CHIRP: The Chicago Independent Radio Project

Dylan Heath writes

The Interview Show

On Friday, July 11th, the Interview Show celebrated its 6-month anniversary, which joked, host and columnist for the Red Eye, Mark Bazer “sounds better then the sixth show.”

The Interview Show is a once a month show where Bazer, the host, talks with local celebrities. This month, guests consisted of local artist and musicians with bands like The Mekons and Waco Brothers, Jon Langford, author of Nixonland, Rick Perlstein, WGN radio midday host John Williams, and local Hip-Hop artist C. O. Any.

The Interview Show is peppered with references to, and riffs of, old Late Night talk shows. An introduction, directed by local filmmaker Steve Delahoyde, starts the show with fake clips from old shows. There is jazzy music playing in between the guests. And the iconic desk and couch combination looks like found furniture, which Bazer said he conveniently found in a room above the Hideout.

Even the coffee mug, which shows up on every late night desk, has a local twist. Mike Philips, the 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Champion and Barista at the local coffee shop Intelligentsia, made special espresso drinks for the guests in brand new official Interview Show mugs.

Bazer said his interview style was influenced by old Late Night hosts such as Dick Cavett. “The whole thing . . . should be entertaining, and it has a performance element to it,” Bazer said. “It’s also more of a conversation than interviews I’ve typically done for print.”

The Interview Show is made specifically for the live audience, Bazer said, but they have been filming the shows to be put on his website, markbazer.com. Friday’s show was the first show that there were 2 cameras, he said.

Although the show is monthly, Bazer will be taking August off. The next Interview Show will be September 5th. Bazer is planning on having Kevin Coval, a hip hop poet, and the improv troupe Blewt!, with more to be announced.