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Go Fact Yourself
Ep. 185: Paul Feig & Anjali Bhimani
01:08:32
Ring in the new year with trivia… on Go Fact Yourself! Director Paul Feig and actor Anjali Bhimani compete to answer questions that are fun for the whole blended family.
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- [00:00]
A
Hey, it's Helen and it's Jay Keith. And you know what? Happy New Year. Kick the year off right by joining us for one of our four live audience recordings in January, two in Pasadena and two in New York City.
- [00:12]
B
If you're hearing this episode on the day it comes out, there's still time to join us at the Crawford and Pasadena for a matinee on Sunday, January 4th with guests Jay Moore and Chase Masterson.
- [00:23]
A
And we're back at the Crawford on Thursday, January 15th at 7pm with actor Matt Walsh and another great guest to be announced.
- [00:30]
B
Then, two shows in new City, Saturday, January 24th at Symphony Space and Monday, January 26th at the JCC.
- [00:39]
A
For the latest info on guests and tickets, you can always go to gofactorpod.com and in the meantime, take it away. Helen.
- [00:53]
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.
- [01:12]
A
Hi.
- [01:13]
B
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. Yes, thank you. And now from the Crawford at La Est in Pasadena, here's our moderator, Jakeith Van Straten.
- [01:32]
C
Hey.
- [01:32]
A
Thank you so much. Lovely, lovely crowd. Hello. Hello, Helen. How are you?
- [01:36]
B
Hello, Jay. Keith, welcome back from your. This is the first time I'm seeing you since your honeymoon.
- [01:40]
A
That's right, yes. I got married and I had a honeymoon. Can you believe it?
- [01:45]
B
She said yes.
- [01:46]
A
She did say yes.
- [01:47]
B
She said, I do. You said, I do. You guys did the thing.
- [01:49]
A
We did the thing. And then she still agreed to travel with me halfway around the world. It was incredible. We actually literally ended up halfway around the world. Our ultimate destination was this little island called Mauritius that is in the Indian Ocean and I believe is literally the farthest that you can go on the planet from Los Angeles that still has an airport.
- [02:07]
B
Whoa.
- [02:07]
A
So, yes, we were fortunate enough that we got to make several stops along the way, and one of them was in South Africa, and we were in Kruger national park on a safari. It was amazing. And I wanted to tell you one of the moments that I thought of all of you. We were doing a walking safari in the morning with guides walking on the planes there. And at some point, the guide tells me that a local tradition there is for the people to smoke elephant dung.
- [02:33]
B
This is what made him think of all of us, apparently. Elephant smoking of the elephant. He's Like, I know. Go fact yourself, audience.
- [02:40]
A
Yeah, and so I was picturing, like, oh, okay, they probably take a little piece and let it dry in the sun. They mix it with some tobacco, maybe they put in a little pipe. Next thing I know, the guy reaches down to the ground, picks up a big piece of elephant dung, lights it on fire and hands it to me.
- [02:55]
B
Did you take a big inhale?
- [02:57]
A
Well, Helen, I can tell you that I participated in a local tradition and sacrament, or I fell for it and I still don't know which one I was picturing back. Like, at the guide station, they've got a picture of all of the gullible tourists. Like, they actually smoked the elephant dung. But it was some good. All right, 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. But 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?
- [03:37]
B
She is an award winning actor who can be seen in shows like Ms. Marvel and Heard in video games like Overwatch and her latest, Call of Black Ops 7. And he is an award winning filmmaker whose work includes Freaks and Geeks, Bridesmaids, and his latest, the Housemaid. It's Anjali Bimani and Paul Feig.
- [03:56]
A
Anjali and Paul. Hello. Hello. Cheers to you both. Hello. Hello.
- [04:07]
D
My goodness, this is a big old house.
- [04:09]
A
It's a big old house with a wonderful audience and they're so happy to see you.
- [04:12]
C
Welcome, both of you. Thank you.
- [04:13]
D
Can I just pile onto your story? There is actually. I love gin, and there is a gin that you can buy that is elephant dung infused. And I had it actually pretty good.
- [04:23]
A
Okay, good. So I'm not the only sucker.
- [04:27]
D
My picture's on that wall, too.
- [04:29]
A
Well, Angela, you have such an interesting background, going from theater to now being a queen in the world of gaming. And both of your parents, I was interested to see, were doctors. How did they feel about your going into acting?
- [04:40]
E
It's surprising because so many people of my background, that's not necessarily encouraged, but my parents actually met acting in a play in medical school.
- [04:47]
B
No.
- [04:48]
A
Okay.
- [04:48]
E
Yes. In their copious free time as medical, they decided to do this intercollegiate drama troupe. So it's always been in the family's blood. And there was a really wonderful moment I had with my father four or five years before he passed, where I said, dad, if you weren't a doctor, what would you be? And he said, I'd be an actor. Oh my goodness. So needless to say, they've been very supportive. They've been really wonderful. My mom just saw the show that we're doing in LA right now in Hollywood, and she didn't understand anything that was going on, but she had loads of fun watching it.
- [05:21]
B
So your whole family are the weirdest Asians?
- [05:24]
E
Oh yes, absolutely.
- [05:26]
B
Usual Asians.
- [05:27]
E
Exactly, exactly.
- [05:29]
B
Now Paul, people may think of you as a comedy director, but you also directed A Simple Favor, which is a thriller based on a best selling novel. And now the Housemaid, which is also a thriller based on a bestselling novel. What do you like about directing thrillers based on bestselling novels?
- [05:43]
D
I love affecting an audience. And honestly, thrillers and comedy are very close because you're trying to get people to react. And I find if you make somebody scream or jump or gasp, then they laugh afterwards. So I'm getting double my pleasure for that.
- [05:59]
A
And you actually like to attend the screenings of your films?
- [06:02]
D
Oh, I sit right in the middle of the audience. Yeah. It's too much fun. We engineer these movies to really work in front of audiences. We do a lot of test screenings as we're editing and stuff to make sure things work. So the payoff. I was a stand up comedian thousand years ago. So to me, this is my new stand up. But I don't have to do my act, I can just watch what I do. Did already.
- [06:19]
B
Ah, tell me what that's like.
- [06:22]
A
We're gonna chat with both of you 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. Anjali, for you, you said that was late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim, the greater human skeletomuscular system, and lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
- [06:43]
D
Nice.
- [06:44]
A
Where's. Give it up for the skeletal muscular system. I'm sure that's what the applause was for.
- [06:49]
E
It holds us all together.
- [06:51]
A
A crowd pleaser. Whereas Paul, you said you know and love the 2025 Dodgers starting lineup. The Brady Bunch, original TV series and martinis.
- [07:00]
D
Yes.
- [07:01]
A
Not in that order.
- [07:02]
D
Yeah, not in that order exactly.
- [07:04]
A
Well, later on we're gonna ask each of you some in depth trivia questions 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. Whip it. First up in Whip it is Anjali. Anjali, your question comes from a listener. Who is it, Helen?
- [07:28]
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. Okay, play it.
- [07:41]
A
Hi, everybody. This is James Glucksman from Oamaru, New Zealand. My question for what's the difference is while both sound like you're punishing your food when it comes to cooking, what's the difference between beating and whipping? Love the show. Thanks. Wow. All the way from New Zealand. Thank you so much, James. All right, Anjali, you heard James. What is the difference between beating and whipping? And we are confining this to cooking.
- [08:06]
E
I was gonna say, I was like, oh, shoot.
- [08:08]
D
Well, I'll see you.
- [08:09]
E
I got a lot more answers for. I think it has to do with how much air you are introducing into the recipe. So if you're whipping it, you're introducing more air into it, whereas when you're beating it, you're trying to keep the utensil that you're stirring with or beating it with inside a little bit more.
- [08:26]
A
All right, we've got Anjali's answer. We don't know yet if she's entirely correct. Paul, anything you'd like to change or add?
- [08:31]
D
I mean, beating eggs, you're still beating them up and getting air in there, but maybe it's a difference between whipping is with a whisky and beating is with more of a, like, fork or a spoon or a mixer kind of thing.
- [08:45]
A
Well, this segment is taking a beating. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.
- [08:49]
B
Here are the facts. Beating results in your ingredients being blended with a small amount of air in order to be smooth and consistent, like a cake batter. This can happen by mixing them fast or slowly. Whipping results in your ingredients being blended with large amounts of air in order to be light and fluffy, like a meringue. This won't happen if you mix them slowly, so you've got to do it fast.
- [09:14]
A
That's right. Now, the tools you'll use will also make a difference. For beating, you can use a fork or a wooden spoon, but because you want more air when you whip, you'll want to use a whisk. That sounds quite familiar by the Way according to Bon Appetit. If you don't have a whisk and you want to make whipped cream, you can just shake it in a jar. And if you don't have a jar, maybe you should just buy Cool Whip. Helen, how did our guest do?
- [09:36]
B
You know, I think I want to give Anjali one point because you did get the air differential, but you didn't get the fat, slow, beating situation. Yeah, there's a speed to which one whips and then Paul, I think I also want to give you half a point for mentioning the different kind of utensils. I think you were more onto the fast or slow situation. I'll take that one point for Anjali and half a point for Paul.
- [09:59]
A
Very nice.
- [09:59]
D
All right, I'm in the game. I'm in the game.
- [10:01]
A
You get it.
- [10:02]
E
You did it.
- [10:02]
A
Up next in whippet is Paul. Paul, While it would be messy to use either one to mix your food, when it comes to the instrument that goes. What's the difference between a whip and a lash? A whip and a lash.
- [10:14]
D
I would say that a whip is very long and it's used for hitting things like far away with more force. And a lash is a shorter thing for close up hitting versus far away.
- [10:26]
A
Smack versus the long distance smacking.
- [10:28]
D
Exactly.
- [10:28]
A
All right, we've got Paul's answer. Anything you'd like to add or change?
- [10:32]
E
Anjali, I think you're spot on, at least from my expert opinion. I think maybe also in terms of the sound they make, that the crack of a whip is actually like it makes the crack slapping back upon itself so that you can do that in different ways. Whereas a lash is meant to actually hit its target.
- [10:49]
A
Hit its target as opposed to just make a noise.
- [10:51]
B
Yeah.
- [10:51]
A
All right, well, this segment needs to be whipped into shape. Let's go to Helen Hong at the judges table for the facts.
- [10:56]
B
Here are the facts. A whip is the entire implement that's used by lion tamers, Indiana Jones and dominatrixes. A lash is just the flexible part of a whip that does not include the handle.
- [11:10]
A
That's right. Lash also refers to the blow inflicted by a whip. For instance, you receive 40 lashes, not 40 whips. By the way, in the golden age of movie westerns, there was a movie star famous for using a bullwhip named Lash LaRue. He starred in the films Law of the Lash, Return of the Lash, Mark of the Lash, King of the Bullwhip, and Please Don't Touch Me.
- [11:31]
C
Wow.
- [11:33]
A
People can do more than one thing, right, Paul?
- [11:34]
D
Yeah, exactly, Helen.
- [11:36]
A
How did our guest do?
- [11:37]
B
Paul, I think I want to give you half a point.
- [11:39]
D
Okay.
- [11:40]
B
Because you said long versus shorter, which is kind of like along the veins of the entire implement versus the shorter part. Half a point for Paul.
- [11:48]
A
Half a point for Paul. All right. All right, let's get to know our guests a little bit better. Anjali Bhimani. People will know you as an actress, a singer, a dancer. You've been on Broadway, in films, on TV, and shows like Ms. Marvel and the Sopranos. Video games, including as the voice. Voice of Symmetra in Overwatch, Rampart in Apex Legend, and now as Priya in Call of Black Ops 7. Plus all of your work in the wonderful world of Dungeons and Dragons. Very, very cool. I understand that Overwatch was a particularly meaningful role to you.
- [12:21]
E
Yeah, Overwatch felt like one of the first video games, certainly, that I had experienced where there was a series of heroes for everybody to play as that had intersectionality in terms of what made them who they were. So not only were they very diverse, but even within themselves, they were very diverse. They were very complex characters. And as a result, so many people who played the game felt this incredible ownership over the characters and this relationship with the characters. My father, he got a chance before he passed away to see his little girl be the superhero that we didn't have when I was a kid, because I had Wonder Woman, and I was like, she's brunette and a female. That's what I got, you know? And now knowing that there are all of these people who feel ownership over the hero in themselves because of the heroes in a game, it feels like a beautiful mantle to wear to remember your responsibility to inspire people in the world.
- [13:14]
B
Oh, wow.
- [13:14]
E
That's so beautiful.
- [13:15]
A
It's not just a video game. That sounds like a lot more. Yeah, I know you do a lot of work in different projects involving Dungeons and Dragons. How did you get into D and D and tell other people about some of the different varied things that you do with it?
- [13:25]
F
Sure.
- [13:25]
E
So I have the best brother in the world. Sorry to everybody else. And he. When I was eight years old, he gifted me the basic Dungeons and Dragons set. And I just fell in love with the game and the aspect of storytelling surrounding it, and it really changed my experience. As you know, when I grew up in Orange county, there was no proof that blue eyes and blond hair were a recessive gene. You know, there was no one who really looked like me. And so it could have been very easy for me to feel othered, but I had this game where there was always a seat at the table for you. You were always going to be an equal member of the party and it didn't matter who you were. You could be the hero of the story. Now I get to do it as part of my job.
- [14:08]
F
Yeah.
- [14:08]
E
Right now we have a show called the twenty Sided Tavern. It is a beautiful amalgam of live improv, live theater, Dungeons and Dragons and mobile gaming. Because the audience gets to participate on their phones by deciding who we play, deciding what we do. And then I also have a show that has been shot, like a television show called Tales from Wood Creek, which is sort of like DD meets the Traitors. And we shot it in a historical village in Canada. I'm running around in the forest in high heels in this show. And that is not how you normally play D and D.
- [14:44]
A
And you've actually gotten to combine two of your loves, D and D and puppies. Tell us about this event that you do.
- [14:50]
E
Oh, I'm so happy we get to talk about this. So I have an initiative, a charity event that I do every year called the Puppy Roll, where people that you know, from stage and screen and gaming will come on and play D and D as our dogs. So my dog is a bard at the College of Glamour. His name is Charlie Barkenter, bard and biscuitologist. So everybody comes on and we get to have this wonderful time and we do it as a livestream charity event for Petco Love, which is a wonderful 501C3 that I've connected with over the years. They do include incredible work supporting rescue organizations, supporting rescue efforts. They did a lot of incredible work during the LA fires during the flooding in Texas this year. Like, they're just wonderful human beings. Pure silliness. And it means so much that we can do it for good.
- [15:39]
A
That sounds wonderful, Paul. Of course, people will know you from having directed TV shows like the Office, Arrested Development, creating the beloved show Freaks and Geeks, and writing or directing movies like Bridesmaids, the Heat, Spy, Ghostbusters, A Simple Favor, and your latest, the Housemaid.
- [15:54]
B
Wow.
- [15:54]
A
Pretty great.
- [15:55]
D
Oh, my God. Thank you. Thank you.
- [15:59]
B
And you look good doing it.
- [16:01]
D
Wow. Go on, go on.
- [16:03]
A
Is it a challenge to make something that's a thriller and suspenseful where so many people already know the story?
- [16:08]
D
It's kind of weird, you know, you have to give them extra stuff. And our writer, Rebecca Sonnenschein did a great job of extending the ending of the the book. So the book ends very satisfyingly, but it wouldn't be as satisfying on the screen. And Frieda McFadden, the author, has said she thinks our movie is better than the book, so she said it publicly, too. So I'm not.
- [16:27]
A
Yeah, yeah. Well, of course you are in the midst of promoting the film. Is that a part of moviemaking that you enjoy, or is it just something that you have to sign up and do?
- [16:35]
D
The funny thing is, like, people don't really care about the director, so you do all these. These interviews and stuff. If they're asking these things, you're giving me thoughtful answers about filmmaking and stuff. And then you see the thing. It's the one time you go, like, sydney Sweeney's really great. You know, that's all you see. And they're waiting for me to say somebody's a monster. Otherwise, it never shows up.
- [16:54]
A
Hopefully, our editor will be a little kinder.
- [16:56]
D
Exactly.
- [16:56]
A
There you go.
- [16:57]
B
But I think you've actually kind of carved, you know, you've made yourself a little bit of a character yourself because of your, you know, your awesome outfits and your, you know, you're on stage right now with a drink, and you just look very posh. And I feel like people, you know, with the average director, they wouldn't recognize them necessarily, but you are kind of recognizable because of your style.
- [17:16]
D
I love pictures of old Hollywood on the set, and the director's in a suit and tie, so I always direct in a suit and tie. And I mean, everything I do in the prep.
- [17:24]
B
Well, you're on set in a suit and tie.
- [17:25]
D
Oh, always.
- [17:26]
A
You're in the editing room with a suit and tie.
- [17:28]
D
I'm not very. Not in a suit and tie, basically. Yeah. Yeah.
- [17:31]
A
Where does that sense of style for you come from? Was it just being influenced by seeing those old photos? It was that.
- [17:37]
D
It was my father, who. He owned an army surplus store, you know, which is pretty downscale as a store. But he always had, like, a sports jacket and a tie and slacks on. And that was just. To me, that's like. Okay. When you're a person adult, you go to work dressed up. So that's.
- [17:52]
B
And then you could just slap on a gas mask on top of it.
- [17:54]
A
I'm telling you, it's called fashion, Helen.
- [17:57]
D
Yes, exactly right.
- [17:58]
A
You are, of course, known as well, for your comedies. And I was surprised to read in one of your official bios somewhere it said that he'd worked on various projects until he scored an unexpected smash hit at the box office in 2011 as the director of Bridesmaids. It seems so obvious now that that is a wonderful movie. That should be a huge Hit. Was it really a surprise?
- [18:15]
D
It was a huge surprise. Everybody thought it was gonna bomb.
- [18:18]
A
Really.
- [18:18]
D
The day before we came out, they were saying, if it doesn't make $20 million opening weekend, it's gonna be considered a failure. So I walked around all day like, you know, I'd blown everything for, you know, for. For women, because the whole town was waiting. I had other women who I know who are writers who were pitching female led comedies. And everybody was like, we gotta wait and see how Bridesmaids does. So it was like, so, okay. So I just destroyed movies for women for the rest of eternity. Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben were over at my house with my wife Laurie having dinner, kind of licking our wounds. And then suddenly they came in like we were going to be like 24 million. So we all got in the car and went to the arc light and walked into. The place was packed and rocking. And so it was nice.
- [18:59]
A
Last thing I want to ask you about. In addition to your wonderful career in filmmaking, you also are an entrepreneur in a product very close to your heart.
- [19:06]
D
Yes. And liver Y. Yeah, exactly in that order. I have my own gin brand that I make called Arding. Stalls is my mother's maiden name. It's been out for seven years, but slowly getting out into the world. And we're going into the sort of the best martini bars in the world is gin. Your gin is my favorite. I love gin.
- [19:24]
B
You and Snoop.
- [19:25]
D
Me and Snoop. That's right. Got my gin and juice going. Exactly.
- [19:28]
A
Very good. Well, thank you so much for making a stop with us tonight. Paul Feig and Anjali Vimani, everybody. Helen, what is our score heading into.
- [19:36]
B
The break at the end of that round? Anjali Bhimani has one point and Paul Feig has one point.
- [19:40]
C
Ooh.
- [19:41]
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. Hey, if you're listening to this and you're a Max Fund member, thank you so much for literally making this show possible. No joke. We truly cannot do the show without you.
- [20:04]
B
And to help. Thank you for your support, we've just dropped the latest edition of GFY Extras, our monthly bonus content, or boko, showcasing great moments that didn't make it into the podcast or radio show.
- [20:16]
A
And if you're not yet a member, it's always a great time to go to maximumfun.org join and become one. You get access to that episode we just dropped along with every other piece of boko that we and our fellow Max Fun shows have ever made.
- [20:30]
B
All that for just $5 a month. And you get the warm feeling that you make this show possible. You really ought to join if you haven't already.
- [20:38]
A
Go to maximumfun.org join. And that's why we say thank you. Thank you, MaxFun members.
- [20:49]
F
Good evening.
- [20:50]
B
Thanks for tuning in to 101.1 Max Fun.
- [20:53]
A
It's midnight here on Host to Coast.
- [20:55]
B
And we've got Sarah from Michigan on line one. Hi. I'm calling in for some help.
- [21:00]
F
I used to love reading, but between.
- [21:02]
B
Grad school, having kids, and the general state of the world, I can't seem.
- [21:05]
F
To pick up a book and stick with it anymore.
- [21:08]
B
Sarah, this is an easy one. Just listen to Reading Glasses, a podcast designed to help you read better. Bria and Mallory will get all the pressure, shame, and guilt out of your reading life.
- [21:17]
A
You'll be finishing books you love in no time.
- [21:19]
B
Great.
- [21:20]
E
That sounds amazing.
- [21:21]
B
Also, I do think my husband is.
- [21:22]
F
Cheating on me with Mothman.
- [21:23]
B
Can you help me with that one?
- [21:24]
A
Oh, I don't think they cover that.
- [21:25]
B
Reading Glasses every Thursday on Maximum Fun. Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Anjali Bhimani and Paul Feig. Once again, here's Jakeeith Van Stratten.
- [21:45]
A
Thank you so much, Ellen. Thank you, everybody. All right, Anjali, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim, the greater human skeletal muscular system, and lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us why you know and love late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim.
- [22:05]
E
That was kind of when I was starting to understand that life as a theater actor was potentially a viable career. And there were these beautiful Andrew Lie Webber musicals and all the Cameron Mackintosh stuff. There were just. It felt like it was a particularly ripe time for people to burst into songs.
- [22:24]
A
It still is.
- [22:25]
E
And here's the. Yeah, exactly. I do that around the house. So, yeah, I think that's mainly why.
- [22:30]
A
Wonderful. Next, tell us what the greater human skeletal muscular system means to you, because.
- [22:36]
E
I want to disappoint my family. You know, when I was in school at Northwestern, I was in my senior year and I was thinking about, okay, what do I need to do just to make sure in case I don't work as an actor, what can I back do as backup? And I decided to be a personal trainer. I studied a Lot of anatomy, and particularly the skeletal muscular system, because I am very unathletic naturally.
- [22:59]
C
Oh.
- [22:59]
E
And I wanted to show people who were like me that didn't play sports very well that they could, too, be healthy. How you can understand how your body works and how these movements work. And it's just really fascinating to me. The human body is the weirdest.
- [23:15]
C
Yeah, it's great.
- [23:15]
E
It's just so weird.
- [23:16]
A
I was talking to a friend. Yeah, it's kind of gross.
- [23:18]
E
I was talking to a friend earlier today. I was like, if there is some great force in the sky, like, how did they come up with this? It's so complex.
- [23:27]
B
Yeah.
- [23:27]
A
This is the best they could do, huh? And finally, Anjali, tell us why you know and love lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
- [23:33]
E
Because as a kid, I watched it so many times with my brother, and I just remember us running around the house quoting lines from this movie. And I have very fond memories of it.
- [23:43]
B
Particular one in oh, so many.
- [23:46]
E
Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries. Now go away or I shall taunt you a second time.
- [23:54]
B
I posted on my Instagram stories about this show and your topics, and that was the soundtrack that I put in.
- [24:01]
E
It's iconic. It's so much fun.
- [24:03]
A
Yeah. I think you're making an even bigger fan of Paul Feig. As you.
- [24:07]
D
This is my jam.
- [24:08]
A
Oh, good.
- [24:09]
E
Oh, good. I did pick, like, the most quotable and beloved movie of all time.
- [24:13]
A
Are you saying that there's people who love D and D who also enjoy Monty Python?
- [24:16]
D
Yeah, I know.
- [24:17]
A
Weird. Wow. I'm going out on a limb here. So eclectic.
- [24:20]
E
I know.
- [24:21]
A
Weird.
- [24:22]
E
Hot take.
- [24:23]
A
All right, well, to summarize, Anjali, you said you know and love late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim, the greater human skeletal muscular system, and lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Today we want to quiz you about late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim. Sorry, skeletal, muscular fans. What are some of the favorites that come to mind when you think of that era?
- [24:46]
E
Into the Woods. A little night music, I think qualifies as within that time frame. Les Miserables.
- [24:53]
A
Have you gotten to perform in any musicals that originally came out in that time?
- [24:56]
E
Oh.
- [24:57]
A
Or do you have a dream role from any of the musicals?
- [24:59]
E
Oh, yes. I want to play the witch and into the woods so badly.
- [25:01]
D
Okay.
- [25:03]
E
So badly. Like every morning when I make my green drink, I do the greens, Greens, cabbages, the celery, asparagus and water.
- [25:09]
B
Just your Vitamix is So confused.
- [25:14]
A
Well, just ahead, we're going to enlist the help of a bonafide expert in your topic with an expert level question worth up to three points. But before that, to let you further 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, Paul, do listen closely because if Anjali answers incorrectly, you could steal. By the way, Paul, how much do you know about late 70s to early 90s musicals, especially Sondheim?
- [25:36]
D
I kind of do. I was in theater, you know, as a theater kid. So yeah, I can't sing, but I thought I could.
- [25:43]
A
Are you saying there's crossover with theater kids and Monty Python?
- [25:46]
D
Believe it or not.
- [25:47]
A
Wow.
- [25:47]
D
We were the coolest kids.
- [25:49]
A
Absolutely. Exactly. All right, Anjali, here's question number one. From the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the most successful show was what singularly sensational Broadway musical about actors auditioning to be in a Broadway musical.
- [26:03]
E
A. Ellen.
- [26:05]
B
That is correct.
- [26:05]
A
That is correct for the point. Very nice. Fun fact. A Chorus line closed in 1990 after about 6,000 performances, which set the record at the time for the longest running Broadway show later broken by Phantom of the Opera. The longest running off Broadway show is the Fantasticks, which ran for over 17,000 performances over 42 years. Yet I still didn't get around to seeing it.
- [26:30]
E
And you just reminded me that I did do one of the musicals that we. That we talked about because I did that when I was 16 years old.
- [26:35]
C
Wow.
- [26:36]
B
The fantastic.
- [26:36]
A
There you go.
- [26:37]
E
Yeah, the fantastic.
- [26:37]
A
I hear you were fantastic.
- [26:39]
E
I was a fantastic.
- [26:40]
A
Absolutely. Here is question number two. Source material for musicals can come from anywhere. But one of the less common ones was evident with the 1984 Stephen Sondheim James Lapine musical Sunday in the park with George, which was inspired by what type of work?
- [26:57]
E
So it was inspired by this beautiful pointillist painting by Georges Seurat called Sunday on the island of La Grande Jatte. Well, the whole first act is about Seurat painting that painting and the characters coming to life through the. Through the painting Ellen.
- [27:12]
B
Wow. The answer was a painting.
- [27:19]
D
Five points. Five points.
- [27:22]
A
We love show offs, so please, please keep it coming.
- [27:24]
E
It's truly one of my favorites.
- [27:25]
A
Oh, that's wonderful to hear. Well, fun fact. The painting that inspired the play Sunday Afternoon on the island of La Grande Jatte was acquired by the Art Institute of Chicago in 1924, and in 1958 it loaned it to another museum. That museum caught on Fire. And the painting had to be rescued. It has never been loaned out again. We also did an entire segment on the topic of Sunday in the park with GEORGE on episode 100 of Go Fact Yourself. All right, you are two for two, Anjali. Here's question number three. Three. From the 1970s to 1990s, only one fully new Broadway theater opened, the marquee in 1986. And since its opening, it's almost exclusively hosted runs of musicals. But unlike any other Broadway theater, the Marquee is completely enclosed. In what other type of building?
- [28:12]
E
A hotel. The Marriott Marquis.
- [28:14]
B
That is correct.
- [28:15]
A
That is correct for the point. Very nice.
- [28:17]
D
You are on fire again.
- [28:19]
B
The answer was a hotel.
- [28:21]
A
Yes, exactly. Fun fact. While it is nice to have a new theater, construction of the Marriott Marquis required tearing down five other Broadway theaters.
- [28:30]
D
Oh, there we go.
- [28:31]
A
It was known as the Great theater massacre of 1982, which I think would be the great title of a musical.
- [28:37]
E
Yeah, that would be. And sort of fits the 80s vibe because it's of 1982.
- [28:42]
A
Absolutely. All right. You are three for three. Here's question four. You do still have your hints available. Your era of musicals contained a lot of shows with, shall we say, high concepts. But which one of the following high concepts is not from a musical from the late 70s to early 90s, is it? The entire cast is on roller skates. The story is told in reverse chronological order. The show is a sequel to Bye Bye Birdie. We're in a Pentecostal church service based on a Greek tragedy. Or there's so much fake blood that one section of the orchestra is designated the splatter zone.
- [29:15]
E
I know. The backwards timeline is merely we roll along. So that's there. What else did we have?
- [29:20]
F
I'm sorry.
- [29:21]
B
Roller skates.
- [29:22]
E
The roller skates is Starlight Express.
- [29:23]
B
The show is a sequel to Bye Bye Birdie.
- [29:25]
E
Bring Back Birdie.
- [29:27]
B
We're in a Pentecostal church service based on a Greek tragedy.
- [29:31]
E
I'm gonna go with the splatter zone on that one because I think the other one was the funny thing happened on the way to the Fort Helen. That is correct.
- [29:36]
A
That is correct. It is the Splatter Zone show.
- [29:39]
D
We're on fire.
- [29:40]
A
No hint needed.
- [29:41]
D
We're on fire.
- [29:44]
A
Fun fact. These concepts are. Are respectively pretty much exactly what Anjali said. Starlight Express. Merrily we roll along. Bring Back Birdie. The Pentecostal Church one There was actually the Gospel at Colonus, that Broadway show. Evil Dead. The musical featured the splatter zone but did not premiere until the 2000s ponchos were provided.
- [30:03]
D
Wow. Wow.
- [30:04]
A
And I'm sorry, we did not. Tonight, Anjali, you have a chance to go 5 for 5 if you can get this next question.
- [30:10]
B
So far, your answers have all been excellent. Extra.
- [30:12]
E
Yeah, I am pretty extra, so I have no problem with that.
- [30:16]
A
Here is question number five. While many acclaimed film directors started by directing theater, very few started in film and then went on to direct on Broadway, especially a Broadway musical. But which famous film director directed his first and so far only Broadway musical in 1977?
- [30:35]
E
May I have a hint, Helen?
- [30:36]
A
How about that hint?
- [30:37]
B
The Broadway show opened in 1977, starred Liza Minnelli and featured the music of Kander and Ebb. And this director had a movie that opened in 1977, starred Liza Minnelli and featured the music of Kander and Ebb. And they were not the same show.
- [30:54]
E
I think it must be Cabaret because both of those. That fits the bill.
- [30:59]
B
Director that directed a movie in 1977 starring Liza Minnelli with music by Kander and Ed.
- [31:05]
E
I genuinely have no clue.
- [31:07]
A
Just maybe your favorite film director who's not Steven Spielberg. Helen. Steven Spielberg.
- [31:12]
B
It is not Steven Spielberg.
- [31:13]
A
No, I'm terribly sorry. A chance for Paul to steal.
- [31:15]
D
Is it Bob Fosse?
- [31:16]
A
Helen? Is it Bob Fosse?
- [31:18]
B
It is not Bob Fosse, God damn it.
- [31:19]
A
No, Believe it or not, it was Martin Scorsese.
- [31:22]
B
Oh.
- [31:22]
D
Oh.
- [31:23]
A
Martin Scorsese.
- [31:24]
D
Of New York, New York.
- [31:24]
A
Of New York, New York. That year. Yes. The Scorsese Broadway show was called the Act. It actually won Liza Minnelli a Tony Award. The Scorsese movie was New York, New York, with Minnelli and famous song and dance man, Robert De Niro.
- [31:37]
B
What?
- [31:39]
D
And that's where the song New York, New York.
- [31:41]
A
Exactly. It came from there. Yeah. So that definitely was a tough one. But you still did quite well in that round, Anjali. Now here, though, is your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact.
- [31:55]
F
Nice.
- [31:55]
B
I live for it.
- [31:56]
A
We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response, Anjali. By our count, the late 70s starts with 1976, and the early 90s starts with 1990. And in those two years, Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics appear appeared in new shows that played in New York. These shows have some other things in common. One is a type of narrator. The 1976 show calls this narrator the reciter, whose first song is called the Advantages of Floating in the Middle of the sea. The 1990 show calls this narrator the balladeer, whose first song is called the Ballad of Booth. Another thing they have in common is the work of someone named John Weidman. So for up to three points, what are these two shows? And what credit in the program in a typeface the same size as Sondheim's was given to John Weidman for both of these shows?
- [32:45]
E
Okay, the show was the Frogs. The second was Assassins, and the third, book and lyrics.
- [32:52]
A
Okay, 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?
- [32:57]
B
Joining us tonight via Zoom from New York City is a prolific writer who has received multiple Emmy Awards and Tony Award nominations, including for his work on several collaborations with Stephen Sondheim. It's John Weidman.
- [33:12]
A
Oh, my God. Hello, John Weidman. Yay. Aw.
- [33:20]
C
Hi, everybody.
- [33:21]
E
Now I'm so embarrassed.
- [33:22]
C
Pleasure to be here.
- [33:23]
A
John Weidman. My goodness, You've worked on Broadway shows, including Big Contact, Anything Goes. You've collaborated with luminaries like Susan Stroman, Maltby and Cheyer, and, of course, Stephen Sondheim. You've won multiple Emmy Awards, multiple Tony Award nominations, and have been inducted into the Theater hall of Fame. John Weidman, everybody. We'll talk about your theater career in a moment, but the Emmy Awards you have, over a dozen is for a children's show that we may be familiar with. What was that show called?
- [33:52]
C
Sesame Street.
- [33:53]
A
Sesame Street. Tell us about what it is like to write on Sesame Street. In pretty much the golden age of Sesame Street.
- [34:02]
C
I had a brief. I was gonna use the word career, but that would be inaccurate. I worked in Hollywood for a period of time, four or five different movie projects, all of which got stalled. And I flew home to New York after the last one feeling pretty demoralized. I went into my apartment, and my daughter, who was three, was sitting on a couch, and she was watching Sesame street, and I sat down next to her. I'd never seen a picture before, and I was really knocked out. It was smart. It was funny. If you work in the theater, it's usually a good idea to have an alternate way to make a living in health insurance. I figured out how you auditioned for the show, and I. You know, I worked for Sesame street for over 20 years. To go into the studio with Jim Henson and Frank Oz and the Muppets was like working with the best actors on Broadway.
- [34:46]
A
It was thrilling, unbelievable.
- [34:49]
C
And I could take my kids to the studio and explain to them what I did for a living. I can remember sitting, telling my daughter what Big Bird was gonna say. Next. And she said, how did you know that?
- [35:00]
D
I made it up.
- [35:02]
A
Big, big dad points there.
- [35:04]
C
Very satisfying.
- [35:05]
A
Let's talk about your work in theater. Anjali mentioned that her parents had met. Acting and theater was also a family business for you?
- [35:11]
C
Well, my dad was a. Was a novelist, primarily a novelist, although he did work in the theater for. He did three or four shows in the early 60s. And so I had the experience up close and personal, seeing what that life was like. And he wrote books for musicals. That's what he did when he was doing theater work. And he had a huge hit to begin with, which was a show called Fiorello, and then a series of shows afterwards which were less successful. So I got to watch him deal with that, and it made me want to do anything other than go into the theater, but here I am.
- [35:43]
A
He ended up there. Did he have advice for you on working in the theater?
- [35:46]
C
He said, go to law school, which.
- [35:47]
D
Is what I did.
- [35:49]
C
And I had a good time in law school, but I had the obligatory summer job with a firm in New York. And I thought, I can't do this. But I didn't want to drop out of school because I had no way to support myself. So I tried to figure out what I could do in the Yale Law School library. And that's where I actually wrote the first draft of what became Pacific Overtures.
- [36:06]
A
Wow. Well, you ended up working on three shows with Stephen Sondheim. Tell us about how you came to know him and work with him.
- [36:13]
C
Well, the first one was Pacific Overtures, and I got the play that I had written to Hal Prince, who I'd met when I was a kid, and Hal wanted to produce it as a straight play, then changed his mind and said it should be a musical. And so Hal was the creative hub of that wheel, and he brought Steve into the project, which took some persuading. Steve has written musicals on just about every subject you'd think of. But Commodore Perry's expedition to open up Japan to trade with the rest of the world was a little outside over the line, you know, even for Steve. But that was my first connection with Steve, and we really got along. We worked well together, and so that developed a friendship. And that collaboration, which threw us forward into the other projects that we did together.
- [36:59]
A
You might have been sometimes the first person to ever hear some of these songs that Stephen Sondheim wrote.
- [37:04]
C
Yeah.
- [37:05]
A
Do any of those stick out to you as particularly meaningful?
- [37:08]
C
Yeah. There's a song in Pacific Overtures called Someone at a Tree, which Steve always said was his favorite song going forward. Not that it was the best song he ever wrote, but it meant the most to him. You know, he sat down to play someone in a tree and he. And he had to stop. He was sort of undone. Then he pulled himself together and he played and he played the song. But that was who he was. And obviously, you know, you can hear it in all the scores that he wrote. I'm a big fan of into the woods as well.
- [37:37]
B
So were there any songs of Stephen Sondheim's where you were like, ew, Stephen. No, that's not it. That's not it.
- [37:44]
A
No, there weren't.
- [37:46]
C
But there would be. But there would be a conversation. I'm not sure that's the best opening number for what we're working on. I mean, there would be those kinds of conversations, but no, I don't remember ever making a face after seeing that.
- [38:00]
A
And that's why you got to write three and not just that one.
- [38:03]
C
That's probably correct.
- [38:04]
A
I do have a general question about writing musical theater. How do you decide this is a moment that needs a song?
- [38:09]
C
In working with Steve, what wants to be sung as opposed to spoken would kind of emerge from the conversations that we were having about the show.
- [38:19]
A
Yes, they're very thoughtful about the structure as well and sort of the mechanics of writing. What are your thoughts on where musical theatre is today and where it's headed?
- [38:27]
C
There's enormous vitality in some of the new work that's being done in the musical theatre. And the work is also being done by people who are. Did not have access to stages the way middle class white guys like me did when I was mostly doing the work that I did. And that has produced an explosion of work as well.
- [38:45]
A
Absolutely. Well, let's get to the reason we brought you here as far as our game is concerned. You heard the question that we asked of Anjali first. We wanted to know what are those two shows from 1976 and 1990 that had some sort of narrator and also involved someone named John Weidman? Helen, what was the first answer that Anjali gave?
- [39:01]
B
Anjali said, the frogs and John.
- [39:03]
C
That's not me. Pacific Overtures was me. The Frogs. The book to the frogs was written by, I think, Bert Shevloff. I'm not entirely sure.
- [39:10]
A
Yeah. And I believe based on the work of Aeschylus or someone. Someone way back then. Yeah, yeah.
- [39:16]
C
Aristophanes, I think.
- [39:17]
A
Yes, Aristophanes. Excuse me. All right, I'm sorry. No point there. But next we wanted to know, what was that show from 1990. Helen, what did Anjali say?
- [39:24]
B
Anjali said assassins.
- [39:26]
A
And John.
- [39:27]
C
Entirely correct.
- [39:27]
A
Entirely correct. Very good for the point. And finally, we want to know what was the credit and the role that John Weidman played on both of those shows and many more? Helen, what did Anjali say?
- [39:39]
B
Anjali said book and lyrics.
- [39:41]
A
And John.
- [39:42]
C
Well, that's half right. I've always been the book writer on the shows I did with Steve. I'd like to take credit for the lyrics, but Steve wrote those as well as the music, so thank you. That's a great. I will take that as a compliment.
- [39:54]
E
You were a collaborator. Maybe you were his muse. You never know.
- [39:58]
C
Yeah, good. I'll take that.
- [39:59]
B
You could give her half a point, or you could be generous and give her the whole point.
- [40:02]
C
I would give her the whole point.
- [40:03]
A
The whole point. Very nice guy. Look at that.
- [40:04]
D
What a nice guy.
- [40:07]
B
Thank you so much, Anjali. While we have John here, is there anything you'd like to ask or say?
- [40:11]
E
This is based on an experience that I had with Stephen Sondheim. He came to our school and talked to us, as people do, and he was talking about the process of writing Sunday in the park with George. And I'm wondering if he ever told you this story or if this was just a joke he told around. He said, no, it was great because I wrote Sunday in the park with George for a soprano and a baritone, and that's what we got because Mandy Patinkin is a soprano and Bernadette Peters is a baritone.
- [40:38]
C
Yeah, that sounds like Steve.
- [40:39]
A
Yeah. Jonathan, so wonderful joined us. I'm really moved and impressed by hearing you talk about your. Your process and the incredible work that you've done. If people want to find out more about you or your work, where can they do that?
- [40:51]
C
They can Google me. I don't have a website. You can go to your local library and see what you find.
- [40:55]
D
There you go.
- [40:56]
A
Yay. We love libraries. Thanks so much for being here, everyone. John Weidman.
- [41:01]
C
Thanks, everybody.
- [41:03]
A
Wow.
- [41:04]
E
I just. My heart rate just, like, went up for, like, the last 10 minutes.
- [41:07]
A
Yeah, that's pretty exciting.
- [41:09]
E
That was amazing.
- [41:09]
A
Helen, what is our score at the end of that round?
- [41:11]
B
At the end of that round, Anjali Bhimani has seven points and Paul Feek has one point. With a round of questions for Paul coming up.
- [41:17]
A
That's right. We're gonna talk with Paul about a topic he knows about. Plus, later, Anjali and Paul will go head to head in our fast facts round, all to find a winner on Go Fact yourself. Hey, do you have a favorite episode of Star Trek? If you do, you should also have a favorite Star Trek podcast. Greatest Trek is about all the new.
- [41:39]
D
Streaming Star Trek shows, and it's a.
- [41:41]
A
Great companion to the Greatest Generation, our hit show about back catalog Star Trek that you grew up with. It's a comedy podcast by two folks who used to be video producers. So it's a serious mix of comedy and insight that fits right into the maximum fun network of shows. And Greatest Trek is one of the most popular Star Trek podcasts in the world. So if you're following Lower Decks, Prodigy, or strange new worlds, come hang out with us every Friday as we roast and review our favorite Star Trek shows.
- [42:08]
D
It's on maximumfun.org YouTube or your podcatching app.
- [42:16]
B
Welcome back to Go Fact Yourself with our guests Anjali Bimani and Paul Feig. Once again, here's J. Keith Van Stratton.
- [42:25]
A
Thank you so much, Helen. All right, Paul, of your many interests, you told us that you know and love the 2025 Dodgers starting lineup, the Brady Bunch original TV series, and martinis.
- [42:36]
D
There you go. That's my life in a nutshell, right?
- [42:40]
A
Pretty good nutshell. I would enjoy that.
- [42:41]
B
Nut nothing about the human anatomy.
- [42:43]
A
Come on, let's find out a little bit more about each of those. First, tell us what the 2025 Dodgers starting lineup means to you.
- [42:51]
D
You know what, if you're a season ticket holder and you go all the time, you get really invested in the players and I just love their personalities and I just feel like I got to know them all by sitting there and watching them and being kind of close to them and all that. And yeah, I just thought it was really. And it was a magical season.
- [43:06]
A
Yeah, they did pretty well, I hear.
- [43:07]
D
They did okay. They did okay. Yeah.
- [43:08]
A
All right, next, tell us why you know and love the Brady Bunch original TV series.
- [43:12]
D
I was an only child, and for some reason, watching a show about these, this family of six kids, it just seemed like it was sort of. I could kind of live through that. Ironically, I lived next door to a family of eight kids and they were all my best friends. So I kind of had the Brady Bunch to experience the showbiz version. I had my next door neighbors, but I still had my own bathroom. So there you go.
- [43:35]
A
And your bathroom had a toilet in it.
- [43:36]
D
Yeah, exactly. I mean, I shared it with my parents, but still.
- [43:39]
A
And then finally, tell us what it is that you know and love about martinis.
- [43:43]
D
What don't I love about martinis? When I was about 6 years old. My parents took me to Las Vegas. They were gonna go see a Muhammad Ali fight. But they took me into the casino, like, nursery, which hilariously, believe it, hilariously, it was a sliding glass window that looked onto the casino floo. So we were like the kid zoo for the people down there. People were in tuxedos and gowns, and I was watching these adults, like, drinking martinis and gambling. And I was like, I want that. And it's always represented adulthood to me.
- [44:17]
A
Very good. Well, to summarize, Paul, you said you know and love the 2025 Dodgers. Starting lineup, the Brady Bunch, original TV series and martinis. Today we want to quiz you about the Brady Bunch.
- [44:26]
D
Oh, there we go.
- [44:29]
A
What are some of your favorite episodes or characters that come to mind?
- [44:32]
D
The thing when Marcia got hit in the nose with the football, the way they edited that was so funny that they kept showing it over and over. Oh, my nose. Oh, my nose. So that stuck with me. And then Don Drysdale showing up in one episode. There's nothing more hilarious to me than when sports stars show up on a TV show. Having been an actor for years, I would be. I was on a show called Good Sports, and they would bring a sports star on, and it was always this wooden kind of. Hello there. Okay, I'm gonna make this guy look good.
- [44:58]
A
Wonderful. Well, just ahead, we're going to enlist the help of a bonafide expert in.
- [45:00]
D
Your topic with who could that possibly be?
- [45:04]
A
With our question worth up to three points. But before that, to let you show your love, here are five trivia questions about your topic, each worth one point if you want it. Of course, you'll let a hint for need two of these five questions.
- [45:14]
D
This is going to be a bloodbath. By the way, you've already won. You've already won.
- [45:17]
E
No, this is tough.
- [45:20]
A
Well, Anjali, do listen closely, because if Paul answers incorrectly, you can steal. By the way, Anjali, how much do you know about the Brady Bunch?
- [45:26]
E
Not much, obviously. The whole, like, Marcia, Marcia, Marcia, like that whole thing that we all.
- [45:31]
D
There you go.
- [45:32]
E
Quote, but yeah, not. Not much other than I thought Alice was the coolest member of the family.
- [45:38]
A
Yeah, she got to leave. All right, Paul, here's question number one. I have a feeling you might know this one. Filming and taking place in Los Angeles, the Brady Bunch featured many fabulous guests, some of whom played themselves. Two of them, pitcher Don Drysdale and first baseman Wes Parker, played for what local major league baseball team?
- [45:58]
D
The Dodgers.
- [45:59]
A
Ellen.
- [46:00]
B
That is correct.
- [46:00]
A
That is correct.
- [46:01]
D
Thank God. All right, that's Right.
- [46:03]
A
Okay. Fun fact. Other cameos on the show included musicians Davy Jones, Don Ho, and Deacon Jones. Yes. While better known for being a Pro Football hall of Famer, Deacon Jones did have a music career, releasing the song Lovin A Pro. Although I have to say, when it comes to music, he's no Robert De Niro. Here's question number two. The show's iconic opening theme song describes the characters. For the male characters, the song describes their lonely situation. But for the female characters, the song basically describes their appearances. What adjective appears twice in the first verse of the theme song describing the Brady lady's looks?
- [46:41]
D
I would think it would be the word lovely, Helen.
- [46:43]
B
That is correct.
- [46:43]
A
That is correct. It is.
- [46:45]
C
Good job.
- [46:48]
A
Fun fact. In addition to saying that Carol was a lovely lady, bringing up three very lovely girls, the song also says that they all have hair of gold. The youngest one, like their mother. Yes, like their mother. The youngest one in curls. The youngest boy, Bobby, also had hair of gold and also was in curls. But actor Mike Lookinland had his hair dyed and straightened for the show.
- [47:07]
B
I just can't believe they dyed his hair when he was so little. Like, dyed and straightened his.
- [47:11]
A
Well, Helen, you can't have all blondes. All right, you're two for two. Here's questions. Question number three. The Bradys are a musical family, performing several songs, either solo or with one another. But which one of the following songs was not performed by any Brady on the show? Was it on the good ship Lollipop? Oh, come all ye faithful Time to change Love the world or you've got to be in love to love a love song?
- [47:35]
D
I think it's the very first one, which was on the Good Hip hop.
- [47:38]
B
On the good ship Lollipop.
- [47:40]
D
May I please have a hint, Helen?
- [47:41]
A
How about that first hint?
- [47:42]
B
On the good ship Lollipop is a song on the Brady Bunny.
- [47:46]
D
Well, there you go. Yeah, so I already blew it.
- [47:48]
A
That could be a helpful hint.
- [47:49]
D
Exactly.
- [47:50]
B
Which. Which other ones are you thinking of? There's. Oh, come all ye faithful.
- [47:53]
D
Well, I think there was a Christmas episode.
- [47:54]
B
Okay, definitely time to change that.
- [47:56]
D
It's time to change. Yeah, I know that one. That was Peter. Peter Brady. He was going through puberty, and they wrote a song and it made it a hit.
- [48:03]
A
Okay.
- [48:04]
D
On the show.
- [48:04]
B
Okay, next one is love the World. Okay, last one is you've got to be in love to love a love song.
- [48:10]
D
I think it's gotta be Love the world, Helen.
- [48:13]
B
That is correct.
- [48:13]
A
That is correct. Very nice.
- [48:16]
D
I feel like that Last one, maybe Mr. Brady sang to Mrs. Brady.
- [48:21]
A
Fun fact, Cindy was trying to be the new Shirley Temple when she sang on the Good ship Lollipop. Carol sang oh, Come All Ye Faithful after she overcame laryngitis in A Christmas Miracle. Time to Change was the song that accommodated Peter's voice changing. And you'd've got to Be in Love was the song Greg saying is he became Johnny Bravo.
- [48:38]
D
Oh, my God. Johnny Bravo, Right.
- [48:40]
A
Love the World was not on the show. However, if it sounds familiar, it could be because it was played under a chase scene on Scooby Doo. That's why it was there.
- [48:48]
D
How could I forget?
- [48:49]
A
You're three for three. Here is question number four. In one episode, the boys and girls can get a prize in Exchange for their 94 books of trading stamps. But the boys want one thing and the girls want another. What were either item that the boys or girls wanted, or what did they ultimately bring home that everyone could enjoy?
- [49:06]
D
I need a hint, Helen.
- [49:08]
A
How about that second hint?
- [49:09]
B
Dum dum dum dum dum dum dum.
- [49:12]
A
Da dum dum dum dum dum dum da da dum da da.
- [49:17]
D
I feel bad. They wanted a rowboat, right, Helen?
- [49:20]
B
That is correct.
- [49:21]
A
That is correct. Yes. A rowboat. The boys wanted a rowboat. The girls wanted a sewing machine, and they ended up with a color television.
- [49:27]
D
That was it.
- [49:28]
A
Yes. Fun fact. Before loyalty cards, supermarkets used to give trading stamps with your purchases, which could be redeemed for merchandise. One stamp would typically be issued for every 10 cents purchased. And a typical book held 1200 stamps. So the 94 books that the Brady kids acquired potentially represent spending over $11,000. And yet Mike and Carol Brady still let the kids decide what's in there.
- [49:51]
D
Exactly. Snh. Green stamp.
- [49:52]
A
All right, Paul, you're four for four. Here's question number five. However, you do not have any hints available, so you'll be on your own.
- [49:57]
D
On this one, man.
- [49:59]
A
Even though the Brady Bunch already had declining ratings, many fans of the show still blame its downfall on the arrival of cousin Oliver, who appeared on the final six episodes of the series. What was the title of the episode marking his first appearance?
- [50:12]
D
I don't remember the name of the episode.
- [50:14]
A
Just give it a guess.
- [50:15]
D
If you like Back to the Family.
- [50:18]
A
Ellen, Is it Back to the Family?
- [50:20]
B
It is not Back to the Family.
- [50:21]
D
I can't believe that's not.
- [50:22]
A
No. That would also make a great Broadway musical, though. No. With a Chance to Steal.
- [50:27]
E
Is it the Kid Next Door?
- [50:28]
A
Helen? Is it the Kid Next Door?
- [50:30]
B
It is not the kid next door.
- [50:32]
A
No, I'm terribly sorry. It was actually called welcome Aboard. Welcome Aboard. I'm sorry. No point there. But fun Fact, bringing in a new cute kid just before a show gets canceled has been dubbed the Cousin Oliver syndrome. And Robbie Wriste, who played Cousin Oliver, has embraced that role, referring to himself as, quote, a nine year old Bond villain. Robbie Wriste, by the way, appeared with us on episode 157 of Go Fact Yourself in the topic of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie in which he appears.
- [51:00]
D
I'm glad he's not bitter, that's all. He's taking it in stride.
- [51:04]
A
All right. You still did quite well in that round, Paul. But now here is your expert level question that requires multiple answers. It is time for your cluster fact.
- [51:12]
B
Nice. Always love it.
- [51:14]
A
We'll be bringing on an expert to discuss your response. Paul, the character of Marcia Brady was influenced by many historic figures, both real and fictional, for up to three points. What Shakespearean title role did Marcia lose in the school play because of her bad attitude? Next, when she was accused of drawing an unflattering picture of her teacher, what founding father had she actually drawn? And when giving Greg advice on how to be attractive to women, who is any one of the five then living actors she suggested he emulate? Wow.
- [51:47]
D
Okay, I'm almost positive it's Juliet. And then the second one was. Oh, who did she draw? I believe it was George Washington.
- [51:56]
A
Okay.
- [51:57]
D
And one of the actors she suggested Greg tried to emulate would be Burt Reynolds.
- [52:01]
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?
- [52:07]
B
Joining us tonight is an actor, singer and best selling author who, among her many accomplishments, played Marcia Brady.
- [52:14]
D
Oh, my God.
- [52:17]
B
It's Maureen McCormick.
- [52:19]
A
Maureen McCormick. Oh, my goodness. Maureen and Paul embracing mind blown.
- [52:28]
D
Mind blown.
- [52:29]
B
Oh, my God, it's really you. It's really you.
- [52:32]
A
Hello, Maureen. Thank you so much for being here. Hi.
- [52:34]
B
Thank you.
- [52:34]
F
It's great to be here.
- [52:35]
B
You look the same, but elegant and yeah, you look like you haven't really aged. And it's.
- [52:42]
F
Oh, well, you know, I have, but yeah, I feel good and yeah.
- [52:48]
A
Paul, you wanted to say something?
- [52:50]
D
Well, I. When I was an actor back in the 90s, I went to an audition, it was in the Valley, and I forget what it was for, but I'm there in the hallway and you were auditioning for a similar role in that. And you came over and said, you want to run lines? And I knew exactly who you were. And I tried to play it so cool, and I was, like, losing my mind. We kind of ran lines. I forget what it was for. And you were so lovely. And I called all my friends. Like, I just. Oh, my God, I just met Marie McCormick, and I just had this whole breakdown. Yeah, exactly.
- [53:22]
F
So I actually felt, well, I'm a huge fan of all your stuff, but I fell in love with you, which I really haven't done a lot. I want to let you all know, on Twitter, of all places, just because I was reading your comments, and you just seem like such a nice, nice man. Thank you.
- [53:42]
A
Thank you.
- [53:42]
D
Oh, my goodness.
- [53:43]
A
Wow.
- [53:44]
D
This is amazing.
- [53:45]
A
It is amazing.
- [53:45]
D
I can't believe this.
- [53:47]
A
And for our listeners who couldn't see your reaction, I can assure them you were not playing it cool when you saw Maureen McCormick tonight. No, not at all.
- [53:53]
B
And the audience freaked out, right?
- [53:55]
A
It's pretty exciting.
- [53:56]
B
Everyone freaked out.
- [53:58]
D
You got me. You got me.
- [53:59]
A
Yeah. Well, Maureen, my goodness, what a career. Your memoir was a New York Times bestseller. You've toured the country in theaters, in shows like Peter Pan. You've been on Broadway in Grease. You competed on Dancing with the Stars. You've been on TV shows from Bewitched to the Love Boat to Scrubs, and of course, starred in maybe the most famous TV show ever, the Brady Bunch.
- [54:23]
B
Iconic.
- [54:24]
A
And you're still active in the theater. Tell us about this show, Pen Pals, that you've done and are doing again.
- [54:28]
F
Yeah, I just got back from New York, and it was so much fun. I actually fell in love with acting again, doing theater. I'm doing Pen Pals with Sharon Lawrence from NYPD Blue, and I play a gal from New Jersey. And I did it, I think, a great New Jersey accent. I was so scared to do it, and I just went, you know what? I'm gonna go for it. I went to a dialect coach, and it is so much more fun to do that and to take a chance. And, yeah, it was great. And we've been asked to go back to New York in January.
- [55:08]
B
So wait, give us. Give us a sample of your New Jersey accent.
- [55:13]
E
Okay.
- [55:14]
F
Affanable.
- [55:17]
D
There you go.
- [55:18]
C
Nice.
- [55:19]
A
And I know you're gonna be returning to New York and that people can find out more@penpalsplay.com to do that. Well, let's talk about the Brady Bunch. It, of course, was a cultural phenomenon for you. It was an acting job. When did you get a sense that this was something that was in the culture that people loved and knew so much about?
- [55:37]
F
You know, I think I'M still just kind of amazed by it because, you know, we did the show and I left and went on and have been doing so many different things in my life. I honestly think I've only seen every show once, and not for probably 50 years. I have not watched it.
- [55:59]
A
I mean, why would you?
- [56:01]
F
You know, I've been a mom. I've been married for 40 years. And it's so sweet to meet people and to know that I was in a show that has touched so many people.
- [56:11]
B
Do you still get stopped on the street?
- [56:13]
F
I do, all the time.
- [56:14]
B
I bet a lot.
- [56:16]
D
Yeah.
- [56:16]
F
Seriously. There's just so much love.
- [56:19]
E
So much love.
- [56:19]
F
I mean, who doesn't love love, right?
- [56:22]
A
Yeah, that's true.
- [56:23]
E
It's a great thing.
- [56:26]
A
More, please. I mean, wait, you're saying there are actors who want to be loved by people? Weird.
- [56:32]
B
You know, I've never met any of.
- [56:34]
F
Those kind, but I've heard. I've heard about them.
- [56:38]
A
Paul mentioned that one of his favorite moments was, you're getting hit in the nose with a football. I watched it again today, and I was wondering how they do that, because obviously there was no computer graphics. Did they just chuck a football at you?
- [56:49]
F
It was a nerve football, but it.
- [56:51]
E
Did hurt a little.
- [56:52]
F
Not much. I'm tough.
- [56:56]
B
Did they have to do multiple takes? Did you get clocked in the nose, like, multiple times?
- [56:59]
F
What was really funny? Cause everybody was really wanting to do it.
- [57:06]
A
They were lining up.
- [57:07]
F
That was the brunt of all the jokes behind the scenes, which, hey, that's great. But, yeah, a lot of the crew wanted to do it.
- [57:15]
D
Oh, my God.
- [57:16]
B
All of the other cast got a turn.
- [57:18]
F
Lloyd Schwartz, who's Sherwood Schwartz's son, ended up doing it, I think, on camera. Yeah.
- [57:25]
A
Now, Maureen, I know you had special relationships with all of your cast, but tell us about your relationship with Florence Henderson, who, of course, played your mom.
- [57:31]
F
Florence, towards the end of her life. She was coming to Dancing with the Stars, and she was there, like, every night in the audience, just cheering me on. And she sent me the sweetest texts, and she was calling me. I think Florence really taught me to find the joy in life. She always would say to me, find the joy. Find the joy. And I kept repeating it to myself until it made sense. And it's one of the truly one of the greatest gifts I've ever been given.
- [58:15]
A
That's lovely.
- [58:17]
D
I love that.
- [58:19]
F
So sweet.
- [58:22]
A
Last one to ask you about. In addition to all of the acting and writing you've done, you have been a global ambassador for the Special Olympics. Tell us about how that happened and why that's so meaningful to you.
- [58:30]
F
I have three older brothers, and my youngest brother, Denny, was born with intellectual disabilities. And my father, who was a schoolteacher, then decided to go back and become a special ed teacher. So I grew up in a family that fought for the rights to people with intellectual disabilities. When my parents passed away, they asked me to watch over Denny. And my husband and I have proudly and have been so grateful to do this for Denny. Special Olympics. I love them. They do so much good for people with intellectual disabilities all over the entire world. I've been working with them since I was 13 or 14. I remember the first games at UCLA, and what is so beautiful is I think everyone who volunteers gets so much more out of it. It's just so beautiful to see these people, you know, being given a chance to do what others have been able to do. They're so talented, and it's just wonderful. I love Special Olympics.
- [59:44]
A
Very good. Well, let's get to the reason that we brought you here. As far as our game is concerned. You heard the questions that we asked of Paul. First, we wanted to know what Shakespearean title role did Marcia Brady lose in the school play because of her bad attitude? Helen, what did Paul say?
- [60:00]
B
Paul said, juliet.
- [60:01]
A
And Maureen.
- [60:02]
D
Yeah.
- [60:03]
A
Yes, that is correct for the point. Very nice. Next, we wanted to know, when Marcia was accused of drawing an unflattering picture of her teacher, what founding father had she actually drawn? Helen, what did Paul say?
- [60:15]
B
Paul said George Washington.
- [60:17]
A
And a.
- [60:18]
F
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
- [60:19]
A
That is correct for the point for Paul.
- [60:20]
E
Yeses.
- [60:21]
D
Oh, man.
- [60:22]
A
And finally wanted to know, when giving Greg advice on how to be attractive to women, who is any one of the five then living actors she suggested he emulate? Helen, what did Paul say?
- [60:30]
B
Paul said, burt Reynolds.
- [60:31]
A
And Maureen.
- [60:32]
D
That's not right.
- [60:33]
F
Not Burt.
- [60:33]
A
No, I'm sorry. Not Burt. No point there.
- [60:35]
F
Do you remember the five Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Berry and Dean Martin.
- [60:43]
A
Very reasonable, but none guessed by Paul.
- [60:49]
B
Paul, while we have Maureen here, is there anything you want to ask her? Say.
- [60:53]
A
Oh.
- [60:55]
D
Cheers.
- [60:56]
A
Cheers.
- [60:56]
D
Exactly. Thank you for making my childhood so wonderful again. Because I was an only child, and I really kind of lived through that family on the tv. And I had an enormous crush on you, too. So there you go.
- [61:09]
A
I'm sure you've never heard that before.
- [61:12]
F
It's always nice to hear it is.
- [61:14]
B
You know, I want to say, like, what an impact you had on multiple generations, because I obviously didn't watch the show when it was on primetime. But I watched it in syndication years later, and I think, like, even today, it's probably being syndicated somewhere. Like, there's kids that are like, oh, my God, this is so cool.
- [61:32]
F
Yeah. What's really cool is to go to another country. I remember once I was in Germany with some relatives, and I was watching it in German. I was speaking great.
- [61:45]
A
And German with a New Jersey accent really is quite an extra skill.
- [61:49]
F
It comes naturally. And now you know why? Because I can speak any language.
- [61:54]
A
Maureen, you have definitely had helped us find joy here tonight. It's so wonderful that you joined us. If people want to find out more about you and what you're up to, where can they do that?
- [62:01]
F
You know what? They can Google me, too.
- [62:03]
B
Yeah, Google everybody.
- [62:04]
F
I like that answer. Google me.
- [62:06]
A
Excellent. You'll be glad you did. We're so happy that you joined us tonight. Maureen McCormick, everybody. Thank you.
- [62:14]
D
Thank you for doing this.
- [62:15]
A
Thank you. You made my year.
- [62:17]
B
You guys were amazing.
- [62:19]
E
How you doing?
- [62:22]
D
I'm a little shaky right now.
- [62:23]
A
Yeah. Okay. All right, what is our score going into the final round? Helen.
- [62:27]
B
Oh, Jake. Right now it's a tie. Anjali Bomani has seven points, and Paul Feig also has seven points.
- [62:34]
A
Okay, but now it is time for 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 Anjali 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. Anjali. Many presidents of the United States had pets in the White House.
- [62:53]
E
True.
- [62:53]
B
Correct.
- [62:54]
A
Paul. Some presidents had multiple pets in the White House. False.
- [62:57]
B
Incorrect.
- [62:58]
A
No, some did. Anjali. Abraham Lincoln had multiple pets in the White House.
- [63:01]
E
False.
- [63:02]
B
Incorrect.
- [63:02]
A
No, he really did. Paul. Abraham Lincoln had cats.
- [63:05]
D
True.
- [63:05]
B
Correct.
- [63:06]
A
Yep. He named them Tabby and Dixie. Anjali. Lincoln had fish.
- [63:09]
E
True.
- [63:10]
B
Incorrect.
- [63:11]
A
Paul Lincoln had a bird. False.
- [63:13]
B
Incorrect.
- [63:13]
A
Anjali. Lincoln's bird was a turkey.
- [63:15]
E
True.
- [63:16]
B
Correct.
- [63:16]
A
Yep. Named Jack. Paul Lincoln's turkey was intended to be eaten for Christmas dinner.
- [63:21]
D
False.
- [63:22]
B
Incorrect.
- [63:22]
A
Oh, no. He's a monster. Sorry. Jack. Anjali. Lincoln also had a dog.
- [63:28]
E
True.
- [63:29]
B
Correct.
- [63:30]
A
Paul Lincoln's dog was assassinated.
- [63:32]
F
False.
- [63:33]
B
Incorrect.
- [63:34]
A
That was really.
- [63:35]
C
What?
- [63:35]
A
Oh, no. And finally, Anjali. That's why dogs shouldn't go to the theater.
- [63:41]
E
True.
- [63:42]
B
Sure.
- [63:42]
A
All right, let's give a nice hand to Paul Feig and Anjali Bomani as Helen tabulates the final score. We're not gonna count that last one, by the way. Lincoln's turkey Jack was saved by the President's. Son Tad. His dog Fido did not live at the White House, but was killed in Springfield, Illinois by a drunk and was described in the newspaper at the time as an assassination. And it happened just a few months after the same fate befell President Lincoln. However, I feel I should point out he had several animals that lived happy, productive, long lives.
- [64:11]
D
Nice save. Nice save.
- [64:13]
A
Helen, are you ready to announce the winner on today's show?
- [64:15]
B
I am. At the end of the game, Anjali Bahmani has 10 points and Paul Feig has eight points.
- [64:20]
A
Congratulations, Anjali Bahmani. You are the facting champion on gofact yourself. Anjali, what will you do with your championship?
- [64:27]
E
What will I do with my championship? I'm going to Broadway, baby.
- [64:30]
A
Yeah. Let's all go. All right, we're going to run wrap up by giving everyone on the panel a chance to mention or promote anything of theirs they might like. Anjali, what do you have going on?
- [64:38]
E
If you could go online and go to thepuppyroll.com it is a long lasting initiative to benefit animals nationwide. It would be amazing for you to check it out. I also have a book out called I am Fun size and so are thoughts from a tiny human on living a giant life. There are pictures of my dog all over it. So you can check that out on Amazon and enjoy having a big life.
- [65:00]
D
Yay.
- [65:00]
A
Big life. Fun Size. That's Anjali Bimani. Paul Figue.
- [65:05]
D
Well, the Housemaid is still in theaters right now. I also have Arting Stall's brilliant London dry gin. You can go online and try to find it. And I also have a cocktail book called Cocktail the ultimate guide to grown up fun. You can get that on Amazon or your favorite bookstore.
- [65:19]
A
Excellent. You are the embodiment of grown up fun. Paul Feig, everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, you are so lucky because my husband is funny. Helen Hong.
- [65:28]
E
Yay, Helen.
- [65:30]
B
I have a couple of live shows coming up. If you're in the DC area. I'm gonna be at the DC Comedy loft. I'm gonna be at Bananas in Rutherford, New Jersey. If you are in neither one of those cities, follow me on the socials funnyhelenhong. Cause those other Helen Hongs ain't funny.
- [65:47]
A
No, but this one is. She's our funny Helen Hong and me. You can follow me on the socials all all@Jakeith.net, all spelled out and you can hire me for your trivia event either in person or online by going to bigquizthing.com that just leaves me to thank Anjali Bahmani Paul Feig, John Weidman, Maureen McCormick everyone here at LA Easton the Crawford and thank you for listening and supporting our show@maximumfun.org I'm J. Keith Van Stratten. Good night. Like what you hear? Come see us live. We're coming to New York January 24th and 26th. Go to gofactorpod.com for a schedule and tickets. Meanwhile, please like and follow us on all the socials all o FactorPod. Update our wiki@gofactorwiki.fandom.com and buy our T shaped shirt mug shaped mug and dingle dangly dingle dangle and more@maxfunstore.com and give us a great review on your favorite podcast platform like Pantomime 21 did on Apple Podcasts. He sheer they said love the show. Quizmaster Jake Heath and comic MC Helen the Hong are a must. Thanks pantomime21 or should I say bet MC Helen the Hong.
- [66:55]
B
Go Fact Yourself is a panel quiz program devised and produced by Jim Newman, J. Keith Van Stratten and comes to you via transcription from the Crawford at La Est in Pasadena. Questions were compiled by the Trivia Industrial Complex. We are produced in collaboration with Maximum Fun and laist. Maximum Fun Senior Producer is Laura Swisher, Co Producer and Editor and our very own Marcia Marcia Marcia is Julian Burrell. Additional editing by Valerie Moffatt Music by Jonathan Green Research assistance provided by Adam Nedif Quiz assistance provided by Bart Gold and Clint Hauscher Promotional graphics by Erich Tran Video clips by Scout Mayberry Live show photography by Christine Vellota Live show support by Dave Bianchi Special thanks to Rachel Hosseini of PR Machine, Leah Chang, Courtney Borge, Samantha Cooper and Liz Bieber of the lead company John Buzzetti and Michael Bussani at WME and Nevin Dolcefino at Innovative Artists for Laist. John Cohn, Vice President Audience and Community Engagement Rebecca Stummy Senior Producer Tony Federico Technical Director Michael Leyva Tech Assistant Lorena Nader Audience Experience Manager Mikayla Perez and Andres Mejia, Events Interns. I've been Helen hall yes, let's go.
- [68:08]
A
Listen to musicals from the late 70s.
- [68:10]
B
To early 90s and watch Brady Bunch.
- [68:13]
A
Ooh, they should make a Brady Bunch musical.
- [68:15]
B
I've got a great idea for an opening number.
- [68:17]
A
Here's a story of a lovely lady. Maximum Fun, a worker owned network of.
- [68:28]
B
Artist owned shows supported directly by you.