Interviews — Ian Pickus

Some favorite interviews

Mike Reiss of The Simpsons

You might remember Mike Reiss from writing such films as "Ice Age," "Kung Fu Panda" and "The President's Neck is Missing." OK, that last one is actually from Reiss’ longest-running gig in the writers’ room on Fox behemoth "The Simpsons," where he was also co-showrunner for the show’s pivotal third and fourth seasons.

Courtesy of Chris Cornell

At the end of 2015, I had the honor of interviewing Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell about his new solo album. Two years later, he was gone.

If college basketball is just as interesting to you on the page as on the court, you’re probably a fan of Ken Pomeroy and his algorithm.

Graham nash

I’ve had a series of interviews with rock legend Graham Nash over the years. One favorite was on his bus just before a concert in Woodstock.

Graham nash

Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who has written some of our most beloved songs in a career that began with The Hollies and reached the top of the music world with CSN and sometimes Y.

When I was in junior high and high school, The Orange were larger than life: a rising regional band in our backyard. I took their breakup hard. When they came back 12 years later, I booked them for an interview right away.

MLB

By the time I had a chance to speak with baseball Hall of Famer Joe Torre, the 1990s Yankees were a distant, but ever formative, memory.

David Cone is my favorite pitcher ever. We talked about his baseball insights, his crafty approach to getting outs, and how analytics have changed the game.

CC Sabathia

Out of baseball for one year, the great CC Sabathia opened up about his upbringing, his battle with alcohol, Star Wars, and why a foul ball changed the course of Game 5 of the 2012 ALDS.

MARK GOFF, PUBLIC DOMAIN

The Oral history of woodstock on wamc

For the 50th anniversary of Woodstock in 2019, I put together this oral history culled entirely from WAMC interviews.

Jane Mayer by Stephen Voss — Jane Mayer by Stephen Voss

When the noted journalist Jane Mayer won yet another award from her reporting, it gave me a chance to ask her about her career and its impact.

Drew Magary’s “Point B.”

A breakout star of the internet’s blog era, Drew Magary is an uproarious comedic talent. He is also an incisive political essayist and novelist. Our latest interview in 2020 almost didn’t happen after Magary’s brush with death.

Pete townshend

As a lifelong Wholigan, I still can’t believe this interview actually happened.

A trip down memory lane (to a basement) with Chris Conley of Saves The Day…

An interview with Al Jean, who has spent a lifetime working at “The Simpsons,” about “Homer at the Bat.”

Vermont Congressman Peter Welch uploaded a video to Twitter as a mob entered the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6. — Vermont Congressman Peter Welch uploaded a video to Twitter as a mob entered the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6.

When rioters overtook the U.S. Capitol on January 6, WAMC News gathered eye-witness accounts from the lawmakers who were pinned down that day, starting in the scary minutes as the siege was unfolding and continuing for the next several weeks. This is their story.

Joe Lunardi is ESPN’s Bracketologist, and one of the first whose field predictions have been studied with equal fervor by fans, coaches, conferences, and TV programmers.

Jared Dudley has played some 900 games in the NBA since 2007. But he’s never experienced anything like the stretch when the Lakers added LeBron, lost Kobe, went into the Disney bubble to ride out the pandemic, and then won the NBA Finals.

Longtime comedian Lisa Lampanelli stepped away from standup to work as an advice podcaster, life coach and storyteller. But why?

An interview with Kathy Griffin (and a surprise guest: her mom).

WTF! Lock the gates. We did this. An interview with Marc Maron.

In his characteristically deadpan fashion, Steven Wright has been making people laugh for more than four decades.

During the pandemic, comedian Brent Terhune’s videos were getting more attention than ever.

One of the best things that happened to comedy in recent years was Demetri Martin walking away from NYU law school with one year left.

On stage, Hari Kondabolu brings a fresh voice to politics, race relations, and comedy.

It’s a surprise to many people, himself included, that Artie Lange is anywhere, let alone doing standup.

Comedian Colin Quinn on his one-man show Unconstitutional.

How Brian Posehn found his people (nerds).

If you liked Jordan Klepper’s work on "The Daily Show," you’ll enjoy his series “Klepper.”

David Sedaris: one of the world’s most famous authors and garbage collectors.

Guitar god Derek Trucks on TTB, family ties, and why he doesn’t sing.

Judy Blue Eyes on her first collaboration with Stephen Stills.

Not too many musicians can claim a sound all their own, but in the past decade or so Pokey LaFarge seems to have accomplished just that.

Taylor Hanson on his band’s 25 years, Christmas, and Hanson’s first stab at “String Theory.”

Robbie Robertson on The Hawks, The Band, and Woodstock.

People always tell Adam Platt that he has a dream job. As a restaurant critic for “New York,” Platt has tasted some of the best meals and cocktails around the world — all on an expense account.

George Karl is one of the winningest coaches in NBA history — one of just nine with 1,000 victories. But before his successful runs with the SuperSonics, Bucks and Nuggets, Karl spent two seasons helming the Albany Patroons.

David Crosby has enjoyed a late-career solo resurgence.

Actor Wendell Pierce was never afraid of leaving his native New Orleans for a shot at the big leagues. But he came back.

Michael Feinstein has performed from the American Songbook from the White House to the Sydney Opera House.

Legendary jockey Julie Krone was the first woman elected to the Racing Hall in 2000 and finished with more than 3,700 victories, including the 1993 Belmont Stakes and 21 other Grade Is.

“Now yous can’t leave.” Chazz Palminteri on the long life of “A Bronx Tale.”

An interview with musician Vanessa Carlton about Liberman and more.

At the 2008 Olympics, gymnast Nastia Liukin won five medals.

Trailblazer Ann Liguori was a charter member of the first all-sports radio station, WFAN, where she continues to cover golf and tennis.

John Waters’ Christmas card list is huge. But it’s hard to get on it.

Rock legend Ray Davies was already facing transitions in his personal and professional life in 2004, when, one week after being named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, he was shot in the leg during a mugging in New Orleans.

After recovering from a stroke that forced him to relearn to play guitar, Dave Davies returned with a new album in 2017.

Two Ians. Only one Fidance.

In his 70s, actor Paul Raci became an overnight, Oscar-nominated success.