Basic!

Basic!

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

John Mulaney

April 26, 2023 • 70 mins
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
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Eric André

April 19, 2023 • 51 mins
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
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Trevor Noah

April 12, 2023 • 70 mins
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
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'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi

April 5, 2023 • 48 mins
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
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John Slattery from 'Mad Men'

March 29, 2023 • 49 mins
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
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Pauly Shore

March 22, 2023 • 46 mins
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
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Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho

March 15, 2023 • 59 mins
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
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Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon

March 8, 2023 • 47 mins
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
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Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia'

March 1, 2023 • 50 mins
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
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‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone

February 22, 2023 • 63 mins
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
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Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter

February 15, 2023 • 57 mins
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
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"Weird Al" Yankovic

February 8, 2023 • 52 mins
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
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FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf

February 1, 2023 • 46 mins
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
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Bravo's Andy Cohen

January 25, 2023 • 49 mins
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
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Jon Stewart: Part 2

January 18, 2023 • 46 mins
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
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Jon Stewart: Part 1

January 11, 2023 • 55 mins
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
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Bonus Holiday Episode: Best Basic Cable Shows Ever!

January 4, 2023 • 24 mins
Jen and Doug reveal their all-time favorite basic cable shows, decade by decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Bonus Holiday Episode: State of Cable TV in 2022

December 28, 2022 • 25 mins
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
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'Daily Show' creators Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead

December 21, 2022 • 48 mins
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
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'Workaholics' star Adam DeVine

December 14, 2022 • 50 mins
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
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