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EntertainmentLectures & Talks

Go Fact Yourself LIVE with Michaela Watkins and TBD

Saturday, November 9, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • The Crawford, 474 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena
FREE-$20
A faint circle and line pattern black background with a circle icons that show a question mark, a brain icon, a microphone, and a lightbulb. The overlaying text reads, "Go Fact Yourself LIVE".
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LAist Design
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Go Fact Yourself
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Go Fact Yourself is a pop culture trivia show hosted by J. Keith van Straaten (he/him) (Ask Me Another, Senior Writer) and Helen Hong (she/her) (Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me, recurring panelist).

On November 9, actor Michaela Watkins (she/her) and other special guests will join J. Keith and Helen for a trivia show like no other!

Register for free for general admission or reserve a guaranteed seat for $20. Concessions available starting at 6 p.m.

Lineup subject to change. This program may contain some mature language or themes.

Go Fact Yourself can be heard on LAist 89.3 on Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m.


ABOUT MICHAELA WATKINS

A natural talent with an undeniable energy, Michaela Watkins has made her mark through a variety of impressive and unforgettable roles. Watkins has been busy. On the big screen, she starred in IFC's PAINT opposite Owen Wilson. Following that was the much-buzzed about Sundance film (turned successful theatrical release) YOU HURT MY FEELINGS opposite Julia-Louis Dreyfus. Directed by Nicole Holofcener for A24, Watkins earned praise for her performance among critics, with THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER raving “Watching Louis-Dreyfus and Watkins — the secret weapon of just about everything she appears in — banter with Berlin over matters as trivial as how to transport potato salad is a joy.” She also appeared at SXSW with the film THE YOUNG WIFE and recently starred in the independent feature SUZE, which she also executive produced. On the small screen, she most recently starred in DINNER WITH THE PARENTS on Amazon Freevee. She has also starred opposite Kathryn Hahn in Hulu's TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS and appeared in a critically praised role opposite Amanda Seyfried in the Hulu limited series, THE DROPOUT, which was also nominated for a Golden Globe. One of her most memorable roles was that of ’ “Valerie Cole”, the lead role in Hulu’s CASUAL. Valerie is a newly divorced therapist re-entering the world of casual dating. The show, produced and directed by Jason Reitman, was widely acclaimed, with a Golden Globe nomination and recognition in THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, calling it “funny, strongly realized, self- assured and a joy to watch.” Other recent notable TV turns for Michaela include CBS comedy THE UNICORN, opposite Walton Goggins and playing Rob Delaney’s sister in the final season of CATASTROPHE. She also joined the 3rd season of SEARCH PARTY, and the EPIX adaptation of the legendary book and film GET SHORTY. She starred in the Netflix limited series WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER and showed incredible range as multiple characters in multiple time periods in the first, second and third season of PRIME VIDEO’s groundbreaking Golden Globe and Emmy winning series, TRANSPARENT. Other past television credits include starring in ABC’s critical darling, TROPHY WIFE. She was a welcome addition to VEEP, THE GOLDBERGS, ENLIGHTENED, MARRIED,NEW GIRL, MODERN FAMILY, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, KEY AND PEELE, THE KROLL SHOW and DRUNK HISTORY. In addition to her extensive TV career, Watkins has earned her indie film darling status from her memorable performances in Lake Bell's IN A WORLD, Joey Soloway’s AFTERNOON DELIGHT, BRIGSBY BEAR, opposite Kyle Mooney and Greg Kinnear and starring opposite Jillian Bell in PRIME VIDEO’s BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON, the breakout hit and audience award winner of Sundance 2019. Watkins slayed in the critically acclaimed IFC films Horror Comedy WEREWOLVES WITHIN, opposite Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub. Other feature credits include Warner Brothers’ THE WAY BACK opposite Ben Affleck as well as stand-out roles in Universal Pictures comedy WANDERLUST opposite Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd, IBIZA opposite Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer and Phoebe Robinson and THE HOUSE opposite Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Jason Mantzoukis. In Los Angeles, Watkins grew comedy roots in the fertile soil of Groundlings Theater main stage company. Michaela followed in the footsteps of many distinguished alums, joining the SNL cast in the 2008/09 season. She made her mark with spot-on impressions of Arianna Huffington, Barbara Walters, Joan Rivers, Julia Louis Dreyfus and Hoda Kotb while also creating original characters like “Angie Tempura” whose “Bitch, Pleazzzze” catch phrase immediately struck a chord on the iconic, late night sketch show. Never content to simply participate, Watkins, along with fellow Groundling Damon Jones, created, wrote and executive produced the USA Network comedy series BENCHED. Starring Eliza Coupe, the show was produced alongside Andrea Shay and Mark Gordon and explored the inequity of the criminal justice system through a comedic lens. Born in Syracuse, N.Y., and raised in Boston, Watkins pursued a career in regional theater before moving to Los Angeles. She studied acting and theater, and received her B.F.A. from Boston University.


ABOUT J. KEITH VAN STRAATEN

J. Keith van Straaten is a content producer/writer for TV game shows, including The Hustler, Master Minds, Funny You Should Ask, and In the USA Today, and wrote trivia questions for Bally Sports. He was also a longtime senior writer on NPR’s Ask Me Another.

Previously, he wrote many of the games on GSN’s Chain Reaction and the iPhone trivia app Arena. He created and hosted the live matchmaking show The Fix-Up Show, as well as hosting What’s My Line? – Live On Stage and Comedy Central’s Beat The Geeks.

J. Keith has appeared on Best Week Ever, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Beverly Hills, 90210, and a deleted scene in Gilmore Girls.

As a journalist, J. Keith has written about COVID and comedy for the Los Angeles Times, points and miles for ThePointsGuy.com, and theatre for tdf Stages magazine.

J. Keith has two cats and is an avid Angels fan.


ABOUT HELEN HONG

A fan favorite on the hit NPR podcast Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, Helen Hong also co-hosts the celebrity trivia game show podcast Go Fact Yourself. Helen's acting credits include roles on Never Have I Ever, Silicon Valley, the Jennifer Garner Christmas movie Family Switch, and 5 seasons of The Thundermans on Nickelodeon.

A long-time touring standup comedian, Helen's comedy special Well Hong was co-produced by Comedy Dynamics and Tribeca Film Festival, and is streaming now on Amazon Prime & Apple TV+. Audiences love Helen's lightning quick crowdwork which can be seen on her Instagram and TikTok @funnyhelenhong.

A breast cancer survivor, Helen makes light of her cancer experience (and her "fresh new boobies") onstage. She also brings light to Asian-American issues with her family's YouTube channel "Old Korean Dad Stories."

If you bring Helen a Topo Chico and a mini Snickers bar, she will love you FOREVER.


ACCOMMODATIONS
LAist is committed to providing access and accommodation for individuals with disabilities at our events. To request accommodations, please email events@laist.com or call us at (626) 583-5222 at least 7 days in advance of the event.