Basic!: Recent Episodes
Pantheon, SiriusXM
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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 . . .
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.’
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
Adam DeVine joins us to talk ‘Workaholics,’ his new ‘Pitch Perfect’ spinoff, and the charms of community college.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
"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.
'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.
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.
'Walking Dead' executive producer Gale Anne Hurd takes us behind the scenes of the highest-rated show in basic cable history to tell us about "zombie school," "death dinners," and the future of the franchise.
Nick Kroll joins us to discuss his days on FX's 'The League', Comedy Central's 'Kroll Show,' and the eternal question of how much tuna is too much tuna?
UFC President Dana White gets in the cage with Doug and Jen to talk about the rise of Mixed Martial Arts, and how cable launched it to the forefront of the sports industry.
This week, Abbi Jacobson admits that she originally thought her future "Broad City" partner was Alia Shawkat, talks about the importance of finding "your people," and the challenge of rebooting 'A League Of Their Own' for Amazon.
Ben Stiller joins Jen and Doug to recount his early days at MTV, his failed VJ audition, the MTV-inspired Gen X cult classic 'Reality Bites,' and the birth of Zoolander.
Jen and Doug give a sneak peek of what you can expect in season two from some of Basic cable’s best including: Ben Stiller of 'The Ben Stiller Show’, 'Reality Bites’ & more, Abbi Jacobson of 'Broad City' & 'League of their Own’, Dana White - founder of the UFC, Nick Kroll of FX's "The League' and Comedy Central's "Kroll Show', Gale Anne Hurd - EP on ‘The Walking Dead', Marc Summers- host of Nickelodeon's 'Double Dare’, Kaitlin Olson of ‘It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’, Colin Quinn from MTV's 'Remote Control’, & Comedy Central"s ‘Tough Crowd’, Greg Kinnear of 'Talk Soup’, Jon Murray - creator of 'The Real World’, Chelsea Handler of 'Chelsea Lately’, Tracy Grandstaff- the voice of MTV's ‘Daria', Mike Rowe - host of 'Dirty Jobs’, Giada De Laurentiis - Food Network host/star, comedian David Spade, and Madeleine Smithberg & Lizz Winstead- the co-creators of 'The Daily Show'
Jen and Doug recap some of the best moments from season one's guests including: Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Schumer, Fab Five Freddy, Tim Gunn, Tom Lennon & Kerri Kenney, Cindy Crawford, Dan Patrick, Mike Judge, Kevin Powell, Bryan Cranston, Jemele Hill, Samantha Bee, Neal Brennan, The Kid Mero, Lisa Napoli, and Denis Leary.
Look for Season two to release Sept 7
Denis Leary joins the podcast to talk about his hit FX series 'Rescue Me,' his legendary MTV rants and why he hates R.E.M.
Ted Turner is one of basic cable's true godfathers. Author Lisa Napoli takes us through his visionary and often controversial quest to create the world's first 24-hour news network.
The Kid Mero stops by to talk Desus & Mero, their journey from 'Bodega Boys' to cable late-night stars, and their recent decision to part ways.
'Chappelle Show' co-creator and stand up comic Neal Brennan takes us behind the scenes at one of cable’s most legendary shows and the chaos that abruptly derailed it.
Samantha Bee talks to Jen and Doug about her early days on 'The Daily Show,' breaking the glass ceiling of late night TV, and learning the U.S. national anthem.
Former ESPN personality Jemele Hill talks with Jen and Doug about the intersection of sports, news, social media and politics.
Emmy award winner Bryan Cranston joins Jen and Doug to talk anti-heroes, the birth of binging, and the 'Breaking Bad' scene he will never forget.
From the very first season of The Real World, Kevin Powell joins us to talk the birth of reality TV, peak Gen X, and the legacy of Tupac.
'Beavis and Butt-Head' creator Mike Judge joins us to talk 'Frog Baseball,' earthquakes, and how he may have inadvertently popularized Crocs. His latest work, 'Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe' is streaming on June 29 on Paramount Plus.
ESPN SportsCenter legend Dan Patrick takes us back to the "must-watch" heyday of 'The Big Show' and his days alongside Keith Olbermann.
Cindy Crawford looks back at MTV’s 'House of Style' and how it helped transform her from supermodel to icon, and also reminds Doug that he might owe her some money.
Basic cable babies and Gen X comedy icons Tom Lennon and Kerri Kenney-Silver join Jen and Doug to talk about their shared partnership that stretches from ‘The State’ to ‘Viva Variety’ to ‘Reno 911.’
Tim Gunn of 'Project Runway' shows Jen and Doug how to “Make It Work” and answers the question, “Do you own a pair of sweatpants?"
Fab Five Freddy "drops some science" on Jen and Doug and tells us how MTV finally embraced hip-hop and changed everything.
Amy Schumer talks about her Comedy Central journey from unknown stand-up to comic superstar.
Jimmy Kimmel discusses 'The Man Show' and why it may not work today, and explains why he turned down an offer to host 'The Daily Show.'
Welcome to Basic!
The official podcast of the unofficial history of cable television.
Hosted by Doug Herzog (former network executive at MTV, Comedy Central, Fox) and Jen Chaney (TV critic at New York Magazine/Vulture), new episodes release every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts, the SiriusXM App, Pandora, Stitcher or wherever you like to listen.
Don’t forget to hit ‘Follow’ so you never miss an episode.
A Pantheon Podcast.