Basic!

by peter_ferioli
24

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.

More
Recent Episodes
  • Welcome to Music City San Francisco: The Podcast
    Feb 22, 2025 – 04:15
  • John Mulaney
    Apr 26, 2023 – 01:10:09
  • Eric André
    Apr 19, 2023 – 51:35
  • Trevor Noah
    Apr 12, 2023 – 01:10:52
  • 'Top Chef''s Padma Lakshmi
    Apr 5, 2023 – 48:05
  • John Slattery from 'Mad Men'
    Mar 29, 2023 – 49:45
  • Pauly Shore
    Mar 22, 2023 – 46:08
  • Pro Wrestling Legend Chris Jericho
    Mar 15, 2023 – 59:40
  • Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon
    Mar 8, 2023 – 47:31
  • Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein of 'Portlandia'
    Mar 1, 2023 – 50:09
  • ‘South Park’ co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone
    Feb 22, 2023 – 01:03:49
  • Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter
    Feb 15, 2023 – 57:55
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic
    Feb 8, 2023 – 52:38
  • FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf
    Feb 1, 2023 – 46:06
  • Bravo's Andy Cohen
    Jan 25, 2023 – 49:16
  • Jon Stewart: Part 2
    Jan 18, 2023 – 46:40
  • Jon Stewart: Part 1
    Jan 11, 2023 – 55:59
  • Bonus Holiday Episode: Best Basic Cable Shows Ever!
    Jan 4, 2023 – 24:51
  • Bonus Holiday Episode: State of Cable TV in 2022
    Dec 28, 2022 – 25:14
  • 'Daily Show' creators Madeleine Smithberg and Lizz Winstead
    Dec 21, 2022 – 48:25
  • 'Workaholics' star Adam DeVine
    Dec 14, 2022 – 50:47
  • Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis
    Dec 7, 2022 – 46:05
  • Mike Rowe from 'Dirty Jobs'
    Nov 30, 2022 – 44:13
  • The voice of MTV's 'Daria,' Tracy Grandstaff
    Nov 23, 2022 – 39:35
  • Chelsea Handler
    Nov 16, 2022 – 35:52
  • Co-Creator of 'The Real World,' Jon Murray
    Nov 9, 2022 – 44:49
  • Greg Kinnear
    Nov 2, 2022 – 42:26
  • Colin Quinn
    Oct 26, 2022 – 37:39
  • 'Always Sunny' star Kaitlin Olson
    Oct 19, 2022 – 45:20
  • 'Double Dare' host Marc Summers
    Oct 12, 2022 – 39:32
  • 'The Walking Dead' Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd
    Oct 5, 2022 – 43:02
  • Nick Kroll
    Sep 28, 2022 – 50:28
  • UFC President Dana White
    Sep 21, 2022 – 43:38
  • Broad City's Abbi Jacobson
    Sep 14, 2022 – 42:35
  • Ben Stiller
    Sep 7, 2022 – 33:36
  • Season Two Preview
    Aug 31, 2022 – 18:04
  • Best of Season One
    Aug 24, 2022 – 22:43
  • Denis Leary
    Aug 17, 2022 – 43:30
  • Lisa Napoli and the CNN Story
    Aug 10, 2022 – 48:44
  • From 'Desus & Mero,' The Kid Mero
    Aug 3, 2022 – 38:27
  • 'Chappelle Show' co-creator Neal Brennan
    Jul 27, 2022 – 48:57
  • Samantha Bee
    Jul 20, 2022 – 37:38
  • Jemele Hill - Formerly of ESPN
    Jul 13, 2022 – 39:15
  • Bryan Cranston
    Jul 6, 2022 – 46:27
  • Kevin Powell of 'Real World' Season One
    Jun 29, 2022 – 49:15
  • Mike Judge
    Jun 22, 2022 – 39:31
  • Dan Patrick of 'SportsCenter'
    Jun 15, 2022 – 52:02
  • Cindy Crawford
    Jun 8, 2022 – 52:41
  • Reno 911's Kerri Kenney-Silver and Tom Lennon
    Jun 1, 2022 – 48:39
  • Tim Gunn
    May 25, 2022 – 44:01
Recent Reviews
  • NorCalWahoo
    Cable’s golden era through the eyes of the people who made it
    Stumbled on this show after John Mulaney promo’d his appearance and completely fell down the rabbit hole. As an elder millennial, these guests completely fall in the cultural sweet spot of my childhood/early adulthood. As good as the guests are, I’d listen to a show with just Doug if only to hear all the stories he has about his role in shaping cable programming and culture over the years.
  • Jesse W Jackson
    So many cool guests
    Doug and Jen do a wonderful job of bringing a wide arrange of guests discussing so many wonderful stories. More please!
  • fjfbhwidcj
    Anything but basic
    Love this podcast and love having Doug Herzog in my head. Insightful and filled unmatched anecdotes. And delightfully funny. If you love TV, you will love this podcast
  • AllieMoore1212
    Pauly Shore!!!!
    Loved the Pauly Shore interview!!!
  • Tgmac42610
    DAILY SHOW
    If you’re a fan of The Daily Show at all, treat yourself to this episode. It remains one of the seminal basic cable shows, (and comedy shows in general for that matter), in television history.
  • ozzie price
    Liberal feminist ideology
    Episode one was above average. Amy Schumer episode was disappointing. Amy talking about Covid, hosts talking about sexism on how channels should promote shows… Weak Episode with Jemele Hill is laughable. WokeCenter on ESPN…smh
  • JonnyX28
    Fantastic!
    I absolutely adore this show. Great interviews with fascinating people and terrific insights.
  • american_greed
    great podcast
    Highly recommend host is great
  • JennStarnes
    Great host and great insights into cable TV
    The host of the show are amazing. It took me a few episodes to even realize what a giant of cable television Doug Herzhog is. His unassuming approach, and excellent interview skills, are not what you would generally associate with a “slick” TV exec. He clearly has a great connection with his guests, and an encyclopedic knowledge of cable TV and its origins. This is such a throwback show, full of memories. Thank you for the great podcast.
  • Sir Neema
    Where are all my cable tv kids!?
    What a terrific podcast about a simpler time! Doug & Jen have such a vast knowledge (and memory?) of the TV industry "of yesterday" and it's awesome hearing stories about favorite shows, tv personalities, and the way business was done back in the day. A time when the M in the MTV actually meant music.... Awesome show!
  • old school patriot
    Basic
    Super interesting! Informative and fun and not just a history lesson. Contemporary observations and fascinating insight into past classic broadcast moments by really cool, funny and engaging guests. Hosts ask the right questions. Highly recommend to anyone who likes television and also likes to laugh.
  • Aimersbsf
    Love!
    What a fun and insightful show with great guests and interesting commentary. Can’t wait to hear more!
  • The TinMan#1
    What timing!
    A podcast covering the history of cable TV? Perfect timing! Looks like cable’s run as the primary source of in-home entertainment is really coming to an end, so a show focused on its rise and fall seems to be a subject of the moment. Big names on the first episodes, hopefully that continues! Well done on the start!!!
  • Looking4Legends
    Nothing Basic about this great show.
    What an awesome look at Yo MTV Raps. Great show!
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.