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 May 17, author Laura Dave (“The Last Last Thing He Told Me”) and actor William Stanford Davis (“Abbott Elementary”), plus surprise guest experts 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 3 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 William Stanford Davis
Award-winning journeyman actor William Stanford Davis is a veteran of stage and screen with more than 100 credits to his name. He currently stars as the beloved Mr. Johnson on Abbott Elementary, the Emmy, Peabody Award, Actor Award, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award winning comedy series airing on ABC and streaming on Hulu. Recently renewed for a sixth season, Abbott Elementary marks Davis’ first series regular role, which has earned him widespread acclaim including a 2026 and 2024 NAACP Image Award win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. In 2025, he was also named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Supporting Actors class and continues to generate viral moments that underscore his cross-generational appeal.
Beyond Abbott Elementary, Davis continues to build an impressive body of work across film, television, and theater. In February 2026, he returned to the big screen, starring alongside Wanda Sykes and Bentley Green in the boxing drama Undercard. On television, he appears as Earl in Apple TV+’s anthology series Side Quest, set in the universe of Mythic Quest. His previous television credits include Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Ray Donovan, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Lincoln Heights. In 2002, Davis earned an Emmy Award as part of the cast of Rasheed Crawley’s The Movement and has delivered notable film performances including A Holiday Chance and So Be It opposite Alfre Woodard.
On stage, Davis has earned critical acclaim for his work as both an actor and director. He received an Ovation Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the Actors Studio production of August Wilson’s Fences and appeared in the NAACP Theatre Award–winning musical North on South Central. His directing credits include Lawrence Fishburne’s Riff Raff, as well as Shame at the Elephant Asylum Theatre and The Old Settler at the Pico Playhouse.
Born and raised in The Ville neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri, Davis was inspired to pursue acting during high school when he saw the Negro Ensemble Company perform. It wasn’t until after he left Lincoln University to work a handful of jobs in media, including a newspaper, and as a radio personality in Texas, before he moved to LA, and pursued his dream to be an actor in his thirties. A true testament to never giving up, he landed a role as a custodian on the soap opera “The Bold And The Beautiful” in 1995. In a full circle, flash forward to the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis put himself on tape to audition for the pilot of “Abbott Elementary” and landed the role of lovable custodian, “Mr. Johnson” as guest-star. After leaving a lasting impression on-set, Davis was consistently asked back to film more episodes until he was promoted to series regular for the first time in his career.
When he is not on-set and bringing dynamic characters to life, Davis spends his time mentoring and sharing his wealth of wisdom and knowledge with all.. He has a true love for high end fashion which extends from his grandmother’s advice to always leave the house looking your best. He can often be found on the lookout for new hats to add to his prized collection. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, manager Laura Pallas.
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.
