right, next we wanted to know

50:59

in the suburb of what Midwestern City

51:01

was Max caught in bed by his

51:03

girlfriend's parents Helen what did Cameron say

51:06

Cameron's at Chicago and Daniel it was

51:08

Chicago was Skokie. I knew it was

51:10

yes, Skokie. Skokie. Skokie, that's a point

51:13

for Cameron. That's so funny. And then

51:15

finally we wanted to know what was

51:17

the movie theme of the surprise baby

51:20

shower Helen, what popular baby shower movie

51:22

theme did Cameron say? It's much more

51:24

surreal than that. You know, there's the

51:27

green light at the end and then

51:29

the baby goes toward the green light.

51:31

You gotta get that gas. Yeah, and

51:34

the baby's always like, I was in

51:36

the war, you know, or whatever. And

51:38

Daniel? It's much more surreal than that,

51:41

and it's a day I will never

51:43

forget. It was Willy Wonka. No! And

51:45

the chocolate factory. And what is it

51:48

that you remember about that day? I

51:50

mean... this ridiculous costume. I was like,

51:52

why does it have to be like

51:55

this? This doesn't make any sense. What

51:57

did you have to wear? There was

51:59

some velvet involved so it's cool but

52:01

it's A a little high think so. is there is

52:04

there anything else you want to ask

52:06

or say to Daniel? I just want to. You know,

52:08

thank you for your work on the show and

52:10

say that I have found it really challenging

52:12

when a character that I'm playing written as negative

52:14

is and I share that person's identity. that It's

52:16

been a lot for me to absorb been a then

52:18

go home and actually be that person. So

52:20

I don't know if that's something you were dealing

52:23

with person, just wanna say thank you. Thank you

52:25

for doing it anyway. you were well, with, you know,

52:27

I had people like Pam Grier around to you,

52:29

thank me to keep going. anyway. Yeah,

52:31

well, that job people to work

52:33

every day and meeting amazing writers and

52:35

directors everything was. it was... the The

52:37

whole thing was it was great. great just

52:39

just mean, you were groundbreaking. you're from what

52:41

I've heard you say and that helps give more opportunities

52:43

in the future for other people as well in

52:46

the and we've all... for other people as well yeah and Well, it's been so

52:48

lovely that you joined us. Thank you so much for getting

52:50

up in the middle of the night to be with us.

52:52

If so want to find out more about you or your

52:54

work, where can they do that, that you think the easiest

52:56

you so go to that you joined us thank you so much

52:58

a little underscore after it And I have

53:00

the blue check now, so that's you so

53:02

to find me and there's a link tree

53:04

on there after you can Check stuff out

53:07

there if you want to. if you want really appreciate

53:09

being here. I hope you all have a really

53:11

good day and thanks for having me. good day. you

53:13

so much. for having me. Awesome. Thank

53:15

you. Bye. Thank you. Daniel see

53:17

everybody. All right. Bye. Bye. Bye. Hi. Helen, what is our

53:19

score at the end of that end of end

53:21

of that round Chris has seven points

53:24

and Cameron Esposito has Esposito has nine nice

53:26

very nice game. game. Now Now is time for

53:28

our final round. We call fast

53:30

facts. I'll read 10 statements and each

53:32

contestant will answer with true or

53:34

false. I'll start with Chris and then

53:36

alternate. Each correct answer is worth

53:38

one point. Again, please answer each statement

53:40

with true or false. And we

53:42

will go fast. Here we begin. Chris,

53:45

there are credit cards that are

53:47

partnered with well -known brands like we will go

53:49

fast. Here we there are credit cards partnered

53:51

with well -known brands that are not

53:53

airlines. True, correct. Chris, there's been

53:55

a start. credit card. like airlines. the

53:57

Starbucks credit card lets you

53:59

you. on Starbucks items. True, correct. Chris,

54:01

there's a Disney credit card. True. Correct.

54:04

Cameron, it lets you redeem rewards on

54:06

Disney items. True. Correct. Chris, there's been

54:08

a Garfield credit card. False. No, there

54:11

really has. Cameron, the Garfield credit card

54:13

lets you redeem rewards on Garfield items.

54:15

True. Incorrect. Chris there's been a hello

54:17

kitty credit card. True. Correct. Cameron it

54:20

lets you redeem rewards on hello kitty

54:22

items. True. Correct. Chris I. J. Keith

54:24

have the hello kitty credit card. False.

54:27

Correct. Cameron, but that's only because I

54:29

didn't know it existed until yesterday. True.

54:31

All right let's give Chris Grace and

54:33

Cameron Escazito a nice hand. As Helen

54:36

tabulates the final score. Helen, are you

54:38

ready or not for the winner on

54:40

this episode? I am at the end

54:43

of the game. Chris Grace has 11

54:45

points in camera and Esposito has 13

54:47

points. Congratulations. Cameron Esposito. You were the

54:49

fact and champion. Ongo fact yourself. What

54:52

will you do with your championship? You

54:54

know what I'll do? I'll share it

54:56

with you, Chris. It'll stay at your

54:59

place. Yeah, you can stay at my

55:01

first meeting visit. Right. All right, we're

55:03

going to wrap things up by giving

55:05

everyone here a chance to mention or

55:08

promote anything they might like. Chris, where

55:10

can people find you and what you're

55:12

up to? Well, my special Chris Grace

55:15

asked, Scarlet Johansson, presents, but also January

55:17

12th, I'll be at the Overture Center

55:19

in Madison, Wisconsin doing the Scarlet Johansson

55:21

show live. Live on stage like tonight,

55:24

Chris Grace, everybody! I have a new

55:26

special that's coming out soon on a

55:28

streaming service that Chris Grace knows very

55:31

well. I don't know if this is

55:33

announced yet, but enjoy it. And thank

55:35

you. And thank you as well. Okay,

55:38

we're next to Zito. Wonderful to have

55:40

you. Ladies and I'm in, you're so

55:42

lucky because my hosting partner is the

55:44

Funny the Hellin the Hong, Helen Hong.

55:47

Please follow me on all the socials

55:49

at Funny Helen Hong. Also, I'm going

55:51

to be performing at the Walton Arts.

55:54

Center in Fayetteville,

55:56

Arkansas on January 30th.

55:58

So if you

56:00

know anyone in Fayetteville,

56:03

Arkansas, come send

56:05

them my way on

56:07

January 30th. Those lucky

56:09

Arkansas onions. Get to see

56:12

funny Helen Hong. And

56:14

me, you can find me on the

56:16

socials at .net all spelled out. You can

56:18

hire me for your trivia show, either in

56:21

person or online, by going to bigquizthing .com.

56:23

And if you're in the LA area,

56:25

I've been co -producing my favorite storytelling show

56:27

called Rant Rave at the Rogue Machine Theater

56:29

on Melrose. Oh, thank you so much!

56:31

That's the second Monday of every month. That

56:33

just leaves me to thank Chris Grace,

56:35

Cameron Esposito, Jimmy Pardo, Daniel C, and thank

56:38

you for listening. and supporting our

56:40

show at MaximumFun .org. I'm Jay

56:42

Keith Van Good Like

56:46

what you hear, come see us live.

56:49

Go to .com for our and tickets. Meanwhile,

56:51

please like and follow us on all

56:53

the socials all at Go Factor Pod.

56:55

Update our wiki at gofactorwiki .fandom .com and

56:57

by our T -shaped shirt, mug -shaped mug

56:59

and new merch, I like the hardbound

57:02

journal notebook, at maxfunstore .com. And give

57:04

us a great review on your favorite

57:06

podcast platform like Herb Pan did on

57:08

Apple Podcasts. He Sheer, they said, the

57:10

amount of research that goes into this

57:12

quiz show is amazing. I've loved the

57:14

show from the first episode. Thanks,

57:17

Herb Pan, and thanks to Jimmy Pardo

57:19

for being a guest on that first episode.

57:21

worked! Helen? Go

57:23

Factor Self is a quiz program

57:25

devised and produced by Jim Newman

57:27

and J. Keith Van Stratten and

57:29

comes to you via transcription from

57:31

the Carl Sagan and Andrea Theater

57:33

at the Center for Inquiry West

57:35

in Los Angeles. Questions were compiled

57:37

by the Trivia Industrial Complex, which

57:39

this week includes Ann Lauer. We

57:41

are produced in collaboration with Maximum

57:44

Fun. Maximum Fun's senior producer is

57:46

Laura Swisher, co -producer and editor

57:48

is Julian Burrell, Additional editing from

57:50

Valerie Moffitt. Our sound engineer, the

57:52

sound master is Dave Our theme

57:54

song and incidental music were written

57:56

and performed by Jonathan Green, research assistants

57:58

provided by Adam Nadeff. This is

58:00

a by Garen by Garen Cockrell,

58:02

and Clint Towsher, Clint

58:04

graphics by graphics by clips

58:06

by video clips by Scout show

58:08

photography by Christine by live

58:10

show support by Dave

58:12

by Dave Bianke, Christian Momine, and Sarah

58:14

special thanks to thanks to Alice

58:16

Entertainment Brillstein entertainment partners, Jess Jim

58:18

Underdown and Alice Pine

58:20

at the Center for

58:22

Inquiry Alice Pine Federico. at the

58:24

Center for Inquiry for Inquiry

58:27

West. Let's go of this

58:29

to Jimmy Pardo on should

58:31

call it the Funny. Maybe see

58:34

call it the J word. We'll

58:36

see. Maximum Fun. A

58:39

worker-owned network of

58:41

network of artist

58:43

-owned shows Supported. Directly. By

58:46

you.