Total SF

Latest Episodes:

Paula Poundstone on bike messenging, "M*A*S*H" and her perfect comedy dream Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

Paula Poundstone returns for her annual end-of-year trip to the San Francisco Chronicle archive. During the recording, right before her New Year's Eve show, Poundstone talks to host Peter Hartlaub about her year as a San Francisco bike messenger, shares some Comedy Day in the Park memories and talks about her love of the TV show "M*A*S*H" when she was a broke traveling comic.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Wendy Tokuda interview — memories of KPIX, Dave McElhatton and more Dec 05, 2019

Show notes

Former KPIX and KRON anchor Wendy Tokuda visits the San Francisco Chronicle archive studio, to talk about her former co-anchor Dave McElhatton, work with at-risk students, her family's history in Japanese internment camps and her continuing love for the Bay Area.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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The greatness of "Sister Act," and a case for "Sister Act 2" Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

With the third #TotalSF movie night approaching fast on Dec. 5, the Chronicle's Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight welcome "Sister Act" superfan and Sisteractivist Sarah Katz-Hyman, who runs the @SisterActivism Twitter account, to talk about the film's greatness. They talk about Whoopi Goldberg's time in San Francisco, and Katz-Hyman makes a case for the underappreciated "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit." #TotalSF hosts "Sister Act" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Balboa Theatre in S.F. Buy tickets here.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Byron Cobb interview — SF Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest champion Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

A crossover The Big Event and City Insider episode, where hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight interview Byron Cobb, the reigning Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest champion and eight-time winner.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Introducing ... your new 49 Mile Scenic Route Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

Announcing the finish of the #TotalSF reboot of the 49 Mile Scenic Drive, the 81-year-old route with the seagull signs that needed an update. Heather Knight and Peter Hartlaub talk about what they included, what they left out and why.

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Pacifica Taco Bell tribute, with Paolo Lucchesi Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

Episode 103 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Pacifica Taco Bell, and a talk about fast food with (at the time of the recording) Food Editor Paolo Lucchesi. Host Peter Hartlaub and Lucchesi talk about their own fast food history, the best and worst fast food in the Bay Area, And they review the new Taco Bell Cantina on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacifica. After years as an A&W and a normal Taco Bell, the restaurant in late 2018 started a renovation and now sells alcohol.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Joey Avery and Andrew Orolfo interview — rising comedians release Pier 69 album Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

Joey Avery and Andrew Orolfo are rising comics in the Bay Area comedy scene, who have been considering a move to Los Angeles. They joined two friends, Mark Smalls and Dauood Naimyar, and recorded an album at the Set-Up comedy club in San Francisco, representing their best work in the Bay Area. "Pier 69: Junior Varsity" was released in September and hit Number One on the iTunes comedy charts. Avery and Orolfo came to The Big Event podcast studio to talk about comedy in the Bay Area, their album, and Orolfo's recent appearance on "The Late Late Show with James Corden."

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Scott Sampson interview — new Cal Academy director is Dr. Scott on "Dinosaur Train" Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Episode 100 of The Big Event is an interview with Scott Sampson — new executive director of the California Academy of Sciences and "Dr. Scott" on the PBS children's show "Dinosaur Train." Host Peter Hartlaub asks Scott about the past, present and future of the Cal Academy, coyotes in Golden Gate Park and that time the paleontologist named a new dinosaur after a famous rock star. Scott also talks about "Dinosaur Train," the educational show that he's been involved with since 2009.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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Marc Benioff interview — on values, S.F. and his trailblazing grandfather Marvin Lewis Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

Episode 99 is an interview with Salesforce co-founder and CEO Marc Benioff, who has a new book "Trailblazer," and writes about his foundational relationship with his grandfather, former San Francisco supervisor Marvin Lewis. Benioff talks with host Peter Hartlaub about the book (in bookstores Oct. 15), San Francisco and Lewis — a homeless advocate and monorail-loving politician who was a driving force behind BART. Hartlaub also shares some archive finds, including Benioff's father's "Candlestick Park coat," and the first Salesforce classified ad from 1999. (Spoiler: The fax number still works.)

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album community.

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49 Mile Makeover IV: Overrated Twin Peaks, with Heather Knight Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

Episode 98 of The Big Event is the fourth 49 Mile Makeover podcast, where host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight report a big breakthrough on their new 49 Mile Scenic Route. Hartlaub and Knight also discuss the use of transit on the new route, give an update on Total SF movie night, and discuss whether Twin Peaks belongs on the new route.

Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community."

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