Ep. 182: Lilan Bowden & A Martinez

Summary

Go Fact Yourself – Episode 182: Lilan Bowden & A. Martinez

Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten, Ashley Burch (guest co-host)
Guests: Lilan Bowden, A. Martinez
Special Expert Guests: Matt Walsh, Laura Silverman, Damien Young
Location: Recorded live at The Crawford at LAist in Pasadena

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Go Fact Yourself, actors Lilan Bowden and journalist A. Martinez face off in a whirlwind of trivia on topics ranging from cult comedies and children’s YouTube to political satire and the Lakers. Along the way, the show features heartfelt reflection, comedic banter, and a trio of surprise expert appearances, all in front of an enthusiastic live audience.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Host & Guest Introductions

• Ashley Burch fills in as co-host for Helen Hong, immediately establishing fun rapport with moderator J. Keith van Straaten.
  • Ashley jokes about feeling like a substitute teacher:
    • “I feel like I should put on Dante’s Peak and let you guys watch it while I do wordle in the back or something.” (03:37)

2. Guest Spotlights

Lilan Bowden

• Known for Disney Channel's Andi Mack, Apple TV+'s Shrinking, and NCIS.
• Discusses the contrast between young and adult show fandoms.
  • “Kids fans, they haven’t developed filters yet. So, I literally got chased around a roller rink... they were trying to take me down.” (11:43)
• Co-produces the Asian AF comedy variety show.
  • “It’s a variety show that features lots of different Asian performers doing standup, sketch comedy, improv, characters, musical stuff... a really, really great time.” (13:49)

A. Martinez

• NPR journalist; host of Morning Edition and Up First.
• Originally started in local sports radio, later moved to news for "a dollar more" (humorously):
  • "Public radio offered me $1 more... If they'd just offered a dollar more, I probably would have done it." (14:42)
• Got his initial on-air name because no one remembered it:
  • "They said, hey, Martinez, come here or hey, Martinez, coffee. And that became the gag.” (16:38)
• Advocates for supporting public radio, especially for smaller local stations.

3. “What’s the Difference?” Round

Theme: Taylor Swift (“because you hope both are swift with making your clothes fit well”)

• Question 1: Difference between Tailor and Seamstress
  • Lilan: “A tailor works on suits and a seamstress does not work on suits.” (07:30)
  • A: “A tailor designs suits, and a seamstress just sews things.” (07:51)
  • Ashley’s ruling: Tailor customizes fit; seamstress creates garments from start to finish. A gets 1 point.
• Question 2: Difference between Fast and Quick
  • A: “Quick is being fast in short spaces. Fast is being fast in longer spaces.” (09:32)
  • Lilan: “Fast refers to physical speed, and quick refers to time in your mind.” (09:49)
  • Correct Answer: Fast is great speed; quick can also refer to brief duration in time. “You can take a quick nap... but you’re not necessarily moving at great speed while doing so.” (10:37)
  • Lilan awarded 2 points for clarity.

4. Get to Know the Contestants

Fandom Interactions

• Lilan describes being openly (and physically) mobbed by fans of Andi Mack vs. quiet recognition in coffee shops from Shrinking/NCIS fans.
• Reports on chaotic misperceptions (“the roller rink believed that Disney Channel had coordinated one of their stars to be at this place... actually overheard someone saying, ‘well, I just think it’s rude they didn’t bring the whole cast.’”) (12:42)

Asian AF

• Cornerstone of Asian-American live comedy.
• Co-produced with friends Will Choi and Keiko Agena, approaching its 10-year anniversary in 2026.

A. on Public Radio Funding

• Stresses importance for rural news coverage:
  • “Imagine if... Marfa Public Radio doesn’t have the money to be able to send someone out. All of a sudden you’ve got a gap in coverage.” (15:43)
• On his public radio name:
  • “I reclaimed the slur into something that I wanted.” (16:53)
• Reason for “A. Martinez”: Name forgotten by colleagues, stuck ever since.

5. Self-Chosen Trivia Topics

Lilan Bowden

• Topics:
  • TV show The Comeback (Lisa Kudrow vehicle)
  • YouTube show Ms. Rachel (“the Mr. Rogers of our time”)
  • The Jim Jones cult/People’s Temple (childhood fascination sparked by finding grandma’s book at age 12: “That was my cult gateway...” 19:59)
• Selected for quiz: The Comeback

A. Martinez

• Topics:
  • TV show Veep
  • Movie New Jack City
  • The 1980s Lakers
• Selected for quiz: Veep

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Guest Trivia Rounds

Lilan Bowden: The Comeback

• Connection: Discovered the show during a major life transition; found comfort and kinship with Valerie Cherish’s story (18:26).
• Sample Question:
  1. What improv theater does Valerie attend for classes?
     • “That would be The Groundlings, Ashley.” (22:41)
  2. Valerie’s sitcom catchphrase:
     • “I don’t need to see that, Ashley.” (in full Valerie Cherish mode) (23:27)
  3. Which embarrassment DOES NOT happen to Valerie?
     • Chose “recording a bunch of sex sounds as a teenager for a video game” correctly. (24:28)
     • Ashley Burch, voice actor, quips: “Ashley, would you like to give us a sample?”
     • Ashley: "No." (24:47)
  4. Name two real reality TV stars who cameoed (stumbles except for RuPaul, who is correct)
     • “RuPaul. Okay... and Christian Seriano?” – Only RuPaul correct; receives half a point. (26:04)
     • Correct alternate: Lisa Vanderpump, Charla (Amazing Race), Jay McCarroll, Carla Hall.
  5. Ringtone composer for Valerie’s phone:
     • “Tchaikovsky.” (with helpful ballet hint) (27:23)

Cluster Fact (Expert Round): The "Palm Springs" Episode

• Three-part answer:

  • 1. Destination: “Palm Springs” (28:54)
  • 2. Mary J. Blige mispronunciation: “Mary J. Bilge” (28:58)
  • 3. SUV Model: “Navigator” (29:00)

• Expert Guests: Damien Young (Valerie's husband Mark), Laura Silverman (producer Jane) confirm all correct.

  • Laura on audition experience:
    • “At the end [Lisa Kudrow] went, ‘Oh, finally.’” (31:36)
  • Damien on show’s style:
    • “To shoot it is great because it’s raw footage... very much like doing a play.” (34:36)
  • Lilan, awestruck:
    • “This is the coolest day of my life. Oh wait, my son was born. This is the second coolest...” (36:44)

A. Martinez: Veep

• Why Veep?
  • “Julia Louis Dreyfus. That is the main reason...” (38:38)
  • On interviewing Julia for NPR:
    • “All authoritative, right? And all of a sudden she goes, ‘Oh no, thank you, A. Your voice is legendary in my car.’ ... I fell apart right there.” (39:12)
• Sample Questions:
  1. Emmy category Julia Louis-Dreyfus won for Veep:
     • “Best actress in a television comedy.” (42:16)
  2. Selina’s recurring secretary question:
     • “Did the president call?” (42:58)
  3. How does Laura Montez become President?
     • “There was a tie in the electoral college.” (43:29)
  4. Which of these won an Emmy but did NOT appear on Veep?
     • “Sean Hayes.” (44:19)
  5. How many cups does Ben’s thermos hold?
     • Fails: “Four cups.”
     • Lilan steals: “Nine cups.” (45:40)

Cluster Fact (Expert Round): Mike McClintock’s Journalism Career

• Three-part answer:
  1. Online outlet: “BuzzFeed”
  2. TV network: “CBS”
  3. Whose death does Mike announce, interrupting Selina’s funeral? “Tom Hanks” (46:45–46:54)
• Expert Guest: Matt Walsh (Mike McClintock on Veep, UCB founder)
  • On Veep’s prep:
    • “We did a lot of rehearsals... We put a lot of work into finding that chemistry.” (51:10)
  • On insults in Veep:
    • “If it was like, someone who came in for a day and they were say—like, say they were a heavyset person and you had to insult their weight... you’d always go, ‘Hey, I’m a nice person. This is in the script.’” (53:13)
  • On viewers using Veep as comfort/fall-asleep show:
    • “I just find it strange that all that vulgarity puts people to sleep.” (56:44)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Ashley Burch (as sub host):
  • “I had fun. It was not a traumatic experience.” (01:35)
• J. Keith van Straaten (on fandom generations):
  • “I can tell we are from very different generations.” (02:50)
• Lilan Bowden (on being a dead wife on Shrinking):
  • “If you get a chance to be a dead wife, take it.” (04:16)
• A. Martinez (on sports interviews after a loss):
  • “[Athletes] are the ones that lost. Don’t lose and I won’t ask you losing questions.” (15:15)
• A. Martinez (to Jerry Seinfeld):
  • “‘That’s not how comedy works.’ ‘Jerry, I gotta disagree with you on that.’ ... I’m disagreeing with Jerry Seinfeld about how comedy works.” (56:24)
• Lilan Bowden (after her expert heroes appear):
  • “This is the best I’ve ever done at trivia, and I get to do it with Damien Young and Laura Silverman!” (36:30)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:46 – Show intro & host swap (Ashley Burch on for Helen Hong)
• 03:43 – Guest intros (Lilan Bowden, A. Martinez)
• 06:21 – Guests’ self-chosen topics revealed
• 07:06 – “What’s the Difference?” round begins
• 11:22 – “Get to Know the Guests”: Fandom interactions, Asian AF, public radio anecdotes
• 18:07 – Lilan’s topic interview
• 22:14 – Lilan’s The Comeback trivia begins
• 28:02 – Lilan’s Expert Round with Damien Young and Laura Silverman
• 38:23 – A. Martinez topic interview
• 41:59 – A’s Veep trivia begins
• 47:00 – A’s Expert Round with Matt Walsh
• 57:22 – True/False Lightning Round (“Fast Facts”)
• 58:57 – Final score announcement

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Fast Facts Showdown

Topic: President Andrew Johnson

• Both contestants achieve a perfect score, including gems like:
  • “He was the first US President to befriend and care for a family of White House mice.” – TRUE (58:13)
  • “He was nicknamed the Minnesota Mouse.” – FALSE (58:18)

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Final Scores

• Lilan Bowden: 15.5 points (Winner)
• A. Martinez: 13 points

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Closing & Plugs

• Lilan Bowden:
  • Instagram: @yourfriendleon
  • Covert Substack (“so don’t find me there”)
  • Shrinking Season 3 coming soon
• A. Martinez:
  • NPR’s Morning Edition
  • @AMartinezLA on social media
  • “Support public media—keep supporting it everyone.”
• Ashley Burch:
  • YouTube: “I’m Happy You’re Here”
• J. Keith van Straaten:
  • Socials: @jkeith.net
  • Trivia hosting: bigquizthing.com

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Episode Tone

• Lighthearted, witty, and nerdily enthusiastic, with playful ribbing, abundant gratitude for experts, and genuine affection for the pop culture topics unearthed. Ashley’s playful deadpan complements J. Keith’s veteran emcee energy.
• The guests’ fan moments with their favorite stars (and each other) provide sweet, memorable highlights.
• The inclusion of three beloved experts—Matt Walsh, Laura Silverman, and Damien Young—elevates the episode with warmth, behind-the-scenes insight, and mutual fandom.

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Listen For

• Comedic meta-moments about generational gaps in school “sub” movies
• Lilan Bowden rocking her inner Valerie Cherish (“I don’t need to see that, Ashley.”)
• A. Martinez’s story about surprising Julia Louis-Dreyfus fangirl energy
• Matt Walsh validating NPR host A. Martinez's soothing news voice: “Like Julia, I am a fan.”
• Expert guests gamely confirming both cluster questions with “That is correct!” – and the audience’s enthusiastic gasps and applause.

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Recommended For:
Listeners who love pop culture, behind-the-scenes TV trivia, celebrities geeking out about their own geekiness, and the affirming power of fandom and public radio.

Transcript

[A]

Thank you so much to our Max Fund members for making this show possible. If you are not yet a member, go to maximumfun.org join for as little as $5 a month, you can help this show continue and gain exclusive access to the BoCo library. That's hundreds of hours of Boko bonus content from across the Max Fund network. Max Fund members truly help us so much. And go Fact Yourself adds new bonus content every single to make it extra worth it. That's MaximumFun.org join to become a Max Fun member. Thank you.

[B]

Are you a real know it all? Do you annoy your family by shouting the answers while watching Jeopardy? Do you drive people crazy when you start a sentence with well, actually. Well, guess what? You can go fact yourselves. Hello, everyone. Welcome to Go Fact Yourself, the show where we quiz the smartest people we know and find out why they love what they love. I am Ashley Burch in for Helen Hong. Why, thank you. And now, from the Crawford at Laist in Pasadena, here's our moderator, J. Keith Van Stratton.

[C]

Thank you so much, Ashley. Thank you, everybody. Ashley, welcome back. Thank you so much for filling in for Helen. We had you on the show not that long ago as a guest and you had such a good time that you were willing to sit in tonight. We appreciate that.

[B]

Yes. It was not a traumatic experience. I had fun.

[C]

That's the best review I've gotten for anything I've ever been involved in. Last time you were here, when you were a guest on the show, we talked about this wonderful YouTube series that you do called I'm Happy youy're Here. We talked about some of the voice work that you do. Yes. On many animated shows and video games. And then just last week, I was watching one of my favorite sitcoms of all time and. And I see your name in the opening credits that I had no idea about.

[B]

Yes. I directed an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia this season.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

It was very fun. It was actually. It was sort of like a redux of an episode from the very first season. So in the first season, there is an episode called Underage Drinking. A National Concern. This one was Overage Drinking. A national concern.

[C]

Right. And so you had to refer back to that original episode to Parallels.

[B]

Yeah, I did a Beautiful Mind thing with it. You do a close reading. It's just. It's shot for shot the same thing. That's not true.

[C]

Excellent. And how are you feeling about filling in as a sub tonight?

[B]

I'm so happy to be here. I do Feel a bit like a substitute teacher.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

I feel like I should put on Dante's Peak and, like, let you guys watch it while I do wordle in the back or something.

[C]

That's what your subs did in your school?

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Is that.

[C]

Do they teach you the Dante's Peak, the volcano movie?

[B]

Absolutely. They were like, this has science in it, right? Okay, there's a volcano involved.

[C]

I can tell. We are from very different generations. When I was in school, they would put on Disney's the North Avenue Irregulars.

[B]

I have no idea what that is.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. I was actually looking it up on the way here, and apparently I have no correct memory of it either, because I thought it was about a bunch of teachers robbing a bank, but apparently it's about a bunch of parishioners in a church trying to prevent organized crime. I don't know. I think the only reason our teachers actually put it on was because our school was on North Avenue.

[B]

And they were like, this is educational.

[C]

Yeah, this is education. This has to be somehow related to the students. All right. The state of education today. Well, today on Go fact Yourself, two guests will compete to answer questions about facts they know, facts they may not, and frankly, facts they should know. Plus, we'll meet actual experts on two very different topics. And finally, we'll declare one of our guests the winner of today's show. Let's get started and meet today's guest, Ashley. Who do we have playing tonight?

[B]

She is an actor known for her work on the shows Andi Mack, NCIS and Shrinking. And he is a journalist and one of the hosts of Morning Edition. And up first on npr, it's Leland Bowden and A. Martinez.

[C]

Leland Bowden, A. Martinez.

[D]

Hello.

[C]

You like?

[D]

Hello.

[C]

A nice to see you all. Hello. Hello. Well, Lee, Lon, Shrinking is such a lovely show, and it's a lovely performance that you give on that show. How is working on that show compared to the many other shows that you've worked on?

[E]

Oh, it's such a dream. If you get a chance to be a dead wife, take it.

[F]

Yes.

[E]

I mean, it rocks. You know, a friend was asking me, like, what is that like? You know, being a part of a show where everybody has all this, like, grief about you, Is it hard? And I go, no. I do all the fun things. I don't know. I'm dead.

[C]

That is the key to happiness sometimes, isn't it? Well, the actor who plays your daughter on the show looks so much like you that people have asked if you are actually related. What was your reaction?

[E]

When you saw this actor, I mean, it's just shocking. You know, she has said in an interview that me and Jason Segel look more like her parents than her parents. And I believe it. I mean, she looks more like my daughter than my own son looks like to me. Yes.

[C]

Wait, she looks more like your daughter than your own. I understand you have a son. Does not look. Okay, good. The doctor was the mom.

[B]

A. You are on National Public Radio, but you started in local radio at this station, elist, which was known as kpcc. Is it true that you started working here? You would never listen to public radio.

[F]

Not once I knew NPR existed. I couldn't tell you what the n the P and the R St radio, though. I think that would have been a good guess.

[B]

Do you feel like it helped or hurt you that you had no experience?

[F]

Well, it hurt at first because there were a lot of angry people that I was working here. They didn't like the fact that I didn't have much news experience. But then I thought, now that I look back on it, it probably helped me because I had a ton of curiosity about everything because it's a brand new world for me. Sports, sports, sports. Right up until 2012 and then I get hired here and I just had to basically soak up as much information as possible.

[C]

Wow. And what does the P stand for?

[F]

When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

[C]

Maybe I'll come back.

[D]

Yes.

[C]

Well, we're going to chat with you two more a little bit later, but we each of you to provide us with a few topics outside your field of work that you know and love. Leland, for you, you said that was the TV show the Comeback, the YouTube show Ms. Rachel and the Jim Jones Cult, aka the People's Temple.

[E]

My three favorite things.

[C]

Yes, hard left.

[B]

Turn on that last one.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, a little bit. Little bit. Whereas a for you, you said it was the TV show Veep, the movie New Jack City and the 1980s Lakers, which was, yeah, I think a little more pleasant than maybe the Jim Jones call. Well, later on we're ask each of you some in depth trivia questions about one of those topics. But first we're going to get your thoughts on something you might know nothing about. It is time to split some hairs with our what's the difference round. We'll leave one question for each of you. Each worth up to two points. If either of you gives an incorrect or incomplete answer, the other person has a chance to steal your topic today. Taylor Swift, get ready to be disappointed. Yeah, I Know a lot on that. First up in Taylor Swift is Leelan. Leelan, your question comes from a listener. Who is it, Ashley?

[B]

It is from Elaine Wexler of Highland Park, Illinois. Listeners, if you'd like to submit a suggestion for our what's the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on Get Involved.

[C]

Okay, Leelan, Elaine asks, while you hope both are swift with making your clothes fit well, what's the difference between a tailor and a seamstress? A tailor and a seamstress or a tailoress and a seamster?

[E]

Okay, well, that takes away my first guess. A tailor works on suits and a seamstress does not work on suits.

[C]

Said very confidently with that brilliant nod at the end. All right, we've got Leland's answer. We don't know yet if she's entirely correct. A anything you'd like to add or change to try to steal?

[F]

Let's see. A tailor designs suits, and a seamstress just sews things.

[C]

Just sews things. Okay. But sewing is still a wonderful thing to do. I mean, adding the just I think maybe through the seamstress a little bit under the proverbial.

[F]

That's. See, that's why in 2012, people were so upset that I was.

[C]

That might have been. All right, well, this segment is coming apart at the seams. Let's go to Ashley Burch at the judges table for the facts.

[B]

Here are the facts. A tailor is primarily concerned with the final fit of a garment, making adjustments and customizing the piece to the customer. A seamstress is involved in all aspects of creating a garment, from the initial consultation to the finishing touches.

[C]

That's right. Now, the words tailor and seamstress are gendered as tailors traditionally worked on men's clothes, while seamstresses worked on women's. But you could be a tailoress or you could be a seamster, or you could be like me and not know how to sew. Ashley, how did our guest do?

[B]

Our guests? You know, I'm a generous person. Leland said Taylor makes suits. Seamstress doesn't make suits. And a said that the tailor designs suits and the seamstress sews things. So I think I want to give A a single point.

[C]

2A.

[F]

Oh, I was getting so happy for a second, then all of a sudden, not so happy.

[C]

Now I'm happy. Again, a point for a Everybody might.

[F]

Be the only one I get.

[C]

Yes. We had real who's on first situation for a second there. All right, up next in Taylor Swift is a a while Both might describe things that are swift. What's the difference between fast and quick? Fast and quick.

[F]

Quick is being fast in short spaces. Fast is being fast in longer spaces.

[C]

Great. All right, we've got A's answer. We don't know yet if he's entirely correct or what that meant, but, Leelan, anything you'd like to add or change?

[E]

Fast refers to physical speed, and quick refers to time in your mind.

[C]

Time in your mind. Have you two been working together on this?

[F]

I don't feel so bad about my answer.

[C]

Yes, yes, yes. Mind, space. We cover it all here on GoFactor Cell.

[E]

My answer was to make a not feel so bad. Oh, that's so working together. Yes.

[C]

All right, well, this segment is nowhere fast. Let's cut to the quick with Ashley Burch at the judges table for the facts.

[B]

Here are the facts. Fast describes something with great speed. Quick also describes something with great speed. But quick can also refer to the short amount of time that an activity takes in one's mind.

[C]

In one's mind in space.

[G]

Yes.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Aha.

[C]

The scoring of this will be very, very interesting. That's right. For example, you can take a quick nap or have a quick drink, but you're not necessarily moving at great speed while doing so. In fact, at my age, after just one quick drink, I need a very long nap. Ashley, how did our guest do?

[B]

So A said that quick was fast in short spaces and fast in longer spaces. And Leelan said that fast was physical speed and quick was time in your mind.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Which I do think is a way of saying that it refers to the amount of time that an activity takes. So I would like to give Lelon two points.

[C]

Two points for Leon. Wow.

[E]

Thank you, Ashley, for your generosity.

[B]

You're so welcome.

[C]

All right, well, let's get to know our guests a little bit better. Leelan Bowden, among your many roles, you're known for playing Tia on Shrinking, Robin Knight on ncis, and Bex on Andi Mack, which was the top rated show on the Disney Channel. Very cool. Now, I would imagine that the fandom of those shows are a little different from one another.

[E]

Oh, yeah.

[C]

What was your experience?

[E]

Yeah, I mean, it's. It's so exciting being in a youth television show, because kids fans, they haven't developed filters yet. So, I mean, I literally got chased around a roller rink. You know, they were trying to take me down.

[C]

What filter would prevent that?

[E]

Well, you know, when, like. Well, I mean, like with ncis, with shrinking, I'm at a coffee shop and someone gently like leans over and they go, I loved you on shrinking. You know, it's a very quiet, private, very, very like humble interaction. But kids are like, yeah, yeah. Like they scream, they reach, they touch, they. Or they have, they have done all these things not all of them do. I would say some kids are really, really polite. But yeah, it is a little scary, but also kind of fun being on a kid's show and having that kind.

[B]

Of f. So you were roller skating away from kids that were roller skating after you?

[E]

It was my friend's relative's birthday. It was their. Oh, gosh. Oh, no, it was one of, it was one of their nieces or nephews. Okay. The point is. Yeah, and I was just there to celebrate my friend and this family that I knew. And somehow the roller rink believed that Disney Channel had coordinated one of their stars to be at this place. And my friend actually overheard someone saying, well, I just think it's rude they didn't bring whole cast.

[C]

Well, in addition to your work on television, you co produce a very successful comedy variety show called Asian AF and that's toured all over the. Oh yes. Some Asian AF fans here.

[F]

Thank you.

[C]

It's toured all over the country and internationally. For those who aren't familiar, tell us about Asian af but maybe don't say what it stands for because we're on public radio.

[D]

Oh, sure.

[E]

Yes. Asian AF was developed by a friend, a couple friends, Will Choi and Keiko Agena and it first premiered at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Los Angeles. And we are coming up on our 10 year anniversary next year.

[F]

Oh wow.

[C]

Congratulations. Thank you.

[E]

Yes, it's a variety show that features lots of different Asian performers doing standup sketch comedy, improv comedy, characters, musical stuff. It's a whole thing. It's a really, really great time.

[C]

Excellent. And people want to find out more about that.

[E]

Yes. The Instagram account isianafsh or you can follow me at yourfriendleon because I'm always posting about Asian Afian af.

[C]

Well, a Martinez, you are known for being one of the hosts of Morning Edition and Up First. The up first podcast has had over 250 million streams and Morning Edition is the most listened to news radio program in the country. Incredible position to be in. But as a base baseball fan, I first knew you as a sports host for the Dodgers. How did you go from being a sports host and journalist to doing public radio?

[F]

Public radio offered me $1 more than.

[C]

I was working in sports radio.

[F]

That is the answer though I was in the middle of a contract negotiation at espn and it was going slowly and then KPCC swept in and said, hey, we'd like you to work here. And it was more.

[C]

Was it literally a dollar more?

[F]

Not quite, but if they'd just offered a dollar more, I probably would have done it.

[C]

Yeah. Well, it did come with a tote bag, I imagine.

[F]

I think so, yeah.

[C]

That's a good. That's a good incentive. Well, as a sports host, you were doing the pre and post game interviews. Did you ever feel bad asking questions to an athlete after a bad loss? Not at all.

[F]

They're the ones that lost them about it.

[C]

Dang. That's how it works.

[F]

One team wins, the other loses.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

Don't lose and I won't ask you losing questions.

[C]

Wow, that's. This is sounding a lot like my childhood. On a serious note, you of course, are on public radio. How worried are you about the funding cuts that have happened to public radio?

[F]

Worrying that it's money that's not going to be there and that that would.

[C]

Be the reason, I think. Yeah, yeah.

[F]

But it's more for smaller stations around the country. Like, I'll never forget being In Marfa, Texas, 11 year, my wife and I were vacationing. We were driving through there. I wanted to see the Marfa lights, the famous Marfa lights. And right at that same time that I was there, Antonin Scalia was vacationing, had a hunting trip right in that corner of Texas, and he died. Marfa was able to go cover that. Now imagine if that happens when, say, Marfa Public radio doesn't have the money to be able to send someone out. All of a sudden you've got a gap in coverage. So that is a big problem that hopefully won't become one. We'll see. We got a lot of people that are very, very excited about supporting public radio right now. Hopefully that continues beyond just this year.

[C]

So you would recommend that people donate to their local public radio station?

[F]

It would help.

[C]

Controversial opinion, but we come to you for the hot takes. Last I want to ask you about. Your name is written as the letter A with no punctuation. It doesn't stand for anything. Tell us about how you got that name. A. Martinez.

[F]

When I started in sports radio, 1995 or 96, I walked in and the guys did not remember my name. And they said, hey, Martinez, come here or hey, Martinez, coffee. And that became the gag that my name was A. Martinez. And it has stuck ever since.

[C]

So you reclaimed the slur into something that you wanted.

[F]

So my very first assignment as a reporter the coach at UCLA got fired. I went down to cover it. I was very excited. I signed off with my name. The next thing I know, the phone rings and it's my program director. And he says, buddy, what name did you use there? I said, my own. He's like, you have a fun story to tell, a fun. A memorable name. Let's just keep it, why don't we? I was like, okay. And that became the last time I ever used it, the only time I've ever used it.

[C]

And can you tell us what your secret.

[F]

That's locked away in a vault.

[C]

I'd have to get the key and.

[F]

You know, I can't reach that far.

[B]

Very superhero of you.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Comic book hero.

[C]

I know what letter would be on his uniform. Yeah. Excellent. Well, thanks so much for being here, everybody. Leland Bowden and A. Martinez. Ashley, what is our score heading into the break?

[B]

Going into the break, Lelon Bowden has two points and A. Martinez has one point.

[C]

But those scores are bound to change as we move on to questions about topics our guests have chosen for themselves. That's all up ahead when we come back on Go Fact Yourself.

[B]

Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Leon Bowden and A. Martinez. Once again, here's J. Keith Van Stratten.

[C]

Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. All right, Leelan, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love the TV show the Comeback, the YouTube show Ms. Rachel, and the Jim Jones Cult, also known as the People's Temple, which in a way is another kind of a comeback. Let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us why you know and love the TV show the Comeback.

[E]

Yes. So I discovered the Comeback a little bit late in 2019, and it just came at a very pivotal point in my life. Andi Mack had just ended, and I just got off this huge press tour, and it was like the height of my experience.

[F]

Experience.

[E]

I was on red carpets. And then the show ended. I moved back to la. I didn't have a place then. Friend was like, you can crash in my spare bedroom. And I was like, great. And at that time, I. I hadn't unpacked my stuff. I'm living in this bedroom, and I had this TV in there from the 80s. It was one of those ones that, like, you know, you can't even. You need, like, three people to lift and move out of the room, which is what I did eventually. And also just. I had a geriatric cat and my friend had two geriatric cats. And so while I'm in this big career shift now, sitting in a room with all my boxes and geriatric cats, I found the comeback. And I think it was just very nourishing to see an actress go through a very interesting career shift as well.

[C]

Very good. All right, well, next, tell us why you know and love the YouTube show Ms. Rachel.

[E]

Well, I'm a mommy. Do I say more?

[C]

Oh, thank you.

[E]

And if Ms. Rachel, for people who don't know her, is like the Mr. Rogers of our time. She's got an awesome.

[C]

Got some fans here. I love, I love. Is it Ms. Or Ms. Was I.

[E]

It is Ms. Dot.

[C]

Right.

[E]

Because you don't need to know about her marital status.

[C]

Right. And then finally, tell us why you know and love the Jim Jones cult, also known as the people's temple.

[E]

My grandma, in the Christmas holidays of my childhood would leave a really, really dramatic and traumatizing book. After the Christmas holiday, after she stayed with us, I read the biography of model Gia. I read stories about kids who, like, crawled out of attics after being trapped. And one of them was called the suicide cult. And so that was one of my. That was my cult gateway. And once I read that, that got me interested in other modern cults like NXIVM and LuLaRoe.

[B]

How old were you when you read this book?

[E]

I was probably 12.

[B]

Okay, great. You know, perfect time to learn about cults. Yeah.

[E]

Yeah, I was ready.

[C]

Was your grandmother leaving these for you on purpose so that you would understand these things, or were these you were things that she read and just accidentally left them behind?

[E]

Gosh. Well, the former does seem like a weird plot twist in my family, but, no, I think that she was. She was into those things, and she had now Christmas presents to pack to take with her. And so something had to be left.

[C]

Behind got ended up being the Jim Jones book. All right, well, to summarize, you said you know and love the TV show the Comeback, the YouTube show Miss Rachel and the Jim Jones cult. Today we want to quiz you about the comeback.

[A]

Yay.

[C]

Sorry, Jim Jones fans. For those people who have not seen the show, can you give us a brief description of what it is?

[E]

Yes. The Comeback stars Lisa Kudrow as the famous, or at one point, famous sitcom actress Valerie Cherish, who had this hit show called I'm it. And she is now in a reality show trying to jumpstart her career, and she'll do anything to get it. She's just. She's. She's desperate and that's it. She's Desperate.

[C]

She's desperate. All right, well, just ahead, we're going to enlist the help of a bona fide expert in your topic with an expert level question that's worth up to three points. But before that, to let you show your love even more, here are five trivia questions about your topic, each worth one point if you want it. You're allowed a hint for any two of these five questions. Now, a, do listen closely, because if Leelan answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, a, how much do you know about the Comeback?

[F]

About zero.

[C]

About zero. Okay. Well, Leelan, I think it's yours to lose. Let's see how you do.

[E]

Oh, good.

[C]

It's also yours to win. Oh, good. Or to tie. Okay, anything could happen. Here's question number one. Leelan, Lisa Kudrow developed the character of Valerie Cherish at a sketch in Improv Theater in Los Angeles. And the character of Valerie goes to this theater to take improv classes, which legendary Melrose Avenue comedy theater, which was also home to SNL cast members Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, and Heidi Gardner, is it.

[E]

That would be the Groundlings, Ashley.

[B]

That is correct.

[C]

That is correct. We're on our way. Fun fact. The scenes were shot at the actual Groundlings theater, and the actor who played the Groundlings teacher, Heather Morgan, was a member in the Groundlings Company, a writer on the Comeback, and once came to my home for a dinner party.

[E]

Oh, well, that's so fun.

[C]

Yeah, you would think she would have invited me to her home for a dinner party.

[E]

Well, if she hears this, there's still time.

[C]

No, I think this will only make it worse. Here's question number two. Valerie's comeback is on a sitcom called Room and Board, where she ends up playing the wacky neighbor and landlord, Aunt Sassy. As a wacky neighbor on a sitcom, she of course develops a catchphrase in your best Valerie Cherish. What is that catchphrase?

[E]

I don't need to see that, Ashley.

[B]

That is correct.

[C]

That is correct. Are you back? Can I speak to Leelan again?

[E]

She's leaving the building.

[C]

Okay, great. Fun fact. Show creators Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King call this type of phrase a sitcom hook. They also considered the phrase get a room, get a room was an actual line spoken on Friends by Phoebe, played by Lisa Kudrow. Little meta there. All right, you're two for two, Leilan. Here's question number three. As an actor, Valerie has had to endure a lot of humiliation. But which one of the following was not something that happened to her during the series, was it wearing her designer dress on the red carpet backwards, Being locked in the trunk of a car with a live snake, watching writers have relations with a blow up doll of her, recording a bunch of sex sounds as a teenager for a video game, or getting feedback from the network that her love affair was reminiscent of the movie Cocoon?

[E]

Okay, I'm gonna say sex sounds, video game.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

That is correct. Yes. Three for three. Very nice. Fun fact. Valerie did not have to record a bunch of sex sounds as a teenager in a video game. But Ashley Burch did. Yay.

[B]

I sure did.

[C]

Ashley, would you like to give us a sample? No. All right, you were three for three. Here is Corey, question number four. You do still have your hints available?

[E]

Oh, right.

[C]

In addition to her acting work, Valerie is now the star of a reality show also called the Comeback. And throughout the series, we see many real reality TV show stars appear, including ones from the Amazing Race, Project Runway, Top Chef, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and RuPaul's Drag Race. Who are any two of these people who appear?

[E]

RuPaul.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

And may I have my hand?

[C]

Ashley, how about that firsthand?

[B]

One of the people's names is in the title of their show, which you knew, but the other one now also has a show with the title of their name in it on Bravo.

[E]

I know who they are. There's a blonde woman who is a little person. There's Project Runway guy with a beard and a hat. See, I know them. There's a housewife, and she's wearing a blue shirt, which doesn't help you, but go back and look.

[C]

If only I'm wearing a blue shirt. If only we had asked. Name two of the articles of clothing worn by those people.

[E]

I'm so good at articles of clothing.

[C]

Yes, we do want you to be a little more specific.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

Just give it your best guess.

[B]

All right.

[E]

RuPaul and Christian Seriano.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

RuPaul is correct, but Christian Siriano is not correct.

[C]

No. That means a with a chance to steal. Wow.

[F]

Is Top Chef on Bravo?

[C]

Sure.

[F]

Chef Tom Colicchio.

[C]

Is it Chef Tom Colicchio?

[B]

It is not a no.

[C]

A very reasonable guess. No. The one we were going for in the hint was Lisa Vanderpump of Vanderpump Rules on Bravo. The others were. Charla was the name of the little person who was on the amazing race. Jay McCarroll was from Project Runway, the one you were describing. Carla hall from Top Chef, and of course, RuPaul from RuPaul's Drag Race. Half a Point, Ashley, for Leelan, I.

[B]

Would love to give you half a point.

[C]

Half a point, though, because you did get RuPaul. Very nice.

[E]

Awesome.

[C]

Fun fact. Also appearing in the Comeback, not as themselves, but as characters, are Winnie Holtzman, Tim Bagley, and Rose Abdu, all of whom have appeared as themselves on Go Fact yourself. All right, here's question number five. You do still have a hint available. Valerie receives a lot of calls on her cell phone, and its ringtone is a melody written by what famous composer?

[E]

Da da da da da da da da da da da da da. Oh, it's. Is that a nutcracker? I would like my hint. Ashley.

[C]

Ashley, how about that second hint?

[B]

It's a tune from one of the most famous ballets of all time.

[E]

Okay, well, we are on the same page.

[C]

Yes, you are. We're looking for the composer Tchaikovsky. Ashley.

[B]

That's correct.

[C]

That is correct. Very impressive. Yes. Fun fact. That tune is from the Nutcracker and is known as the Russian Dance or. Or Trepak. We could not quite tell the brand of flip phone used by Valerie in 2005's season one, but in 2009, Samsung released a mobile phone called the Comeback, but it's also known as the T559, so don't call it a comeback. All right. You did quite well in that round, Leland. But now here's your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact.

[B]

Ooh, ooh, I got chills.

[C]

We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response. In a hilarious and stressful scene in season one, Valerie and her husband Mark, played by Damien Young, take a drive out of LA to the desert. But this is no relaxing, romantic road trip as they're joined in the car by Valerie's reality show producer, Jane, played by Laura Silverman, who tells them that they can't play any of their CDs due to rights issues and that they should mention the brand name of the SUV they've been given for the trip for up to three points. To what Southern California vacation spot are they driving? How does Valerie mispronounce the name of the artist on One of the CDs? Mary J. Blige. And what model of SUV are they driving and mention repeatedly?

[E]

Okay, the first one. Palm Springs.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

And then actually, I wanted to know, how did she mispronounce the artist known as Mary J. Blige?

[E]

Mary J. Bilge.

[C]

Okay. And what is the model. What is the model of the SUV that they are driving and mention repeatedly in the episode I want to say navigator. Navigator. All right, well, Ashley is taking note of those answers. We have an expert on hand who can tell us for sure. In fact, we have two. Ashley, who do we have tonight?

[B]

Joining us tonight are two actors whose many credits include playing Valerie's husband and Valerie's producer. On all seasons of the Comeback, it's Damien Young and Laura Silverman.

[C]

Damian and Laura. Hey, Laura. Getting a big hug from Lelon. Hello, Damien. Hello, Damian and Laura. Welcome to our show. Thank you for being here. Thanks for having us. Leelan, you are beaming.

[E]

I'm so excited.

[F]

I want to switch seats really quick.

[E]

I'll explode if I go there. I need some distance to maintain myself.

[C]

Well, Laura, people will know you from shows like Nurse Jackie, the Sarah Silverman Program, Dr. Kat's professional therapist, and more recently, Bob's Burgers. Damien, you've got over 100 film and TV credits, including recurring roles on House of Cards, Homeland, the Good Wife, and Ozark. And then, of course, both of you on all seasons of the Comeback. Very, very cool. Well, we'll talk about the Comeback in a minute. But, Laura, in addition to still acting, you're very active, especially in animation. You've been focusing on writing. Tell us what you've been working on.

[H]

I am writing a novel.

[C]

A novel, Everybody. Hey, big deal. No, I'm totally kidding.

[H]

I have a title and I have, you know, some pages.

[C]

Okay, that sounds like a start of a novel.

[E]

I have a lot of pages.

[H]

A lot of pages.

[C]

Yeah, it turns out. Have you considered a novella?

[H]

Every day.

[C]

Okay, it's a little shorter. And, Damian, you've got a movie that's been making the festival circuit. Tell us about that.

[G]

Oh, yes, it's called Toys.

[C]

This is npr.

[G]

And it's a lovely movie written and directed by Ayanna Purna Sriram. And it's beautiful. It's a big, colorful, funny romp. And it reminds me a lot of, like, the John Waters movies. And it did very well at south by Southwest. And we're hoping for a release sometime soon. The title's a bit problematic.

[C]

Also the title of your novel. I understand. We'll see. Well, let's talk about the Comeback. How did each of you come to be on the show? Laura?

[H]

Well, I auditioned. When I went in, I went in, in, I think what I wear in the show in this same scene, a red tank top and like, like, green corduroy flare pants. But a friend of mine was coming out auditioning. She was wearing a suit. And I was like, oh, did I get this completely wrong? I went in and I read with Lisa, which is crazy. And then at the end, she went, oh, finally. And it was a great moment. But then, you know, I did the network test by myself, like no one else was there. And then it took two weeks to hear back, and I got it at the first table read. Michael Patrick came and whispered in my ear, you know, we wrote this for you. And I was like, no. And that would have been nice to know all this torture.

[C]

And, Damian, what was your audition experience?

[G]

Well, I was in New York. I live there. And I auditioned for a different role. Oh, yeah, I think. Yeah. And then they wanted me to read for Mark, and so I came out here and, you know, and read for it. I had auditioned for Michael for Sex in the city maybe eight times.

[C]

Wow.

[G]

And never was on the show. And every time I see him to audition, he'd say, this is going to be the one. And it never was, but I was just. I don't know. Something clicked, and I got lucky, and.

[D]

So I got this.

[C]

Well, you both are fantastic on the show, and for those of you who haven't seen it, go borrow someone's HBO Max and check it out. It's really wonderful.

[H]

Yeah, you can use mine.

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, wonderful. I'm sure they'll appreciate that at the network. Well, I'm curious how different. Different was this show to shoot than other shows because you are purportedly performing in what is the raw footage of a reality show that's just edited in a different way. Does that present different ways of acting on the set?

[H]

Well, for me, most of the time, it just meant, like, not being on camera and barely talking. But Michael's very specific about, like, everything, everything. So, like, there would be, like, a moment where a camera, A certain camera has to catch a piece of my hair, and then, you know, I crossed. So, like, before we did any scene, the camera guys would ask me if I wanted to run lines. You want to run lines? And we would just practice, like, me walking and them getting the piece. And then I go. And that was what I did.

[C]

Yeah. And, Damian, how about for you?

[G]

Well, when I knew what the sort of the conceit of the show is, I was talking to my wife about it, and I said, so I'm supposed to be, like, a real person. Cause it's like a documentary. And she was like, yeah, maybe try that. Try that this time.

[C]

You're, like, one of the few people on the show who's not in show business. You're just married to the star.

[G]

Yeah, well, but to shoot it is great because it's raw footage. There's no editing of the scene, so it's very much like doing a play. We'd do the scene maybe six or seven times, and then we'd go, we got it. And then we'd move on. We wouldn't have to break it up and do all kinds of little bits and pieces.

[C]

Well, the second season took place 10 years after the first. Did you know that you were gonna be coming back? Was that the plan all along?

[G]

Yeah, it was totally the plan the whole time.

[C]

Absolutely.

[H]

Master plan.

[C]

Yeah. What was it like to come back 10 years later and revisit these roles in this world?

[G]

I loved it. It was like a high school reunion of the drama club, but instead of, like, drinking and eating sandwiches, we were just put on another play.

[C]

It was lovely.

[G]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Well, let's get to the reason we brought you two here as far as our game is concerned. You heard the questions that we asked of Leelan. First, we wanted to know, in that hilarious scene from season one of the comeback to what Southern California vacation spot are Valerie and her husband, played by Damien Young, driving? Ashley, what did Leelan say?

[B]

Palm Springs.

[C]

And Damien.

[G]

Correct.

[C]

That is correct for the point. Yes. Palm Springs.

[E]

And I know it's real because Damian said it.

[C]

Yeah. Next, we wanted to know how Valerie mispronounced the name of Mary J. Blige. Ashley, what did Leelan say?

[B]

Mary J. Bilge.

[C]

And Laura.

[H]

That would be correct.

[C]

That is correct as well for another point. And finally wanted to know what was the model of SUV that they are driving and need to mention repeatedly? Damien, you were the one who mentioned it. Ashley, what did Leland say?

[B]

The navigator.

[C]

And Damian?

[G]

Well, I didn't remember this, but you are correct.

[C]

That is correct. Three for three in the cluster.

[H]

That was one of the most exciting moments of my life, hearing you say Lincoln Navigator because it was so close. Oh, my God.

[E]

That was it.

[C]

Yeah. This is.

[E]

This in this moment is the coolest moment of my life. This is the best I've ever done at trivia, and I get to do it with David Young and Laura Silverman.

[C]

This is so cool.

[B]

Is there anything else you want to say to our experts while we have them?

[E]

Your work is fantastic. I'm such a big fan of the show, and this is the coolest day of my life. Oh, oh, no, wait. My son was born. This is the second coolest. Oh, wait. I got married to my husband. But top three is here.

[C]

Top three is here right now.

[H]

That means we're third.

[E]

Oh, yes.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[C]

One, one A, one B, I think, is what Yolanda's saying.

[H]

Well, I'm a big fan of yours as well.

[E]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Okay.

[E]

I've moved it from the third to the top. My husband and son will forgive me.

[C]

Yes. There. I mean, well, Laura and Damian, it's been so wonderful that you joined us. If people want to find out more about what you're up to, where can they do that? Laura?

[H]

Literally nowhere.

[C]

All right. And Damian?

[G]

Well, my wife, Welker White and I teach screen acting workshops all over the world. We're called the Moving Frame. Just look up the Moving Frame. And if, you know, we do workshops. So.

[C]

Yeah. Excellent. And we'll of course, look for that new season of the Comeback. Thank you for coming here tonight. Laura Silverman and Damien Young, everybody. Thank you so much. All right, Ashley, what is our score at the end of that exciting round?

[B]

At the end of that round, Leland Bowden has nine and a half points and A. Martinez has one point. But with a round of questions for A coming up.

[C]

That's right. We're going to talk with A about a topic he knows about. Plus, later, Leelan and A. Will go head to head in our fast facts round, all to find a winner on Go Fact Yourselves.

[B]

Welcome back to GO Fact Yourself with our guests Lelon Boden and A. Martinez. Once again, here's J. Keith Van Stratten.

[C]

Thank you so much, everybody. All right, A. Of your many interests, you told us that you know and love the TV show Veep, the movie New Jack City and the 1980s Lakers. Let's find out more about each of those. First, tell us why you know and love the TV show Veep.

[F]

Julia Louis Dreyfus. That is the main reason why I've been a big fan of hers since Seinfeld. Then she did the show the New Adventures of Old Christine. I actually got to interview her last year. A movie came out that she was in. And when. So when we interview especially celebrities because sometimes they like to talk a lot. They like to just talk and talk and talk. So when we come on, we try to take control of the interview. So this. But I was a little nervous because it's Julia Louis Dreyfus. So I said, hey, Julia, thank you very much for coming on the show. All authoritative, right? And all of a sudden she goes, oh, no, thank you.

[D]

A.

[F]

Your voice is legendary in my car. And in my head, I was like, oh, thank you. I fell apart. I fell apart right there. We did a great interview, but I mean, I was completely caught off Guard. The way she said that.

[C]

Oh, that's lovely. All right, next, tell us why the movie New Jack City is something you know and love.

[F]

Because I love gangster movies. I don't have the nerve to be a gangster. I don't think I could ever actually do that either in real life or in pretend life, but I like kind of watching it from afar.

[C]

You couldn't even pretend to be a gangster?

[F]

I don't think so. Look at me. I'm not a gangster. I don't have that hard kind of thing. There's no way I could intimidate anyone. So that's why I like looking at intimidating people, being intimidating on screen.

[C]

All right, and then finally, tell us why you know and love the 1980s Lakers.

[F]

Oh, that's. That was my childhood, just growing up watching Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar and that whole Showtime Lakers team. The team won five championships in a span of the 80s. I mean, they were everything that I thought I wanted to be as an athlete, but never got there. But also just. It kind of spurred me into wanting to know more about their stories. And I think that's why maybe I became a journalist eventually. Is just wanting to know everything about them and what they meant to the city and what they meant to basketball.

[C]

And sports really cool. All right, well, to summarize a. You said you know and love the TV show Veep, the movie New Jack City and the 1980s Lakers. Today, we want to quiz you about Veep. Apparently, it's HBO night here at Go Fat Yourself. Just how it worked out for our listeners who have not seen Veep. How would you describe that show?

[F]

Oh, it's okay. So it's Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis Dreyfus, is the vice president who constantly gets frozen out of every possible big level meeting with the president. The president is always trying to avoid her and not let her in. And she just wants to just kind of just be part of the power structure. Very selfish character, a very, very conceited character. She's megalomaniac. She just drives and drives for more and more power, but always gets tripped up by herself and her staff and then laughs galore.

[C]

And as a journalist, you recognize some of the types of characters that you see on the show.

[F]

Well, that's the great thing. So the show came on right around when I transitioned from sports to news. So it kind of helped me a little bit in kind of understanding the world that I was getting into. NPR is based in D.C. they deal with White House press people all the time they deal with other press people that are covering politics much different than covering sports when you're covering politics. So it kind of helped me as I was moving into this new world to kind of understand maybe a little bit of the maybe comedic elements of politics and how that all works. So that was very fun.

[C]

All right, well, just ahead, we're going to enlist the help of a bonafide expert in your topic A with a question worth up to three points. But before that, to let you show your love, here are your five trivia questions about your topic, each worth one point. And if you want it, you're allowed a hint for any two of these five questions. Now, Leelan, do listen closely because if he answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, Leelan, how much do you know about Veep?

[E]

Oh, kind of.

[C]

All right, here's question number one. The title star of Veep is Julia Louis Dreyfus, who won six consecutive Emmy awards for her portrayal of Selina Meyer. In what category did she win these acting Emmys?

[F]

Best actress in a television comedy.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

That's correct.

[C]

There you go. Officially called outstanding lead actress in a comedy series. Fun fact. Not only did she win these six Emmys for her acting on Veep, she won three more, four outstanding comedy series. As a producer on Veep, she'd previously won two other Emmys, giving her a total of 11. 11 Emmys.

[B]

That is a lot of Emmys.

[C]

Guess how many more it is than I have. All right, here's question number two. As vice president, it's important for Selina Meyer to keep in touch with the president, which may be why in several episodes over the first two seasons, she repeatedly asked her personal secretary, sue, what question did the president call? Ashley.

[B]

That is correct.

[C]

That is correct. Two for two. Fun fact. That phrase is so popular that on the official HBO online shop, you can buy merch that says did the president call? Such as a T shaped shirt and mug shaped mug. All right, your two for two. Here's question number three. Selena goes from Veep to POTUS when she becomes president, but she loses her first re election campaign with Laura Montez ultimately becoming potus. What unusual turn of events led to the selection of President Montez?

[F]

There was a tie in the electoral college.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

That's correct.

[C]

That is correct. Yes. A tie followed by the House not choosing a president, followed by the Senate choosing the VP nominee, Montez. Fun fact. Laura Montez was played by Andrea Savage, who appeared as a guest on episode 313 of Go Fact Yourself. Other guest stars on Veep who've been on our show include Paul Scheer, Lennon Parham, Susie Nakamura, and Rose Abdu, who also appeared on the Comeback. Nice. Could have just gotten her for both topics. You're three for three. Here's question four. You do have your hints available. Speaking of guest stars, many of the show's guest stars have also won Emmys. But which one of the following Emmy winners did not appear on Veep? Was it Sean Hayes, Patton Oswalt, Gene Smart, Sam Richardson, or Allison Janney?

[F]

Sean Hayes.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

That is correct.

[C]

No hint needed. Very nice.

[B]

Confidence.

[C]

Wow. That was a little tricky because. Fun fact, Jean Smart and Alison Janney each appeared on only one episode of Veep. Sean Hayes did not appear on Veep, but did appear on the Comeback. Just like Rose Abdu.

[E]

Nice.

[C]

It's called the Circle of Abdo. All right, A. You have a chance to go five for five. If you can get this question correct, you do still have your hint available. Chief of Staff Ben Cafferty's prized possession is his coffee thermos, which he says is the only thing I'd save if this building were on fire. How many cups of coffee can this behemoth hold?

[F]

You're gonna need to hint me, Ashley.

[C]

How about that hint?

[B]

If you took two of Julia Louis Dreyfus Emmys away, she would still have the this many. And we made such a big deal about it earlier, remember, back in question.

[C]

Number one and the fun fact.

[B]

So weird how we did that.

[C]

It's weird how they tune out once they finish answering the question.

[F]

This is on. You're asking a journalist to do math.

[C]

Come on. That is true.

[F]

Yes, do that.

[C]

Although you did cover sports, which I do believe involves math sometimes. Yeah, Shoot.

[F]

Four cups of coffee, Ashley.

[B]

Incorrect.

[C]

No. The audience is very upset. Please contain your Ireland. No, I'm terribly sorry, Leelan. With a chance to steal.

[E]

If I heard right, I believe the math makes it nine cups of coffee.

[C]

Ashley.

[B]

That is correct.

[C]

That is correct. A successful steal from Lelon. You said you only knew a little bit about the show, but you knew that bit.

[E]

I remember hearing things.

[C]

Yes. That's very good. Fun fact that thermos that holds those nine cups is not made by thermos, but rather is made by a company called Bubba and is called a Bubba keg. It holds 72 ounces, which is just over nine cups of coffee. Please don't drink it all in the same day. All right. You still did quite well in that round A. But now it is time for your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is Time for your cluster fact. Ooh. We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response. A Selina Meyer's director of communications is the much beleaguered Mike McClintock, played by Matt Walsh, who eventually leaves the White House for a career as a journalist for up to three. For what online news outlet did he work? For what network TV news outlet did he later work? And in the finale way in the future, what famous and beloved actor's death does he interrupt Selina Meyer's funeral coverage to announce?

[F]

So Tom Hanks dies. Okay, cbs. And the first thing, what online.

[C]

What online news outlet did he work for?

[F]

BuzzFeed.

[C]

BuzzFeed News. All right. Ashley is taking note of those answers. We have an expert on handing tellers for sure. Ashley, who do we have tonight?

[B]

Joining us tonight is an actor whose career includes two Emmy nominations for playing Mike McClintock on Veep. It's Matt Walsh.

[C]

Matt Wall, Wonderful to see you. Thank you for joining us.

[D]

So great to be here. Hello, Pasadena.

[C]

Well, Matt, in addition to your TV work, you are one of the founders of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. You have appeared in iconic comedy, comedy movies like the Hangover, Stepbrothers, Bad Santa and elf, and on TV in shows like Brooklyn 9, 9 Players, Hung, Curb youb Enthusiasm, and of course, Veep, for which you received a SAG award. And those two nominations for Emmys. Very cool.

[D]

Thank you. Thank you, IMDb.

[C]

Well, we'll talk about Veep in a moment. But your background is in improv. And I'm curious, a lot of people do improv, not a lot of people start their own theater. And I'm curious, how did you and your UCB partners decide to start your own theater in school?

[D]

Such a big question. We didn't know what we were doing.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

And we went to New York with the dream of getting a TV show, which we did on Comedy Central. And so we started just doing a free improv show. And we connected with all these young people who were like, what is that? That's magic. I want to learn that. So we just started teaching out of their curiosity. And then at some point, we had so many students that we needed a place to teach. And then Mayor Giuliani, bless him, had just shut down a strip club. And we happened to walk by it and took the lease on it. And then we knocked out all the mirrors and we took down the stripper pole.

[C]

Hopefully did a deep clean as well.

[D]

Oh, yes, we won't go into that. And then we cut the Runway in half and pushed it Together and made a stage out of it.

[C]

And among the people who have studied there is Leland Bowden.

[E]

Fun fact. Matt was one of my very first improv teachers.

[C]

Oh, that I didn't know.

[D]

I hope I was good. I hope you learned one thing.

[E]

Yeah, I learned more than one thing. Thing.

[D]

I love it.

[C]

Wow. They say if you can teach someone two things, that was worth the $400.

[D]

No, it wasn't worth it. Well, she learned multiples.

[C]

Multiple things. Yeah. Well, let's talk about Veep. How did you get involved and how did you understand what the show was before you got to see any of the footage of it? Because it's very unique.

[D]

I auditioned through a series of five auditions, and in the second one, Julia and Armando Iannucci, the creator, were there, and it was very playful, and it was very improv friendly. And there were a couple interviews in the middle where I felt like I didn't talk enough because it was very loose. But I succeeded through the the Gauntlet and I got the job. So it was very stressful and scary, and I really wanted it because Armando had created so many great shows like the Thick of It and did the Movie in the Loop and the Steve Coogan Show, Alan Partridge. And so it was such great pedigree. And then my character in the pilot was this man who had been up all night getting a speech ready, and he had slept in his clothes. So I literally slept in my clothes the night before.

[C]

They call that method, I believe.

[D]

I guess it was. And my wife loved it. She loved it.

[C]

The chemistry in the cast is so amazing. Was that there right from the start or something? That developed over time.

[D]

I think it developed. We did a lot of rehearsals. Like, we would take our Saturdays and work scripts and play with things that weren't working. And so we put a lot of work into finding that chemistry. But such great writing, I mean, that was really the gift of that show. The writers were just incredible for all seven seasons.

[C]

I think a lot of people might be surprised how much of a rehearsed show it is because it seems so spontaneous. Can you talk about the rehearsal process and the improv that comes from that?

[D]

Well, Armando wanted it to be accurate, and they toured D.C. and they interviewed all these politicians and their impression of the White House and all the people who worked in Congress and people who serve congressmen. And it was always like, three people to one desk and one phone and stacks of dirty files. And so he created that place. So he liked the messiness, and I think he captured that messiness even in the dialogue. And I think that was. He was really trying to be as accurate as possible. So I think a lot of work went into that. And then our first season, we all went to London and rehearsed, like, the first four or five scripts. And you would. I would go home at night and call my wife. I'm like, I don't think I'm being very funny. Because we were encouraged to, like. Like, try new things. And you're sitting in a room of writers who are not laughing or. The British don't give it up a lot. Yeah, they love you and they're all lovely, but they don't give up the fake laugh. Like, LA gives up the fake laugh.

[B]

That's very good.

[C]

Very good.

[D]

We need it.

[C]

We do. Yeah.

[D]

We're dumb.

[C]

Even when you know it's fake, you need it. Yeah, it sounds.

[H]

It feels good.

[D]

It's like a dog treat for us. But so it was. Yeah, a lot of work went into all. All the episodes.

[C]

And if I understand correctly, even though the dialogue and a lot of the moments were very well rehearsed, the blocking wasn't necessarily.

[D]

Well, we would go into every location and sort of. We were given such wonderful support from hbo. This is a plug. But we were allowed to take time, like, before filming and just, like, play with the room and discover what was in the room. And maybe there's a prop here or maybe there's physical gag. And a lot of the show lives with, like. Like, multiple things happening at once. Like, Selena's getting fitted for a dress and Tony's feeding her breakfast, and she's doing an interview with a publicist and she's taking calls. So we discovered some of that on set, or we were allowed to rehearse that. So we were given a lot of time to figure things out on set.

[C]

Well, the character of Mike, one of the things that he was known for was he always seemed to be snacking. How did that come about?

[D]

I think it was written in the first script. He was always dirty a little bit, and he would spill, and I come by some of that naturally not dirty, but I do spill things.

[G]

And.

[D]

And I think it's just funny. And I think they always, like. Once they started suggesting, like, yeah, I'll grab a sandwich. And, like. Because it is a fun. Like, you see, like, you know, Brad Pitt loves to eat in movies. It's a fun prop. So you can have a lot of fun, like doing scene work, but also being more focused on the food and just.

[C]

Yeah. So you would say you're the Brad Pitt of the show.

[D]

I can't say it, but you just.

[C]

I just did. You just did. Well, the show was known for its very cutting insults that you were both on the giving and receiving end. Were there ones that were hard for you to say or hard for you to hear?

[D]

It was hard if it was like, someone who came in for a day and they were say. Like, say they were a heavyset person and you had to insult their weight.

[C]

Right.

[D]

So you would always go, hey, I'm a nice person. This is in the script. And I get made fun of, too. And there was one. I think they described Mike as like a. A sad egg or a gay Irish fireman. So you took it. Yeah. You take it on the chin, too.

[C]

So it was.

[D]

But you shake it off.

[C]

Yeah. They might be talking to the actor, not just the character. It feels sometimes, right?

[D]

Sometimes it feels like it.

[C]

Well, you are hosting a Veep rewatch podcast called Second in Command with your co star Tim Symonds, who played Jonah. What was that rewatch experience like for you?

[D]

Well, we did it. I think we started during COVID because we wanted to do something.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And it was also an excuse to connect because we're all still friends. So we would have Tony, Julia, Sam come by many times and the writers. And then by the end of it, we've gone through all the episodes, so we just transitioned to any movie with a president. So we just bring in people that are actors or celebrities, and we just pick a movie and we talk about anything.

[C]

And is it the movie that they were in or just. No, no, that would be. That would be silly.

[D]

Like, there's so many movies with presidents that have nothing to do with politics.

[B]

What's your favorite one that you've done so far?

[D]

Oh, my God. That's a good question. I mean, the Rock's pretty good.

[B]

Oh, that's really good.

[D]

So, like, action ones are really fun. So.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

I don't know. Well, I like Mars Attacks, too.

[C]

Mars Attacks. Yeah. Yeah, that's great as well. Well, let's get to the reason we brought you here tonight as far as our game is concerned. You heard the question that we asked of a first. We wanted to know that character Mike McClintock after he left the White House for a career in journalism. What online news network did a say buzzfeed and Matt?

[D]

That is correct.

[C]

Wow.

[D]

I also want to say I do enjoy your voice. Like Julia, I am a fan. I like hearing it in my cards. It's a good voice.

[C]

Oh, lovely. I don't even know if we needed to give the rest of the points. I mean, that was. What else are you looking for? All right, that is a point there. For a next, we wanted to know what was the network TV news outlet that Mike later worked for? Ashley, what did A say?

[D]

Cbs. And, Matt, CBS is correct.

[C]

CBS is correct. That's another point. And finally wanted to know in the finale, way in the future, what famous and beloved actor's death does he interrupt Selina Meyer's funeral coverage to announce? Ashley, what did A say?

[B]

Tom Hanks and Matt.

[D]

Tom Hanks is correct.

[C]

Three for three on the cluster. Both of our guests tonight a while.

[B]

We have our expert here. Is there anything else you'd like to say or ask?

[F]

No, just your character and your show means a lot to me. I watch it on a loop all the time. I watched it all day today just to try and be ready, just in case. But, yeah, it just. It feeds me. It's just.

[D]

Do you watch it to go? A lot of people watch it to go to sleep. Do you watch it to go to sleep?

[F]

Well, so I watch anything. Okay, so Seinfeld, I'll watch you go to sleep. New Adventures of Old Christine and Veep.

[D]

Okay.

[F]

And so I finally. I got into an argument. Not an argument. I disagreed with Jerry Seinfeld on something because I told him that he was doing a press for Frosted. And so I told him, hey, you know, I have Seinfeld on all night and all Day, and I still laugh at a lot of the jokes because they're funny. I treat it like a. Like a song, a favorite song you'd sing along to.

[C]

Right?

[F]

Because you remember how good it. He goes. He goes, that's not how it works.

[C]

Eh.

[F]

What do you mean? He's like, that's not how comedy works. You're doing that wrong. And I said, jerry, I gotta disagree with you on that. And I'm thinking to myself, I'm disagreeing with Jerry Seinfeld about how comedy works.

[C]

Well, Matt, do you want to validate that it's okay that A falls asleep to your work?

[D]

I just find it strange that all that vulgarity puts people to sleep. A lot of people use. Yeah, well, we all speak kind of rough, but, yeah, a lot of it comes from Julia.

[C]

Yeah, I'm sure it makes her very interesting dreams as well. Matt, it's so wonderful that you joined us. If people want to find out more about what you're up to, where can they do that?

[D]

Check out Second in Command. That's kind of what I'm up to. Lately. That's a simple one.

[C]

Excellent. Well, thank you so much for making this Simple Night special. It is Matt Walsh, everybody. Thank you for being here, Matt Walsh. All right, Ashley, what is going into the final round?

[B]

Going into the final round, Lelon Boden has ten and a half points, and A. Martinez has eight points.

[C]

All right, you got some on the board there. Well, now it is time for our final round. We call Fast Facts. I will read 10 statements and each contestant will answer with true or false. I'll start with Leelan, and then we will alternate. Each correct answer is worth one point. Again, please answer each statement with true or false, and we will go fast. Here we begin. Lilan, There was a US President named Andrew Johnson.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct. Correct.

[C]

A. Andrew Johnson was president in the 20th century.

[F]

False.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Yes. The 19th century. Leland. He was a vice president before he was president.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Also known as Aveep. A. He was a US Senator before he was president.

[F]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Leland, he was a US Senator after he was president.

[A]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Yeah. A, he was the first US President to be impeached.

[F]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Leland. He was the first US President to befriend and care for a family of White House men Mice, I gotta say.

[D]

True.

[E]

Correct.

[C]

As far as we know, A, he was nicknamed the Minnesota Mouse.

[F]

False.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Lelon. He was nicknamed the Tennessee Taylor.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

A. Because he worked as a tailor before he was president.

[F]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

And finally, Leland. And not as a seamstress.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[C]

Let's give a nice hand to A. Martinez and Leland Bowden as Ashley Tabbits. The final score. By the way, a perfect true or false round from our guest tonight. Perfect score. We are not counting that last one, by the way. President Andrew Johnson is the only US President to be a senator after his presidency, and only the second president to be named Andrew. Ashley, are you ready to announce the winner on today's program?

[B]

I am ready. At the end of the game, A has 13 points and Leelan has 15 and a half points.

[C]

Congratulations, Lelon Boden. You are the facting champion on Go Factor seven. What will you do with your championship?

[E]

I will tell all my friends. See, I'm good at trivia after all.

[C]

See, we've got proof. All right, we're going to wrap things up by giving everyone on the panel a chance to mention or promote anything of theirs they might like. Leelan, where can people find you and what you're up to?

[E]

Yes, you can find me on Instagram at yourfriendleon. And I'm very covert on substack. So don't find me there.

[C]

I think that's called the Streisand effect.

[E]

Also shrinking Season three coming out.

[C]

Yay. Congratulations on that and thank you so much for being here. Leland Bowden Everybody.

[F]

A. Martinez, NPR's Morning Edition every Monday through Friday and also A. Martinez la all the socials and support public media keep supporting it everyone.

[C]

I agree. A. Martinez. Thank you so much. Ladies and gentlemen, Rookie of the year, your guest co host, Ashley Burch.

[B]

Thank you so much. You can find me Ashley Burch. My name is spelled confusingly, no E in Ashley and a U instead of an I in Birch and please watch my show. I'm happy you're here on YouTube and.

[C]

We'Re happy you're here. Ashley Burks. Thank you so much and me. You can find me on all the [e-mail] all spelled out. You can also hire me to host your trivia event either in person or online by going to bigquizthing.com also please come check out my favorite storytelling show in LA called Rant and Rave that I co produce at the Rogue Machine Theater every other month. That just leaves me to thank Lelon Boden, A. Martinez, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Matt Walsh, everyone here at LAIST and the Crawford. And thank you for listening and supporting our [e-mail] I'm Jake Keith Van Stratton. Good night. Like what you hear? Come see us live. Go to gofactorpod.com for a schedule and tickets. Meanwhile, please like and follow us on all the socials, all at Update our [e-mail] and by our T shaped shirt, mug shaped mug and dingle dangly dingle dangle and [e-mail] and give us a great review on your favorite podcast platform like Katzmandu did on Podcast Addict. He she or they said one of my favorite podcasts. I can't recommend it more. Thanks Katzmandu. I'm glad your review didn't get cut off before the word More.

[B]

Ashley Jesus Take the Wheel. Go Fact Yourself is a panel quiz program devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith Van Stratten and comes to you via transcription from the Crawford at La Est in Pasadena. Questions were compiled by the Trivia Industrial Complex, which this week included Mimi Rogers. We are produced in collaboration with maximum fun and LAist maximum fun. Senior producer is Laura Swisher, Co producer and editor is Julian Burrell. Additional editing by Valerie Moffatt, music by Jonathan Green Research assistance provided by Adam Mead Edif Quiz assistance provided by Bart Gold and Scott Altenhoffen Promotional graphics by Erich Tran Video clips by Scout Mayberry Live show photography by Christine Valada Live show support by Dave Bianchi and Clint Tauscher. Special thanks to Mark Armstrong at Principal Entertainment LA Rachel Hosseini of PR machine Jim Underdown at the center for Inquiry Bill Shaken, Thomas Lee Wright and Dan Bukatinsky for Laist John Cohn, Vice president, audience and Community engagement Rebecca Stummy, senior producer Tony Federico, technical director Michael Leyva, tech assistant Lorena Nader, Audience Experience manager and Mikayla Perez, events intern Ivan Ashley Burch.

[C]

Let's go watch the Comeback and V. Can I borrow your HBO Max password?

[B]

Absolutely not.

[A]

Aw, Maximum fun.

[C]

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