Ep. 79: Lewis Black & Helen Zaltzman

Episode notes

Sing a Broadway hit from your favorite local landmark and get ready for the newest episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Lewis Black is famous for his brand of curmudgeonly comedy. He’s been a constant presence on “The Daily Show” since it was hosted by Craig Kilborn. But despite that tenure, people are still surprised to learn that he remains part of the show now that it’s hosted by Trevor Noah. He’ll tell about how his role has changed over the years and how he got his Emmy for an unexpected reason. Lewis’s comedy special “Thanks for Risking Your Life” is available now.

Helen Zaltzman is a podcaster of the highest order. She’s the host of “The Allusionist” and “Veronica Mars Investigations.” In addition to hosting her own shows, she also does her best to provide assistance to her peers with her podcaster support group. She’ll tell us about that and why her grandmother’s gravestone is one of the funniest things she’s ever seen.

Our guests will answer trivia questions about big windmills for small towns and big stage roles for small meows.

What’s the difference: thyme of the season

What’s the difference between an herb and a spice?

What’s the difference between seasoning and flavoring?

Areas of Expertise

Lewis Black: 1960’s Broadway, the film Dr. Strangelove and reasons not to practice Judaism

Helen Zaltzman: Old English riddles, themed towns in the United States and the TV show “Naked and Afraid

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Lewis Black

Lewis Black

Helen Zaltzman

Helen Zaltzman

With guest experts:

Charlie Uhrig

Charlie Uhrig, mayor of Solvang, California

Betty Buckley

Betty Buckley, Tony award-winner known as “The Voice of Broadway”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun’s Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-wearing and vaccine-getting by YOU.