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
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.
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)
- Ashley jokes about feeling like a substitute teacher:
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
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:
- What improv theater does Valerie attend for classes?
- “That would be The Groundlings, Ashley.” (22:41)
- Valerie’s sitcom catchphrase:
- “I don’t need to see that, Ashley.” (in full Valerie Cherish mode) (23:27)
- 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)
- 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.
- Ringtone composer for Valerie’s phone:
- “Tchaikovsky.” (with helpful ballet hint) (27:23)
- What improv theater does Valerie attend for classes?
Cluster Fact (Expert Round): The "Palm Springs" Episode
-
Three-part answer:
-
- Destination: “Palm Springs” (28:54)
-
- Mary J. Blige mispronunciation: “Mary J. Bilge” (28:58)
-
- 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)
- Laura on audition experience:
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:
- Emmy category Julia Louis-Dreyfus won for Veep:
- “Best actress in a television comedy.” (42:16)
- Selina’s recurring secretary question:
- “Did the president call?” (42:58)
- How does Laura Montez become President?
- “There was a tie in the electoral college.” (43:29)
- Which of these won an Emmy but did NOT appear on Veep?
- “Sean Hayes.” (44:19)
- How many cups does Ben’s thermos hold?
- Fails: “Four cups.”
- Lilan steals: “Nine cups.” (45:40)
- Emmy category Julia Louis-Dreyfus won for Veep:
Cluster Fact (Expert Round): Mike McClintock’s Journalism Career
- Three-part answer:
- Online outlet: “BuzzFeed”
- TV network: “CBS”
- 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)
- On Veep’s prep:
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)
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
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)
Final Scores
- Lilan Bowden: 15.5 points (Winner)
- A. Martinez: 13 points
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
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.
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.
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.
