The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Nick welcomes “The Movie Mom” Nell Minow back to the podcast to talk about what’s happening in Washington DC, some movie news, and a preview of this year’s EbertFest, including special screenings and featured guests. They also get into the new film The Drama, the horror documentary 1000 Women in Horror, and Nell shares details from her interview with the composer and screenwriter behind Project Hail Mary. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to catch up, take a few shots at the nonsense of April Fool’s Day, and talk about their Easter plans. That leads into a conversation about some of the strangest Easter traditions around the world, including whipping women for health and even the legend of the Easter Witch. [Ep 443]

Nick is joined by food writer and horror fan Marnie Shure to talk food, movies, and a few unexpected topics along the way. Marnie kicks things off with her monthly Horror Report, where she and Nick get into Send Help and Undertone. From there, she shares some insight into what makes Kikkoman’s soy sauce work, offers tips on saving money on produce, and talks about the upcoming Mortified show in April, which will benefit the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to revisit a couple of overlooked films, including Things Change with Don Ameche and Capricorn One starring James Brolin. That conversation somehow turns into a deep dive on some of the more unconventional sex symbols of the 70s, with Elliott Gould, Donald Sutherland, and a whole era of shaggy, cigarette-smoking leading men getting their moment. [Ep 442]

Nick brings film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the show to break down a batch of new movies, including They Will Kill You, Forbidden Fruits, The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist, and another fashion documentary, Marc By Sofia. Erik also shares a few highlights from what he caught at the SXSW Film Festival. Later on, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the classic TV special Scared Straight and react to a subscriber voicemail that somehow connects basketball and vasectomies. From there, things take a turn into Muppet territory, with both of them diving into their favorites, with Esma picking Rowlf and Nick going with Grover, along with some thoughts on the stranger imaginary characters and where they all came from. They even get into the living arrangements on Sesame Street, questioning whether Bert and Ernie are in a house or an apartment, and pointing out that Oscar might have the nicest setup of all for someone living in a trash can. [Ep 441]

Nick welcomes Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter back to talk through a busy stretch of TV. They get into the Oscar telecast, the latest SNL with Harry Styles hosting, and the debut of “SNL UK.” Dan also previews a few upcoming documentaries, including one about Rod Serling, and weighs in on new shows like “Bait,” “Imperfect Women,” and “Sunny Nights.” Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later and things go completely off the rails. They circle back to more of the worst excuses people have used to miss work, then somehow land in a long, very detailed conversation about hygiene and why you should probably just buy a bidet already. It gets ridiculous fast, and yes, it’s as funny as it sounds. [Ep 440]

Nick welcomes Monica Eng from Axios back to break down the latest Chicago election results, including the surprises, the clear winners, and the people who didn’t have a great night. Monica also shares a moment she’d probably like back, mispronouncing a Led Zeppelin song on TV, and tells the story of her “Dempster Dive,” where she worked her way down four miles of Dempster Street sampling food from 20 different cultures. She also talks about seeing “Madama Butterfly” at the Lyric Opera and gets into the realities of being a tipped worker in the city. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later and the conversation turns to some of the worst excuses people have ever given for missing work. Things get ridiculous fast, with stories involving a vomiting llama, a swarm of bees, and plenty of other excuses that probably didn’t hold up. It’s news, food, opera, and complete nonsense, all in one episode. [Ep 439]

Nick welcomes Forbes music journalist Jim Ryan back to the show to talk about a run of recent interviews he’s done with Ratboys, John Oates, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford from Squeeze, and Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys. They also talk about some recent shows Jim has seen, including Toto in Milwaukee, Margo Price at Metro, and John Oates at the Genesee Theatre. Along the way they listen to a clip of David Lee Roth’s isolated vocals from a recent concert, which turns into a bit of a horror show. Later, the legendary British bon vivant and game show host Slap Slapply returns to throw Nick and Esmeralda Leon into another round of 80s and 90s Trivia Madness. The competition gets loud, ridiculous, and very funny, with a detour into the unforgettable Gary Coleman movie On the Right Track. It’s music talk, trivia chaos, and plenty of laughs. [Ep 438]

Nick starts the show by reminding everyone about the event happening this Sunday at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. It’s Oscar Day with Nick Digilio, hosted by Rick Kogan, with Oscar talk, a book signing, and plenty more. If you want to go, tickets are up now at museum.tv. Film critic Steve Prokopy joins Nick next while Erik Childress is off traveling to the SXSW Film & TV Festival. Nick and Steve dig into a batch of new releases including Project Hail Mary starring Ryan Gosling, the horror film “Undertone,” the documentary “Andre Is an Idiot,” and the romantic drama “Reminders of Him.” There are a few surprises, a few disappointments, and plenty to argue about. Esmeralda Leon jumps in later and the conversation turns to Friday the 13th. There are three of them in 2026, which feels like a lot. That leads to a chat about bad luck, superstitions, and a ridiculous quiz Nick gives Esma about folklore and strange beliefs from around the world. It goes about as well as you’d expect. [Ep 437]

Nick kicks things off by talking about Oscar Day with Nick Digilio at the Museum of Broadcast Communications happening Sunday, March 15 from noon to 2:30. The event celebrates the Oscars and Nick’s book, with Rick Kogan hosting the afternoon. If you want to be there, tickets are available now at museum.tv. Comedian and podcast host Lauren LoGiudice stops by next to talk about the upcoming Misfit Variety Show at The Annoyance Theatre. After that, TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter checks in for his regular TV rundown. They get into the HBO series “DTF St. Louis,” “Rooster” starring Steve Carell, and the new Guy Ritchie series “Young Sherlock” featuring Colin Firth and Joseph Fiennes. They also talk about the latest SNL episodes and the new season of Top Chef. Esmeralda Leon closes things out with some Oscar chatter, complaints about Daylight Saving Time, and a few more traditions that probably should have disappeared years ago. It’s a full show with movies, TV, comedy, and the usual amount of chaos. [Ep 436]