Basic! - podcast cover

Basic!

Pantheon Mediawww.pantheonpodcasts.com
Before binging, there was cable. Welcome to Basic!, the official podcast bringing you the unofficial history of cable TV. Go behind the scenes of a glorious time in pop culture, when shows like MTV’s ‘The Real World,’ ESPN’s ‘SportsCenter’ and AMC’s ‘Breaking Bad’ made basic cable a must-have for every American home. With the help of guests like Jimmy Kimmel, Cindy Crawford and Amy Schumer, hosts Doug Herzog (former network executive at MTV, Comedy Central, Fox) and Jen Chaney (TV critic at New York Magazine/Vulture) explore basic cable history through the experimental shows, ground-breaking creators, and Zeitgeist-shifting trends that defined the medium. 2023 Signal Arts & Culture Listener’s Choice Award Winner. Part of Pantheon Podcasts.

Episodes

Welcome to Music City San Francisco: The Podcast

Step into the pulse of San Francisco’s music scene with the Music City San Francisco Podcast, presented by Pantheon Media. Broadcasting from the heart of the city on the corner of Polk and Bush, this podcast captures the pulse of a city steeped in musical history and alive with a modern-day revolution. From the legendary Hyde Street Studios, where artists like Tupac Shakur and Green Day crafted their magic, to the electrifying stages of Music City SF, each episode delves into the artistry, stori...

Feb 22, 20254 min

John Mulaney

John Mulaney joins us for a "wide-ranging conversation," including his first job answering phones in Doug's office, the reason behind his trademark suit, and his current fascination with the Van Halen brothers. We also talk ‘SNL’ and Stefon, fatherhood, and how former chaos in his life led to his brilliant new Netflix special, ‘John Mulaney: Baby J.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 26, 20231 hr 10 minEp. 48

Eric André

Eric André teaches us the art of pulling the perfect prank, the perils of doing his own stunts, and reveals the weirdest note he ever got from Adult Swim’s Standards and Practices department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 19, 202352 minEp. 47

Trevor Noah

We enjoy a Moment of Zen with Trevor Noah this week when he joins us to discuss his journey from Johannesburg to ‘The Daily Show,’ and his decision to ultimately leave the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 12, 20231 hr 11 minEp. 46

'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi stops by to see what's cooking on the podcast this week, talking 20 years of 'Top Chef,' her love of indigenous cuisine, and changing the world through food. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 05, 202348 minEp. 45

John Slattery from 'Mad Men'

Pour yourself a martini, because ‘Mad Men’ star John Slattery is joining Jen and Doug to discuss the art of smoking fake cigarettes, how he almost played Don Draper instead of Roger Sterling, and the great chemistry he developed with co-star Jon Hamm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 29, 202350 minEp. 44

Pauly Shore

Hey buh-dee! Pauly "The Wiez" Shore joins Jen and Doug to talk ‘Totally Pauly,’ the pitfalls of quick success, and why watching his old movies makes him sad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 22, 202346 minEp. 43

Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho

Jen and Doug climb into the podcast ring with eight-time professional wrestling champion Chris “The Ocho” Jericho, who discusses everything from the infamous Monday Night Wars between the WWF and WCW, to working with legend Vince McMahon, and what horror movie icon influenced his persona. This is one match you won’t want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 20231 hrEp. 42

Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon

Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon stops by to talk about the band's enormous success with music videos and MTV in the 80s. We also talk Live Aid, Dolly Parton, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and even squeeze in a quick Bono impersonation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 08, 202348 minEp. 41

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia'

When, exactly, did ‘Portlandia’ stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein meet? They discuss their lengthy friendship and creative partnership while stopping by the podcast to chat with Jen and Doug, including tidbits about their much-loved sketch comedy show, and, of course, the origins of “put a bird on it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 01, 202350 minEp. 40

‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone

You will respect their "authoritah!" Join us as ‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone discuss the show's 25th anniversary, how "political correctness" has flipped since the 90s, and that time Doug almost didn't let them kill Kenny. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 22, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 39

Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter

Jen and Doug want their MTV! Original VJ Alan Hunter drops by to takes us back to the earliest days of Music Television and and it's meteoric rise as a music and pop culture juggernaut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 202358 minEp. 38

"Weird Al" Yankovic

The one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic stops by to talk about his career, including his iconic songs and videos, his award-winning faux-biopic, and even those Madonna rumors . . . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 08, 202353 minEp. 37

FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf

The podcast receives a master class from FX Network Chairman John Landgraf on the history of scripted shows on cable and the advent of ‘Peak TV.’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 01, 202346 minEp. 36

Bravo's Andy Cohen

Can you imagine a world without Bravos ‘Real Housewives’ franchise? Andy Cohen joins the podcast to share the series’ surprisingly rocky origins, how he went from behind-the-scenes exec to ‘Watch What Happens Live’ host, and why he’ll always love Billy Joel’s “Allentown” video. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 202349 minEp. 35

Jon Stewart: Part 2

Jon Stewart is back for part two of our conversation, recalling how a joke about Barbie changed the course of 'The Daily Show,' why he ultimately chose "satisfaction" over "attention," and what brought him back to TV last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 18, 202347 minEp. 34

Jon Stewart: Part 1

In part one of our interview, cable legend Jon Stewart revisits his early days on some obscure and long forgotten MTV shows. He also brings us behind the scenes of his challenging early days at The Daily Show where he almost quit before he even started Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 11, 202356 minEp. 33

Bonus Holiday Episode: State of Cable TV in 2022

As 2022 comes to a close, Jen and Doug look back on the year in cable, cord-cutting, network shutdowns and what may be basic's last hit show. Plus, Jen reveals her top TV shows of the year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 28, 202225 min

'Daily Show' creators Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead

And now, your "Moment of Zen." We take a deep dive into the birth of "fake news" and one of cable's most enduring franchises with Daily Show co creators Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead. We laughed, we cried, and then we hugged it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 21, 202248 minEp. 32

'Workaholics' star Adam DeVine

Adam DeVine joins us to talk ‘Workaholics,’ his new ‘Pitch Perfect’ spinoff, and the charms of community college. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 14, 202251 minEp. 31

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis joins us to talk about growing up in a show biz family, the pressure of cooking for friends, and why she dreams about seven-layer chocolate cake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 07, 202246 minEp. 30

Mike Rowe from 'Dirty Jobs'

Mike Rowe ('Dirty Jobs') reveals the importance of listening to your mother, what it takes to develop a good toolbox, and how he once snubbed Bryan Cranston on the red carpet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 30, 202244 minEp. 29

The voice of MTV's 'Daria,' Tracy Grandstaff

Tracy Grandstaff may have the greatest basic cable story, ever: a writer/producer by day, she was also the voice of MTV's iconic 'Daria,' and was a cast member in the original pilot of 'The Real World.' She sits down with Jen and Doug to spill all the tea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 23, 202240 minEp. 28

Chelsea Handler

Chelsea Handler joins the pod to tell us how 'Chelsea Lately' found its way to success in late night against the basic cable boys club of Stewart, Colbert, and Conan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 202236 minEp. 27

Co-Creator of 'The Real World,' Jon Murray

Real World' co-creator Jon Murray joins us to talk about the birth of reality TV, when seven strangers "stopped being polite, and started getting real." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 09, 202245 minEp. 26

Greg Kinnear

While sitting down with Jen and Doug, actor Greg Kinnear reveals that he actually sold basic cable TV door-to-door long before he became the star of E!’s ‘Talk Soup’ and an eventual Oscar nominee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 02, 202242 minEp. 25

Colin Quinn

"The Comic's Comic," Colin Quinn joins us to talk about his early days at MTV's 'Remote Control,' why he thinks ‘The Brady Bunch’ is “hacky,” and learning to be less miserable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 202238 minEp. 24

'Always Sunny' star Kaitlin Olson

'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' star Kaitlin Olson joins us to talk about cable's longest running show, why it's important to her that she makes the guys laugh, and the joy of playing a complete piece of garbage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 202245 minEp. 23

'Double Dare' host Marc Summers

Jen and Doug take the physical challenge with Marc Summers of 'Double Dare,' as he reveals the secrets of green slime, "Gak," his 'Tonight Show' feud with Burt Reynolds, and why he might be Elvis to Gen Xers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 12, 202240 minEp. 22
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