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.
52 Available Episodes (52 Total)Average duration: 00:39:56
Apr 19, 2023
Eric André
00:47:20
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.
Apr 12, 2023
Trevor Noah
01:06:37
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.
Apr 05, 2023
'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi
00:43:50
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.
Mar 29, 2023
John Slattery from 'Mad Men'
00:45:30
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.
Mar 22, 2023
Pauly Shore
00:41:53
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.
Mar 15, 2023
Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho
00:55:25
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.
Mar 08, 2023
Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon
00:43:16
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.
Mar 01, 2023
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia'
00:45:54
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.”
Feb 22, 2023
‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone
00:59:34
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.
Feb 15, 2023
Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter
00:53:40
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.
Apr 19 | 00:47:20
Eric André
Apr 12 | 01:06:37
Trevor Noah
Apr 05 | 00:43:50
'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi
Mar 29 | 00:45:30
John Slattery from 'Mad Men'
Mar 22 | 00:41:53
Pauly Shore
Mar 15 | 00:55:25
Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho
Mar 08 | 00:43:16
Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon
Mar 01 | 00:45:54
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia'
Feb 22 | 00:59:34
‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone
Feb 15 | 00:53:40
Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter
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