Total SF
346 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 282 ratingsA San Francisco culture podcast featuring celebrity guests, non-celebrity guests, personalities from the San Francisco Chronicle and a celebration of Bay Area life. Hosted by culture critic Peter Hartlaub and columnist Heather Knight and recorded on the streets, hilltops, parks and landmarks of San Francisco. The pair's focus on the whimsy and wonder of San Francisco began in 2018 when they rode every bus, train, cable car and street car in the city in one day. They believe in highlighting the eccentric characters, independent bookstores, burger joints and bars that make the bay so great.
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Episodes
Joey Avery and Andrew Orolfo interview — rising comedians release Pier 69 album
November 06, 2019 11:30 - 38 minutesJoey 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 albu...
Scott Sampson interview — new Cal Academy director is Dr. Scott on "Dinosaur Train"
October 23, 2019 10:30 - 26 minutesEpisode 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 ...
Marc Benioff interview — on values, S.F. and his trailblazing grandfather Marvin Lewis
October 15, 2019 10:01 - 39 minutesEpisode 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 "Candlest...
49 Mile Makeover IV: Overrated Twin Peaks, with Heather Knight
October 09, 2019 10:30 - 22 minutesEpisode 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." Learn more about you...
Leslie Sbrocco interview — The Big Event flashback
October 03, 2019 10:30 - 40 minutesIn this flashback episode from 2018, "Check, Please! Bay Area" host Leslie Sbrocco joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the show's origins, why they ply guests with wine before a show, her sparkling wine-themed tattoo and the "Check, Please! Bay Area Kids" four-part special, which enters its second season on October 2019.. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Best and worst Warriors jerseys all time, with Ann Killion and Tony Bravo
September 30, 2019 10:30 - 37 minutesEpisode 97 of The Big Event is a tribute to Golden State Warriors jerseys. With the team announcing new jerseys for Chase Center, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by The Chronicle's Tony Bravo and Ann Killion to pick the best jerseys in team history — The City and The Town both score well — and choose the worst jersey in Warriors history. They discuss the question: How old is too old for men to wear jerseys? And finally, they relive the greatest moment in Chronicle press conference history: Tony...
Total SF: Warriors president Rick Welts interview, with Heather Knight
September 24, 2019 03:50 - 29 minutesWarriors president Rick Welts joins the San Francisco Chronicle's #TotalSF team Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight for a The Big Event/SF City Insider podcast crossover. Welts makes the case to add the Chase Center to the new 49 Mile Scenic Route being created by Knight and Hartlaub, and talks about living in San Francisco, his friendship with NBA legend Bill Russell and submits to Knight's City Insider lightning round.. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset S...
KFOG radio tribute, with Peter Finch, Renee Richardson and Irish Greg McQuaid
September 17, 2019 10:00 - 50 minutesEpisode 95 of The Big Event is a tribute to KFOG, with three classic KFOG veterans: longtime morning show newsman Peter Finch, DJ Renee Richardson and producer Irish Greg McQuaid. After talking about emotions surrounding the recent decision to end the KFOG call letters, the trio talk to host Peter Hartlaub about their early years at the station, what Dave Morey is up to now, their favorite and least favorite guests over the years and other fun stories from the beloved rock station. Produced b...
Marine World Africa U.S.A. tribute — The Big Event flashback with Jill Tucker
September 12, 2019 10:30 - 45 minutesIn this The Big Event flashback, Chronicle education reporter Jill Tucker joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about covering the 2017 Wine Country Fires, and then pay tribute to the 1970s/1980s amusement park Marine World Africa U.S.A. They cover the history of the park and some personal highlights — including Jill Tucker's job as a Marine World safari boat driver. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
49-Mile Makeover III: What should stay and go on the new scenic route?
September 07, 2019 10:00 - 42 minutesEpisode 94 of The Big Event is a hard look at the 49-Mile Scenic Drive - and what should stay and go for the new #TotalSF 49-Mile Scenic Route. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub talk about their successful attempt to cover the 49-mile Scenic Drive in one day without using a car. The second half of the podcast is a discussion of what we should keep for the new route. We'll be taking reader suggestions and plan to unveil the 49-Mile Scenic Ro...
49-Mile Makeover II: Heather & Peter argue, meet some new friends
September 02, 2019 07:30 - 32 minutesEpisode 93 of The Big Event is a both-feet-first jump into the 49-Mile Makeover. #TotalSF founders Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight will be covering the existing 49-Mile Scenic Drive route on Sept. 4 by foot, bike, skates, bus - anything but a motor vehicle that they're piloting. They talk about their plans for a new route with reader help, air out the arguments they've been having and invite two experts — Kristine Poggioli and Carolyn Eidson, authors of "Walking San Francisco's 49-Mile Scen...
"The Rock" tribute — SF Cinema Greatest of All Time, with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight
August 29, 2019 10:30 - 40 minutesEpisode 92 of The Big Event is a tribute to "The Rock," the 1996 movie starring Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery. Host Peter Hartlaub, Chronicle columnist Heather Knight and editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper induct the film into the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time - despite some reluctance from Cooper. The Chronicle will screen "The Rock" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at the Balboa Theatre, as the second #TotalSF movie night. Buy tickets here. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will...
John Travolta interview — on fandom, history and "The Fanatic"
August 26, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutesEpisode 91 of The Big Event is a John Travolta visit to The Chronicle. The actor goes through his archive photo file, talks about fandom and his new film “The Fanatic,” a drama/horror movie is about a horror movie fan who meets his hero and their tense encounter escalates into violence. Travolta says he learned early to be nice to fans. He also talks about his flying, his preference to give away memorabilia, his decision to shave his head and his approach to playing an on-the-spectrum man. Pr...
Chuck Prophet interview — on music, SF and saluting The Rubinoos
August 21, 2019 10:30 - 43 minutesEpisode 90 of The Big Event is a The Bands We Follow episode, with Chuck Prophet saluting a band he's been following since childhood — The Rubinoos. With host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle pop music critic Aidin Vaziri conducting the interview, Prophet talks about his childhood, falling in love with San Francisco and his discovery in his early teens of The Rubinoos, a Berkeley based band that came up in the 1970s - putting out two amazing albums before their careers stalled. Now with Prophet a...
Renel Brooks-Moon interview — SF Giants public address announcer
August 13, 2019 10:30 - 50 minutesEpisode 89 of The Big Event is an interview with Renel Brooks-Moon, longtime Bay Area radio personality, and public address announcer for the San Francisco Giants since 1999. Brooks-Moon visits the Chronicle archive, to speak with host Peter Hartlaub about her early years at KMEL (and one year at KFRC with Dr. Donald D. Rose), her work as a Giants PA announcer and the influence of her father Nathaniel Brooks, an educator who in 1968 became the first black principal in San Francisco. Produced ...
49-Mile Makeover Part I: Scenic drive needs a reboot
August 09, 2019 10:30 - 50 minutesEpisode 88 of The Big Event is an introduction to the 49-Mile Scenic Drive makeover, where host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle columnist Heather Knight begin the process of looking at the 80-year-old path through San Francisco, and how to improve on it for S.F. residents in 2019. Hartlaub and Knight kick the project off by interviewing Eric Kingsbury, a San Franciscan who recently walked the entirety of the 49-Mile Scenic Drive. Kingsbury encountered a coyote and poison oak, and has many ideas ...
Dwight Clark tribute, with Brian Murphy, Matt Maiocco and Brad Mangin
August 05, 2019 10:00 - 46 minutesEpisode 87 of The Big Event is a tribute to Dwight Clark, the San Francisco 49ers great who died in 2018 after a battle with ALS. With the book "Letters to 87" coming out on Aug. 7, 2019, host Peter Hartlaub is joined by the book's editor and NBC Sports Bay Area 49ers reporter Matt Maiocco, KNBR host Brian Murphy and photographer Brad Mangin. The Dwight Clark fans share stories, history and talk about the book. More information at www.lettersto87.com Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "Th...
Ear Hustle co-hosts Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor
August 01, 2019 10:00 - 36 minutesEpisode 85 of The Big Event is an interview with Ear Hustle co-hosts Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, who created one of the biggest hits of the current podcast boom, bringing visitors inside San Quentin State Prison. After a tour in the Chronicle archive to look at old San Quentin photos, host Peter Hartlaub talks about Woods’ first months outside of prison, after his life sentence was commuted by Gov. Jerry Brown late last year. Hartlaub, Woods and Poor also talk about the changes during curr...
Sony Metreon 1999 tribute, with John King and Paolo Lucchesi
July 25, 2019 10:00 - 44 minutesEpisode 84 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Sony Metreon, the 1999 mall that was supposed to redefine the urban entertainment experience, but failed within a few years. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by San Francisco Chronicle Food editor Paolo Lucchesi (a teen who visited the Metreon in 1999) and Chronicle urban design critic John King (who wrote about it during its launch). Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Community." L...
Will Durst interview — on San Francisco, and his new Chronicle column
July 22, 2019 10:30 - 34 minutesEpisode 83 of The Big Event is a conversation with Will Durst, who is about to start a new column with the San Francisco Chronicle. Durst, who has been involved in the Bay Area comedy scene since the 1970s, begins by interviewing host Peter Hartlaub. Then Hartlaub and Durst talk about the plans for the column, his history as a column writer and why Durst is still optimistic about San Francisco. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album ...
Apollo 11 moon landing tribute with David Perlman
July 15, 2019 10:30 - 36 minutesEpisode 82 of The Big Event is an interview with David Perlman, who covered the Apollo 11 moon landing for the San Francisco Chronicle on July 20, 1969. Science writer Perlman, 100, who retired from The Chronicle in 2017 at age 98, remembers what it was like near Mission Control in Houston, his expense report, the excitement in San Francisco and his thoughts about space travel in 2019. Perlman is interviewed by The Big Event host Peter Hartlaub, and guests Steve Rubenstein and Leah Garchik. P...
Golden Gate Park roller skating tribute, with David Miles Jr.
July 11, 2019 10:30 - 45 minutesEpisode 81 of The Big Event is a history of the Skate Patrol and Golden Gate Park roller skating tribute with David Miles Jr., the park's "Sk8father" who has been made roller skating in San Francisco a career for most of the past 40 years. Miles Jr. talks about his first time in San Francisco, how he got involved with lobbying City Hall on behalf of skaters, and the group's plans for the 40th anniversary - with events from July 11-14.. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise"...
Dan the Automator interview — on living in S.F. and "Always Be My Maybe"
July 08, 2019 10:30 - 45 minutesEpisode 80 of The Big Event is an interview with Dan "the Automator" Nakamura, the San Francisco native who has made unexpected and memorable music with Handsome Boy Mordeling School, the Gorillaz and Dr. Octagon. Dan the Automator comes to the Chronicle archive studio to speak with host Peter Hartlaub with two new movie projects, helping shape the band Hello Peril's sound in the Netflix hit "Always Be My Maybe." He also composed the score for Olivia Wilde's "Booksmart." Produced by Peter Har...
Adam Savage interview — The Big Event flashback
July 04, 2019 10:30 - 46 minutesIn Episode 79 of The Big Event is a flashback episode to November 2018. TV star and maker Adam Savage joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about living in San Francisco, his past working in local theater and special effects, and his new Science Channel show "Mythbusters Jr." Savage, who worked on the original "Mythbusters" for 13 seasons, has lived in San Francisco for 30 years, He also talks about his favorite S.F. movie, his first day in San Francisco and his work as a child actor - including ...
Jerry Rice interview — The Big Event flashback
June 26, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutesThis bonus flashback The Big Event episode is a 2018 interview with 49ers great Jerry Rice, who appears in the documentary "In Search of Greatness," now available for download on iTunes and Amazon. The wide receiver talks to host Peter Hartlaub about his first trip into S.F. to be introduced as a 49er - also his first time in a plane - and his continued love for the fans. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Jonas Rivera interview — "Toy Story 4" producer and Oakland A's superfan
June 17, 2019 07:30 - 39 minutesEpisode 77 of The Big Event is an interview with Jonas Rivera, producer of Pixar's "Toy Story 4," which is out on June 21. Rivera started working as a Pixar intern before the original "Toy Story" came out, and won Academy Awards for producing "Up" and "Inside Out." He's also a lifetime Bay Area resident and Oakland Athletics superfan. Chronicle Oakland A's beat writer Susan Slusser joins the discussion. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off the...
Oracle Arena tribute, with Ann Killion and Demian Bulwa
June 12, 2019 10:30 - 34 minutesEpisode 76 of The Big Event is a tribute to Oracle Arena, home of the Golden State Warriors for most of the last half century, and premiere Bay Area concert venue. Host Peter Hartlaub is joined by two more longtime Bay Area residents, Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion and metro editor Demian Bulwa. They talk Oracle Arena history, favorite moments, and what the legacy will be after the Warriors move back to San Francisco later this year. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will...
Joe Talbot and Jimmie Fails interview — "The Last Black Man in San Francisco"
June 04, 2019 10:30 - 41 minutes“The Last Black Man in San Francisco” director Joe Talbot and star Jimmie Fails come to The Big Event archive studio to talk about the scrappy road to making the indie movie that the longtime friends co-wrote. Host Peter Hartlaub asks about the 5-year production of the film, and the struggles (and heartwarming joy) of relying on the kindness of strangers for location scouting. And Hartlaub, Talbot and Fails all share their Danny Glover stories. The S.F.-based actor is a star in the film. Pro...
Taron Egerton interview — "Rocketman" star talks about Elton John and visiting S.F.
June 02, 2019 10:30 - 23 minutesEpisode 73 of The Big Event is an interview with Taron Egerton, who plays Elton John in the new biopic "Rocketman." Host Peter Hartlaub talks asks Egerton about his friendship with Elton John, his approach to singing classic songs and what memorabilia he kept from the "Rocketman" shoot. (It's big, and going in his kitchen.) Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off the album "Community." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Total SF Live! with Amanda Guest, Emily Silverman, Tara Ramroop and Eugenia Chien
May 28, 2019 07:30 - 1 hourA crossover episode of The Big Event and San Francisco City Insider podcasts, recorded live on May 16, 2019, at the Betabrand Podcast Theater in the Mission District. San Francisco Chronicle pop culture critic Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight interview BFF.fm online radio founder Amanda Guest, The Nocturnists podcast host Dr. Emily Silverman and Muni Diaries co-hosts Tara Ramroop and Eugenia Chien. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sun...
Penelope Houston interview — the Avengers singer, on performing and punk rock history
May 20, 2019 11:00 - 52 minutesEpisode 72 of The Big Event is an interview with Penelope Houston, lead singer of the legendary 1970s punk band the Avengers. Houston joins host Peter Hartlaub and Chronicle music critic Aidin Vaziri to talk about San Francisco, her solo career (including most recent album "On Market Street"), and her work at the S.F. Public Library, where she's curating a punk rock archive. And she talks about why she still enjoys touring with the Avengers and singing the old songs, which still have relevanc...
"The Game" tribute — SF Cinema Greatest of all Time, with Beth Spotswood
May 14, 2019 10:30 - 48 minutesEpisode 70 of The Big Event is a tribute to the 1997 movie "The Game," by David Fincher. Chronicle columnist Beth Spotswood and The Big Event host Peter Hartlaub celebrate the greatness of the movie, name a few flaws, discuss David Fincher's dislike for the film (and whether that matters) and estimate how much a real-life The Game would cost. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off the album "Community" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
Leah Garchik interview — Chronicle columnist on her 47-year career
May 01, 2019 10:30 - 38 minutesChronicle columnist Leah Garchik announced in her May 1 column that in June, she will leave the newspaper after 47 years. Host Peter Hartlaub and reporter Steve Rubenstein sat down with Garchik to talk about her first day in San Francisco, her beginnings as a columnist and what she plans to do next. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kaseem Bentley interview — San Francisco comedian and his new album "Lakeview"
April 30, 2019 10:30 - 50 minutesKaseem Bentley, the son of a Muni bus driver, moved to Los Angeles a couple years ago. But he came back to record his debut comedy album, "Lakeview," filled with crowd interactions, storytelling and seemingly endless Bay Area references, from the 5 Fulton bus to the Serramonte Mall. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Art Spander interview — sports writer has covered Warriors since 1965
April 25, 2019 10:30 - 40 minutesEpisode 69 of The Big Event is a conversation with Art Spander, the former San Francisco Chronicle journalist who started covering the Warriors for the newspaper in 1965. Now in his 80s, Spander continues to cover the team for his web site www.artspander.com. The sports reporter talks about his beginnings as a reporter in 1960, and why he has no intentions to retire. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. The Big Event theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off their album "Communi...
The Bands We Follow — The Avett Brothers, with Ann Killion
April 15, 2019 10:30 - 43 minutesEpisode 68 of The Big Event is The Bands We Follow with San Francisco Chronicle sports columnist Ann Killion. Killion talks to host Peter Hartlaub about The Avett Brothers, who she has seen in concert 20 times since son introduced her to the band. She also talks about her father Leo, who wrote a hit song in the 1940s, her early sports fandom and her path to becoming a sports columnist. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. The Big Event theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by the Sunset Shipwrecks off ...
Total SF: Tribute to the Richmond District, with Heather Knight, Supervisor Sandra Fewer and more
April 09, 2019 10:30 - 32 minutesEpisode 67 of The Big Event is a tribute to the Richmond District. Recorded at the historic Balboa Theatre before their screening of "So I Married an Axe Murderer," host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight interview Supervisor Sandra Fewer, former Green Apple Books co-owner Kevin Hunsanger, Balboa owner Adam Bergeron, Richmond resident and affordable housing analyst Sophie Hayward and Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper. Recorded at the Balboa Theatre in San Francisc...
Michael Pritchard interview — SF comedian rejected Hollywood for social work
April 01, 2019 10:00 - 46 minutesEpisode 66 of The Big Event is an interview with Michael Pritchard, a Bay Area comedian and social worker. Pritchard was one of the biggest rising stars in the early 1980s, winning the San Francisco International Comedy Competition in 1980 and appearing on "The Tonight Show" the following year. But Pritchard rejected Hollywood to work in juvenile halls, with the homeless and in anti-bullying programs. Pritchard joined host Peter Hartlaub and reporter Kevin Fagan, who has gotten to know Pritch...
"So I Married an Axe Murderer" tribute, with Audrey Cooper and Heather Knight
March 21, 2019 11:00 - 37 minutesEpisode 66 of The Big Event is a tribute to the 1993 San Francisco movie "So I Married an Axe Murderer," which was filled with strife during production and was a box office disaster, but has endured as a classic. San Francisco Chronicle editor-in-chief Audrey Cooper and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to induct "Axe Murderer" in the SF Cinema Greatest of All Time. Recorded in the San Francisco Chronicle basement archive. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise" by ...
Total SF: Neighborhood theater tribute, with Heather Knight and Adam Bergeron
March 07, 2019 12:00 - 39 minutesEpisode 65 of The Big Event is a tribute to San Francisco's neighborhood theaters, past and present. Balboa and Vogue theater proprietor Adam Bergeron joins host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight to talk about their first theater memories, talk San Francisco theater history and announce a new Total SF event. "So I Married an Axe Murderer" screens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the Balboa - with a special The Big Event "Tribute to the Richmond District" podcast re...
Soleil Ho interview - new San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic
February 25, 2019 12:00 - 40 minutesEpisode 64 of The Big Event is an interview with new San Francisco Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho. Food editor Paolo Lucchesi and host Peter Hartlaub speak with Ho about her upcoming first reviews, her background as a writer and cultural critic, how writing on culture and race will fit into her food coverage and how she'd been managing to review restaurants without driving. Ho also tries her first It's It ice cream treat live on the podcast ... with devastating results for her host. Re...
Total SF: Best and Worst Muni Lines, Part 1
February 14, 2019 12:00 - 46 minutesIn Episode 62 of The Big Event, Muni thought leader MC Allen and Chronicle San Francisco columnist Heather Knight join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about the best and worst Muni lines in the city. Inspired by Total Muni 2018, where Knight and Hartlaub rode every Muni line in one day, Allen spent last summer traveling on every Muni line end to end with his children. The group discusses what makes a good and bad Muni line, and break down the best, worst and most scenic Muni lines in S.F. Produc...
Jesse Thorn interview - with Lee Thorn and Kevin Fagan
February 11, 2019 12:00 - 59 minutesIn Episode 61 of The Big Event, Jesse Thorn, host of NPR's "Bullseye," owner of the Maximum Fun podcasting network and San Francisco native, comes to the archive podcasting studio. We also invited his dad, protester, activist and frequent Chronicle article subject Lee Thorn. Jesse talks about his foundational San Francisco years at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, building his podcast network and why he still reps the Bay Area hard - even though he lives in Los Angeles. Lee Thorn and Kevin Faga...
Tribute to S.F. Snow Day 1976 - History and Stories with Bill Fox and Bill Van Niekerken
February 05, 2019 08:30 - 44 minutesIn Episode 60 of The Big Event, ex-SFPD officer, photographer and "Lands End" author Bill Fox joins host Peter Hartlaub snd Chronicle librarian Bill Van Niekerken to talk about Feb. 5, 1976 - the last time it snowed in S.F.. Burlingame natives Hartlaub and Van Niekerken have their own memories of the event. But Fox was getting off his shift as a cop and took some stunning photos from his Diamond Heights home. San Francisco snow history and all-time favorite 49ers players are also discussed. P...
My First Car - Chronicle Storytelling, with Lizzie Johnson and Susan Slusser
January 28, 2019 12:00 - 41 minutesIn Episode 59 of The Big Event, Chronicle fire reporter Lizzie Johnson and Oakland A's beat reporter Susan Slusser join host Peter Hartlaub to talk about their first cars. After a beginning segment interviewing Johnson about her 2018 wildfire coverage - Dairy Queens, fire suits and Guy Fieri are covered - the reporters tell the stories of their 2000s Toyota Corolla, 1973 Plymouth Valiant and 1962 1/2 Chevy II Nova, and how the first cars they ever owned shaped their lives. Produced by Peter ...
Total SF: The Total Muni Baby Interview
January 21, 2019 12:00 - 31 minutesIn Episode 58 of The Big Event - and our fifth Total Muni episode - Chronicle reader Connor Skelly (and his infant son Finn!) talks about his Total Muni project - riding every Muni line with a baby. Inspired by The Big Event host Peter Hartlaub and San Francisco columnist Heather Knight, With baby in tow, Skelly talks about developing immunity by riding Muni, that time on the 38 Geary that a priest blessed his baby and then Peter, Heather and Connor pick their favorite Muni lines of all time....
David Perlman interview - Happy 100th Birthday Dr. Dave
January 16, 2019 12:00 - 38 minutesIn Episode 57 of The Big Event, Chronicle science writer emeritus talks about his incredible San Francisco Chronicle career, which began in 1940 and ended with his retirement in 2017 at age 98. Perlman is joined at his San Francisco home by host Peter Hartlaub, and reporters Kevin Fagan and Steve Rubenstein. He gives his thoughts about science deniers, talks about how he became a science writer, his memories covering the AIDS epidemic with Randy Shilts and why he wishes he was still in the ne...
Burrito Stories, Part II, with Burrito Justice and Heather Knight
January 10, 2019 12:00 - 49 minutesIn Episode 56 of The Big Event, San Francisco burrito expert and historian Burrito Justice join San Francisco columnist Heather Knight and host Peter Hartlaub, to talk about first burritos, best burritos and Burrito Law. The group also covers some burrito history, and the origin story of Burrito Justice - how he got his name, and why he maintains mostly anonymous (except during his welcome burrito delivery during Total Muni 2018). Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Rise...
Paula Poundstone interview - Paula returns to The Big Event!
December 26, 2018 12:00 - 44 minutesIn Episode 54 of The Big Event, Paula Poundstone is our first returning celebrity guest - coming to The Big Event archive studio in advance of her New Year's Eve show at the Nourse Auditorium. Poundstone talks about previous New Year's Eve shows in San Francisco, the genius of Dana Carvey, her new podcast "Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone" and her continued enjoyment of S.F., where Poundstone is now a regular on New Year's Eve. Produced by Peter Hartlaub. Theme music is "The Tide Will Ris...
Adam Savage interview - "Mythbusters Jr." and living in S.F.
December 19, 2018 12:00 - 46 minutesIn Episode 53 of The Big Event, TV star and maker Adam Savage joins host Peter Hartlaub to talk about living in San Francisco, his past working in local theater and special effects, and his new Science Channel show "Mythbusters Jr." Savage, who worked on the original "Mythbusters" for 13 seasons, has lived in San Francisco for 30 years, He also talks about his favorite S.F. movie, his first day in San Francisco and his work as a child actor - including his appearance in the Billy Joel video f...