Go Fact Yourself – Episode 187: Jay Mohr & Chase Masterson

Release Date: February 6, 2026
Host: J. Keith van Straaten
Co-host: Helen Hong
Guests: Chase Masterson (activist & actor, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”) & Jay Mohr (comedian, actor, “Saturday Night Live”)

Episode Overview

This lively episode of Go Fact Yourself pits “Star Trek” actor and anti-bullying advocate Chase Masterson against comedian and podcast host Jay Mohr in a battle of wits and nostalgia. The main event: rounds of trivia focused on the guests' chosen niche topics — ‘70s and ‘80s commercial jingles for Chase, and the HBO series “Deadwood” for Jay — with deep dives, expert surprises, and plenty of song and laugh-out-loud moments along the way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Guest Introductions & Backstories

(03:55 – 06:08)

Chase Masterson

• Known for her role as Leeta on “Star Trek: DS9.”
• Discusses how her role snowballed from four lines to a recurring part, thanks in part to engaging with the fan community.
• “These are people who believe in a better future … making a world where we can all live long and prosperity.” (Chase Masterson, 05:06)

Jay Mohr

• Stand-up comic, actor on “Saturday Night Live” and in films like “Jerry Maguire.”
• Shares audition stories about his path to landing roles—especially, humorously, in “Jerry Maguire”:
  • “I was like, sure, anything. … They thought I was like a savant. … And I just knew everybody. So I was like, yep, got it. And they were like, what?” (Jay Mohr, 06:08)

2. Getting to Know the Guests

(12:23 – 18:27)

Chase’s Advocacy

• Details her nonprofit The Heroic Journey, inspired by Star Trek's vision, to combat bullying and support youth mental health via pop culture references.
  • “We all love heroes. Why not be one?” (Chase Masterson, 12:51)
• Advocates for building self-understanding and values to address the roots of bullying.
  • “People who are mentally healthy don’t bully each other.” (13:20)

Jay’s Impressions & “More Stories” Podcast

• Explains his approach to celebrity impressions (notably Christopher Walken), insisting he only does impressions based on real interactions.
  • “I only do impressions of interactions I’ve actually had with the person. So I don’t have to remember anything because it happened.” (Jay Mohr, 16:55)
• Met his wife through a radio interview linked to his podcast.

3. “What’s the Difference” Round

(08:32 – 12:23)

• To Chase: “Chase” vs “Pursue” — Chase = following something actively moving away; Pursue = could be at any pace, often intangible (goals, knowledge).
• To Jay: "Blue jay" vs "jaybird" — Blue jays are a kind of jaybird (mostly blue, crest on head, eastern North America), while 'jaybird' is broader (various colors, global).
• Banter and clever wordplay throughout.
  • "My name is not Pursue Masterson." (Chase Masterson, 09:03)
  • “Can I get a bonus point for making all of that up?” (Jay Mohr, 12:13)

Chase Masterson: Deep Dive on 70s & 80s Commercial Jingles

(20:04 – 41:42)

Why Jingles?

• Grew up loving them: “I was six and learning to be manipulated for cereal.”
• Favourites include classics for Coke, Dr Pepper, and Meow Mix.

Trivia Highlights

• What were the armed forces jingles’ taglines? (23:26) — Chase lists all four branches’ jingles, plus gives examples.

  • “You don’t need experience!” (Jay Mohr, 23:37, on Army ads)

• “Have you driven a Ford...” “...lately.” (24:30)

  • Chase sings the answer, impressing everyone: “That is correct and in tune.” (Helen Hong, 24:32)

• Which Coca-Cola slogan is NOT from the 70s/80s? — “Always Coca Cola” is from the 1990s.

• American Airlines Jingles:

  • “We’re American Airlines / Doing what we do best.”
  • “Something special in the air.”

• The Galaxy Glue jingle is NOT real, but from the Lily Tomlin film “The Incredible Shrinking Woman.”
  (Jay’s guess: “Jaws”—prompting laughter.)

Expert Segment

[29:54 – 41:36]

• Guest: Linda November, legendary “Queen of the Jingles.”

• Recorded classics including Meow Mix, Ford, Coke, more.

• Shared stories of auditioning for Richard Rodgers, then being told she “didn’t look Jewish enough” to get cast in Fiddler on the Roof.

• Discussed crafting the Meow Mix jingle and recording it in one take.

  • “In those days, ‘74, they were just Moviolas. There were no computers ...” (Linda November, 35:01)
  • “You can’t afford me.” (Linda November, 39:30, when asked to sing the jingle)

• On mental health in showbiz:

  • “I am a raving lun ... The jingle business was unique, we were all graduate musicians ... we were called the Golden Dozen.” (Linda November, 40:29)

Jay Mohr: Deep Dive on “Deadwood”

(44:09 – 62:55)

Why “Deadwood”?

• Binge-watched it a year ago, considers it “Sopranos great.”
• Favorite moment: Ian McShane’s ‘mercy killing’ — “The fact that such an evil man delivered mercy was ... incredibly well written.” (Jay Mohr, 46:06)

Trivia Highlights

• Deadwood is in the Dakota Territory (now North/South Dakota).
• Calamity Jane’s real name: Martha Jane Canary.
• Cast/crew crossover: magician Ricky Jay & comedian Gerri Jewell appeared together.
• Deadwood won 8 Emmys, not for Lead Actor.
• In Season 3, rock bands appear as extras: ZZ Top, Anthrax, Motorhead.

Expert Segment

[53:13 – 62:55]

• Guest: Jim Beaver (“Ellsworth” on Deadwood; actor, writer, historian).

• Surprised audience that his late wife, Cecily Adams, was Chase Masterson’s DS9 co-star.

• Talked about David Milch’s rapid-fire, last-minute rewrites for actors:

  • “I only got a complete script once — for the pilot. After that, they faxed our scenes the night before.” (Jim Beaver, 57:48)
  • “It’s the richest, most emotion-filled dialogue I have ever heard outside of Shakespeare.” (Jim Beaver, 56:54)

• Clusterfact answers:

  • Alma’s first husband, Brom, was pushed off a cliff (not fed to the pigs).
  • The biological father was a Marshal (or Sheriff).
  • Ellsworth’s first name: Whitney.

• On food on the Deadwood set: “We ate with the pigs.” (Jim Beaver, 62:24)

Fast Facts Finale: License Plates

(63:26 – 64:13)

• Series of true/false questions about Tennessee state license plates and their many variations (dogs, cats, musical cats “playing the Meow Mix jingle”).
• Light-hearted, rapid-fire pace.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Ann Margret let girls know it was okay to be both smart and sexy … clever in a way that was unabashed.”
  — Chase Masterson on why she idolized Ann Margret, 15:16

• “If you were growing up back in [the ‘80s], if you’re gonna say ‘bodacious’ and ‘grody’ … you commit ... I don’t trust current slang ... we can trust ‘80s slang.”
  — Chase Masterson, 20:57

• “You are the name of like the bad guy in a ski movie. J. Keith, we got to keep these nerds off the mountain.”
  — Jay Mohr teasing the host, 05:53

• “Don’t call me.”
  — Linda November, when asked where fans can find her online, 41:24

Scores & Outcome

• Chase Masterson: 12.5 points (Winner!)
• Jay Mohr: 8 points

Chase becomes the “Fact champion,” and promptly quips, “Thank you for not being slop … I’m going to lord it over Jay Mohr for sure.” (65:06)

Promotion & Plugs

• Chase Masterson: Star Trek’s 60th anniversary signings; The Heroic Journey (mental health/org); Instagram: @chasemasterson
• Jay Mohr: “More Stories” podcast (Apple, Spotify, YouTube); Instagram: @jaymohr37
• Helen Hong: @funnyhelenhong on socials
• J. Keith van Straaten: allkeith.net; bigquizthing.com for event hosting

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:55: Guest intros begin
• 08:32: “What’s the Difference?” round
• 12:23: Getting to know the guests in-depth
• 20:04: Chase’s jingle trivia begins
• 29:54: Expert/Clusterfact: Linda November (Meow Mix)
• 44:09: Jay’s Deadwood trivia begins
• 53:13: Expert/Clusterfact: Jim Beaver (Ellsworth from Deadwood)
• 63:26: Fast Facts finale
• 64:47: Episode wrap-up, final scores, plugs

Tone:
This episode is characteristically warm, nostalgic, and quick with laughs—packed with affectionate ribbing, infectious singalongs, and genuine respect for pop culture history. The hosts and guests maintain a friendly and upbeat banter throughout. The playful spirit in trivia, especially with Chase gamely singing jingles and Jay's self-deprecating quips about only watching one season of Deadwood, make it an especially delightful edition.

Recommended For:
Fans of pop culture, TV history, vintage advertising, and improv games; anyone who enjoys celebrity trivia mixed with heart and humor.