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