Basic!

John Mulaney Apr 26, 2023

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.’

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Eric André Apr 19, 2023

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.

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Trevor Noah Apr 12, 2023

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.

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'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi Apr 05, 2023

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.

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John Slattery from 'Mad Men' Mar 29, 2023

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.

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Pauly Shore Mar 22, 2023

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.

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Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho Mar 15, 2023

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.

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Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon Mar 08, 2023

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.

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Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia' Mar 01, 2023

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.”

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‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone Feb 22, 2023

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.

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Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter Feb 15, 2023

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.

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"Weird Al" Yankovic Feb 08, 2023

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 . . .

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FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf Feb 01, 2023

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.’

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Bravo's Andy Cohen Jan 25, 2023

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.

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Jon Stewart: Part 2 Jan 18, 2023

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.

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Jon Stewart: Part 1 Jan 11, 2023

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

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Bonus Holiday Episode: Best Basic Cable Shows Ever! Jan 04, 2023

Jen and Doug reveal their all-time favorite basic cable shows, decade by decade.

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Bonus Holiday Episode: State of Cable TV in 2022 Dec 28, 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!

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'Daily Show' creators Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead Dec 21, 2022

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.

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'Workaholics' star Adam DeVine Dec 14, 2022

Adam DeVine joins us to talk ‘Workaholics,’ his new ‘Pitch Perfect’ spinoff, and the charms of community college.

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Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis Dec 07, 2022

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.

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Mike Rowe from 'Dirty Jobs' Nov 30, 2022

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.

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The voice of MTV's 'Daria,' Tracy Grandstaff Nov 23, 2022

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.

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Chelsea Handler Nov 16, 2022

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.

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Co-Creator of 'The Real World,' Jon Murray Nov 09, 2022

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."

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Greg Kinnear Nov 02, 2022

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.

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Colin Quinn Oct 26, 2022

"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.

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'Always Sunny' star Kaitlin Olson Oct 19, 2022

'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.

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'Double Dare' host Marc Summers Oct 12, 2022

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.

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'The Walking Dead' Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd Oct 05, 2022

'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.

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Nick Kroll Sep 28, 2022

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?

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UFC President Dana White Sep 21, 2022

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.

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Broad City's Abbi Jacobson Sep 14, 2022

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.

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Ben Stiller Sep 07, 2022

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.

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Season Two Preview Aug 31, 2022

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'

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Best of Season One Aug 24, 2022

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

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Denis Leary Aug 17, 2022

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.

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Lisa Napoli and the CNN Story Aug 10, 2022

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.

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From 'Desus & Mero,' The Kid Mero Aug 03, 2022

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.

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'Chappelle Show' co-creator Neal Brennan Jul 27, 2022

'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.

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Samantha Bee Jul 20, 2022

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.

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Jemele Hill - Formerly of ESPN Jul 13, 2022

Former ESPN personality Jemele Hill talks with Jen and Doug about the intersection of sports, news, social media and politics.

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Bryan Cranston Jul 06, 2022

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.

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Kevin Powell of 'Real World' Season One Jun 29, 2022

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.

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Mike Judge Jun 22, 2022

'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.

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Dan Patrick of 'SportsCenter' Jun 15, 2022

ESPN SportsCenter legend Dan Patrick takes us back to the "must-watch" heyday of 'The Big Show' and his days alongside Keith Olbermann.

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Cindy Crawford Jun 08, 2022

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.

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Reno 911's Kerri Kenney-Silver and Tom Lennon Jun 01, 2022

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.’

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Tim Gunn May 25, 2022

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?"

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'Yo! MTV Raps' host Fab Five Freddy May 18, 2022

Fab Five Freddy "drops some science" on Jen and Doug and tells us how MTV finally embraced hip-hop and changed everything.

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Amy Schumer May 18, 2022

Amy Schumer talks about her Comedy Central journey from unknown stand-up to comic superstar.

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Jimmy Kimmel May 18, 2022

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.'

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Basic!: The Trailer May 11, 2022

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.

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