Episode 69 of The Big Event is a conversation with Art Spander, the former San Francisco Chronicle journalist who started covering the Warriors for the newspaper in 1965. Now in his 80s, Spander continues to cover the team for his web site www.artspander.com. The sports reporter talks about his beginnings as a reporter in 1960, and why he has no intentions to retire. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. The Big Event theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community....
Apr 25, 2019•40 min•Ep. 69
Episode 68 of The Big Event is The Bands We Follow with San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion. Killion talks to host Peter Hartlaub about The Avett Brothers, who she has seen in concert 20 times since son introduced her to the band. She also talks about her father Leo, who wrote a hit song in the 1940s, her early sports fandom and her path to becoming a sports columnist. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. The Big Event theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off thei...
Apr 15, 2019•43 min•Ep. 68
Episode 67 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Richmond District. Recorded at the historic Balboa Theatre before their screening of "So I Married an Axe Murderer," host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight interview Supervisor Sandra Fewer, former Green Apple Books co-owner Kevin Hunsanger, Balboa owner Adam Bergeron, Richmond resident and affordable housing analyst Sophie Hayward and Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper. Recorded at the Balboa Theatre in San Francisco.....
Apr 09, 2019•33 min•Ep. 67
Episode 66 of The Big Event is an interview with Michael Pritchard, a Bay Area comedian and social worker. Pritchard was one of the biggest rising stars in the early 1980s, winning the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1980 and appearing on "The Tonight Show" the following year. But Pritchard rejected Hollywood to work in juvenile halls, with the homeless and in anti-bullying programs. Pritchard joined host Peter Hartlaub and reporter Kevin Fagan, who has gotten to know Pritchard...
Apr 01, 2019•47 min•Ep. 66
Episode 66 of The Big Event is a tribute to the 1993 San Francisco movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer," which was filled with strife during production and was a box office disaster, but has endured as a classic. San Francisco Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to induct "Axe Murderer" in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle basement archive. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the ...
Mar 21, 2019•37 min•Ep. 66
Episode 65 of The Big Event is a tribute to San Francisco's neighborhood theaters, past and present. Balboa and Vogue theater proprietor Adam Bergeron joins host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight to talk about their first theater memories, talk San Francisco theater history and announce a new Total SF event. "So I Married an Axe Murderer" screens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the Balboa - with a special The Big Event "Tribute to the Richmond District" podcast recor...
Mar 07, 2019•39 min•Ep. 65
Episode 64 of The Big Event is an interview with new San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho. Food editor Paolo Lucchesi and host Peter Hartlaub speak with Ho about her upcoming first reviews, her background as a writer and cultural critic, how writing on culture and race will fit into her food coverage and how she'd been managing to review restaurants without driving. Ho also tries her first It's It ice cream treat live on the podcast ... with devastating results for her host. Recor...
Feb 25, 2019•41 min•Ep. 64
In Episode 62 of The Big Event, Muni thought leader MC Allen and Chronicle San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the best and worst Muni lines in the city. Inspired by Total Muni 2018, where Knight and Hartlaub rode every Muni line in one day, Allen spent last summer traveling on every Muni line end to end with his children. The group discusses what makes a good and bad Muni line, and break down the best, worst and most scenic Muni lines in S.F. Produced b...
Feb 14, 2019•46 min•Ep. 62
In Episode 61 of The Big Event, Jesse Thorn, host of NPR's "Bullseye," owner of the Maximum Fun podcasting network and San Francisco native, comes to the archive podcasting studio. We also invited his dad, protester, activist and frequent Chronicle article subject Lee Thorn. Jesse talks about his foundational San Francisco years at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, building his podcast network and why he still reps the Bay Area hard - even though he lives in Los Angeles. Lee Thorn and Kevin Fagan t...
Feb 11, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 61
In Episode 60 of The Big Event, ex-SFPD officer, photographer and "Lands End" author Bill Fox joins host Peter Hartlaub snd Chronicle librarian Bill Van Niekerken to talk about Feb. 5, 1976 - the last time it snowed in S.F.. Burlingame natives Hartlaub and Van Niekerken have their own memories of the event. But Fox was getting off his shift as a cop and took some stunning photos from his Diamond Heights home. San Francisco snow history and all-time favorite 49ers players are also discussed. Prod...
Feb 05, 2019•45 min•Ep. 60
In Episode 59 of The Big Event, Chronicle fire reporter Lizzie Johnson and Oakland A's beat reporter Susan Slusser join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about their first cars. After a beginning segment interviewing Johnson about her 2018 wildfire coverage - Dairy Queens, fire suits and Guy Fieri are covered - the reporters tell the stories of their 2000s Toyota Corolla, 1973 Plymouth Valiant and 1962 1/2 Chevy II Nova, and how the first cars they ever owned shaped their lives. Produced by Peter Hart...
Jan 28, 2019•42 min•Ep. 59
In Episode 58 of The Big Event - and our fifth Total Muni episode - Chronicle reader Connor Skelly (and his infant son Finn!) talks about his Total Muni project - riding every Muni line with a baby. Inspired by The Big Event host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight, With baby in tow, Skelly talks about developing immunity by riding Muni, that time on the 38 Geary that a priest blessed his baby and then Peter, Heather and Connor pick their favorite Muni lines of all time.. P...
Jan 21, 2019•32 min•Ep. 58
In Episode 57 of The Big Event, Chronicle science writer emeritus talks about his incredible San Francisco Chronicle career, which began in 1940 and ended with his retirement in 2017 at age 98. Perlman is joined at his San Francisco home by host Peter Hartlaub, and reporters Kevin Fagan and Steve Rubenstein. He gives his thoughts about science deniers, talks about how he became a science writer, his memories covering the AIDS epidemic with Randy Shilts and why he wishes he was still in the newsr...
Jan 16, 2019•38 min•Ep. 57
In Episode 56 of The Big Event, San Francisco burrito expert and historian Burrito Justice join San Francisco columnist Heather Knight and host Peter Hartlaub, to talk about first burritos, best burritos and Burrito Law. The group also covers some burrito history, and the origin story of Burrito Justice - how he got his name, and why he maintains mostly anonymous (except during his welcome burrito delivery during Total Muni 2018). Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" b...
Jan 10, 2019•49 min•Ep. 56
In Episode 54 of The Big Event, Paula Poundstone is our first returning celebrity guest - coming to The Big Event archive studio in advance of her New Year's Eve show at the Nourse Auditorium. Poundstone talks about previous New Year's Eve shows in San Francisco, the genius of Dana Carvey, her new podcast "Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone" and her continued enjoyment of S.F., where Poundstone is now a regular on New Year's Eve. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by...
Dec 26, 2018•44 min•Ep. 54
In Episode 53 of The Big Event, TV star and maker Adam Savage joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about living in San Francisco, his past working in local theater and special effects, and his new Science Channel show "Mythbusters Jr." Savage, who worked on the original "Mythbusters" for 13 seasons, has lived in San Francisco for 30 years, He also talks about his favorite S.F. movie, his first day in San Francisco and his work as a child actor - including his appearance in the Billy Joel video for ...
Dec 19, 2018•46 min•Ep. 53
In Episode 52 of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by San Francisco Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan and Style reporter Tony Bravo to pay tribute to "The Princess Diaries." The 2001 film, set in San Francisco, features Anne Hathaway as an awkward girl who finds out she's a princess - and Julie Andrews as her grandmother and queen. The Garry Marshall film was not embraced by critics, but Bravo, Fagan and Hartlaub make an argument it's an excellent S.F. film, and worthy of S.F. Cinema Gre...
Dec 13, 2018•44 min•Ep. 52
In Episode 51 of The Big Event, "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk" director Barry Jenkins comes to the San Francisco Chronicle to speak with host Peter Hartlaub about his new movie - and the eight years he spent living in San Francisco. Jenkins worked in telemarketing before making "Medicine for Melancholy," his debut film shot in San Francisco. After a Best Picture Academy Award win for "Moonlight" in 2017, "Beale Street" is getting strong awards season acclaim. Produced by Peter Hart...
Dec 10, 2018•31 min•Ep. 52
In Episode 50 of The Big Event, "Check, Please! Bay Area" host Leslie Sbrocco joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the show's origins, why they ply guests with wine before a show, her sparkling wine-themed tattoo and the new "Check, Please! Bay Area Kids" four-part special. The KQED show is in the middle of its 13th season. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Nov 20, 2018•40 min•Ep. 50
In Episode 49 of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight are joined by their cable car friends from Total Muni 2018 - Val Lupiz, Jeremy Whiteman and Frank Zepeda. Peter and Heather announce their latest Total SF project, sponsoring an S.F. cable car for a charity event. And they interview Lupiz, a 20-year gripman who met his wife on a cable car, and has other fun stories. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off ...
Nov 16, 2018•31 min•Ep. 45
Episode 48 of The Big Event is an interview with San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice, who appears in the new documentary "In Search of Greatness." The wide receiver talks to host Peter Hartlaub about the little things that set him apart, his "nerdy" childhood and the reason why he decided not to celebrate in the end zone. They also look through the San Francisco Chronicle "Jerry Rice" photo file, and Rice tells stories about his first trip into San Francisco to be introduced as a 49er - also hi...
Nov 02, 2018•29 min•Ep. 48
Episode 47 of The Big Event is a discussion of burritos in San Francisco, including the history of the Mission-style burrito, discussions about Chipotle and the Pacifica Taco Bell - the most beautiful Taco Bell in the world. Host Peter Hartlaub welcomes San Francisco Chronicle food editor Paolo Lucchesi and editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper to discuss the best burritos they've ever eaten, and burrito etiquette. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks on the...
Oct 31, 2018•37 min•Ep. 47
Episode 46 of The Big Event features "Bohemian Rhapsody" stars Rami Malek, Joseph Mazzello and Gwilym Lee drop by The Big Event archive studio to talk about what it was like to play Freddie Mercury, Brian May and John Deacon in the new biopic. They also talk with host Peter Hartlaub about California earthquakesm the 1985 Live Aid concert and make a dramatic reading of the San Francisco Chronicle's scathing first Queen reviews from 1976 and 1980. Recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle basement a...
Oct 24, 2018•31 min•Ep. 46
On the latest episode of "The Big Event," host Peter Hartlaub is joined by Tony Bravo, Heather Knight and Jill Tucker to talk about their best and worst Halloween costumes over the years - and discuss Night of the Living Deadline, a Chronicle costume build chosen by readers and executed by Chronicle staff. The group argues whether to include Laughing Sal, the Vaillancourt Fountain and Millennium Tower among the finalists. Recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle’s basement archive. Theme music is...
Oct 03, 2018•35 min•Ep. 44
Episode 43 of The Big Event podcast inducts “Inside Out” in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper and columnist Heather Knight, who talk about the subtle genius of the 2015 Pete Docter film, what it’s like to raise kids in San Francisco (where Riley moves to in “Inside Out”) and why this qualifies as one of the greatest S.F. films made. They also rank their favorite Pixar films, including … “Planes 2”? Learn more about your a...
Sep 28, 2018•37 min•Ep. 43
Episode 42 of The Big Event celebrates the best tourist traps in San Francisco, with reader feedback from our first episode, and a brutal rundown of our journey to Hard Rock Café at Pier 39 after the first tourist traps episode. Hosted by Peter Hartlaub. We also prepare for Sept. 26, which will be the first Tourist Trap Day in San Francisco, where readers and listeners are invited to visit their favorite S.F. tourist traps – or ones they’ve been wanting to check out. Peter and Heather Knight wil...
Sep 20, 2018•22 min•Ep. 42
Episode 41 of The Big Event podcast is a tribute to the original “Evening Magazine,” the innovative TV newsmagazine that began in 1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hosts Jan Yanehiro (1976 to 1990) and Richard Hart (1979 to 1989) worked together for a decade during the show’s original run, and continue as colleagues at the Academy of Art University, where Yanehiro is the director of the School of Communications & Media Technologies. While happily reminiscing about “Evening” (the parties we...
Sep 17, 2018•55 min•Ep. 41
In a bonus episode of The Big Event, host Peter Hartlaub is happy to announce the podcast is back after our Apple Podcasts near-death experience, and ready to finish September strong. Heather Knight joins the conversation to talk about how her podcast City Insider benefited from the disaster, the triumphant return, and what’s up next on The Big Event. Recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle’s basement archive. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks. Opening signature by Lea...
Sep 13, 2018•8 min
"A River of Stars" author Vanessa Hua joins host Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to induct "The Joy Luck Club" in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 30, 2018•41 min•Ep. 40
Susan Slusser joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the bands they follow, including Paul Weller/The Jam and hard rock band Y&T. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 23, 2018•46 min•Ep. 39
