Ep. 183: Christine Lakin & Jon Lovett

Summary

Go Fact Yourself – Ep. 183: Christine Lakin & Jon Lovett

Recorded live in Pasadena, CA | December 12, 2025
Host: J. Keith van Straaten | Co-host: Helen Hong
Guests: Christine Lakin, Jon Lovett

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Overview

This episode of Go Fact Yourself is a lively, game show-style battle of brains and pop culture knowledge. Host J. Keith van Straaten and co-host Helen Hong quiz two multifaceted celebrities—Christine Lakin (actor/choreographer known for “Step By Step,” director, podcast host) and Jon Lovett (co-founder of Crooked Media, podcast host, former presidential speechwriter)—on their chosen expert topics, surprising facts, and deeper life insights in front of a spirited live audience.

Through rigorous trivia, playful banter, and appearances by surprise real-life experts, Christine and Jon battle it out over everything from Bravo reality TV to Nobel laureate novels, all culminating in a suspenseful tiebreaker. The episode is rich in humor, personal stories, and memorable moments from guests and hosts alike.

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Meet the Contestants

Christine Lakin

• Actor, director, choreographer, and audiobook narrator
• Known best for “Step By Step” as Al
• Hosts the nostalgia podcast "Keanan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu"
• Chosen topics:
  • “Below Deck” (Bravo reality TV)
  • “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”
  • Making mint cookies and cream ice cream

Jon Lovett

• Crooked Media co-founder, host of “Pod Save America” and “Lovett or Leave It”
• Former Obama and Hillary Clinton speechwriter
• Chosen topics:
  • Kazuo Ishiguro novels
  • Taco Bell
  • “The Real Housewives of New York City” (original series)

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Warm-Up & Host Banter

[01:47]–[02:30]

• J. Keith shares that this is his last show before his wedding, regaling the crowd with tales of his "wild" bachelor party: “…then we sang karaoke, both Billy Joel and Broadway.”
• Christine recounts how “Step By Step” is new again to co-star Stacy Keanan (who’d never watched it during its original run).
• Her own kids? Not impressed—“they think there's too much kissing. The mom and dad, they kiss all the time. It's a very horny show…” [04:32]

Contestant Introductions

• Christine discusses narrating audiobooks and humble beginnings: “So much of my life, I feel like I have fallen into opportunities and this was one of them…” [13:42]
• Jon Lovett explains how exhaustion is part of staying informed in politics—“the news is relentless. Politics has become relentless. It sucks up a much bigger part of our brains than it ever has before, and that can be enervating… but if you stop caring… you cede the field to a bunch of people that are excited to see you leave.” [15:33–16:08]

What’s the Difference? Round

[07:42–12:19]

Memorable Quote

• Jon on throat anatomy: “A larynx, I've heard of. That's one difference.” [10:32]

• The distinctions between:

  • Practical solution (gets the job done as intended) vs Pragmatic solution (gets the job done with compromises based on reality).
  • Larynx (voice box making raw sound via vocal cords) vs Pharynx (resonates and amplifies the sound).

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Contestant Deep Dives & Trivia Rounds

Christine Lakin—Expert Topic: “Below Deck”

[17:31–26:45]

Why She Loves “Below Deck:”

• It fills her “upstairs-downstairs” TV-obsession, “Downton Abbey in the Mediterranean.”
• It’s her “laundry folding show”—perfect background for chores.
  “All these people, every three days they have a new cast of very luxurious people that come on… They have to cater to their every whim.” [19:38–20:19]

Trivia Highlights

• Goes 5-for-5!
• Notable correct answers:
  • “Yachty”—crew’s name for itself [22:08]
  • Famous yacht name: “Cor de Leone”
  • Real dangerous moment: “The cameraman” saved a deckhand’s life [23:56]
• Christine’s breadth of knowledge and fan passion delight the crowd.

Expert Guest Segment ([27:04–33:28])

• Surprise experts: Cortland Cox (Below Deck co-creator/showrunner) and Captain Lee Rosbach (show’s captain)

Memorable moment:

• Captain Lee recounting how he got injured: “I was actually getting out of the shower... slipped and fell into the granite marble top and bruised up a couple of ribs…” [31:48]
• Emmy nomination: “Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program”

Jon Lovett—Expert Topic: “The Real Housewives of New York City” (original series)

[34:46–45:30]

Why He Loves It:

• “Funnier than any comedy that’s ever been written… better drama than any drama that’s ever written.” [36:08]
• Shout-outs to memorable lines: “Life is not a cabaret,” “You’re crazy, go to sleep, you’re crazy.” [38:42]

Trivia Highlights

• Goes 5-for-5!
• Products, catchphrases (“Turtle Time”), and infamous “Bethenny Clause” (network cuts of Housewives’ business ventures)

Expert Guest Segment ([45:52–55:06])

• Surprise guests: Dorinda Medley and Alex McCord (former RHONY cast)

Memorable moment:

• Dorinda, on the shared bond of the cast: “It’s like being in the mafia.” [48:10]
• Alex (now a published psychologist in Australia!) delivers her iconic line: “You are a mean girl and you are in high school... I am in Brooklyn trying to survive in this economy, working.” [47:07]
• John marvels, “My God. That’s how you get on the show—because you’re so intensely interesting all the time.” [53:17]

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Game Highlights, Quotes & Notable Moments

Lightning–Fast Facts Round ([55:36–56:50])

• Contestants alternate True/False about energy drinks (“There’s one called Boom”—TRUE), culminating in raucous laughter and audience participation.

Tiebreaker

[56:50–57:51]

• Deadlocked at 12 points each, Christine and Jon must guess the WNBA’s minimum base salary.
  • Christine: $210K, Jon: $220K—Actual: $66,079
  • All express shock at the low number; hosts note: “We’re bringing attention to the pay disparity. Right. We’re helping.”

Christine Wins

• “What will you do with your championship?”
  • “Oh, my gosh. I'm gonna go home and have a zip, a zop, and a yuck.” [58:00]

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Timestamps for Notable Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|------------------| | Opening/Host Banter | 01:06–05:22 | | Contestant Introductions/Expert Topics | 03:10–06:57 | | “What’s the Difference?” Round | 07:29–12:19 | | Christine’s “Below Deck” quiz+Expert | 17:31–33:28 | | Jon’s “Real Housewives of NY” quiz+Expert | 34:46–55:06 | | Fast Facts/Tiebreaker | 55:36–57:51 | | Winner & Sign-Offs | 57:51–end |

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Tone & Audience Experience

• The show is sharp, witty, affectionately nerdy and driven by both nostalgia and insider knowledge.
• Both Christine and Jon bring game—vividly illustrating how fandom can equal expertise.
• Exceptional guest chemistry with hosts and surprise expert guests.
• Joyful, supportive environment—plenty of hearty laughs, warm moments of humility, and pop culture revelations.

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Quotation Highlights

"They think there's too much kissing. The mom and dad, they kiss all the time. It's a very horny show, actually, for a Friday night TV show."
– Christine Lakin, on how her kids view “Step By Step” (04:32)

"You don't go to Taco Bell for tacos. You go to Taco Bell for Taco Bell."
– Jon Lovett, on the true draw of the Bell (37:31)

"When you spend time with a person that's been on the Housewives, you realize, my God. My God. That's how you get on the show because you're so intensely interesting all the time."
– Jon Lovett, after chatting with Dorinda & Alex (53:17)

"It’s like being in the mafia."
– Dorinda Medley, on being a Real Housewife (48:10)

"I was actually getting out of the shower... slipped and fell into the granite marble top and bruised up a couple of ribs ..."
– Captain Lee Rosbach, recalling his infamous injury (31:48)

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Final Notes & Where to Find More

• Christine Lakin: Instagram [@yolakin], podcast “Keanan and Lakin Give You Deja Vu”
• Jon Lovett: Subscribe to Crooked Media podcasts, especially “Pod Save America” on YouTube
• Special guests:
  • Captain Lee: captainlee.com
  • Cortland Cox: Now living a quiet life in Spain
  • Dorinda: Instagram @dorindamedley, TikTok @dorindamedleynyc
  • Alex: Instagram @mccordalex, publishing caregiver research

If you love trivia, warmth, and pop culture deep-dives—especially of the Bravo TV persuasion—this episode is for you!

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Go Fact Yourself is a podcast quiz show from Maximum Fun, hosted by J. Keith van Straaten & Helen Hong, supported by MaxFun members.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, hey, it's Helen and Jay Keith.

[B]

And we just want to make sure that you can join us in our audience for some live on stage recordings of Go Fact Yourself in December and January.

[A]

December 13th at the Crawford with guests Paul Feig and Anjali Bimani.

[B]

January 4th at the Crawford, a matinee with Jay Moore and Amanda Gorman, January.

[A]

15Th at the Crawford with Matt Walsh.

[B]

And then we've got two shows in New York City. Saturday, January 24th at Symphony Space and Monday, January 26th at the JCC.

[A]

For the latest info on guests and tickets, you can always go to gof.

[B]

In the meantime, go Fact yourself is supported by our Max Fund members. And if you're already a member, thanks.

[A]

But if you're not, go to maximumfun.org join. For as little as $5 a month, you can help keep this show going and get hundreds of hours of bonus content from the Boko library. And that's for Go Fact yourself and every other show on the Max Fund Network. That's MaximumFun.org join.

[B]

And now, take it away. Helen.

[A]

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 yourself.

[B]

Hi.

[A]

Hi, 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'm Helen Hong and. Oh, yes, I'll take it. And now, from the Crawford at La Est in Pasadena, here's our moderator, Jakeith Van Straten.

[B]

Oh, thank you, everybody. What a lovely crowd. Hello, Helen. How are you?

[A]

Hello, J. Keith. Jakeith, I know that your wedding is, like, quickly impending.

[B]

Yeah, it's a little weird. This is the last show that I am doing before I get married. So. Yeah. Ladies, last chance. Nope, nope, nope. I'm just kidding. I'm very happy to be marrying my fiance, Sarah. And I'm not just saying that because one of her best friends is sitting in the front row. Very excited for that.

[A]

What are the final. How are the final plans going?

[B]

They're going very well. In fact, actually, last night I had my bachelor party.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yes. And let me tell you, my friends know how to throw a party. They took me out for a very nice meal at one of my favorite restaurants. Then we sang karaoke, both Billy Joel and Broadway. And then we.

[A]

It's steamy. It's getting steamy.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah. Things are getting crazy. And then we played celebrity. And there was also some Wine involved. And let me tell you, things did not start winding down until after 11:15pm So I don't know what's gonna happen today, Helen. I don't even know where I am or what's going on, but things are gonna get crazy. Well, today on Go Fact Yourself, two guests will compete to answer questions about facts they know, facts they may not know, 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, Helen. Who do we have playing tonight?

[A]

She is a producer, director, choreographer and actor known for her role as al on over 150 episodes of the sitcom Step By Step. And he is the co founder of Crooked Media, where he co hosts the podcast Pod Save America and hosts Love it or Leave It, It's Christine Lakin and John Lovett.

[B]

Hi. Lovely to see you. Welcome.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Welcome, welcome.

[D]

Hi.

[C]

Thrilled to be here.

[B]

Oh, it's so wonderful to have you here. Now, Christine, you co host a podcast called Kenan and Lakin Gives yous Deja Vu with your co star from Step By Step, Stacey Keenan.

[C]

I sure do.

[B]

And you two watch every episode of the show. And you've said for one of us, it's the first time. Which one of you is it the first time watching these episodes?

[C]

Stacy Keenan.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[C]

Never watched the show when she was on it.

[D]

No.

[C]

Watching it now for the very first time. Things that happened 30 years ago are new again.

[B]

Okay. Whereas for you, I'm curious, what's that experience like, seeing yourself on screen from so long ago?

[C]

You know, it's funny, cause I did watch it. I was the target audience when I started that show. I was 12. I did watch quite a lot of it. And TGIF was like such a big deal in the 90s. And then there was like a very long amount of time where I didn't watch the show 20 years or more. And then watching it again is fun. Although my kids are not as impressed.

[B]

Why not?

[C]

Oh, they think there's too much kissing. The mom and dad, they kiss all the time. It's a very horny show, actually for a Friday night TV show. So, yeah, they go, ah, this one again. So, you know, it keeps me humble.

[B]

And how much do you remember what you're seeing on screen? Like, do you remember having shot it? Do you remember what the experience was like?

[C]

Some things I remember really well, I think especially from the first year because I Think those were such core memories for me. It was all happening for the first time. So I remember the punchlines, I remember the jokes, I remember even some of the dialogue. Then, as we're getting now, and we're in season three and it's getting foggy. I mean, and. Yeah, so I think it goes in and out.

[A]

You were already jaded by then. You were like a jaded 15 year old being like whatever.

[C]

Jaded child actor.

[D]

Send the pages to the Beverly Hilton.

[A]

Now, John, before you founded Crooked media and hosted successful podcasts, you were a speechwriter for President Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. Is it true that you got to write presidential speeches by winning a contest?

[D]

So contest is a strong term for.

[B]

It, but it was sweepstakes.

[D]

Perhaps it was. They were looking for one more person to come join the Obama White House speechwriting team. And so they asked a bunch of people to write a speech and they basically anonymized it so they could just do it based on the writing. And mine was one that was pulled from that process. And then I'm great in an interview.

[B]

Well, we're gonna get to chat with you two a little bit more later, but for now, we ask each of you to provide us with a few topics outside your field of work that you know and love. Christine, for you, you said that's the TV show Below Deck. The TV show, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Whereas, John, a little bit different, you said that you know and love Kazuo Ishiguro novels, which I didn't know.

[D]

I mean, that's so pretentious. You know, it's like I was. It wasn't like I genuinely was in the middle of reading one. It wasn't like I was like, oh, I need to impress the people of public radio.

[C]

John, you don't have to dumb yourself down to sit with me.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

I love.

[D]

All right, well, you started with that one, which was rude, and you did it on purpose. Two reality shows and ice cream. And now to the Nobel Prize laureate. Continue, Continue. The second half of my list. Yes.

[B]

Well, the next topic was Taco Bell. Thank you.

[A]

See, we re corrected.

[B]

And I think this will make everyone feel good. And the TV show, the Real Housewives of New York City.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

The original series.

[D]

Thank you very much.

[B]

Well, later on, we're gonna ask each of you some in depth trivia about one of those topics. But first we're gonna 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 have 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, practically speaking. First up and practically speaking is Christine with practically. Your question comes from a listener. Who is it, Helen?

[A]

I will let them tell you themselves because we have an in person listener question. Listeners, if you'd like to submit a suggestion for what's the Difference? Round, go to gofactorpod.com and click on get involved. Hi, listener.

[B]

Hi, I'm Dr. Scott Edgington from Glendale, California. And my question for what's the Difference? Is, while both might be words you speak when describing how you are going to solve a problem, what's the difference between a practical solution and a pragmatic solution? Thank you so much, Dr. Scott Edgington.

[A]

I think there were some audible oohs from the audience, like, ooh, that's a good one.

[B]

I think they were impressed that we got a doctor. All right, Christine, you heard Dr. Edgington. What is the difference between a practical and pragmatic solution?

[C]

I'm gonna say a practical solution is something that you could physically put into practice, while a pragmatic solution is something that sounds theoretically like it would work.

[B]

All right, we've got Christine's answer. We don't know yet if she's entirely correct, and judging by her expression, neither does she. John, anything you'd like to add or change?

[D]

My thought is only that every pragmatic solution is a practical sol solution, but not every practical solution is a pragmatic solution. For it to be pragmatic, it would have to be practical. But a practical solution, as Christine said, could be a Rube Goldberg Rube Gold. A practical solution could be. If you laugh, it will be clear that I up. I do this for a living as well, so chill out. I'm doing an edit.

[B]

Thank you for producing our show as well as guesting on it.

[D]

A practical. Now you're gonna leave it in. A Rube Goldberg machine. Could be practical without being pragmatic. That's all I was gonna say. That's all I was gonna say.

[B]

Well, this segment has become practically imperfect in every way. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.

[A]

I just wrote down rant and then Rube Goldberg. Okay, here are the facts. A practical solution is effective in getting the job done more or less the way it should be. A pragmatic solution gets the job done. But involves some compromise based on the reality of the situation.

[B]

That's right. For example, if I'm expecting my soon to be in laws to visit my cluttered home and I want things to be tidy, a practical solution is to spend hours doing a full Marie Kondo, holding each object and deciding what sparks joy. This is a concrete, feasible action I can take to make sure my home is tidy. But since I'm very busy and there's a lot of good stuff on TV these days, a pragmatic solution is to stuff everything into the garage just before they ring the doorbell. Helen, how did our guest do?

[A]

Christine, I think I'm going to give you half a point for each portion. So one point.

[B]

One point for Christine.

[E]

I'll take it.

[C]

I'll take it.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

All right, up next, and practically speaking is John with speaking John, While both are practical in helping you speak, when it comes to your voice, what's the difference between your larynx and your pharynx? Your larynx and your pharynx.

[D]

Hmm. Well, a larynx I've heard of.

[B]

Okay, that's one difference.

[D]

I'm gonna throw out a guess, which is the larynx is the part that produces the majority of sound, and the pharynx just does the high parts.

[B]

Okay. The soprano of the throat, perhaps? Yeah, just.

[D]

Yeah, for the whistle tone.

[B]

Okay.

[D]

You know when, like, Mariah goes to the top.

[B]

Oh, I know. Yeah. All right, we've got John's answer. Do not know yet if he's entirely correct. Christine, what do you think?

[C]

The larynx is the part of the vocal cords that it brings them together. It's the part that brings them together, and that's what makes the sound. And the pharynx is the phalange part.

[B]

Wow. I believe that is a Phoebe Buffet reference. Okay. Always appreciated the phalange part. All right, well, this segment needs to have its throat cut. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.

[A]

Here are the facts. When it comes to the voice, the larynx, also known as the voice box, creates raw sound using your vocal cords. The pharynx serves as a resonating chamber, helping to modify and amplify those sounds.

[B]

That's right. Now, you can think of it like an acoustic guitar where the larynx is like the strings that vibrate and cause a sound, and the pharynx is like the hollow body that shapes and amplifies the sound. But once again, listeners, please do not swallow guitar picks in order to strum your vocal cords. Helen, how did our guest do?

[A]

You know what, John? I think I'm gonna give you half a point each for each portion of your answer because you also were sort of around the answer, but not quite on the target. So one point total.

[B]

One point for John. Very nice.

[D]

As fair as you are generous.

[B]

Well, let's get to know our guests a little bit better. Christine Lake, in addition to Step By Step, you've appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, including Modern Family, the Rookie, Veronica Mars. You've directed several TV episodes, plus some films that have been making the festival circuit. You've also choreographed on several shows, including as resident choreographer for all 10 seasons of the Goldbergs. And your voice has been heard in shows like Family Guy and as the narrator in over 150 audiobooks for which you have won several awards.

[C]

Whoa, you make me sound so popular.

[B]

Yeah, well, Step By Step was hugely popular as a part of ABC's TGIF lineup. You've described yourself as people's first TGIF crush. Were you aware that people were crushing on you at the time?

[C]

Not very aware at all. Because in 1991, most of the 90s, there was no social media, right? So it really. When people would even come up to me and want my autograph, it always seemed like a shock, quite frankly, that anybody knew who I was. It wasn't until, like many years later that people in my adulthood, men and women, I might say, saying that I was possibly their first crush. And that brings me great joy.

[B]

Oh, that's so fun.

[A]

You were so cute on that show and still are.

[B]

As mentioned, you're the narrator of audiobooks. I'm curious how you got into doing that and what that experience is.

[C]

Like so much of my life, I feel like I have fallen into opportunities and this was one of them. I'd been doing lots of voiceover work, Family Guy and such, and all kinds of video games. And then I auditioned for a book. It was Holly Black who wrote Spiderwick Chronicles. And the book was called Coldest Girl in Cold Town. It was a vampire book. This is like back during the twilight years. And I did one and I really enjoyed it. And I just kind of kept getting called back to do more and more. And this has been like 15 years of my life, and I've done so many of them now. And I love doing it because I love to read. I love. I've read everything from fiction to nonfiction to self help big books like Michael Connelly's books, all the way to, like, you know, fun little rom coms. And romances.

[B]

Last thing I'm gonna ask you about. We mentioned that you have worked for a long time as a choreographer. I mentioned that my wedding is upcoming. Now, I don't like to dance at weddings, but apparently I might have to at my own. Do you have any tips for people who don't like to dance but find themselves in a dancing situation?

[C]

Well, you know, I think you really have to let loose. You gotta feel the beat. You have to be in your body. And if that means you need to close your eyes and ask others to close theirs, then go for it.

[B]

Blindfolds for all the wedding guests.

[F]

Thank you.

[B]

Christine Lakin, John Lovett, of course, you were a speechwriter in the Obama White House and for Hillary Clinton. You've also written for television, including your own network sitcom and on the Newsroom with Aaron Sorkin. And you, of course, co founded Crooked Media and host those podcasts, Love it or Leave it and Pod Save America, which get millions of listeners, many of whom I believe are here today.

[D]

Hi, everybody.

[B]

Well, you've described Love it or Leave it as breaking down the biggest and dumbest stories in politics and culture. That, of course, means that you need to keep up with all of those stories. How do you do so. And not get exhausted?

[D]

Oh, that's not possible.

[B]

Oh, okay. So the exhaustion is baked into the.

[D]

Of course it is. Look, the news is relentless. Politics has become relentless. It sucks up a much bigger part of our brains than it ever has before, and that can be enervating and depleting and can lead you to want to turn off. But if you stop paying attention, if you stop caring, if you. If you disengage, give in to that feeling, you cede the field to a bunch of people that are excited to see you leave. And so what we've been trying to do at cricket, at Pod Save America, at Love it or Leave it, at every show we do, if there's going to be a movement you're going to join, it has to be a party you'd want to attend. And so we try to make sure that it's fun and entertaining, even when the news can be bleak, so that people stay invested.

[B]

Very cool.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Fighting the good fight.

[B]

Trying. Well, we thank both of you for being here. John Love and Christine Lakin. Helen, what is our score as we head into the break?

[A]

At the end of that first round? Christine Lakin has one point and John Lovett has one point.

[B]

Well, 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. Hello, this is Alden Ford and Mujanz Alfagari, two of the creators of Mission to zyx, your favorite improvised, obsessively sound designed sci fi sitcom here on the Max Fun Network. And the news is we're back with.

[A]

An all new miniseries set in the Ziggs universe, the Young Old Derf Chronicles. Yeah, will Derf find his own killer before it's too late to find out how that question could possibly make sense? Well, you just have to tune in.

[B]

Yeah, we're so excited that episode one is out right now in the Mission to Zix feed. So if you are looking for a little break from your own galaxy, we would love for you to check it out.

[A]

That's the young old Durf Chronicle search mission to ZYX, ZYXX in your podcast.

[B]

App or on maximumfun.org keep it fresh.

[A]

Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Christine Lakin and John Lovett. Once again, here's Jakey Van Stratten.

[B]

Thank you so much, Helen. Thank you, everybody. All right, Christine, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love the TV show Below Deck. The TV show the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world. Let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us what the TV show Below Deck means to you. I would have thought that was the ice cream, but that's incredible.

[C]

I love that show. I've always been obsessed with shows that have an upstairs, downstairs quality to them and not only is it filmed in gorgeous locations, I'm obsessed with sailboats. My parents used to sail when I was a child. And I love the idea of these people having these dramas but having to cater to like the wealthy and rich. Also, I have a lot of laundry. I have two kids. And so this is my laundry folding show.

[B]

Okay, very good.

[C]

I get my laundry done.

[B]

Wonderful. Next, tell us what the TV show the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills means to you.

[C]

I mean, it is all the drama. It is just all the drama, all the luxury, all the, it is like a, it's a, it's a guilty pleasure in all of the, it's more of.

[B]

An upstairs, upstairs show.

[C]

That's correct. That's correct.

[B]

And finally, tell us about making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world.

[C]

Well, I've mentioned I have two children. They are very discerning, as I've also mentioned, and we go through A lot of ice cream. And so I decided to use, put my skills to work and actually start making my own because we go through so much of it. And I feel like although this is about facts, I will say that given how discerning they are about their taste, that they have said that this particular recipe that I've learned to make is the best they've ever had. And so you know what? I think it's just. I think it's just fact.

[B]

It's settled. Settled law, I believe we call that. Yeah. And I understand you brought some for all of our audience today.

[C]

Oh, I ate it on the way over.

[B]

Oh, no, I'm terribly sorry. All right, well, to summarize, Christine, you said you know and love the TV show Below Deck, the TV show the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world. Today we want to quiz you about below deck. Now, for those who aren't as familiar with the show, can you give a brief description of what it is?

[C]

Yes. So below deck, for many seasons there was a captain named Captain Lee. And there's a whole host of young gorgeous people that work under Captain Lee in various jobs and duties. Everybody. I love also that there's a very strict sort of hierarchy of a boat. And so all these people, they, you know, every three days they have a new set of, of a new cast of very luxurious people that come on to take this three day cruise with them.

[A]

So it's a private yacht?

[C]

It's a private yacht.

[A]

People with money can charter.

[C]

That's correct.

[A]

And there's a whole staff that works on the charter boat.

[G]

Right.

[C]

And they have to take them around and basically cater to their every whim.

[B]

And, and I don't think we pointed out yet this is a reality show. This is not a. Yeah. This is not a scripted series.

[A]

Yes, completely Downton Abbey on steroids.

[C]

It's Downton Abbey in the Mediterranean.

[B]

Oh, that sounds wonderful.

[A]

Say no more.

[B]

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

[D]

So it's, you know, it's in the orbit of like traders And Real Housewives, but I don't know it well. I've seen a lot of clips of them gallivanting and so forth, and having all kinds of problems. Feels like a lot more implied cocaine than in Downton Abbey.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Unacknowledged but implied.

[B]

Unknown, but implied. Yes, yes. Although, I don't know. I haven't seen the new Downton Abbey movie. I hear that they're just booger sugar every day. All right, here's question one for Christine. Below deck takes place on yachts that cruise to beautiful locales like St. Kitts, Antigua, and the Bahamas, all of which are located in what region and sea south of the Gulf of Mexico?

[C]

The Caribbean, Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct for the point. Very nice. We also would have accepted the Caribbean. Fun fact. Below deck has also had seasons outside of the Caribbean Sea, like in Thailand. The spinoff Below Deck Mediterranean takes place in the Mediterranean Sea, and the spinoff Below Deck down under takes place presumably in the down Undersea. Here's question number two. On Below deck, you'll often hear a term that the crew calls anyone who works on a yacht, no matter what their position. What is it?

[C]

Oh, a yachty.

[B]

Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct for the point. Very nice. Fun fact. The chief steward is called Chief Stew. The head of the deckhands is called the boatswain, and the chef is called every night after midnight to make nachos for drunk guests in the hot tub. All right, you're two for two. Here's question number three. Speaking of guests, the show isn't just about the crew. It's also about the wealthy guests who charter the boats and the sometimes challenging requests that they give to the crew. But which one of the following is not something that a guest has requested, is it? An outdoor foam party while the wind was blowing. Drinks served by a crew member wearing a gold Speedo. A meal made from an endangered species, A singing apology or fresh ground red meat and lamb made daily for a dog.

[C]

Well, I definitely know the foam party saw that episode. I feel like the drinks served by the person in the gold lame, that happens, like, every week. Sorry, say the second one.

[A]

A meal made from an endangered species, a singing apology or fresh ground red meat and lamb made daily for a dog.

[C]

I'm gonna say a meal made from an endangered species. I don't think it's that. I don't think they're allowed to do that.

[B]

Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct. Very nice. Fun fact. Another memorable guest defied orders and jumped off the boat for A nighttime swim and requested bacon. And I'm telling you, these rich people really know how to live, don't they? All right, you are three for three. Here's question four. You do still have both hints available. It's not all fun and games on the sea. In season six, viewers saw a potentially fatal scenario develop as deckhand Ashton got his leg caught in a line and was dragged overboard. What member of the crew, the TV crew, is credited with saving his life?

[C]

The cameraman, Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct. No hesitation.

[C]

I know the show.

[B]

You know the show. Fun fact, that hero camera operator Brent Freeberg has had some serious health setbacks. If you'd like to help him out, please search for Brent Freeburg on GoFundMe. All right, Christine, you have a chance to go five for five. You can get this question correct. So far, you've not used any of your hints.

[C]

That's embarrassing.

[B]

We treat all levels of knowledge with equal. Equal.

[C]

I have so much laundry.

[E]

You guys.

[C]

Goes on and on.

[B]

All right, here's question number five. Eros, Ohana and Honor are names of some ships seen on the show, or are they the names? What was the name of the yacht on Below Deck's first season before producers renamed it Honor for the show?

[C]

Oh, I think I know it, but I'll take the hint.

[B]

Helen, how about that hint?

[A]

It's Italian for heart of the lion.

[C]

Oh, corazon de leon.

[B]

Helen, I'll give it to you. You will?

[C]

Yeah, I will.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

Really?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. We were looking for Cor de Leone, but that's is close enough. I think you got the root. All the romance languages are connected, ladies and gentlemen.

[A]

I think if you said that to an Italian, they'd get it. They'd be like, I see Agra is.

[C]

I think so. And especially if you just kind of use your hands while you say it.

[D]

I think they'd get you were an American.

[B]

Well, with that, Christine Lakin is five for five. Way to go. Way to go. Very impressive. Very impressive. Fun fact, the ship Honor's name is now Lumiere, but has been Sotavento and Cordiglione. Rhino was renamed Ohana and Stay Salty was renamed Eros because for some reason, Eros seems more sexy then Stay Salty.

[A]

No.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know. It's maritime law. Who knows? Who can know? All right, Christine, you obviously did very well in that round. But now here's your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact.

[A]

I live for it.

[B]

We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response. Okay, Christine. Captaining a ship and running a reality show both involve managing a crew, handling challenging situations, and sometimes being rewarded for your efforts. All of that was evident on season eight of Below Deck, which began with Captain Lee in the hospital, concluded with an abrupt end to the remainder of the charter season, and ultimately saw the captain being okay and the show being nominated for two Emmy awards for up to three points. What common activity, not sailing related, was Captain Lee doing when he injured his ribs leading to his brief stay in the hospital? Next, why was the remainder of the yachting season suddenly canceled? And in what category did Below Deck's co creator and showrunner Cortland Cox receive an Emmy award nomination?

[C]

Captain Lee was working out when he was injured. The show was halted abruptly because of COVID and the award was an Emmy for outstanding reality program.

[B]

All right, well, Helen is taking note of those answers. We have an expert on hand who can tell us for sure. In fact, we have two. Helen, who do we have tonight?

[A]

Joining us tonight from Torre del Mar, Spain, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are the co creator and executive producer of Below Deck. And it's captain for the first 10 seasons of the show. No, it's. Yes, it's Courtland Cox and Captain Lee Rashkoff.

[B]

Hello, Courtland and Captain Lee.

[D]

Wow.

[C]

I am very excited.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[C]

This is really a truly. This is an honor.

[B]

Hello, Courtland.

[G]

Hi, how are you?

[B]

Great to see you. And hello, Captain Lee.

[F]

How you doing?

[A]

Omg, it's really you.

[B]

Yeah. I have to say I had not seen this show until this week, and I just got chills as you were being introduced, seeing Christine's reaction. It's wonderful that you're joining us. Well, my goodness, Lee, you've been a Captain for over 30 years on mega yachts all over the world. You wrote a book called Running against the Tide. You hosted a show called Deadly Waters with Captain Lee on Oxygen, and of course, spent 10 seasons as captain on Below Deck, which is consistently one of the highest rated shows on Bravo. Cortland, you've produced hundreds of hours of tv, including reality shows like Rock of Love, Charm School, and the entire Below Deck franchise for which you were nominated for an Emmy award. Welcome to both of you. Now, Corland, it says here in my notes that you've also worked on game shows, including one called Beat the Geeks, which apparently I hosted the first season of.

[G]

That is, in fact, correct.

[B]

Yes. It's great to see you again.

[G]

That's a perfect Beat the Geeks question. Who hosted the first season of Beat the Geeks.

[B]

Yes. Thank you so much. We also used to do sketch comedy, the Acme Comedy Theater here in la. It's lovely to see you again and be reunited. Captain Lee, can you tell us about how you got started working on boat? Because it was a little later in life than people might expect.

[F]

It was. I was 35 years old and I was down in the islands and I had a restaurant and we went broke. And so I saw an ad on the bulletin board and it said, mate wanted for delivery on a sailboat, no experience necessary. And I went, that's you, I'm your guy.

[B]

Yeah. Well, you've just. You said that deciding to be a yacht captain was the best decision I made in my life. What do you love about it? Because the way you talk about the sea, that big smile on your face, it's obviously something that means a lot to you.

[F]

Gosh, what's not to love about it? I think that people that live on the ocean, work on the ocean and have access to the ocean, live longer lives. I really believe that. Yeah.

[B]

Well, Courtland, how familiar were you with the super yacht chartering world and how did you come to co create this show?

[G]

I was not familiar at all with any of it. In fact, the first time I stepped onto a yacht was onto Coeur de Leone and it was in Lauderdale Marine and it was all wrapped up undergoing work. And Captain Lee was the captain on that yacht. And he looked at me and he had absolute disdain in his eyes because I said, I'm here to scout for a TV show. And he was like, get the hell off my boat.

[B]

And what was it about it that you thought might make for an appealing reality show?

[G]

Well, it's upstairs, downstairs. It was, you know, it's Downton Abbey on a boat. And so that's a time honored story. And it's such a fascinating world that I knew nothing about. And I knew that because I was interested in it, that other people would be interested in it as well.

[B]

Lee, in addition to being able to see the world as a boat captain, you also have been able to see the world of performing a one person show. Tell us about the show that you've toured the world with and continue to perform.

[F]

I have a one person show where I come out on stage and I have a cocktail.

[B]

Great start so far.

[F]

I tell a few lies. Basically, I go through where I started and how I got to where I am and what it was like making the transition, which was really a huge, huge transition because I was perfectly happy just being a yacht captain as Opposed to being a stud of the sea.

[B]

I believe it's called.

[F]

Yeah, I'll never forgive Bravo for that.

[B]

Well, your show is called Night Captain, and people can check that out by going to your website. Let's get to the reason we brought both of you here today. As far as our game is concerned. You heard the questions that we asked of Christine. First, we wanted to know what common activity, not sailing related, was Captain Lee doing when he injured his ribs that led to his brief stay in the hospital. Helen, what did Christine say?

[A]

Christine said working out.

[B]

And Captain Lee? No, a tiny bit less impressive than that.

[F]

I was actually getting out of the shower and they had this. Things on the boat are really small, so everything is very compact. So my shower is probably 3 by 4 or 4 by 4. And so I slipped and fell into the granite marble top and bruised up a couple of ribs and it was. It was pretty painful. But we got through it.

[B]

We got through.

[F]

All I wanted. All I wanted to do when I got to the hospital is just make sure that I didn't break anything and it was going to puncture longer and anything like that, and that turned into Jesus.

[B]

Well, I'm sorry about that injury, but we're all glad that you're okay now. And I'm sorry. No point there for Christine. Next, though, we wanted to know why was the remainder of the yachting season suddenly canceled in season eight? Helen, what did Christine say?

[A]

Christine said Covid.

[B]

And gentlemen.

[F]

Covid.

[B]

That is correct. Yes, for the point. Very nice. Applause for Covid.

[G]

That's the only time anyone's ever applauded Covid.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.

[D]

All right.

[B]

But it's nice that Christine got that for the point. Very nice. And finally, we wanted to know in what category did Below Deck's co creator and showrunner, my pal Courtland Cox receive an Emmy Award nomination? Helen, what did Christine say?

[A]

Christine said outstanding reality program.

[B]

And Courtland.

[G]

I'm gonna give her that. That's exactly. It was outstanding unstructured reality program. But she got it.

[B]

She got it. That's another point for Christine, Coralyn and Leah. It's a wonderful that you're joining us, Courtland. If people want to find out more about you and what you're up to, where can they do that?

[G]

I've moved to Spain two weeks ago, so I'm begging everyone to please just leave me alone.

[B]

All right, fair enough. And Captain Lee, what about yourself?

[F]

Captainlee.com.

[B]

Excellent. What a pleasure that you joined us tonight. Cortland Cox and Captain Lee Rosbach. Thank you so much. Aye, aye, captain. All right, Helen, what is our score at the end of that round?

[A]

At the end of that round, Christine Lakin has eight and Jon Lovett has one point, with a round of questions for John coming up.

[B]

That's right. We're gonna talk with John about a topic he knows about. Plus, later, Christine and John will go head to head in our fast facts round, all to find a winner on GoFact yourself. Hello, Internet. I'm your husband, host Travis McElroy.

[A]

And I'm your wife, host Teresa McElroy.

[B]

And this is a promo for Schmanners.

[E]

It's extra Extraordinary Etiquette for Ordinary Occasions.

[B]

Every week, we're going to tell you about a bit of culture, a bit of history, how etiquette still applies in the modern day, all that stuff.

[A]

We also love to do biographies and histories of and, you know, general procedurals, how to do etiquette in today's society.

[B]

So come check it out every Friday on MaximumFun.org or wherever you find your podcasts.

[A]

Mannersh. Manners.

[B]

Get it.

[A]

Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Christine Lakin and John Lovett. Once again, here's Jakey Van Straten.

[B]

Thank you, everybody. Thank you, Helen. All right, John, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love Kazuo Ishiguro novels, the TV show, the Real Housewives of New York City original series, and Taco Bell. Let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us what Kazuo Ishiguro novels means to you.

[D]

It's really like sort of Downton Abbey. In Downton Abbey. So what makes them so beautiful to me is they are.

[B]

He's.

[D]

He is obsessed with earnestness and innocence in people in something of a fallen world. And there are these precious people who are just doing what we tell everyone to do, which is live up to a set of values that they were taught when they were kids. And they are punished and they suffer for these faiths that they have. And I find that to be moving, especially in a moment when we are surrounded by a lot of noise and cynicism and performative irony and earnestness as somehow being less sophisticated than sincerity, when that's just not true.

[A]

Oh, my God, that was so beautiful. The way you put it, I moved. I've never read Kazuo Ishiguro, and I still won't. But I want to. I want to.

[B]

Yes. All right, next, tell us why you know and love the TV show the Real Housewives of New York. City original series.

[D]

Oh, they're crazy. No. So I was late to Real Housewives or any of the Bravo, basically any unstructured Emmy winning reality programming. I was a real snob for Survivor and competition and Amazing Race and I thought, oh, those shows aren't for me. Right. I'm a sophisticate. We've heard about what I like to read. And then you watch Real Housewives of New York and Beverly Hills and others, and you realize this is funnier than any comedy that's ever been written. This is better drama than any drama that's ever written. There are lines in this show, some of the most like, mind blowing observations from these gals.

[B]

And then finally tell us, John, why you know and love Taco Bell.

[D]

Oh, well, you can just eat it whenever you want. There's nobody that can stop you. You can go on your way to work. You can go right after this show. It's always there, often 24 hours. And it can be between you and the bell. That's a secret that you can have. No one ever needs to know. You can crumble it up and put it in the passenger compartment, but that can be temporary until you throw it out before you go inside. The garbage cans are outside your house. It's just between you and Taco Bell and God. And that's what makes it so beautiful. And people will say, you live in Southern California. How could you possibly go to Taco Bell? I'm not going there for Mexican food.

[B]

I'm not.

[D]

You don't go to Taco Bell for tacos. You go to Taco Bell for Taco Bell.

[B]

Also very beautifully put. All right, so to summarize, you said you know and love Kazuo Ishiguro, naming the TV show the Real Housewives of New York City original series and Taco Bell. Today, we want to quiz you about the Real Housewives of New York City.

[D]

I had a feeling. I had a feeling.

[B]

Apparently it's Bravo night here at Go fact yourself. Well, for those who aren't as familiar, explain what you mean when you say the original series of Real Housewives of New York City.

[D]

Oh, it has just been through. There's just been a reboot with some new heroines. And I'm not familiar with that world. I haven't kept up that far. I sort of, once we left, basically, in any reality show, just to be honest, they hit Covid and I'm out back. I go back in time. You know, every reality show. Now, if you go back and watch it, you will watch it and Then you will go through the season where Trump wins and you're like. And then you get to Covid and.

[B]

You'Re like, I'm out.

[D]

Back to those beautiful 2011s. You know, when we were innocent and pure. Yeah.

[B]

Well, you mentioned that you love some of the lines on the show. Any come to mind that you remember?

[D]

No, I said that I knew I was setting myself up for disaster. Life is not a cabaret. A famous line by Bethenny Frankel. You're crazy. Go to sleep. You're crazy. Which, if it means something to you, you know why it's important.

[B]

Well, just ahead, we're going to enlist the help of a bonafide expert in your topic with a question worth up to three points. But before that, to let you show your love even more. Here your five trivia questions about your topic, each worth one point. If you want to allow a hint for any two of these five questions. Now, Christine, do listen closely, because if John answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, Christine, it looks like you do know something about the Real Housewives of New York City.

[C]

Okay, I got a few tricks up my sleeve. We'll see what happens.

[B]

All right. We'll see if she pulls that rabbit out. Here is question number one. Many of the Real Housewives are entrepreneurs selling products that they've developed. But Kelly, Ben Simone got into a lawsuit over some necklaces that she was selling that depicted what wise nocturnal bird owls, Ellen?

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct. Simple as that.

[D]

Owls.

[B]

Fun fact. Kelly had worn a vintage owl necklace in a photo shoot. She then reproduced that necklace, and the person who originally gave her the necklace sued her for stealing not the necklace, but the idea of reproducing a necklace. That controversy came to be known as owlgate and also stupid. You did not need the hint in that. But, Helen, what would that hint have been for owl Who? You, Helen, you give the hint who Scene. All right, here is question. Thank you.

[E]

Wow.

[B]

Thank you. Oh, yes. We trod the bolds on this show, don't we, Ellen? Here's question number 2. Housewife Ramona Sometimes likes to have some pinot grigio cut loose and dance. What two word alliterative phrase does she call such behavior?

[D]

Why, of course. It's turtle time, Ellen.

[A]

Of course. That's correct.

[B]

That is correct. Very nice. I think as soon as I said Ramona, you were ready with that answer.

[A]

Ramona.

[C]

Pinot grigio. We all know where that's going.

[B]

Oh, okay. Fantastic. Fun fact, the phrase was first used on the show when Ramona tried to entice her castmates into joining her at a club called the Fat Turtle in the Caribbean. Or Caribbean. According to Yelp, the Fat Turtle has closed. Also according to Yelp, the Fat Turtle had more 1 star reviews than 5 star reviews. I know that feeling. All right, you are two for two. Here's question number three. The show's opening titles feature the housewives saying a signature tagline, and many of them are about New York. But which one of the following is not a real tagline used on the show, is it? Never underestimate a woman born and raised in New York City. New York City is my playground. I don't just live in New York, I own it. Just like New York City, Sonja Morgan never goes out of style, or a true New Yorker never backs down. And I'm no exception.

[F]

Holla.

[D]

That one is real. I believe the one that I don't recall is I don't just live in New York, I own it. That sounds manufactured to me, Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[B]

That is correct.

[D]

All right.

[A]

It's all in there.

[D]

It's in there. It's in here. It's in there. It's in there.

[B]

It's in there. Presidential speeches and the taglines of that Real Housewives fun fact. Other taglines included I'm sex positive and BS negative. And I'm an acquired taste. You don't like me? Acquire some taste.

[D]

A classic. A classic.

[B]

Your three for three. Here's question number four. You do still have your hints available?

[D]

Oh, my hints, Right. Of course, the hints, yes.

[B]

While out on a boat, Countess Luann De Lesseps sings a duet with Grammy winning recording artist Natalie Cole. What song do they sing?

[D]

I would like a hint, Helen.

[B]

How about that first hint?

[A]

The first verse spells out the title. Beginning with L is for the way you look at me.

[B]

Hmm.

[D]

Is it love, but perhaps L, O, V, E. Helen.

[A]

That is correct.

[E]

Wow.

[B]

Fun fact. Even though she no longer holds the title due to marrying someone else, Luann has used the name Countess luann in her music career, releasing several songs including Money Can't Buy youy Class and F Bombs on the g with the OGs. All right, you are four for four, John. You have a chance to go five for five if you can get this question correct. The Real Housewives of New York didn't just change tv. It also changed how contracts were done for reality stars who appear on tv. What does the reported Bethany Claus, named for housewife Bethenny Frankel, require cast members to do?

[D]

I require a hint.

[B]

Oh, Helen, forsooth please give us our second hint.

[A]

Maybe it's a good thing that Kelly wasn't able to sell a lot of those owl necklaces.

[B]

Oh.

[D]

So it has to do with their ability to do merchandising through the show because she had Skinny Girl margarita, and so she was. They had to get maybe approval for outside businesses or something to that effect.

[B]

Helen.

[C]

Yes, I'll give it to you.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

All right.

[B]

Very nice. They had to give the network a cut of any business that they developed on the show or promoted on the.

[D]

Show because skinny girl was $100 million. And Bravo's like, where's our. We want to get our beaks wet.

[B]

Absolutely. Meanwhile, Don Lovit is also five for five. Ladies and gentlemen, two incredible players tonight. Fun fact. Although Bravo has denied it, the Bethany clause reportedly exists because Bethenny Frankel sold her cocktail company skinny girl for $100 million and Bravo got none of it. Bonus fun fact. Bethenny Frankel hosted a network TV talk show, and I was once a guest. You will never guess what brand of cocktail they served in the green room. All right, you obviously did very well in that round, John, but now here's your expert level question requiring multiple answers in. It is time for your cluster fact.

[A]

Yay.

[B]

We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response, John. Season four was a time of transition on the Real Housewives of New York City. It was the final time viewers saw original main cast member Alex McCord and the first time they caught a glimpse of Dorinda Medley, who would later go on to become a main cast member and stay until the final season of the pre reboot run. These two also appeared on the same spinoff of the show, and today both spend much of their time well outside of New York City. Your questions for up to three. What spinoff of the Real Housewives of New York City did both Alex and Dorinda star in? In what mountain region of western Massachusetts does Dorinda have her country home, Bluestone Manor? And in what country, thousands of miles from New York does Alex now call home?

[D]

So it's the Berkshires. That's where Bluestone Manor is. I believe there was also a Bluestone Manor specific spinoff in the offing. I'm not sure if that is happening. So I'm going to say Ultimate Girls trip. And then, oh, they're in Australia. They're in Australia.

[B]

Great. All right, well, Helen is taking note of those answers. We have an expert on hand who can tell us for sure. In fact, we have two Helen who do we have tonight?

[A]

Joining us tonight from Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Byron Bay, Australia.

[D]

Come on.

[A]

Are two cast members from the Real Housewives of New York. It's Dorinda medley and Alex McCord.

[B]

Wow, Alex.

[D]

So now, first of all, amazing. Thank you both for doing this. Dorinda and I have met because we have recorded a conversation that is going to be released very soon as part of a series on reality television. And we had a great conversation, and we had a moment that has not yet been revealed to the world where I just got a taste of what it is like for even a moment to imagine what it might be like to live very briefly on the wrong side of Dorinda. And I can't and I cannot tell you how good. Quickly. Tires screeching I got the hell out of there.

[H]

Wow.

[B]

Well, Dorinda, I have to thank you especially then, for appearing on our show tonight. And thank you, Alex, for joining us all the way from Australia. So nice to see you both.

[D]

And Alex has a classic line, which is it ends with and I'm in Brooklyn. What is the line? Somebody remember? It's Alex.

[B]

Do you recall what that is? And by the way, hello. We would like to say hello to our guests as well. Welcome, Alex. Do you recall what that line is?

[H]

You are a mean girl and you are in high school. And while you are in high school, I am in Brooklyn trying to survive in this economy, working.

[D]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

[B]

She did it again.

[D]

You're in high school, I'm in Brooklyn.

[B]

I love it. Well, Dorinda, you joined the cast of the Real Housewives of New York city in season seven and stayed through season 13. You now co host the radio show Reality checked on Sirius XM's radio. Andy. Alex, you were an original cast member from the very first episode of Real Housewives of New York through season four. You are now a registered psychologist and publishing the final stage of your PhD research. You are literally waiting to find out any minute if we can call you doctor. Congratulations to both of you on all those accomplishments. And you both didn't really have much overlap, but you're familiar with each other and have met before. Dorinda, you were telling me.

[E]

Yes. Oh, yeah. I just said we never really have had lunch and stuff. But, you know, I said once you're a housewife, when you see each other, you're always happy to see each other. I think we saw each other several times in scenes and things.

[B]

Actually, I believe the phrase you used was, it's like being in the mafia.

[H]

Yes, yes. Or like Some weird sorority like Kappa Kappa Housewife.

[A]

That is so funny that you say that, because, Dorinda, you give me such, like, a Carmelo Soprano vibe, like I always say.

[E]

I take that as a big compliment. Well, I think someone on the show learned their lesson about that.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

And she's talking about me.

[B]

Well, Alex, I'm curious. How did you come to be on the Real Housewives of New York, and why did you want to be on it? Oh, yeah.

[H]

So I had been an actor for about 10 years prior to that. And when our babies were born, I sort of realized, because most of what I did was theater, that you can't do that with little kids. And so I'd quit the business. I'd leaned into my other jobs. Graphics. I went to work for Victoria's Secret, and this came up, and somebody emailed me about it. And I remember the conversation with Simon, because we make decisions together, was like, oh, well, you could actually do this with the kids. And then it just kind of rolled from there.

[B]

And, Dorinda, tell us about how you got involved. Because you, I believe, had said, well, I'll do it for a year. And then you ended up staying for all those other seasons.

[E]

Yeah, well, I got involved. Well, Hannah went to college, and obviously, everyone knows my husband passed. And Ramona would say to me every year, she would always bring me on and Jill would bring me on. And I knew all the girls for many, many years. And I just. Ramona said to me one day, I just think you should come on. I think it's time. Come for a year. And then if you don't like it, you don't need to be on anymore. So she said, it'll be a great occupier for you. Or she probably said, it'll be great for you. It'll be a great occupier. And I did it. And, you know, I just. It was very easy for me. I kind of went on, and I literally realized the first scene that I like the camera, and the camera kind of like me, and I just ran with it, you know. So it just kind of went on and on and on.

[B]

Dorinda, tell us about this radio show that you do on Sirius xm, because you're still in this reality TV world with that.

[G]

I am.

[E]

I do a radio show on radio Andy, four days a week, Monday through Thursday from 4 to 5, with Kiki Monique. And, yeah, it just kind of reviews and looks at different things going on in reality and pop culture. And my thoughts on it kind of from someone that was on the inside of it and is now on the outside of it. And I love it. I enjoy it very much. And I really love the medium of radio. It's just a great medium.

[B]

I think you also are on the show Traitors. Is that as crazy and fun as it seems to be?

[E]

Well, it's actually my second time on Traitors. I was on season three, but unfortunately got murdered the first night and then went back and it was everybody should do it once. It is a life learning experience. That's all I got to say. It's just, I mean, they have you such. Under such lock and key of secrecy. I'm afraid to say anything too much, but it really is an incredible experience. And you just meet people from so many different professions and you're intensely involved with them 14, 16 hours a day. So, yeah, I just loved every minute of it.

[B]

Well, Alex, you are not in the public eye as much. You've been publishing your PhD research and tell us about the specialty that you have that is going to be published very soon.

[H]

Yeah. So probably this coming week, maybe by the time this airs, the stage three of my research will be published in the Journal of Eating Disorders, which is an imprint of Springer Nature. My topic is supporting caregivers who have a child or adolescent going through eating disorder treatment. The thing about eating disorder treatment for young people is it's quite rigid, it's quite fixed, and sometimes caregivers can't cope with that. So I've created an assessment measure to work out strengths and challenges for each caregiver called the Care Fit, so that we can fit the care to the caregiver to support treatment engagement, completion and remission rates.

[B]

Very, very cool. Yeah.

[E]

And there you go. That's another smart housewife.

[B]

Well, let's get to the reason we brought you here. As far as our game is concerned. You heard the questions that we asked of John. First, we wanted to know which spinoff of Real Housewives of New York City did both Alex and Dorinda star in. Helen, what was John's answer?

[A]

John said, ultimate Girls Trip.

[B]

And you got it. You got it. A point for John. Very nice.

[D]

Thank you.

[F]

Thank you.

[B]

It was a little tricky because Dorinda has appeared on other spinoffs, but that's the only one that they were both on. Very nice. Next, we wanted to know, in what mountain region of western Massachusetts does Dorinda have her country home, Bluestone Manor. Helen, what did John say?

[A]

John said the the Berkshires.

[B]

And Dorinda, the Berserkshires. The Berserkers.

[D]

Yes, absolutely.

[B]

Were you aware, I didn't know that you had gone to college near there. Were you aware of Bluestone Manor being there?

[D]

When you were there, you could feel its presence.

[B]

Yes. Okay.

[E]

The Disney of the Berkshires.

[B]

And finally wanted to know, in what country thousands of miles from New York City does Alex now call home? Helen, what did John say?

[A]

John said Australia.

[D]

And Alex.

[H]

That is correct.

[B]

A perfect score for John Lovett. Very nice.

[A]

John, while we have these great housewives here, is there anything you want to ask or say?

[D]

I already. I peppered you with questions. Thank you so much for doing this. What stars, what charisma you. When you spend time with a person that's been on the Housewives, you realize, my God. My God. That's how you get on the show because you're so intensely interesting all the time. So thank. Really so. And that's my experience with Dorinda. Alex, haven't met in person because you're, you know, the toilets go the other way where you are.

[B]

But.

[D]

But thank you for doing this. So nice to meet you both.

[E]

And I want to tell you a fun fact. Musuji Ono was one of Richard's favorite characters in the Artist of the Floating Hill.

[G]

Really?

[C]

Yes.

[E]

So when you said that tonight, I know we have our moment on your podcast, but that was a moment tonight that. When you said that, I was like, here he goes again.

[D]

I get. I can't believe that's. That's an amazing thing that he know that he knows that novel. It's a very specific novel about a specific.

[E]

Because he loves the whole. Well, he loved the whole kind of post World War II and the. All the entries, and for the same reasons that you love the writer. He loved the writer because Richard as we have a real common thread together. Richard was also a speechwriter, and he told me the most interesting story about looking at an entry in one of Hillary Clinton's calendars. And there was a moment on the podcast that I was like, oh, so when you said that tonight, I was like, you must be. You must be emanating Rich. You must be thinking about Richard must be around you, sir.

[D]

Some connection. But yeah, because I, I, When I was working for Hillary as a junior speechwriter, I went and looked at my old documents, and I found a night where Hillary had gone to a fundraiser at Dorinda's home.

[B]

Oh, no kidding.

[D]

And I must have, you know, been aware of it at the time.

[B]

Yeah, it all comes together.

[C]

Well.

[B]

We're so happy that we connected with you both tonight, Alex. If people Want to find out more about you or your work. Where can they do that?

[H]

Probably the easiest is Instagramcordalex and Dorinda.

[B]

What about yourself?

[E]

Well, of course, Instagram, dorindamedley. And now I've joined TikTok, and I'm doing quite well on TikTok. So it's Dorinda Medley NYC. I really am enjoying it.

[B]

Wonderful. Well, we enjoyed talking with both of you. Thanks so much for joining us. Alex McCord and Dorinda Medley. Everybody have a wonderful night and a wonderful morning. All right, Helen, what is our score going into the final round?

[A]

Ooh, it's a close game. Jakeith. Christine Lakin has eight points and John Lovett has nine points.

[B]

Oh, all right. But now it comes to our final round. We call Fast facts. I'll read 10 statements and each contestant will answer with true or false. I'll start with Christine and then alternate. Each correct answer is worth one point. And again, please answer each statement with true or false and we will go fast. Here we begin. Christine, there's a brand of energy drink called Monster.

[E]

True.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

John, There's a brand of energy drink called Red Bull.

[D]

True, Correct.

[B]

Christine, there's one called Blackbull.

[C]

False.

[A]

Incorrect.

[B]

There really is. John. There's one called Cocaine.

[A]

False, Incorrect.

[B]

Nope. There really is. Christine. There's one called Bang.

[C]

True.

[H]

Correct.

[B]

John. There's one called Zap.

[D]

True.

[H]

Correct.

[B]

Christine. There's one called Powder.

[E]

True.

[A]

Correct.

[B]

John, there's one called Boom.

[D]

True.

[H]

Correct.

[B]

Christine, there's one called Splat.

[A]

False.

[H]

Correct.

[B]

John. There's one called Woo. False.

[A]

Incorrect.

[B]

No, there really is. Christine. There's one called.

[C]

True.

[A]

Incorrect.

[B]

No. But finally, John, if there were, I would be serving it at my wedding.

[D]

Oh, true.

[C]

Absolutely.

[B]

All right, let's give a nice hand to John Lovett and Christine Lakin. And as Helen tablates the final score, we're not going to count those last two. Helen, are you ready to announce a winner on today's episode?

[A]

J. Keith. It's a tie. Both Christine Lakin and John Levitt have 12 points.

[B]

All right, that means we will go to our tiebreaker. Here's how our tiebreaker works. I will ask a question. The answer is a number. Whoever gets closer to the correct number wins. I will ask the question, think about it, and then I will count to three and ask you to say your answer. Here is your question. As of the 2025 season, what is the minimum base salary for a player in the wnba? The minimum base salary for a player in the wnba. Think about it for a moment. All right, on the count of three. 1, 2, 3, 2, 20.

[C]

210.

[B]

I assume those are in thousands.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay. Just wanted to double check. All right. John said 220. Christine said 210. Very close to each other. The actual answer, I'm sorry to say, $66,079.

[C]

Travesty.

[B]

But that's just the minimum base. They make more on top. I don't know if we should have asked this question. It seems very depressing. No, we're bringing attention to the pay disparity. Right. We're helping.

[A]

Shocking.

[B]

Christine Lakin is our winner. Congratulations, Christine.

[D]

Well deserved.

[F]

Well deserved.

[B]

You are the facting champion on go fact yourself. Christine, what will you do with your championship?

[C]

Oh, my gosh. I'm gonna go home and have a zip, a zop and a yuck.

[B]

That sounds fantastic. All right, we're gonna wrap up by giving everyone on the panel a chance to mention or promote anything of theirs they might like. Christine, where can people find you and what you're doing?

[C]

You can find me on Instagram at. Yo, Lakin. You can also check out our podcast. Kenan and Lakin give you deja vu everywhere. You get your pods.

[B]

Excellent. Well, thank you for joining our pod and radio show. Christine Lakin, everybody. Mr. John Lovett.

[D]

You can find what we make all over the place, but we're trying to build out our YouTube audience because that's where we can get more good information in a pretty noisy and propaganda infested water. So do me a favor, subscribe to our YouTube for Pod, Save America and our other shows. It really helps us build a progressive counterweight to the right.

[B]

Thank you for being here today. John Lovett, everybody. Real pleasure, both of you. Ladies and gentlemen. You are so lucky because my hosting partner is Helen Hong.

[A]

You can follow me on all the socials. Funny HelenHong funny Helen Hong.

[B]

Why Helen?

[A]

There's so many other Helen Hongs and none of them are as funny as this one.

[B]

That's right. She is our funny, our Helen, our Hong, our funny Ellen Hong and me. You can find me on 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 and please come to my favorite storytelling show in Los Angeles that I happen to co produce. It is called rant and Rave. It is every other month at the Rogue Machine. That just leaves me to thank Christine Lakin, John Lovett, Cortland Cox, Captain Lee Rosbach, dorinda Medley. Alex McCord Everyone here at LA is to Ann the Crawford and thank you for listening and supporting our show. @maximumfun.org I'm Jake Van Straten. Goodnight. Like what you hear, Come see us live. Go to gofactorpod.com for our schedule and tickets. Meanwhile, please like and follow us on all the socials all o FactorPod. Update our wiki@gofact backyourwiki.fandom.com and buy 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 mtj0107 did on podchaser. He she or they said. One of my favorite podcasts. I love when I think I wouldn't care about any of the guest topics and then they get me interested. Thanks mtj0107 I hope you're now interested in Bravo Reality Shows.

[A]

Helen Go Fact Yourself is a panel quiz program devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith Van Straten. Comes to you via transcription from the Crawford at La Est in Pasadena. Questions were compiled by the Trivia Industrial Complex. We are produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun and Laist. Maximum Fun Senior Producer is Laura Swisher, Co Producer and Editor on our very own Real Housewife is Julian Burrell. Additional editing by Valerie Moffatt. Special thanks to Professor Einar Thorstensen at the University of New England, Alyssa Buchter at Schmooze Public Relations, Michael Lasker and Katie Russell from Mosaic Ryan Tresdel from Tresdel Management, Alex Baskin, Jody Sweeten and Scott Kramer for Laist. John Kohn, Vice President Audience and Community Engagement Rebecca Stummy, Senior Producer Tony Federico, Technical Director Michael Leiba, Tech Assistants Arena Nader, Audience Experience Manager and Mikayla Perez, Events Intern. I've been Helen Hong.

[B]

Let's go watch reality shows on Bravo.

[A]

Jake Keith, you're about to be a Real Housewife.

[B]

Goo.

[A]

Maximum Fun.

[B]

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