Two friends of mine — J. Keith van Straaten and Jim Newman — always seem to be producing something of a game show nature. Their current endeavor is the audio (only) podcast, Go Fact Yourself — a quiz program hosted by J. Keith (pictured above) and the very funny comedy person, Helen Hong. You can hear it almost anywhere good podcasts are available but especially on the Go Fact Yourself website.
Here's how the game is played: They bring on two celebrities who profess to have expertise in some area. The celebs have included folks like Drew Carey, Richard Kind, Mo Rocca, Nancy Cartwright, Lewis Black and almost anyone who's won a lot of money on Jeopardy! lately. There is much fun conversation but at some point, the two celebs are quizzed on their chosen topic and the one who does the best wins. They win just about nothing but the important thing is that one of them wins.
The last rounds of questioning are accented by the surprise appearance of one or more experts of the topics of the day. Those experts verify answers and add to the conversation…and J. Keith and Helen are very good at making all these interesting people more interesting than usual. That's how it all works and no one goes home with a case of Turtle Wax or lovely parting gifts.
Every episode is fun but I would call your attention to Episode 115, which was recorded November 4 of this month and which featured as its contestants, the fine comic actor Rob Corddry and the fine cartoonist-author Mimi Pond. Rob's claimed area of knowledge was the TV series, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the two surprise experts on that topic was that show's show runners, Jed Whedon and Jeffrey Bell. Mimi's area was MAD magazine and the two surprise experts on MAD were myself and (via Zoom) Sergio Aragonés.
(In the photo above, the back row is — left to right —Mr. Whedon, Mr. van Straaten, Ms. Hong and Mr. Bell. The front row is me, Mr. Corddry and Ms. Pond. Sergio was at home in a row by himself.)
Like I said, you can hear Go Fact Yourself at the above-linked website or just about anywhere on the web where quality podcasts are available. You will enjoy any of them but you will especially enjoy the recent Episode #115. Because Sergio and I are on it.