The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan back to the podcast to discuss the new HBO documentary about Yacht Rock, the upcoming Toto tour, and the Mavis Staples show at the Auditorium Theatre. They also chat about Jim’s interviews with Gavin Rossdale of Bush and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, who is now venturing into the coffee business. Jim shares reviews of recent concert performances by Cyndi Lauper, ZZ Top, Stevie Wonder, and The The. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to dive into the irritating world of comic-book movies, the absurdity of some villains, the CFCA Awards, and the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th. They wrap things up by tasting a couple of great snacks from Belgium. [Ep306]

Nick chats with The Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg about the latest shows he’s reviewed, including The Sticky with Jamie Lee Curtis, the new Star Wars spin-off Skeleton Crew, The Agency with Michael Fassbender, and Black Doves starring Keira Knightley. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to try a new snack from Belgium and dive into a fun discussion about Yacht Rock documentaries, The Sopranos, Mob Wives, the absurdity of awards shows, and the strange phenomenon of wild rubber growing in the world. [Ep305]

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review a lineup of new movies, including Queer starring Daniel Craig, Nightbitch with Amy Adams, the animated masterpiece Flow, and the comedies Get Away and Y2K. Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to recap their Thanksgivings and talk about deep-frying turkeys, Godzilla humidifiers, and some unusual holiday decorations like the killer Silver Sphere from Phantasm and a Santa that looks suspiciously troubled. They also explore fun facts about Belgium, answer listener emails, and try out a new snack. A lively mix of reviews, stories, and holiday cheer! [Ep304]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick is joined by The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, to discuss holiday shopping tips and warnings. They cover how to avoid overspending during the Christmas season, spotting worthless gift cards, being cautious when buying toys from overseas websites, and identifying fake product reviews online. Next, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins the podcast to talk about the latest cars he’s been driving, how Mazda bent the rules to release a hybrid, why seatbelts were often ignored in the 70s, and the fascinating history of cars associated with Playboy—and no, not the magazine. A round of “Starspotter” wraps things up as Tom recounts Foster Brooks’ guest appearance on an episode of Adam-12… playing, of course, a drunk driver. It’s another fun and informative episode! [Ep303]

Nick welcomes his old friend and former producer, Tom Hush, to the podcast to celebrate the 70th birthday of the greatest kaiju of them all, the Granddaddy of Destruction: GODZILLA! Tom and Nick dive into the history of the iconic character, discussing the best and worst films, Godzilla’s impact on cinema and pop culture, and much more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a trip to Belgium via Universal Yums, where they explore the wonders of waffles, chocolate, and some of Belgium’s weird laws. They also praise The Muscles From Brussels himself, Jean-Claude Van Damme, for his absolute genius. A delicious Belgian snack is tasted to wrap up this celebratory episode. [Ep302]

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter to discuss some great television and review new shows, including A Man on the Inside with Ted Danson, a new version of Cruel Intentions, Landman starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm, and Demi Moore, and The Day of the Jackal featuring Eddie Redmayne. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to share weird Thanksgiving stories, including feeding friends and Nick’s infamous 1993 drunken trip to Detroit to see the Lions play the Bears. Esma also talks about discovering The Sopranos (she’s all about Furio!) and explores why some people, not from California, become die-hard Raiders fans. They wrap up the episode by finishing their snack-tasting journey through Italy. [Ep301]

It’s a true milestone—The Nick D Podcast has reached its 300th episode! To commemorate this landmark achievement, Nick welcomes back his very first guest, the one and only Rich Koz (AKA: Svengoolie). Together, they celebrate the anniversary, reflect on that very first episode, and discuss other awesome moments. This year also marks the 45th anniversary of Svengoolie, so Nick and Rich dive into the character’s history, share wonderful memories from the past, and tell some incredible stories about their years in the broadcast industry. It’s a truly special interview with a legend, a hero, and a true gentleman. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to reminisce about how long they’ve worked together and play back some heartfelt (and hilarious) voicemails from well-wishers celebrating 300 episodes. They also get hilariously sidetracked chatting about being dumb DJs, poetry nobody remembers, and how Esma originally wanted to be a pediatrician—until a sign in her high school math room inspired her to pursue a career in radio. It’s all part of the special celebration of 300 episodes of The Nick D Podcast! [Ep300]

Nick welcomes food writer and horror fanatic Marnie Shure to the podcast to dive into her latest horror film reviews (including a Jamie Lee Curtis classic!) and discuss the upcoming Mortified event. They also chat about some fun food stories, like McDonald’s secret menu Birthday Cakes and the fact that Mickey D’s can now repair their own McFlurry machines. Plus, just in time for the holiday, they rank five Thanksgiving-flavored foods! Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about Pluto’s 90’s Movie Channel, her love of Jonny Lee Miller, the unfortunate sitcoms of Chuck Lorre, and the classic TV trope of “The Interchangeable White Guy.” They also taste another delicious snack from Italy! [Ep299]

Nick welcomes Monica Eng from Axios Chicago to the podcast to chat about some of the stories she’s covering, including the Advent calendar craze at Aldi, the city’s crackdown on people parking or standing in bike lanes, where Trump won the majority of the vote in Chicago, and how Michigan is cutting into Illinois’ weed sales. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss the quirks of eating at a stranger’s house (like discovering they don’t have Kool-Aid or use Karo syrup on pancakes), how franchised stores sometimes make up their own rules, and the return of see-through glass cooler doors at Walgreens. They also continue their Italian snack taste test! [Ep298]

Nick welcomes The Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg to the podcast to discuss the new seasons of What We Do In The Shadows, The Diplomat (with KERI RUSSELL!!!), and the latest episodes of SNL. Dan also reviews some fresh shows, including HBO’s Dune: Prophecy and St. Denis Medical with David Alan Grier. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the art of rearranging furniture in a classic 70s-era “frunchroom,” finding an affordable shower caddy, and why the Chicago suburb of Oak Park is so awesome. They also discuss the correct way to pronounce “prosciutto” (hint: just watch The Sopranos). Finally, they wrap up with a taste test of another delicious snack from Italy. [Ep297]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to review the latest film releases, including the WWII drama Blitz, the new holiday comedy The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Cillian Murphy in Small Things Like These, and the horror film Heretic, featuring a surprising turn by Hugh Grant. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the stress of moving, the debut of McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac, Wendy’s new SpongeBob Burger, and the joys of shopping at Costco and Sam’s Club. They also dive into why The Dollar Tree might just be the greatest place on earth. To top it off, Nick and Esma taste test some delicious snacks from Italy. [Ep296]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, to tackle consumer questions and discuss important topics like how “Buy Now, Pay Later” programs can lead to debt traps, the potential shift from passwords to passkeys for better security, and the latest updates on airlines now being required to automatically issue refunds for canceled flights. Then, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to dive into the world of cars. They chat about a story on the anticipated 2027 Scouts, review the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and take a nostalgic look at classic car ads for the 1976 Gremlin and the 1975 Chevy Nova. The episode wraps up with a fun round of #Starspotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep295]

Nick welcomes filmmaker, podcast host, and writer Amy Guth to the podcast to chat about her recent film shoot in Chicago (featuring some old WGN friends), which ended with her getting a very fat lip. Amy also shares stories from her recent adventures in Las Vegas, her ongoing quest for funding for new film projects, and updates on her creative visibility project. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss Christopher Walken’s role as a perfectly perching angel, how Italian clowns playing poker makes for an expensive knick-knack, and the disturbing fact that people are still wearing Crocs and UGGs. They also taste a delicious pistachio snack from Italy. [Ep294]

Nick welcomes The Movie Mom, Nell Minow, to the podcast to discuss life, politics, and some great documentaries. Nell also shares her thoughts on movies like *Megalopolis*, *Conclave*, *Venom*, and more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the upcoming election, getting to know the many judges you’ll see on the ballot, and sharing some other voting stories. Nick also gives Esma a quiz about Italy, during which they discover that Vatican City is crime-ridden and no one has ever been born there—because they don’t have a delivery room. They also discuss the Big-Ass truffle grown in Italy and how much it was worth… shocking! [Ep293]

Nick and fellow film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy discuss the 60th annual Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) and review some of the films they saw at the fest. They also share their thoughts on new releases, including Conclave, the award-winning Anora, the latest Marvel sequel Venom: The Last Dance, and the animated film Memoir of a Snail. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about weddings, Halloween, and scary movies like In a Violent Nature and Hollow Man, which traumatized Esma thanks to the multiple appearances of Kevin Bacon’s see-through wiener. They also take a quick culinary trip around Italy and taste a couple of cool snacks. [Ep292]

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg to the podcast to chat about the recent season finale of *Big Brother* and much more. Dan also reviews *George and Mandy’s First Marriage* on CBS, Reba McEntire’s new sitcom *Happy’s Place*, HBO’s new anthology series *It’s Florida, Man*, and *Hysteria!* on Peacock. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss good and bad weddings (mostly bad), the bizarre and terrifying phenomenon of *Those Funny Little People* who used to perform at weddings, and the time Esma met John Tesh—whom Nick mistakenly thought was dead. They also wrap up their Korean snack box with some gum and tasty chocolate wafers. [Ep291]

Nick welcomes food writer and horror fan Marnie Shure to the podcast to discuss the upcoming “Mortified” event at The Music Box Theatre, the *Halloween* movie franchise, and some food stories, including California’s new regulations on food labels, the oddity of McDonald’s Chicken Big Mac, the trend of “Fridgescaping,” and the latest M&M flavor rankings. Later, Esmeralda Leon teaches Nick about the fabulous Spanish term “tocaya,” and they chat about Gene Hackman being grumpy, vampires avoiding humidity, and why people should just leave Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder alone. They also taste test some incredibly tasty buttery pretzels from Korea. [Ep290]

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan to the podcast to talk about some of the concerts he’s seen recently, including GWAR, Public Enemy, and Slayer at Riotfest; ELO at the United Center; Crowded House at Ravinia; and Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band in New Lenox. Jim also shares his interview with the co-founder of Riotfest, discussing the festival’s move from Douglass Park to Bridgeview and then back again. They also chat about the pros and cons of The Salt Shed concert venue. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss the movie *Blink Twice*, pop culture moments that haven’t aged well, and a strange Stanley Kubrick documentary that Esma watched on Tubi. They also continue their culinary adventure by taste-testing another snack from Korea. [Ep289]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to discuss the box office failure of the new *Joker* movie and review several new films, including *Piece By Piece*, the dreadful horror sequel *Terrifier 3*, and *The Apprentice*, a film starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump in New York. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the beauty of never making weekend plans and reflect on pop culture that has aged very poorly, such as Long Duk Dong from *Sixteen Candles*, *The Cosby Show*, ridiculously oversized jeans, and the movie *American Beauty*. They also continue their culinary journey by taste-testing a snack from Korea. [Ep287]

Nick talks with TV critic Dan Fienberg from *The Hollywood Reporter* about the latest episodes of *Big Brother*, the career of John Amos, and Dan’s reviews of several new shows, including *The Franchise* on HBO, FX’s *Grotesquerie* with Niecy Nash, *Nobody Wants This* with Kristen Bell, and a new Beatles documentary. They also discuss the start of the historic 50th season of *Saturday Night Live*. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to usher in Spooky Season with the return of Count Fartula, the Silver Shamrock Halloween theme, and other Halloween favorites. They chat about celebrities who hate their own work and celebrate the fact that Gary Busey is now on Instagram and does Cameo videos! Plus, they taste test a ramen noodle product that requires a lot of action! [Ep287]

Nick welcomes Monica Eng from Axios.com to discuss some of the stories she’s currently covering, including Next Restaurant’s recreation of Charlie Trotter’s classic menu, the buzz around the $10 strawberry from Whole Foods, Chicago’s most annoying intersections, potential natural disasters that could strike the area, and the need for ShotSpotter technology in the city. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about submarine movies featuring scenes where Gene Hackman gets punched. They also finish their quiz about Korea, fulfill a Magic Megaphone request, and taste test a unique snack. Plus, they dive into some details about a classic haunted house in Chicago. [Ep286]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, to discuss a variety of consumer issues and stories, including why Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere else, CarShield’s $10 million settlement over advertising charges, and some big news for planning your vacations. Then, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to talk about the curious case of Chinese Chevys in Mexico, the best time to buy a used EV, and why the Hyundai Hybrid is currently a great value car. They also take a nostalgic look back at the hilarious ad for the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Salon. Plus, they round off the episode with another edition of StarSpotter and Mystery Show. [Ep285]

Nick welcomes movie critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to review the new movies The Wild Robot and A Different Man, and dive into a lengthy discussion about Francis Ford Coppola’s completely insane epic, Megalopolis. Steve also shares stories from his recent trip to Austin, where he attended Fantastic Fest, a film festival filled with sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and other strange and wonderful movies. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to be quizzed about Korea, the latest region from which they received snacks through Universal Yums. They also chat about the end of summer, the beginning of fall, hayrides, pumpkin patches, and even the arrival of early Christmas decorations. [Ep284]

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter joins Nick to discuss last week’s Emmy Awards ceremony, the latest episodes of Big Brother, and the new Batman spin-off, The Penguin starring Colin Farrell. Dan also reviews the new version of Matlock with Kathy Bates, the educational series Brilliant Minds, and the latest Netflix/Ryan Murphy crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Later, Esmeralda Leon tells Nick all about Nourishing Hope, a wonderful organization where she has been volunteering that provides food and other vital services to those in need. They also chat about some great Korean food (including some incredible corn dogs) and taste test churros from the region. [Ep283]

Nick welcomes Nell Minow, The Movie Mom, back to the podcast to discuss new movies including *Wolfs*, *My Old Ass*, *Beetlejuice Beetlejuice*, and *Transformers One*. They also delve into politics, the latest presidential debates, and a fascinating MAD Magazine museum exhibit, among other topics. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to wrap up their taste test of African snacks. They chat about people with “fragile eco-systems” and share stories about their favorite “Remote Droppers” — movies like *Hackers* and *My Cousin Vinny* that they can’t resist watching whenever they’re on TV. [Ep282]

Nick welcomes back Marnie Shure to the podcast for a fun chat about food, horror, and being “Mortified.” Marnie shares her thoughts on a couple of new horror movies she’s seen and discusses some futuristic fast-food drive-thrus that are being built, the introduction of the MINI-McFlurry, and the quirky fact that Shaq is now selling candy gummies shaped like his face. They also taste test a new Reese’s item. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to fulfill a Magic Megaphone request, chat about the Emmys, and discuss the desperate need for an animal-themed awards show. They also share stories about the joy of pissing off a nerd. The episode wraps up with more taste tests from their snack journey through Africa. [Ep280]

Nick talks with Mike Kerz from The Midway Drive-In in Dixon, IL, about their upcoming “Dusk Til Dawn Horror Movie Marathon,” which Nick will be hosting. Then, film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy join Nick to review new movies, including the horror remake “Speak No Evil” and Kevin Smith’s latest, “The 4:30 Movie.” Steve also gives an update on the Music Box Theatre’s new seats and redesign, while Erik reviews a slate of films he recently saw at the Toronto International Film Festival. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss the differences between cats and dogs, share their thoughts on bad episodes of “The Simpsons,” and talk about how the much-maligned Nicole Kidman movie “Australia” has now been turned into an endless mini-series on Hulu. Plus, they enjoy some great snacks in this jam-packed episode. [Ep280]

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg from “The Hollywood Reporter” back to the podcast to review the new documentary about David Chase and “The Sopranos,” the all-star comedy mini-series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” and “Disclaimer” starring Cate Blanchett. Dan also previews this week’s Emmy Awards broadcast, making some predictions, while Nick chimes in with his thoughts on “Big Brother.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about The Outlaw Music Festival and other fun concerts they’ve attended. They also discuss the absolutely INSANE price for parking at Credit 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park and share stories about the creative ways drunk concertgoers manage bathroom breaks. Plus, they try another tasty snack from Africa. [Ep279]

Nick welcomes podcaster, writer, producer, broadcaster, and filmmaker Amy Guth to the podcast to chat about her latest travels and adventures in the film world. Amy recently played a corpse in a movie (and had an interesting drive home from the shoot) and continues to refine her unique method for fixing broken projects. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss celebrities who hate some of their past work, including Edward Norton trashing “The Hulk,” Sean Connery slamming James Bond, and David Cross expressing his disdain for “The Chipmunks.” Plus, they continue their taste test journey with another snack treat from Africa. [Ep278]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, for his monthly visit to discuss topics like gas rewards for credit cards and new rules for flying commercially with kids. Then it’s time for the “Checkbook’s College of Consumer Knowledge Quiz,” where Herb tests Nick and Tom Hush’s knowledge of money and consumer-related topics. The episode continues with a visit from Consumer Guide Automotive’s Tom Appel. Tom talks about the new VW electric van, the 2024 Subaru Outback XT, and takes a nostalgic look back at a hilarious 1964 Checker ad where they attempted to sell taxis to the general public. Plus, another edition of “Starspotter” and “Mystery Show.” [Ep277]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast to review a few new films, including “Reagan,” “1992,” and “Slingshot.” They also discuss their favorite films of the summer of 2024. Speaking of the summer of 2024, Esmeralda Leon fills Nick in on the season being dubbed “Ratboy Summer,” where celebrities who resemble sexy rodents have become all the rage. Members of the Hot Rodent club include Timothée Chalamet, Jeremy Allen White, Barry Keoghan, and the two leads from “Challengers.” Nick and Esma also continue their taste-testing journey with another snack from Africa. [Ep276]

Nick welcomes Dan Fienberg, TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print, to discuss the latest developments in “Big Brother” Season 26 and the entire run and series finale of “Evil.” Dan also reviews the new documentary “Chimp Crazy” and shares his thoughts on his favorite show right now, “Pachinko.” They talk about the disappointing summer TV season, the coverage of the DNC, Dan’s recent trip to New York, and much more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to taste more snacks from Africa, take a fun quiz, and chat about those times when you go to a concert and find that the opening acts are better than the headliners. [Ep275]

Nick welcomes Dr. Keith Lipinski from AAW Pro back to the podcast to talk about the latest in pro wrestling. They dive into Roman Reigns’ return to WWE, the feud between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, and the upcoming PPV in Berlin, among other topics. They also preview AEW’s big “All In” PPV happening in London, discussing stars like MJF, Toni Storm, The Learning Tree, and more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a fun and hilarious chat as they begin their snack-filled journey through Africa. Along the way, they take a cool quiz and discover some incredible facts about the origins of bowling, eye makeup, breath mints, and much more. [Ep274]

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com to chat about some recent concerts he’s attended, including Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Sheila E, Def Leppard, and even Barry Manilow (which only cost him $8 on StubHub). They also discuss some cool interviews Jim has done with McKenna Grace (the talented young actress from the new “Ghostbusters” movies), Gavin Rossdale, Mike Einziger, and more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to share funny karaoke stories, and they continue their hilarious discussion of the magical early 2000s, reminiscing about the era of Gnarls Barkley, Teen Vogue, and Silly Bandz. Plus, they finish up their culinary tour of India. [Ep273]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to discuss the box office and review new movies, including the true story “My Penguin Friend,” the latest sequel in the Alien series, “Alien: Romulus,” “Close to You” starring Elliot Page, and Elizabeth Banks’ new comedy “Skincare.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the greatness of Conan O’Brien, continue the hilarious early 2000s quiz, and chat about “Mean Girls,” tracksuits, and the iconic Catalina Wine Mixer. They also indulge in more India snack tasting with some spicy masala chips. [Ep272]

Nick chats with TV critic Dan Fienberg from “The Hollywood Reporter” about the television coverage of the Olympics and the latest episodes of “Big Brother.” Dan also reviews some new shows, including “Time Bandits,” based on the Terry Gilliam film; a documentary about African-American cinema called “Hollywood Black”; “Charlie Hustle,” the documentary about Pete Rose; and “Bad Monkey,” a crime-comedy featuring Vince Vaughn and a monkey. Later, Nick quizzes Esmeralda Leon about the early 2000s, leading to a fun discussion about “Friends,” Eminem, “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” Nelly Furtado, and much more. Plus, they continue their snack tour with another treat from India. [Ep271]

Nick welcomes Nell Minow, one of his favorite guests ever and “The Movie Mom,” to the podcast. Nick and Nell have an entertaining and wildly diverse conversation about everything from politics and the current insane political news cycle to the world of comic book conventions and the rules that must be followed in creating Lifetime and Hallmark movies. They also review some new films like “Touch,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and “Sing Sing.” They discuss movie quotes we use all the time and a terrific Mad Magazine museum exhibit. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to grant a Magic Megaphone request, recap the Flashback Weekend convention, chat about the early 2000s, and taste a snack from India. A truly PACKED episode. [Ep270]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick welcomes Herb “The Consumerman” Weisbaum from Checkbook.org to discuss the problems with credit card rewards programs, VROOM car refunds, and how to expertly purchase eye-wear without getting ripped off. Then, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to review a couple of new cars, including the 2024 Fiat 500e Inpi(RED), and share the latest car stories. They also reminisce about a couple of hilarious car ads from the past for the 1962 Datsun Patrol and the 1954 Mercury M-100. Plus, they feature segments on Starspotter and Mystery Show! [Ep26]

In this special episode, Nick and Esmeralda Leon host a LIVE version of “The Nick D Podcast” from the stage at The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention. They discuss the scariest movies and scenes of all time with the enthusiastic crowd and receive a cool visit from the legendary Rich Koz, who chats about his 45 years as Svengoolie and more. Then, Don Coscarelli, the gifted writer/director of classic movies such as “Phantasm,” “Bubba Ho-Tep,” and “John Dies at the End,” joins them to talk about his new book “Phiction” and what is next for him. This terrific extra episode was recorded at the best horror convention in the country. [Ep268]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review some new movies, including the true story of Northern Ireland’s most notorious hip-hop act, “Kneecap.” They also review the coming-of-age comedy “Didi” and the prison drama “Sing Sing.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a final preview of the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention and a fun quiz covering topics like the early days of social media and the horror of being Rickrolled. Esma and Nick also discuss the trucks that regularly flip over in front of Nick’s apartment, and they continue their snack tour of India by tasting some crunchy mini-samosas. [Ep267]

Nick welcomes the multi-talented Amy Guth to the podcast to discuss her latest adventures in L.A., including being cast in a movie as a mom, which fulfills her wish of “dying on screen.” Amy also talks about her latest podcasts, the strangeness of being fired, how NOT to sabotage your own movie projects, and her experience of being bitten by a dog. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the upcoming Flashback Weekend events, interactive horror movie screenings, and their shared experience of being bitten by a dog—Nick was bitten just this past weekend. Plus, they enjoy snacks from India. [Ep266]

Nick welcomes food writer Marnie Shure from “Food and Wine” to discuss the latest horror movies she’s seen, including the newest “A Quiet Place” film and a creepy alien invasion flick. Then, they dive into some cool food stories, like the news that Japanese 7-Eleven stores are coming to the US, the surprising revelation that the best lunch deal in town might just be at Hooters, and the fact that chicken is on pace to outsell burgers at McDonald’s. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the upcoming live version of this podcast, happening at The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, featuring special guest Don Coscarelli, the director of “Phantasm” and “Bubba Ho-Tep.” Nick also gives Esma a fun quiz all about India. [Ep265]

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter to discuss the latest episodes of “Evil,” the brand-new season of CBS’s “Big Brother,” and dive deep into the Emmy nominations that were announced last week. They also take a moment to remember the legendary television icon Bob Newhart, who passed away on July 18th at the age of 94. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to share all about the fun she had at the Pitchfork Music Festival, which featured performances by De La Soul, Grandmaster Flash, and Alanis Morissette. They also discuss her thoughts on who should be “America’s Family.” Additionally, they talk about some memorable performances of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and taste test some cool candies from India. [Ep263]

Nick reviews the big summer disaster sequel “Twisters,” and then welcomes the terrific character actor and filmmaker Ted Raimi to the podcast. They talk about Ted’s upcoming appearance at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention and delve into the world of the “convention circuit.” Ted shares insights about his early theater work and his outstanding career starring in classics like “The Evil Dead” series, “Darkman,” “The Midnight Meat Train,” and his TV roles in “Xena” and “Hercules.” Ted also discusses his exciting new movie “Failure!,” which is coming out soon and was shot in one long take. He proves to be a great guest, a super-nice guy, and a terrific person to meet at Flashback. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to have some fun with the worst versions of the National Anthem ever sung (including the latest by singer Ingrid Andress), as well as the best versions. They also begin their new snack-tasting journey through India with treats from Universal Yums. [Ep263]

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan back to the podcast to talk about some of his recent interviews with Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons and the band Rise Against. They also discuss the recent Rolling Stones concert in Chicago, the Billy Joel/Stevie Nicks show at Soldier Field, Roger Daltrey at Ravinia, and more. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about the crazy thunderstorms and earthquakes hitting the Midwest, the dawn of TMZ, the new cast of “The Surreal Life,” and who might become the next “America’s Sweetheart.” Plus, they finish up their British taste tests with some banana toffee. [EP262]

Nick is unbelievably thrilled to welcome legendary actress Adrienne Barbeau to the podcast to talk about her incredible career and her upcoming appearance at The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention in Rosemont, Illinois. Nick and Adrienne discuss her performances in classic movies such as “Escape from New York,” “Creepshow,” “Back to School,” and many more. They also talk about her experiences working on the groundbreaking Norman Lear show “Maude,” and delve into her stage and voice-over work (she is Catwoman!), music credits, and the books she has written. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick have fun talking about Sandra Bullock and her “kooky-crazy-lady” movies, the weirdness of Young Adult books, creepy AI pictures, and how “brilliant” the Sly Stallone 1993 movie “Demolition Man” really is. [EP261]

Since we are halfway through the year, Nick reveals his lists of the Best and Worst Movies of 2024 so far in this episode. He also welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter, who shares his list of the best TV of the year so far. Nick and Dan discuss the new season of “The Bear,” Amazon’s “Sausage Party,” and “Sunny” starring Rashida Jones. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to continue their fun 2000s Pop Culture quiz/tour. They chat about The Pussycat Dolls, the “Twilight” books, and the incredible world of MySpace, featuring everyone’s friend: Tom. They also taste a very delicious, but VERY pickled snack from the UK. [EP260]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to review all the new movies. They share their thoughts on Eddie Murphy’s return in the (AWFUL) “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F,” the two very good horror sequels “MaXXXine” and “A Quiet Place: Day One,” and an insane, brutal, and awesome action film from India simply called “Kill.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the great Benny Hill, and they continue their fun quiz about the 2000s, covering topics like Eminem and “The Sims.” This leads to a conversation about Comfort Games like “Carcassonne,” “Roller Coaster Tycoon,” and “Myst.” Plus, they enjoy some great snacks from the U.K. [EP259]

In the latest “For The People” episode, Nick welcomes Herb “The Consumerman” Weisbaum from Checkbook.org to provide some straight talk about nutritional supplements, information about medical debt being wiped from your credit score, how scammers are sending bogus texts about unpaid tolls, and where to find the most reliable movers. Then, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to discuss “COVID Cars,” secret taxes on electric vehicles, a hilarious ad for the 1980 Pontiac Grand Prix, and his popular social media posts: “Starspotter” and “Mystery Show.” It’s another entertaining, informative, and helpful episode of “For The People.” [EP258]

Nick welcomes food writer/editor Marnie Shure to the podcast to discuss the Joey Chestnut drama—he was booted from the July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest! They also talk about the latest list of America’s Top Chain Restaurants and emphasize how food pantries need help all year long, not just during the holidays. Marnie provides a Horror Report and shares a tale about the new Reese’s Jumbo Cup. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about some of the CBS shows she’s currently enjoying and to answer some trivia questions about the 2000s, involving Blu-Rays, Ugg Boots, and Jim Carrey. You’ll also learn exactly who “Big Boobs McGee” is and get a taste review of some new snacks from the UK. [EP257]