Episode 59: Jonathan Coulton & Ophira Eisenberg

This episode was aired during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As such, recordings taking place after the establishment of social distancing were recorded remotely and without a live audience. Live recordings of the podcast have been canceled since March 12, 2020.

In lieu of being unable to record in front of a live audience, the recording of this episode, with the hosts, guests, and experts tuning in remotely, was | live-streamed online. The live-stream was presented in partnership with NPR station KPCC and LAist.

Description
Jonathan Coulton (a.k.a. “JoCo”) is a folk/comedy musician who has a lot of experience in the world of trivia: he’s been the in-house musician for the NPR program Ask Me Another since 2012. Jonathan’s also known as the founder and namesake of the JoCo Cruise, a geek and culture convention on a cruise ship. How did Jonathan get so successful to the point that he got a cruise named after him? He’s not entirely sure—but he’s doing his best to celebrate it!

Opposite Jonathan is his Ask Me Another colleague, comedian Ophira Eisenberg. You may recall that Ophira was previously on episode 23. Now, she’s returned new insight about why celebrities are so terrified of trivia and her never-ending quest to become famous in her homeland of Canada.

What’s the difference: A Shot in the Arm
What’s the difference between vaccination and immunization?

What’s the difference between a tentacle and an arm?

Jonathan Coulton
Jonathan's chosen areas of expertise were Billy Joel albums from Piano Man to An Innocent Man, the video game Red Dead Redemption 2, and high school chemistry. He was quizzed on the Billy Joel albums. His clusterfact expert was a multi-instrumentalist musician best known for his work with Billy Joel, Mark Rivera.

Ophira Eisenberg
Ophira's chosen areas of expertise were Raiders of the Lost Ark, the TV show Three's Company, and splenectomies. She was quizzed on Three's Company. Her clusterfact expert was actor, author, singer, and entrepreneur, known for her role of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, Suzanne Somers.