Ep. 184: Loni Love & Nick Cho

Summary

Go Fact Yourself - Episode 184: Loni Love & Nick Cho

Date: December 19, 2025
Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten & Helen Hong
Guests: Loni Love (comedian, author, Emmy & Image Award winner), Nick Cho (“Your Korean Dad” content creator)

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Overview & Main Theme

In this lively, heartfelt episode recorded before a live audience in Pasadena, comedians and pop culture figures Loni Love and Nick Cho face off in a spirited battle of wits. Go Fact Yourself’s signature format mixes personal stories, clever banter, and deep dives into the topics that the guests love most, culminating in surprise appearances by expert legends. This episode explores the power of cultural representation, the meaning of “success,” and emotional moments of connection between generations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guest Introductions & Warmth

• Helen Hong celebrates a personal milestone: 4 years cancer-free, humorously describing her "fresh new tatas" (02:10).
• Loni Love recalls co-hosting “The Real” and her Emmy win:
  • Did 1300+ episodes but only sharply remembers the first (04:08).
  • Of her Emmy win: “I grew up in the Brewster projects. This little black girl watching everybody get awards. Never could you have told me that I would be getting an Emmy for that particular year.” (05:02)
• Nick Cho (internet’s “Your Korean Dad”) discusses his rise from coffee expert to comforting internet dad:
  • On going viral: “You just kind of put yourself out there and then watching things kind of go viral is a very, very unique experience.” (05:43)
  • On supporting young followers: “A big responsibility. But that’s part of being a dad.” (06:52)

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2. What’s the Difference? (Advice/Counsel & Column/Pillar)

• Advice vs. Counsel (08:48)
  • Notable quote (Helen): “Advice is an opinion...comes from anyone whether you asked for it or not. Counsel...comes from someone with specialized knowledge, usually that you asked for or in fact paid for.” (08:48)
  • Loni accurately distinguishes between everyday-advice and professional counsel.
• Column vs. Pillar (10:44)
  • Notable quote (Helen): “Columns are load-bearing supports...usually hidden within the walls. Pillars...can be decorative, are usually visible and can be freestanding.” (10:44)
  • Nick scores a partial win by noting columns are always load-bearing.

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3. Deep Dives with the Guests

a) Loni Love

• Busy Career & Rose Parade Hosting
  • Hosting 2026’s Rose Parade. “I am so excited to be a part of starting off the new year with some joy.” (12:13)
• Engineering Past
  • Loni describes herself as the “worst engineer in the United States of America" (13:12), sneaking out of work for auditions. On getting laid off for comedy: “This is a win-win for everybody.” (14:14)
• Supermarket Sweep
  • Her first TV appearance: “I looked a mess...people keep going ‘We keep seeing you on Supermarket Sweep.’” (15:09)

b) Nick Cho

• Gentle, Dad-like Internet Persona
  • Not a literal representation of his own father: “He’s his own kind of sweet, but it’s not the way that I grew up at all.” (17:29)
  • About “your Korean dad”: “You have to synthesize things...in the void of what you could or wish that you had.” (18:11)
• Coffee Roots
  • Former award-winning barista and coffee shop owner. “Keep drinking what you like, but keep trying new things too.” (19:09)

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4. Trivia Rounds on Guest Topics

Loni’s Trivia: Michael Jackson

• Favorite Era: “Thriller.” “Do you realize Thriller is still on the Billboard 200...for 700 weeks?” (23:15)
• Key Questions:
  1. “Thriller” returns to the charts near Halloween. ✔️ (25:20)
  2. 1983 Motown 25th TV special for Motown Records reunion. ✔️ (25:54)
  3. Project Michael did NOT appear in: WALL-E. (Nick incorrectly guessed “Men in Black 2”.) (27:03)
  4. Hit written by Michael on ‘Off The Wall’: “Working Day and Night.” ✔️ (29:01)
  5. MTV Video Vanguard Award sponsor: Toyota (Nick nails the steal!) (30:19)

Nick’s Trivia: Asian Americans in Media (1980s–2000s)

• Icons: “Tamlin Tamita from ‘Joy Luck Club’ and ‘Karate Kid 2’...the crush, you know, back during that time.” (46:21)
• Key Questions:
  1. First Asian American to host SNL: Lucy Liu (2000). ✔️ (47:22)
  2. Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.” ✔️ (47:57)
  3. 1990s breakthroughs: “Better Luck Tomorrow” = post-1990s. ✔️ (49:51)
  4. 1984 grunge band—Soundgarden’s Hiro Yamamoto. ✔️ (49:42)
  5. Groundbreaking PBS show: “Silk Screen.” ✔️ (50:56)

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5. Expert Segments—Surprise Moments & Emotional Connections

Saida Garrett (Grammy-winning Michael Jackson collaborator)

• Recollections of Michael:
  • “When Quincy Jones put my husband on the phone, I knew I did not want to be fangirling...The first thing Michael Jackson said to me was, ‘I love this song.’” (35:30)
  • Sang live from “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (38:27), bringing the house to tears.
• Musical Theatre News:
  • Saida is writing songs for stage adaptations of “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the Disney musical “Polly,” and “Joyful Noise." (39:09)

Gedde Watanabe (Actor: Sixteen Candles, Mulan, ER)

• Wild Audition Stories:
  • Auditioned for Long Duk Dong in accent, confesses: “I chose a Korean friend of mine [as a model],” then revealed he was from Ogden, Utah only after being cast. (55:25)
• Talking about Typecasting and Racism:
  • “During the 80s, that was a real huge thing for Asian men. ...He wants the girl, and he gets the girl. I said, 'Oh, he wants the two things: the American dream, and he wants the girl.'” (57:00)
  • Nick shares: “When I was a young person, I was so angry at you...The amount of bullying...the lines you had spoken in the movie were quoted at me...But many years later, I realized that it’s not you. It’s the racism.” (61:34)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Representation:
  • Nick to Gedde: “I see you as one of my heroes.” (61:47)
• On Achievements:
  • Loni (on seeing Michael Jackson rehearsing): “I'm glad I didn’t wait...Something was telling me, ‘Let me just, even though I was tired, go’—and I’m glad I did.” (24:03)
• On Musical Collaboration:
  • Saida (singing): “You are my choice now, the love you bring, Heaven’s in my heart…” (38:27)
• On Quiz Show Chaos:
  • Loni (after missing a trivia question): “Go f–k yourself. Okay.” [laughter] (27:47)
• On Victory:
  • Nick, when offered a tiebreaker: “This is called the Black Community–Asian American Community Coalition Solidarity. We will take the tie.” (65:05)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Helen’s cancer-free announcement: 02:10
• Loni’s Emmy reflections: 05:02
• Nick discusses “Your Korean Dad”: 05:43, 17:29
• Advice vs. Counsel segment: 08:48
• Column vs. Pillar segment: 10:44
• Trivia begins (Loni/Michael Jackson): 24:54
• Expert appearance—Saida Garrett: 32:29
• Saida sings live: 38:27
• Trivia begins (Nick/Asian Americans in Media): 47:11
• Expert appearance—Gedde Watanabe: 52:30
• Nick’s emotional statement to Gedde: 61:34
• Final round and tie decision: 62:39–65:14

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Final Fast Facts & Results

• Fast Facts round: Hollywood Walk of Fame (63:13–64:10)
• Final result: Tie game! (64:45)
• Nick: “I’m giving [the championship] to Loni Love.” (65:40)
• Plugs:
  • Loni Love: lonilove.com, Rose Parade (65:49)
  • Nick: @nickcho (Instagram), @yourkoreandad (everywhere else) (66:00)
  • Helen Hong: @funnyhelenhong (66:19)

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Takeaways

This episode delivered joyful nostalgia, honest discussions about the struggles and progress of cultural representation, stellar trivia runs, and unforgettable moments of vulnerability and connection—with both trivia and tears leaving their mark. A quintessential Go Fact Yourself showcase of gameshow glee with real human resonance.

Transcript

[A]

Hey, it's Helen and Jay Keith and we want to make sure that you can join us in our audience for some live on stage recordings of Go Fact Yourself in January. We've got four shows. First up, we're at the Crawford in pasadena on Sunday, January 4, a matinee with guests Jay Moore and Chase Masterson. Then on January 15th at the Crawford with actor Matt Walsh and another guest to be announced.

[B]

Then two shows in New York, Saturday, January 24th at 6 and Monday, January 26th at the JCC.

[A]

For the latest info on guests and tickets, you can always go to gofactorpod.com in the meantime, it's December to be a member. That's right. Max Fun is highlighting lots of bo ko from every show on the network, including Go Fact yourself.

[B]

Jay Keith, what are we showcasing?

[A]

The bonus content we're highlighting was the full bonus episode that we recorded with Clint McIlroy versus Ella McLeod.

[B]

Oh, two other really great Max Fun hosts.

[A]

This was such a fun one. It had two incredible guest experts and maybe some of our favorite reactions that we've ever had from our guests. They really appreciated our experts and our experts appreciated our guests. That's how we love it.

[B]

It's a good one. It's a good one. The only way to hear that now is to go to maximumfun.org join and become a member now.

[A]

And with that, take it away again. Helen.

[B]

Are you a real know it all? Do you annoy your family by shouting the answers while watching Jeopardy? Do you drive people crazy when you start a sentence with well, actually. Well, guess what? You can go fact yourself. Hi. 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 now from the Crawford at Laist in Pasadena, here's our moderator, Jakeeith Van Straten.

[A]

Thank you so much. Thanks, everybody. Hello, Helen. Nice to see you.

[B]

Nice to see you, Jake.

[A]

Keith. Helen, I understand that you are celebrating a milestone today.

[B]

I am.

[C]

I am.

[B]

Today is my four year cancerversary.

[A]

Oh, thank you.

[B]

I am four years cancer free. Exactly.

[D]

Today.

[A]

Very, very cool.

[B]

Happened to be on our taping day. So four years ago, on this very day, I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction. And so it's really the birthday of my new boobies. Wow. Thank you. My fresh new tatas are four years old today.

[A]

And what is the traditional gift for your tatas?

[B]

Probably cake.

[A]

Oh, okay. You know, I was gonna go with a trivia show.

[C]

That sounds good.

[B]

I'll take. We'll take it.

[A]

We'll take it. Congratulations. A very, very happy day indeed for Helen Hong and for all of us. 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?

[B]

She is an Emmy image and Gracie award winning host, comedian, actress and author. And he is a content creator whose you Korean dad videos have led to over 5 million followers on social media. It's Loni Love and Nick Cho.

[A]

Loni Love and Nick Cho.

[C]

Hi, everybody.

[A]

Hello. Hi.

[E]

Hi.

[A]

Hi.

[C]

Congratulations, Helen. I didn't know that.

[B]

Thank you. I know it's not a common knowledge thing amongst probably our listeners, but yeah, fresh new tatas right over here.

[C]

I love it. Love it.

[A]

Well, Lonnie, many people of course know you for co hosting the real for which you won an Emmy award. Very, very exciting.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

You actually did over 1300 episodes of that show.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

How many of them would you say you remember?

[C]

One.

[A]

Okay, that's one.

[C]

The first one.

[A]

The first one.

[C]

Everything else is cloudy, but you were.

[A]

Laser sharp and focused on that one.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

What do you remember about recording the first episode?

[C]

It was just special. A lot of nervousness and things like that. But it went off just the way we thought. It was a disaster.

[A]

Was it really?

[C]

Yes, it was.

[A]

What was so disaster?

[E]

Well.

[C]

Cause it was live. It was a lot going on. But we got it together after, like episode 1000.

[A]

1000. That's when it really locked in.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

What I really loved about doing the show was meeting people that I grew up with and being able to have them come on the show, like smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, people I never thought that I would meet, like Cyndi Lauper, you know, so. Cindy Lauper. Yes. Girls just want to have fun. Helen. Okay, so that was always like a blast. The different type of guests that we would get.

[A]

Very, very cool. And what was your Emmy award experience like?

[C]

I mean, first of all, I never thought that I would be getting an Emmy. I mean, I grew up in the Brewster projects. This little black girl watching everybody get awards. Never could you have told me that I would be getting an Emmy for that particular year. I could say that we were the best host in daytime. So. It's wonderful.

[A]

Wonderful.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I love it. I love when you get the award and you're like, I deserve that award. I love it, I deserve it, I love it. Now, Nick, you are your Korean dad online where you are just, you're so lovely and you're compassionate and you're understanding and you're considerate. And I personally have a Korean dad who is not necessarily on. So how did that come about?

[E]

I've been saying that watching, watching Korean culture, especially Korean food get really popular over the past few years. To me it feels like if my like 90 year old grandmother suddenly became like the hottest starlet in Hollywood, it just feels very strange and close to home. But then you don't know how to feel about it. But I just started making content and I've, as a lot of other content creators have told me, you know, their experiences have been you just kind of put yourself out there and then watching things kind of go viral is a very, very unique experience.

[B]

And I know that you hear a lot of feedback from your followers because there are a lot of followers that are kids, actual kids, and they reach out to you and you have, you know, you're very beloved because your presence, your Persona is so sweet and kind and considerate and like giving really good advice. So like, what do you hear from them and how does that make you feel?

[E]

We talk a lot about gender and gender roles and men and masculinity. There's a lot of conversations about that. But so much of it for a lot of people really started with their dad relationship. And so whether someone had a really wonderful relationship with their dad or they didn't have a good relationship or they never knew their dad or their dad passed away recently. It's a big responsibility. But that's part of being a dad.

[A]

I'm not crying. You're crying. Ok, well, we're going to get to talk with you two more a little bit later. But we did ask each of you to provide us with a few topics outside your field of work that you know and love. Lonnie, for you, you said that was Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Di and how to pack for a cruise. Easily. Very understandable combination.

[B]

Important life skills.

[A]

Absolutely. Whereas Nick, you said you know and love 1980s arcade games, Asian Americans in the media from the 1980s to the 2000s and Gen Alpha slang. Later on, we're going to ask each of you some in depth trivia questions about one of those topics. But first we're going to get your thoughts on something you might know nothing about. And 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. Your topic today, advice column. First up in advice column is Lani with advice. Lani, while you might be supported by either, what's the difference between getting advice and getting counsel advice and counsel?

[C]

Well, advice is usually wrong and counsel is usually educated through a therapist. So I think that that's a big difference. So advice is something my mom would give and I don't listen to. Whereas, you know, counsel is, you know, if you have an attorney, they counsel you if you have, you know, a financial advisor. So it's a difference between education and opinion, I think.

[A]

All right. Well, we've got Lonnie's answer. We don't know yet if she's entirely correct. Nick, anything you'd like to change or add?

[E]

To me, I think that the difference is advice is from someone who's either a peer or maybe younger or I don't want to say stature, but, you know, more on a similar sort of level. Whereas counsel tends to be a little bit someone who's your mentor or your senior in some way or an authority figure, maybe.

[A]

Maybe. Well, this segment has become ill advised. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.

[B]

Here are the facts. Advice is an opinion about what is best for you in any situation that can come from anyone, whether you asked for it or not. Counsel is an opinion about what's best for you in a specific situation, and that comes from someone with specialized knowledge, usually that you asked for or in fact paid for.

[A]

That's right. For example, if I got a bad haircut, a friend or Lonnie's mom could give me her unsolicited advice to wear a hat until it grows out. But if I consulted a hair litigation expert, which is a real thing, they could give me the counsel that I should wear a hat and then charge me $500. Helen, how did our guest do?

[B]

I think Lonnie got both parts correct.

[A]

Two points for Lonnie. Very nice.

[C]

Thank you.

[A]

All right. Up next in advice column is Nick with column. Nick, your question comes from a listener. Who is it? Ellen?

[B]

I will let them tell you themselves because we have a listener recording listeners. If you'd like to submit a suggestion for our what's the Difference round, go to gofactyourpod.com and click on Get Involved. All right, play it.

[D]

Hello, this is Michael Toy calling from Wilton, Connecticut. And my question for what's the difference is while you might be advised or counseled by an architect to use either one. What's the difference between a column and a pillar? Thank you.

[A]

Oh, thank you so much, Michael. Very nice. All right, Nick, you heard Michael. What is the difference between a column and a pillar?

[E]

Column holds up something and a pillar doesn't necessarily. Or doesn't. That's my uneducated guess.

[A]

All right, we've got Nick's answer. We don't know yet if he's entirely correct. Lonnie, anything you'd like to add or change?

[C]

I would like to add that I think a pillar is what President Trump destroyed the East Wing. That's what I think.

[A]

All right. All right. Well, this segment can no longer support itself. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.

[B]

Here are the facts. Columns are load bearing supports in in a building that help hold up the roof or floors above. They are usually hidden within the walls. Pillars usually support weight, but can also just be decorative. And they are usually visible either within a room or outdoors.

[A]

That's right. Pillars can also be freestanding, like a pillar you put a flower pot on. And since a pillar is designed to be seen, it usually includes a decorative element like the flower pot you put on it. Helen, how did our guest do?

[B]

So, Nick, I'm gonna give you one point because you said column holds up something, which is correct. And you said pillar doesn't hold something, but it sometimes can. So one point for Nick.

[A]

One point for Nick. All right.

[C]

Yay.

[A]

Well, let's get to know our guests a little bit better. Lonnie, of course, people know you from your standup, your books, your Cafe Mocha radio Show, and over 1300 episodes of the Real. You've won multiple Gracie, NAACP Image and Emmy awards in your career and still going strong.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

And we, of course, are recording in Pasadena and you have an upcoming hosting gig here on New Year's Day.

[C]

Oh, my goodness. I am co hosting the Rose Parade this year. What about that? No way.

[B]

No way. Oh, my God.

[C]

So excited. That means I cannot get lit for New Year's Eve. Can you just imagine? Hello, everybody. Welcome to Rose Parade.

[B]

I mean, you could at maybe 2 o' clock in the morning when everything's done. When everything's done.

[C]

No, we have to be up early. I mean, it's a very rigorous schedule, but it's something that I never thought again. I never thought I would do. But I'm so excited about it and I'm so excited to be a part of. Of starting off the new year with some joy. So I Love that.

[B]

So I know. You know what I love about you, Lonnie, is you are so busy. I feel like you're one of the busiest women that I know, because I've been asking you to come on this podcast for, like, literally years. For years I've been asking her.

[C]

Yeah, she keeps texting me. I'm like, oh, I got a schedule.

[B]

And your schedule is so insane. And all kinds of random things, like hosting the Rose Parade.

[C]

It's so random. But it's just something that. You know what? It's a challenge. And I thought, wow, I've watched it for years, and I'm like, okay, I could do this. If Hoda Kapi can do it, I can, too. So I'm gonna get to it.

[E]

So.

[A]

Yeah, well, of course you do many wonderful things in your career, but before you were in showbiz, you worked as an electrical engineer for companies like IBM and Xerox. What kind of things were you working on in your.

[C]

I was the worst engineer in the United States of America. Oh. Anybody? Dr. 1998 Cutlass. Take it back, because I built it.

[A]

You did actually work on the assembly line at gm.

[C]

I worked on the assembly line. I worked at Xerox out here in El Segundo. I only took the job in El Segundo because I was fresh out of college. And I remember growing up, and it was Sanford and Son and Red Fox always talked about El Segundo. So I was like, oh, that must be for me. So I worked for, like, eight years as an engineer. Engineer. So, wow.

[A]

Now, are big companies like that? Are they supportive of your wanting to try things?

[C]

Of course not. I was, you know, I was sneaking out of work and everything. It was actually when I, you know, I had got my first deal from hbo, and once I got my first deal, I was still working as an engineer, and I needed a out. I just didn't know how. And then we had a major layoff at the time. And so I went to my boss, I said, please save a job and lay me off. And my boss looked at me, he said, this is a win, win for everybody.

[A]

Way ahead of you. You've also appeared as a celebrity on a lot of game shows. You're a game show fan, but you also were a regular contestant on a game show called Supermarket Sweep.

[C]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

Which I'm dying to know.

[C]

That was years ago.

[A]

It was. But I've seen the footage. It is fascinating.

[C]

What was your fascinating.

[A]

What was your Supermarket Sweep experience like?

[C]

It was terrible. It was. I mean, because I Had a partner. I won't. Okay, I'll put it on me. She was a little slower than me, and it's like she didn't know the prices. She didn't know where the things were. So it was like I was kind of doing everything, but it was just a great experience. And actually, that was like, my first, like, television appearance before everything happened. And so to this day, I see that hairstyle. Oh, you look. Look online. Yeah, it's atrocious. I had no lashes. I had no makeup. I looked a mess. And everybody keeps going. We keep seeing you on Supermarket Sweep.

[B]

It's Supermarket Sweep. You're not supposed to be hot on Supermarket Sweep. You could be yourself. You're literally running through a supermarket.

[A]

Part of what we love about wanilaniluv is that because you're so busy, you do so many wonderful things. So thank you for making time today.

[C]

It's a pleasure.

[A]

Well, Nick Cho, one of the unusual things about your having these millions of followers on social media is that your content is gentle and kind and supportive of young people. People have compared you to Mr. Rogers. In fact, was that a conscious choice to take that tack when so many others on TikTok don't?

[E]

It's not all of me, but it's what I wanted to put out there. And I will say the comparison to Mr. Rogers is always kind of overwhelming because he's definitely like. He's like one of my top three heroes of history, of my life.

[A]

Some here as well. Sure.

[E]

Product of public broadcasting. Right. But the thing about Mr. Rogers, I remember him being a kid in the 70s and 80s. He was kind of the Barney of that time. Like, it wasn't really cool to, like Mr. Rogers. If you like Mr. Rogers, you were a baby. It's sort of like now. It's like if you like baby shark or whatever the new sort of baby shark kind of thing is. But he was also kind of a fierce warrior for an advocate for children, speaking out against, like, military and toys and guns and things like that for children. I mean, that was a radical idea. I mean, today it seems almost absurd to even bring up the topic. And at the time, you know, it was like that. That also made him really uncool, but he didn't care because he was convicted in that way. And so that's. Yeah, he's one of my big heroes.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Even though you are pro gun and pro military toy.

[E]

I've shot guns before.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[E]

I. I know a little bit about them, but I'm not a gun person.

[A]

I was kidding, but apparently I wasn't. I didn't know that.

[C]

You know, I'm from Detroit. I will shoot a gun in the mic.

[A]

There's a reason we booked the two of you together.

[B]

Yeah, but, Nick, how did your. How did your Persona evolve? Like, did you have a really nice. Your Korean dad? I know you have a Korean dad.

[E]

I mean, he's.

[C]

I hope he is not a black dad, is he?

[E]

You never know, Twist. You never know, Twist. Yeah. You know the one drop of Korean blood rule, right?

[A]

You've heard that before.

[E]

I gotta say, I love my dad. He's still around and, you know, he is his own kind of sweet, but it's not the way that I grew up at all.

[B]

Yeah, no kidding.

[E]

You know, and I think that a lot of people can relate to. I've talked about this a lot, that when you grow up as an immigrant child, as a children, as a child of immigrants, there are so many things that your parents aren't or can't be there for you for. And so you figure out a lot of stuff on your own. And I think that the Persona that people see about your Korean dad in many ways is kind of. It's sort of. It's about that. It's about like, this is. You have to synthesize things. Sometimes it feels like out of nothing, in the void of what you could or wish that you had.

[A]

Well, your videos have gained tens of millions of views from all over the world. But your first videos were not about being a dad, but actually were about making coffee.

[E]

So before I was a content creator, I was actually a coffee industry expert, and I ran cafes in the Washington, D.C. area. Then later, in San Francisco, I've won a barista championship. I created a coffee making competition called the Brewer's Cup. That's like a thing.

[B]

Big bean snob. This is when I met you. Nick was a big. Nick is a big bean snob. So don't be trying to hand him no Starbucks.

[A]

Tell us how you transitioned from making coffee videos to making Korean dad videos.

[E]

I mean, my daughters, you know, at the time, they were teenagers. This is like 2019. And they said, dad, you've been making videos of us and of other things, you know, our whole lives. You should be making videos on TikTok. And my first question was, what is TikTok? It's what I do now. It's very strange. I have such a weird life.

[A]

And the last thing I want to ask you about. What does it take to be a world barista champion?

[E]

Oh, it's Kind of a complicated thing. But there's all these judges that stand around and watch how they tamp down the coffee and, you know, are they working cleanly and things like that. It's not necessarily the kind of coffee that's for everyone. But I always say when it comes to coffee, like, keep drinking what you like, but keep trying new things, too.

[A]

Coffee snob. I see it, Helen.

[B]

Right? I told you. I told you.

[A]

Well, it's wonderful to have you both here. Nick Cho and Loni Love, everybody. Helen, what is our score heading into.

[B]

The break at the end of that first round? Loni Love has two points and Nick Cho has one point.

[A]

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

[F]

Greetings. I am John Hodgman, co host and co creator of the Judge John Hodgman podcast, along with Jesse Thorne here on the Maximum Fund Network. And I am here with Max Fund member of the month, Keith, who has been a Maximum Fund member since when?

[E]

Keith oh, at least three or four years now. I don't recall exactly when I fell prey to the pledge drive, but it got ahold of me and I've yet to relent.

[F]

Oh, and we shall not ever let go. Now you join us telephonically from a different country from ours, which is which?

[E]

I moved to Vera, Portugal, back in August of this this year.

[F]

I hear evening birds chirping behind you. What are the names of those birds?

[E]

We do have quite a few spoon bills and quite a few flamingos as well.

[F]

So what would you say to the birds around you and the people listening who are considering supporting the show?

[E]

You know, it's just nice to have a little bit of investment in the things that I love. Knowing that I'm making sure that those podcasts are still being created makes me feel good.

[F]

We're so pleased to have you be our Maximum Fund member of the month. Thank you very much, Keith. In Portugal, this month's Maximum Fund member.

[E]

Of the Month, Obrigado become a Max.

[D]

Fund member [e-mail] join.

[B]

Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Loni Love and Nick Cho. Once again, here's J. Keith Van Straten.

[A]

Thank you so much, Helen. Thank you, everybody. All right, Lonnie, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Di and how to pack for a cruise. Let's find out a little bit more about each of Those first, tell us why you know and love Michael Jackson.

[C]

Oh, he's the king of pop. I grew up on him. From the Jackson fives to the Jacksons to his own solo career, him being in the Wiz, he's just been a part of my life. He's always been there.

[A]

Wonderful. Next, tell us why you know and love Queen Elizabeth and Princess Di.

[C]

I am a royal correspondent. I was always talk about the royals, especially Queen Elizabeth ii. I always thought that she was a strong woman. Princess Daya grew up on Princess Di and everything that she was about. I love following women that are strong, that have a meaning in life. And so those are two of the many women that I really admire.

[A]

Very cool. And then. Yeah. All right. And then, as you are a woman to admire, tell us why you know and love how to pack for a cruise.

[C]

Well, because I do a lot of cruises now, and I'm performing, and I. You need to know how to pack for a cruise. And now I know how to pack. The secret to packing is having vacuum bags. That is the secret. So I do vacuum bags.

[B]

Literally, suck it up.

[C]

And just suck it up. And you don't have as much, you know, to. To carry with you, because also I like to just, like, have one big bag, check it out, and then, you know, boom, I'm there.

[A]

Sounds like you know what you're talking about. All right, well, to summarize, Lani, you said you know and love Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Di, and how to pack for a cruise. Today we want to quiz you about Michael Jackson.

[B]

I was hoping for that one. Yeah.

[A]

Although I got some good cruise tips there. That was good. What is your favorite Michael Jackson era? You mentioned a lot of them.

[C]

Oh, it has to be the Thriller era. Yeah. I mean, do you realize Thriller is still on the Billboard 2000? It's been on the Billboard 2000 charts for 700 weeks. It's never left. Wow.

[A]

And did you get to see him perform?

[C]

Yes, I did.

[B]

You did?

[C]

Yeah. I got to know many times. Oh, yeah, Many times. You know, once I became of age, I went and I was always going. And as a matter of fact, I got to see him right before he passed.

[A]

Oh, gosh.

[C]

Because we were taping Chelsea lately. We were taping a special, Right. We were at the Microsoft Theater. He was at the Staples center rehearsing. I had a friend that said, hey, Michael's over there rehearsing. Do you want to see him? And I was like, oh, I'm really tired, but it's Michael. So I went over there. And I saw him, oh, my God.

[A]

You'D like to see him rehearse.

[C]

And I'm glad I didn't wait because something was telling me, oh, well, he'll be there tomorrow. And you know how you sometimes your gut tell you go on and go. Something was, you know, and I said, let me just. Even though I was tired, I went and I'm glad I did. So I got to see him.

[E]

Excellent.

[A]

Yes. I think a lot of people came here tonight because they thought this might be their last chance to see us. All right, well, just ahead, we're going to enlist that help of a bonafide expert in your topic with an expert level question worth up to three points. But before that, to let you continue to show your love, here are five trivia questions about your topic, each worth one point. If you want it, you're allowed a hint for any two of these five questions. Now, Nick, do listen closely because if Lonnie answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, Nick, how much do you know about Michael Jackson?

[E]

First of all, I'm stealing nothing from Lonnie ever.

[F]

Please.

[E]

Are you kidding? I know a little bit. I'm a fan.

[C]

I think he knows a lot.

[A]

All right, well, let's see how you do, Lonnie. Here's question number one.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Michael Jackson's album Thriller has been on the Billboard 200 chart for over 700 weeks.

[B]

Wait, really?

[A]

I swear to God. That is the first line of the first question of this quiz. I think you said Billboard 2000. But still, even if it were 2000, it would still be on there. And every year the spooky title track returns to the number one on several charts as what holiday approaches?

[C]

Halloween, Helen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct for the point. Fun fact. Hollywood legend Vincent Price, of course, provided the narration and evil laugh on the Thriller track. And Price was nominated for a Grammy, but not for Thriller. It was of course, for the album Great American Speeches at the very first Grammy Awards in 1959.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

Here is question number two. Michael Jackson first gained national notice as a member of the Jackson Five. And he reunited with his brothers in a famous TV special to commemorate the 25th anniversary of what record label?

[C]

Motown.

[A]

Ellen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct for the point 2 for 2.

[C]

Motown 25.

[D]

Yep.

[A]

Fun fact, Jackson was nominated for an Emmy for this performance. Several sources, including the official Emmys website, says he was also nominated for his performance on the Bell telephone hour in 1960. But that appears to be the unrelated producer Mike Jackson. Researching trivia is hard. Oh, wow, you're two for two, Lonnie. Here's question number three. Michael Jackson appeared on several TV shows and movies, but not always singing and dancing. But which one of the following projects did not feature Michael Jackson? Was it the Simpsons, the Dating Game, Wall E, men in Black 2, or the 1993 inaugural celebration for President Bill Clinton?

[C]

Well, it seemed like the Dating Game, because that was. But then there was another iteration of the Dating Game hosted by Sherri. Give me a hint.

[A]

Helen, how about that first hint?

[B]

Michael Jackson did appear on the Dating Game.

[C]

You know what I'm gonna say the last one, Bill Clinton.

[B]

Helen, that is not correct.

[A]

No, I'm terribly sorry, Nick. With a chance to steal.

[E]

Maybe men in black 2.

[B]

Helen, that is also not correct.

[A]

No, he was in that. Believe it or not, he was not in Wall E. He was not in the movie Wall E. When was he.

[C]

On the Dating Game?

[A]

He was on the Dating Game in the original iteration. It was a younger man and had his afro and I've seen clips.

[E]

I've seen clips online.

[A]

Yeah, I think you knew that. Just couldn't quite pull it. But no worries there.

[B]

What was he in? Men in black 2.

[A]

He played in. There was footage where they showed different aliens who walk among us on Earth. And they showed him as an example of that. Yes.

[E]

Okay.

[B]

Right, right.

[C]

And then the inauguration.

[A]

The inauguration. He was there. He spoke and performed at Clinton's inauguration.

[C]

Amazing.

[A]

Yeah, it's fun to learn sometimes.

[B]

I know.

[A]

Fun fact.

[C]

Go f k yourself. Okay.

[A]

Fun fact. Several sources, including IMDb say that Jackson also appeared in the 1988 ABC After School special, Daddy Can't Read. But according to my sitting through all of the footage of it I could find, he does not. Researching trivia is hard. Bonus. Fun fact. Daddy does learn to read. No point there for either of you. Let's see if we can bounce back with question four. Lonnie Jackson's fifth solo album, off the Wall, was his first on Epic Records, his first produced with Quincy Jones, and his first to feature songs where Jackson is a credited songwriter. Two of the songs he wrote himself were hit. What are either one of them?

[C]

Oh, goodness, there was so many.

[A]

Give me a hint. Helen, how about that second hint?

[B]

Both titles have to do with sticking with it for a long time. Even after the sun goes down.

[C]

Yeah, that's a hint.

[A]

It is a hint. What happens after the sun goes down? What do you call that time of day?

[C]

Nighttime.

[A]

Right. But before you were working before, it.

[C]

Was night, day and night.

[A]

And so what song might that be?

[C]

Oh, got me working day and night.

[A]

Helen.

[B]

That is correct. We got there, Loni.

[A]

We got there. Working day and night and don't stop til you get enough Both have songwriting credits by Michael. Fun Fact off the Wall also features songs written by Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Carol Baer Sager and David Foster. But Jackson's Don't Stop Till youl Get Enough was the album's biggest hit.

[E]

Wow.

[C]

We love it. Don't.

[B]

Don't stop in Canada. Such a banger. It's a banger.

[A]

All right, Lottie, here's question number five. You have no more hints available. Let's see how you do on your own. This may come as a surprise to our younger listeners, but there used to be a cable TV channel called MTV that played what were called music videos.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Michael Jackson's music videos were so cutting edge that the network named an award after him at their Video Music Awards, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. In 2023, that award's name was amended to include that it is presented by what multinational corporation?

[C]

The corporation.

[E]

Yes.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

Multinational.

[A]

Thank you. Thank you, Nick.

[C]

Thanks. That's a great hint, Nick.

[A]

Apple, Helen. Is it Apple?

[B]

It is not Apple.

[A]

No. I'm terribly sorry. A very reasonable guess, but Nick Cho.

[E]

A chance to steal Toyota.

[A]

Helen.

[B]

That is correct. What? Did you just guess that?

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

That is crazy.

[F]

Wow.

[A]

Well, fun fact. Michael Jackson himself won the Video Vanguard Award in 1988. His sister Janet won it two years later. And in 1991, the award was named for Michael. Other winners include Missy Elliott, Duran Duran, and of course. Oh, boy. And of course. Here we go. And of course, Zbigniew Rybczynski.

[E]

Thank you.

[C]

Who is that?

[A]

A Video Vanguard obvi.

[B]

We all love whoever they are.

[A]

Yeah. He was a short film director who I think ended up doing some videos and was very influential in that field.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

No, no. Shade to Zbigniew Rybchinsky. I also think he's part of. He's part of the Russian mob that's gonna get me if I make fun of him. You did pretty well in that round, Lonnie. But here now is your extra expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact. We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response. That was supposed to sound more of an ooh than an ew, but whatever works. In March of 1988, Michael Jackson became the first artist in the history of The Billboard Hot 100 to have four songs from one album hit number one. A record he broke with a fifth song, a few months later, two of those songs had something special in common. Singer and songwriter Saida Garrett, for up to three points. Which number one song from the album was a love duet between Michael and Saida Garrett? Which number one song from the album was co written by Saida Garrett and featured her voice in the background along with the Andre Crouch choir? Oh God. And on which number one album from 1988 did both of these number one songs appear?

[C]

Well, first of all, I love Saida Garrett. That is I just love her. And the love duet is I Can't Stop Loving youg. The number one song from the album is man in the Mirror and the album is titled Bad.

[A]

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

[B]

Joining us tonight is a Grammy winning and two time Oscar nominated singer, songwriter and actor whose legendary career includes work on two number one hits with Michael Jackson, it's Sayda Garrett.

[A]

Sayda Garrett. Oh my God. Sayeeda. And Loni with a big embrace.

[B]

Oh my God.

[A]

Saida doing a little bit of her Thriller dance. Hello, Saeeda.

[C]

Oh, this was so worthcoming.

[B]

Oh my.

[C]

If I had known, I would have put on lashes. I'm like, oh my goodness.

[G]

Oh my God, I'm so happy to be here.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you.

[A]

Saeeda. It's wonderful to see you.

[C]

It's so fun. So glad to be here.

[B]

Excellent. Hi.

[D]

Who are you?

[C]

That's Sayeda.

[A]

That is her.

[E]

I'm your Korean dad.

[A]

I never had one of those. Well, Saida, my goodness. As a songwriter, your songs have been featured in films like Dreamgirls, Rio, the Color Purple. As a singer, you've sung at the super bowl and the Grammys. You've toured with Madonna, Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendez, among others. And just some of the people who've recorded on your songs include Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Jennifer Hudson and the Sugar Hill Gang.

[G]

Oh my God, I feel so old.

[A]

I'm not even done yet. You've received two Oscar nominations, a Grammy award and a UNESCO center for Peace Cross Cultural Ambassador Award. Saida Garrett, everybody. Wow.

[F]

Wow.

[A]

And you do not look or sound old at all. You look absolutely amazing. If you don't mind my saying.

[G]

Your check is in the mail.

[A]

Thank you so much. I prefer Venmo. Saida, much of your career involved working with Quincy Jones and you say he actually discovered you. How did Quincy discover you?

[G]

Years ago there was a magazine called the Music Connection and Quincy took out an ad, a cattle call, if you will. I showed up at 7am and it was me and two other people. But by the time the actual event began at noon, the line was around the block.

[E]

Wow.

[G]

So it took nine months of re auditioning and then getting a letter saying, congratulations, you're one of 500, 250, 150, 2010. Five.

[A]

Wow.

[G]

Four over nine months. I would get these letters. What, four people, me and three dudes. We became a group called Deco and we performed on Quincy's Back on the Block album. And I wrote a few songs on that album. And the rest is herstory.

[A]

Yeah, it is. That's incredible.

[C]

I love you.

[A]

Yeah. Well, of course, you are probably best known for your work with Michael Jackson. What do you remember about meeting him and how that happened?

[G]

I met him through the song man in the Mirror. They called me when they were in the studio. So I came down and Quincy said, michael has a problem with the key. It's a little bit too high. So Quincy said, hold on a minute, Sid. Quincy Jones puts Michael Jackson on the phone. Now, I don't know about you, Lonnie, and I really don't know about you, Korean dad.

[C]

But.

[G]

When I was coming up, Michael Jackson was my husband.

[D]

Okay?

[G]

My cousin had Jermaine, my sister had, you know, the other brothers. But Michael, Michael was mine. And when Quincy Jones put my husband on the phone, I knew I did not want to be fangirling. And I thought, hotel operator, how can I help you? The first thing Michael Jackson said to me was, I love this song. And I'm like, yes. The second thing Michael Jackson, my husband, said to me was, I love your voice. When we went into the studio to record the demo in a lower key, Michael gets up with this bread box of a video camera on his shoulder, and he's following me into the booth, and I'm going, what are you. What are you doing? Where are you going? What are you doing? He said, I want to record this because I want to sing it like you. I said, great, Mike. All my friends are gonna believe me when I say he wasn't singing like me. And it was just the most surreal experience I've had until I was invited to what I thought was finished recording man in the Mirror. I walk in the studio and they've got this other song playing. And so I said, well, they must. I must. They must be running behind. So I'm just gonna sit back here and knit.

[C]

Knit.

[G]

I'm knitting. And Quinty said, sid, you like this song. And I'm Listening to the song, I'm like, yeah, I like this song. As I sit and knit. And he said, can you sing it? Yeah, I can sing it. He said, well, go on in there and sing it. And I walk into the studio, Michael's walking behind me, and on the music stand, it's a music sheet that says, I just can't stop loving you. Michael Saida. Michael Saida. And it was in that moment that.

[B]

I realized.

[G]

I'm gonna duet with my husband.

[B]

Wait, so what? Okay, so he sang his part. What was your part?

[G]

I hear your voice now. You are my choice now. The love you breathe Heaven's in my heart at your call I hear an angel sing. You know how I feel this thing can't go wrong Anyway.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[C]

That was amazing.

[A]

Holy moly. Well, Saida, it's amazing to hear you sing. It's amazing to hear you tell these stories, but I want to point out you are still very active in music. You actually are working on several stage musicals right now.

[G]

Indeed.

[A]

Tell us about those projects that we can hopefully look forward to seeing.

[G]

Oh, my goodness. The first thing I'm most excited about is the musical stage adaptation of Will Smith's the Pursuit of Happiness. I'm so excited. The songs are so good. And the second project I'm working on is a project with Lena Waithe and Debbie Allen, and it's the musical stage adaptation of the Disney musical Polly. I'm so excited about that.

[B]

Yes.

[G]

It's gonna be great. And then the last thing I'm working on is Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Keke Palmer did a movie called Joyful Noise. It's a movie musical, gospel musical that is going to be a stage musical. And I'm working on that currently. I'm really. I'm just so thrilled. I'm. The music business is just.

[A]

It sounds like the music business, the way the names you're describing.

[G]

It is not.

[A]

It's a theater business.

[C]

It is Broadway.

[A]

It takes a little. Takes a little longer, man.

[G]

Let me tell you one thing, please. When you're a songwriter and you're writing for artists, that artist can choose to record your song or not. Or they can say they're going to record your song and record your song and not put it on the record, but your song is already recorded. So with the thing with Broadway and theater, when you write a song for a scene, unless that scene is not in the play anymore or the musical anymore, your song is in the musical. Your songs have A home, which is something I never felt comfortable with in the music business because they never really had a home until they did. You know what I mean? But I've landed, you know, I've been pretty lucky. I've landed a couple good ones.

[E]

Yeah, I would say so.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely.

[C]

Bought my car, bought my house, Mariguette.

[B]

Bought my.

[A]

My clothes.

[G]

No, I'm kidding.

[C]

I'm kidding.

[B]

Oh, my God, Lonnie, are you fangirling so hard right now?

[C]

Oh, this is my girl right here. I'm surprised how we're able to get her. Oh, my goodness.

[G]

I tried to tell him, but, you know.

[A]

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 Lonnie. First, we wanted to know what was that number one song from that album? That was a love duet between Michael and someone named Saida Garrett. Helen, what did Lonnie.

[B]

Lonnie said, I can't stop loving you.

[A]

And Saida, it is. I just can't stop loving you. But you are their expert.

[G]

I just can't stop loving you was the duet. I Can't stop loving you was Ray Charles song. Oh, I can't stop.

[C]

Tomato, tomahto.

[G]

Okay, you know what?

[A]

You want to give her the point or a half point?

[G]

She can get the point.

[A]

Half point for Lonnie. Very nice.

[C]

My heart was there.

[A]

Your heart was there for sure. Next, we want to know what number one song from that same album was co written by Saeeda Garrett. Helen, what did Lonnie say?

[B]

Lonnie said, man in the Mirror.

[A]

And Saida.

[C]

Lonnie was right.

[A]

Absolutely no doubt about that. And finally want to know on which number one album did both of those number one songs appear? Helen, what did Lonnie say?

[B]

Lonnie said bad.

[A]

And say she's bad.

[B]

She's bad. Really, really bad.

[A]

Very nice.

[G]

She knows some Michael Jackson stuff.

[B]

Lonnie, while we have Zaire here, is there anything you want to ask her?

[C]

Say, you know, I just want to tell her, thank you for coming. Thank you for all the wonderful work and I can't wait for the future work. But the stories, I just love, you know?

[G]

Thank you so much.

[C]

Thank you.

[G]

You have been in my life for so many years. It feels like I already know you because of your presence on television. And you're so real. You're so yourself on tv. I will be talking about this for days, all the time.

[A]

I think some of us will hear as well. Saida, if people wanna find out more about you and what you're up to. Where can they do that?

[G]

You can find me at saida.coms I e-a h.com I'm happy to be just active in any way that I can be, especially in the business we're in today.

[A]

And we are so happy that that activity led us to you today, everybody. Sayeda Garrett, what a treat. Thank you, Saeeda. Thank you, everybody. All right, Helen, what is our score at the end of that round? Wow.

[B]

Wow, wow. At the end of that exciting round, Loni Love has eight points and Nick Cho has two points with a round of questions for Nick coming up.

[A]

That's right. We're gonna talk with Nick about a topic he knows about. Plus, later, Lonnie and Nick will go head to head in our fast facts round, all to find a winner on GoFact.

[B]

I'm Emily Fleming.

[A]

I'm Jordan Morris. And I'm Matt Lieb.

[B]

We are real comedy writers, real friends, and real cheapskates.

[A]

On every episode of our podcast, free with ads, we ask, why pay for expensive streaming services when you can get free movies from apps with weird names?

[B]

Each week, we review the freest movies the Internet has to offer. Classics like Pride and Prejudice, cult classics.

[A]

Like Point Break and holy shit, what did I just watch. Classics like Teen Witch tune in every.

[B]

Week as we take a deep dive into the Internet's bargain bin Every Tuesday.

[A]

On MaximumFun.org or your favorite pod place.

[B]

Welcome back to go fact yourself with our guests Loni Love and Nick Cho. Once again, here's Jakeith van Stratten.

[A]

Thank you so much, Ellen. Thanks, everybody. All right, Nick, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love 1980s arcade games, Asian Americans in the media from the 1980s to 2000s, and Gen Alpha slang. Let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us why you know and love 1980s arcade games.

[E]

I mean, that's when I grew up. I'm 51. I'll be 52 in a couple months. And, you know, growing up with the quarters on the Ms. Pac man machine, so it's neat seeing all, you know, how far things have come. But. But the 80s games were my thing.

[A]

They were classics for a reason.

[E]

Definitely.

[A]

Next, tell us about Asian Americans in the media from the 1980s to 2000s.

[E]

Well, why doesn't everyone know about Asian.

[A]

Americans in the media?

[B]

Hear, hear.

[E]

I mean, especially, you know, having moved to LA and being a content creator, having opportunities to meet a lot of folks like the incomparable Helen Hong.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Thank you.

[E]

When you grow up in the United States and you're Korean American like me or Asian American, you know, it's just you see people out there in a little bit different way and it's a big deal. All right?

[A]

And then finally tell us why you know Gen Alpha slang.

[E]

Okay, so I'm very Gen X, but I have a 10 year old stepson named Dylan who is very Gen Alpha. When we drive somewhere, we go on a lot of long drives. He has his phone on a little mount like behind my head on the headrest, and he's streaming YouTube non stop for the entire drive. And so all the Skibidi, six, seven, all those things out there, he said it.

[A]

He said six, seven.

[E]

Oh, my God, six, seven. See, I got.

[A]

Well, to summarize, Nick, you said you know and love 1980s arcade games, Asian Americans in the media, 1980s-2000s, and gen alpha slang. Today we want to quiz you about Asian Americans in the media, 1980s to 2000s.

[E]

Excellent, excellent.

[B]

Take that, Skibidi.

[C]

Whatever.

[A]

Who are some of your favorite icons from that era?

[E]

I was at an event and I bumped into Tamlin Tamita, who is from Joy Luck Club and from Karate Kid 2. And we both looked at each other and I almost had a heart attack because that was like the crush, you know, back, you know, during that time. But so many wonderful.

[A]

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, here are five trivia questions for you about your topic, each worth one point. If you want to earlotta hint for any two of these five questions.

[E]

I'm so nervous.

[A]

Oh, you're gonna do great, Lonnie. Listen closely because if Nick answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, Lonni, how much do you know about Asian Americans in the media of 1980s to 2000s?

[C]

I love Connie Chung.

[B]

All right, Hear, hear.

[A]

I think we all can agree on that. Yes. Here's question number one. Lucy Liu is rightly regarded as a trailblazer for Asian Americans in the media.

[E]

Definitely.

[A]

And she kicked off the 2000s with a milestone when in the year 2000 she became the first Asian American to host what weekly comedy sketch show, Saturday Night Live. Helen?

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

Yes, very nice. Fun fact. Seven months before Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan hosted snl, making him the first Asian to do so. But he is not Asian American. Other Asian Americans to host after Lucy Liu include Kumail Nanjani Aziz, Ansari and Awkwafina. All right, here's question number two. Yes, I have a feeling you might know this one.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

At the very end of the 1980s, a writer's first novel about four Chinese immigrant families became an international bestseller. What Amy Tan novel later made into the first Hollywood movie featuring a predominantly Asian cast?

[E]

Was it the Joy Luck Club?

[A]

Helen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct. Very nice. Two for two. Fun fact. Author Amy Tan appeared on episode 148 of Go Fact herself. And Rosalind Chow, who starred in the film adaptation, appeared on episode 172. They were a joy and we were lucky to have them in our club. Here is question number three. The 1990s was an important for Asian Americans in the media. But which one of the following breakthroughs did not take place in the 1990s?

[E]

Oh, geez.

[A]

Was it Connie Chung becomes host of a nightly network news show? Jerry Yang co founds Yahoo. Margaret Cho's All American Girl premieres on tv? Chang Rae Li's debut novel Native speaker is published Or Justin Lin's movie Better Luck Tomorrow is released?

[E]

I think Better Luck Tomorrow came out after 2000.

[A]

Ellen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct. Very nice. Fun fact. Margaret Cho appeared on episodes 32 and 37 of Go F yourself. Better Luck Tomorrow was released in 2002. And if you hadn't gotten that one right, Better Luck Tomorrow. You are three for three. Nick. Here is question number four. Asian American artists like Yo Yo Ma have made a huge impact on classical music. But pop music has been been impacted too. What grunge band co founded in 1984 by bassist Hiro Yamamoto was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame in 2025?

[E]

Hint, please. Helen.

[A]

Helen. How about that first hint?

[B]

The name of the band sounds like a place outside your house where you grow audio like flowers.

[E]

Audio like flowers. Soundgarden.

[A]

Ellen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct. Excellent use of the hints. Fun fact. Yamamoto was there at the founding of Soundgarden in 1984, but he left the band in 1989. He went on to form the bands Truly and Stereo Donkey. He was inducted into the Asian hall of fame in 2022.

[E]

We have a Hall of Fame.

[A]

There's an Asian hall of Fame.

[B]

That's what I said.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I was like, why aren't we in it?

[A]

He was inducted into the Asian hall of Fame in 2022 and the Rock hall in 2025. Bonus. Fun fact. Soundgarden has not yet been inducted into the Rock hall, but by the time this Episode is out. They will be. Nick, you are four for four. You have a chance to go five for five. If you get this question correct, you do still have a hint available. You are not the only one with an interest in Asian Americans in media. In fact, there is a Center for Asian American Media which launched a groundbreaking show on PBS in 1982, an anthology series by and about Asian Americans focusing on Asian American histories and experiences. What was the name of this show?

[E]

Hint, please. Helen.

[A]

Helen, how about that second hint?

[B]

Printing on these can be seen in Asian art as far back as the 10th century.

[E]

Printing on these.

[A]

Yes.

[E]

Silk Screen.

[A]

Helen.

[B]

That is correct.

[A]

That is correct. Silk Screen. Nick Cho is 5 for 5.

[B]

Confidently getting that last point with a question.

[E]

Mark up at the end.

[A]

Fun fact. I could not find any video clips of Silkscreen online, and yet I could find almost the entire movie of Daddy Can't Read. Researching trivia is hard. All right, Nick, you obviously did very well in that quiz. But now here's your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact. We'll be bringing out an expert to discuss your response. Nick, the evolution of depictions of Asian Americans in the media from the 1980s to the 2000s can be seen in three projects that cover that span. First, the stereotype of Asian exchange student Long Duck dong in a 1984 film comedy. Next, the voice of Chinese soldier ling in a 1998 animated film. And finally, the role of gay Japanese Jewish nurse Yoshi Takata on a top rated TV drama into the 2000s. Amazingly, all of these roles were played by the same actor for up to three points. What are the names of this 1984 film comedy, this 1998 animated film, and this 1990s to 2000s TV drama?

[E]

First one, sixteen Candles. Second is Mulan. And the third one, I don't think it's right, but I'm gonna say Grey's Anatomy.

[A]

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

[B]

Joining us tonight is a versatile actor whose long career includes playing Long Duk Dong Ling Yoshitaka and many more. It's Getty Watanabe.

[A]

Getty Watanabe.

[B]

Come on out. Getty.

[A]

Getty and Nick sharing a lovely embrace to assert.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. Getty.

[A]

Hi, Helen. How are you?

[C]

Welcome.

[D]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

Well, Getty, in addition to those projects that we referred to in the question, people will know you from movies like Gung Ho, uhf, Forgetting Sarah Marshall Ultraman Rising. You've had recurring roles on shows from Sesame street to the Simpsons, and you've had a long association with the East West Players Theater Company, which is celebrating their 60th anniversary here in Los Angeles.

[D]

Yes. Thank you. That's good. Thank you, Korean Dad.

[A]

Well, let's talk about your theater work, because one of the first roles you ever had was on Broadway as an original cast member of a Stephen Sondheim musical.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Yeah, I was a street singer. I used to sing in Chinatown in. Oh, God, 1973.

[B]

Chinatown in LA?

[D]

No, no, Chinatown in San Francisco. And I used to sing. You know, I tried to sing all the Dylan songs I could find. Joanna Merlin and her associate came by, and I didn't know it was them. And they said, do you want to do a show? And I said, okay. I wasn't really into theater. I wanted to be a folk singer at the time. They said, we're gonna bring you in. So I said, okay. So I went in and sang, I think, at act. And then they ended up flying me to New York. They had asked me, they said, do you know a Broadway song? And I thought, no, but I'll think of something. And then I remember my mom loved How Are Things in Glaucomara? So I remember, how are Things in Glaucomara? You know, and everything. I sang that. And they kept upping the key higher and higher. And so I kept going higher and higher. How are things in. How are Things in Glockathora was my last one, and. And it was just embarrassing. And I thought, oh, God, no, this is not going to work. I thought Joanna Merlin, who was the casting director, kind of. She came in, she says, well, congratulations. They want you in the show. And I said, oh, somebody comes up to me, and he comes up and he shakes my hand, and he says, well, congratulations, you're in the show. And I said, oh. I said, God, I can't believe I'm here in New York. And blah, blah, and what's your name? And he said, I'm Stephen Sondheim. I had no idea who he was at the time. That's my beginning of my career.

[A]

Wow. So take us from Pacific Overtures to a few years later. You're auditioning for Long Duck Dong. I understand you auditioned with a bit of a deception about who you were.

[D]

I went in there as the character, basically. So I knew he was from another country, from a foreign country. And I unfortunately, please forgive me, I chose a Korean friend of mine.

[C]

Who.

[E]

I actually, on behalf of all Koreans.

[B]

Everywhere.

[D]

And so I went in and auditioned. I could see Jackie Burch, bless her heart, she just passed away this year. I thought about it for a while because I realized that I was really from Ogden, Utah, and I didn't really have an accent. I said, oh, my God, did I really pass this thing off? I took Jackie aside, said, jackie, you know, I'm not from Korea, and I'm just making this up and everything like that.

[A]

She says, don't tell John.

[G]

Don't tell him.

[A]

When did he finally find out?

[D]

Well, she said, let's wait, get the part and do this. So it wasn't until Chicago, when you.

[A]

Were on the set.

[D]

When I was on the set.

[B]

No.

[A]

That you told him.

[B]

Wow, you had flown out to two shooting.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

And you're on set.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And you're like, yo, bro, I'm from.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

What was his. What was John Hughes's reaction?

[D]

He wasn't floored by it? He was such a kid.

[B]

It didn't. It didn't affect him?

[D]

No, it didn't affect anything.

[B]

Now, you know, that role is so problematic, as we all know. You know, now in 2025, I will defend that.

[D]

He did get the girl.

[A]

Oh, okay.

[B]

That is a good point.

[D]

Yeah, he did get. And during the 80s, you know, that was a real huge thing for Asian men. I mean, Asian men were kind of, you know, they were kind of ostracized and heavily. Yeah, exactly. At that time. So what kept me there at that point was because of that. And so I said, oh, he wants the two things that he wants is the American dream, and he wants the girl and he gets the girl. And so that was my thinking at the time.

[B]

I never thought of it that way. Now, when you read this script, when you first read it, and being from Ogden, Utah, did you go, mmm, this is problematic, or this is.

[D]

I did, but I didn't have the community to tell me how to maneuver through this, because don't forget, this was the 80s. I treated like this, like it was a job, basically.

[A]

And you were happy to have a.

[D]

Job, and I was happy to have a job. And I made more money that week than I ever did of any of my shows in the theater, even on Broadway, so.

[A]

Well, I appreciate being willing to talk about it because I know it's been an evolution over these 40 plus years, the way you've looked at that role.

[D]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

Well, Yoshitakada was a very atypical character. How did that character evolve over the seven seasons that you played Him.

[D]

That was kind of amazing thing because I did have a transition where I was trying to figure out, do I have to be funny? So I think what happened was is that er, kind of broke the mold for me.

[B]

That character of Yoshi Takada. Did that character have an accent when you were auditioning?

[D]

No, not at all.

[B]

So that was an evolution of Hollywood.

[D]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

Was not only. The only jobs that you were offered were not these heavily accented, but I.

[D]

Couldn'T get jobs that weren't foreign born for a long time. It was just really, really difficult. It's changed now. I mean it's so. It's amazing what's happening to the. To the. To us. Right, exactly. Right now at this point it's pretty.

[A]

Yeah, for sure.

[D]

Yeah. Extraordinary. Okay. And you've got, you know, you've got these wonderful actors that are coming out and. And I'm sorry, you probably were expecting John Cho or somebody like.

[A]

Wonderful. Well, I'm so happy. There's so much love here. But let's get to the reason we brought you here as far as our game is concerned. You heard the questions we asked of Nick. We were talking about some actor who played all of those iconic roles from the 80s through the 2000s. We wanted to know what was the name of the 1984 film comedy with Long Duck Dong. Helen, what did Nick say?

[B]

Nick said Sixteen Candles and Getty.

[D]

He's right.

[A]

He is right for the point. Very nice. Next we wanted to know what, what was that 1998 animated film with that same actor doing the voice of Chinese soldier Ling? Helen, what did Nick say?

[B]

Nick said mulan Enghetti, you are right again.

[A]

Yes, right again. Very good. You also appeared in the sequel in Mulan 2. Oh, right, yes. And finally wanted to know from what show was the role of gay Japanese Jewish nurse Yoshita Kata on a top rated TV drama in the 2000s. What did Nick say?

[B]

Nick said grey's Anatomy.

[D]

And Geddy, I am so sorry.

[A]

No, er, yeah, yes, it was er, no point there, but still a very nice job.

[D]

I do want to tell you. My other half was the casting director for Grey's Anatomy.

[A]

Sitting in a way you probably should have been on or should be on Grey's Anatomy at some point. So Nick once again was intuiting the answer, just like I do with the Toyota answer. Absolutely intuiting that you will be on Grey's Anatomy.

[B]

Nick, is there anything you want to ask or say to Getty while we have him here?

[E]

I have to say, Getty, that I've imagined meeting you and talking to you for literally decades.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[E]

And when I was a young person, I promise this is going to a good place. When I was a young person, I was so angry at you.

[D]

I'm sure you were.

[E]

And I'm sure I'm not the stand in line. This is not the first time you're hearing this, because the amount of bullying that I experienced and the ways that some of the lines that you had spoken in the movie were quoted at me, and sometimes, you know, it was horrible. But many, many years later, I realized that it's not you. It's the racism, it's the prejudice. It's so much of what we still have to learn in America and to grow in terms of all of us in so many different ways. What we're striving for is a world in America where you can have a portrayal like that and it just can be funny and there's no pain.

[B]

It's just one other thing.

[E]

It's like doing a French accent. I'm so glad that you're here. I'm so glad to meet you. I'm so proud of everything that you've done and accomplished, and I see you as one of my heroes. Oh, wow.

[D]

Thank you.

[A]

Right back at you.

[D]

That's really sweet.

[F]

Thank you.

[A]

Thank you for saying that.

[B]

I'm tearing up. For real.

[C]

No, it's so sweet. I felt that way about the Real Housewives. So angry.

[A]

That was worth your staying. Daddy, it's so wonderful that you joined us. People want to find out more about you and what you're up to. Where can they do that?

[D]

I don't know.

[A]

I really don't.

[B]

Watch Ultraman. Watch Ultraman.

[D]

Okay. Yes. Yeah. You know, I don't. I don't really.

[A]

You don't do social media?

[D]

I don't, unfortunately, I don't.

[C]

He doesn't need to. He's working.

[A]

There you go. The wonderful Gary Watanabe. Thank you for being here, Gary.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

So much. Love on this stage.

[B]

Oh, my God. I literally cried. I'm literally tearing up.

[A]

Well, as if this matters. What is our score going into the final round? Helen?

[E]

Oh.

[B]

After that emotional round, Loni Love has eight points and Nick Cho has nine points. It's tight. It's a tight piece.

[A]

And now it is time for a final round. We call Fast Facts.

[C]

We are still here.

[A]

Hold that plane. Hold the plane. It is time for our final round. We call Fast Facts. I will read 10 statements and each contestant will answer with true or false. I will start with Lonnie. And then alternate. Each correct answer is worth one point. Again, please answer each statement with true or false, and we will go fast. Here we begin. Lonnie, the Hollywood Walk of Fame is in Hollywood.

[B]

True.

[D]

Correct.

[A]

We're on our way. Nick. The Hollywood Walk of Fame honors people with stars.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Lonnie, only people can be honored with a star.

[C]

False.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Nick, there are dogs with stars.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct. Yeah.

[A]

Lassie, Rin Tin Tin. Lonnie, there are cats with stars.

[C]

True.

[B]

Incorrect.

[E]

Boo.

[A]

No cats.

[E]

Boo.

[A]

Nick, there's a car with a star.

[E]

True.

[B]

Correct. Yep.

[A]

The Chevy Suburban has a star. Lonnie, Nick Cho has a star.

[C]

This one. False.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Not yet. Nick, Loni Love has a star.

[E]

True.

[B]

Incorrect.

[A]

Not yet. Not yet. Lonnie, it cost $1,000 to nominate someone for a star.

[C]

False.

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Yeah, it's only $275.

[B]

Nick.

[A]

Anyone can nominate someone for a star.

[E]

False.

[B]

Incorrect.

[A]

No, anyone can, Lonnie. So everyone listening should nominate Loni Love and Nick Cho for stars. True. Of course we should. Let's give Nick Cho and Lonnie Love a nice round of applause as Helen tabulates the final score. By the way, it does call. It costs $275 to nominate, but if your nomination is accepted, it costs $85,000 for the star and ceremony. So please give even more generously to your public radio stations. Helen, are you ready to announce the winner on today's show?

[B]

Oh, Loni, buckle up, girl. It's a tie.

[A]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

Loni Love and Nick cho both have 12 points.

[E]

Wow.

[A]

What an incredibly close game. Now, here's something interesting. We have been discussing behind the scenes whether we should have a tiebreaker or not.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[E]

No, no, no, no, please.

[A]

This.

[E]

This is called the. The Black Community Asian American Community Coalition Solidarity. We will take the tie.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So you're saying I should not go to our predominantly white audience to ask their opinion?

[C]

No, but we love the audience. You could give a nice hand.

[A]

It's our first tie ending on Go Fact Yourself. You both are the facting champion on Go Fact Yourself. Loni, what will you do with your championship?

[C]

I've got to go get on my plane.

[A]

Nick, what will you do with your facting championship?

[E]

I'm giving it to Loni Love.

[A]

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

[C]

Please go to lonielove.com I have a lot of dates in 2026 that's coming up. And watch me on the Rose bowl parade.

[A]

Absolutely. The lovely Loni Love Nick Cho.

[E]

Oh, I'm Ickcho on Instagram and your Korean dad on everything else.

[A]

Well, thanks for being here with us tonight, Nick Cho and Loni Love. Ladies and gentlemen, you are so lucky because my hosting partner is Helen Hong.

[B]

You can follow me on all the socials and find out about my tour dates because I have tour dates. I'm performing in Maui. I'm performing in Vegas. I'm performing in places at Funny Helen Hong because there's another Helen Hong. There's actually multiple Helen Hongs and they're not funny.

[A]

But this one is. She's our funny Helen Hong, everybody. And me. You can find me on the socials at J. Keith no all spelled out. You can also hire me for your trivia event either online or in person by going to bigquizthing.com that just leaves me to thank Loni Love Nick Cho, Saida Garrett, Gedi Watanabe, everyone here at LAIST and the Crawford and thank you for listening and supporting our [e-mail] I'm Jake Van Stratten. Good night. Like what you hear? Come see us live. Go to gofactorpod.com for for our schedule and tickets. Meanwhile, please like and follow us on all the socials. All O FactorPod. Update our [e-mail] and by our T shaped shirt mug shaped mug and dingle dangly dingle dangle and [e-mail] and give us a great review on your favorite podcast platform like AMFC18 did on Apple Podcasts. He she or they said so much fun. I'm a latecomer to the GFY Bandwagon but am thoroughly enjoying the new episodes and catch up binges. Thanks amfc18 we've always got room on the bandwagon for folks like you, Helen.

[B]

Go Fact Yourself is a panel quiz program devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith Van Stratten. Comes to you via transcription from the Crawford at LAist 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 co producer and editor in Our man in the Mirror is Julian Burrell. Additional editing by Valerie Moffatt Music by Jonathan Green Research assistants provided by Adam Nediff Quiz assistance provided by Bartgold and Leora Saul Promotional graphics by Erich Tran Video clips by Scout Mayberry Live show photography by Christine Valada Live show support by Dave Bianchi Special thanks to Eric Nuri of In the Mirror Music and Christopher Black of Opus Entertainment for Laist John Kohn, Vice President, Audience and Community engagement Rebecca Stummy, Senior producer Tony Federico, Technical Director Michael Leyva, Tech Assistant Lorena Nader, Audience Experience Manager Laura Dukes, Coordinator and Mikayla Perez and Lucas Mathers, events interns. I've been Helen Hong let's go listen.

[A]

To Michael Jackson music and be an.

[B]

Asian American in the media.

[A]

I'll do one of those. Maximum Fun a worker owned network of.

[B]

Artist owned shows supported directly by you.