The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

In this “For the People” episode, Nick talks with Herb Weisbaum, The Consumerman, from Checkbook.org about the latest consumer issues including, the FTC suing Amazon and Publisher’s Clearing House, the skyrocketing problems of concert/event ticket scams, and the increase in electric vehicle issues. Then, Nick and Tom Appel, from Consumer Guide Automotive, talk about the return of Alfa Romeo, the dominance of Tesla in the world of charging stations, and the great new Honda Accord. They also talk about hilarious old car ads, including the most sexist ad ever for the 1967 Mercury Cougar and an ad for a car that cost $260. The 4th of July holiday is also covered by Nick and both guests, and Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP155]

Nick welcomes Marnie Shure from the food website The Takeout.com, to talk about The Best & Worst Fast Food Items of 2023 so far, the new Netflix pop-up restaurant on L.A., Potbelly’s new Cookie Butter Milk Shake, and they look at the list of the top performing restaurant chains of the year. Plus, Nick and Marnie discuss the latest horror films they’ve seen from “DeadStream” to “Evil Dead Rise” to “Train to Busan,” and more. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about the $63 six-pack of beer you can get at the NASCAR event this weekend, the Garbage concert that Esma saw at Northerly Island, and how the horrible/dangerous air quality has ruined every outdoor activity from the past week or so. Plus, hot wings, hot sauce. and spicy foods are discussed with surprising results. [EP154]

Nick chats with TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print, about the Best Shows of 2023 (so far) including: “Happy Valley,” “I am a Virgo,” “Taste the Nation,” and “Dave.” They also talk about Nick’s hatred of “The Bear,” and the progress of the continuing writers’ strike. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to discuss the further impending doom of that dreaded Chicago NASCAR event, the disappearance some great Chicago neighborhoods, weird (but great) TV shows like: “You Don’t Know Jack” with Paul Reubens, “She’s Crafty,” and “Junk Raiders” in which dumpster-divers design and build a new condo from scratch. And, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke [EP153]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest summer releases, including: quirky director Wes Anderson’s latest, “Asteroid City;” the raunchy sex comedy, “No Hard Feelings” with Jennifer Lawrence; and the newest chapter in the Harrison Ford adventure series “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick relive a classic Dean Martin TV moment, talk about being shocked and/or surprised at weird concerts, and they remember some of the most offensively dumb reality shows of the 2000’s like, “The Swan,” “Mr. Personality”(with Monica Lewinsky), and “Who’s Your Daddy?” in which a group of men pretended to be a female contestant’s long, lost father in order to earn some money, and humiliate the woman. Yeah, classic television from none other than FOX. [EP152]

Nick welcomes writer Monica Eng from Axios Chicago, to talk about the recent Mayoral race, her book “Made In Chicago,” her recent trip to France where Chicago artist Robert Guinan is all the rage, a gelato shop in Lincoln Square that also performs side-show acts, and much more. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about the upcoming NASCAR event that is going to cause nightmares throughout Chicago, they also discuss some truly awful game shows, and insane Japanese TV shows which include stunts like blowing off cannons in sleeping people’s bedrooms, and “The Screaming Man,” who jumps out from behind walls and screams at innocent bystanders. And, of course, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP151]

In this episode, Nick gets into a lively chat with Jim Ryan, journalist from Forbes and The Daily Herald. They dish on Jim’s interviews with the legendary Stewart Copeland from The Police, Tommy Stinson from The Replacements, and Black Sabbath’s very own Geezer Butler. Then, brace yourself for a crazy tale from Nick about last month’s Janet Jackson concert in Tinley Park. The story’s got everything: a packed-to-the-rafters concert, no parking spaces left, an unexpected strip club detour, abandoning a car at Target, and walking for miles, just to catch the last snippet of the concert. Crazy, right? To wrap things up, Esmeralda Leon and Nick respond to a Magic Megaphone request and it triggers a laugh-out-loud chat about game shows. They gab about “Family Feud,” “Password,” the quirky Canadian game show “Talk About,” and “Supermarket Sweep,” which Esma just can’t get enough of. [EP150]

In this episode, Nick and TV critic Dan Fienberg, from The Hollywood Reporter & The Fien Print, talk about the 2023 Tony Awards telecast (which was the first awards show to be conducted without writers), the series finales of HBO’s “Succession” and “Barry,” and the new controversial HBO show “The Idol.” Mr. Fienberg also reviews a new documentary about Dan Rather, and the wacky action-comedy with Arnold Schwarzenegger, “FUBAR.” Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick fulfill another Magic Megaphone message from a teacher on the day of her retirement, they listen to a voicemail from a subscriber with an interesting request, and talk about the early careers of Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and the casts of “Reno 911” & “The State.” Oh, and these things happen while Nick bleeds all over the place because he cut himself shaving before the recording of this episode. And, of course, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke….while Nick bleeds. [EP149]

In this episode, Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to the podcast as they review some new movies including: “Rise of the Beasts” the latest chapter in the “Transformers” series; “Past Lives” a heartbreaking story about ‘the love that got away;’ the WWII horror movie “Brooklyn 45;” and the origin story of the most popular snack flavor of all time, “Flamin’ Hot.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to fulfill another Magic Megaphone request (involving Richie Cunningham’s favorite insult: ‘Bucko’), and they talk about some roles that famous actors would love to forget. Included in that conversation is the McDLT commercial featuring a young Jason Alexander (with hair!); “The Devil’s Rain,” a horror movie in which John Travolta melts into a pile of goo; and “200 Cigarettes,” which stars everyone from Paul Rudd to Courtney Love to Kate Hudson to Buster Poindexter. They also chat about Esma’s rediscovery of the great TV series, “Homicide: Life on the Streets,” and how great Andre Braugher is in it…and how weird it is to watch it on the ancient format of DVD. [EP148]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick talks with The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum, from Checkbook.org, about important consumer stories including: keeping up with your home insurance, the violation of child privacy laws by Amazon, the creeping dangers of A.I. scams, and the fact that Americans are keeping their cars longer than ever. Then, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive, joins Nick to review the new Dodge Hornet, and discuss the driver-less car takeover in San Francisco, the great ads for “Dad Cars” from the past, the lost problem of overheating cars, and, of course, spotting stars on old Western TV shows. Plus, we remember Barry Newman, the star of “Vanishing Point,” a CLASSIC car film from the 70’s. And, it all closes with Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP147]

Nick talks with Matt Carr from The Music Box Theatre in Chicago, about his movie-dominated childhood, his love of John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” and the upcoming screenings of the Vincent Price classic “House on Haunted Hill,” which will be presented in terrifying “EMERGO!” The movie will reach beyond the screen, and into the audience’s laps and faces, as horrifying ghosts and monsters haunt the Music Box auditorium! They also discuss the great William Castle, filmmaker/carnival barker and entertainer, who came up with incredibly entertaining gimmicks to keep movie audiences enthralled. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick answer a Magic Megaphone Message about the movie “Top Gun,” which leads to a mention of the satire “Hot Shots,” which leads to a hilarious discussion of terrible parody movies like “Re-Possessed,” “Meet The Spartans,” “Vampires Suck,” and many, many more. [EP146]

Nick is joined by Amy Guth, writer, filmmaker, and host of Crains Business’ “Daily Gist Podcast,” about her adventures while filming her new movie, the crazy real-life characters she met along the way, the joy of wearing an Elvis jumpsuit, and the politics of working in an office post-Covid. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick fulfill a Magic Megaphone request (involving John Candy’s hand and Steve Martin’s butt), discuss home brewing beer & wine, and how to successfully talk behind people’s backs. Then Nick talks about his two very awkward and botched marriage proposals, and Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP145]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest Disney live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” They also talk about the wacky (and terrible) Robert DeNiro, Sabastian Maniscalco farce “About My Father,” and they share their feelings about very funny, and very smart comedy about little while lies that have big consequences, “You Hurt My Feelings’ starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick fulfill another Magic Megaphone request (involving a Baldwin brother), chat about hooking up your own cable equipment, discuss how no one ever quotes from literature in real life, and, they remember the great Tina Turner, who passed away this week. [EP144]

Nick and TV critic Dan Fienberg shoot the breeze about the WGA strike, new sitcom “SisterS”, the transformation of HBOMax to MAX, and the last episodes of “Succession” and “Barry”. They also chat about “Top Chef” and Beef Wellingtons, while Nick shares anecdotes of celebrity encounters. Then Esmeralda Leon narrates her Vegas trip, involving a Katy Perry show with an oversized toilet and dancing poo. They later remember the 90s cable TV era, and as usual, Nick’s dad lands a joke. [EP143]

Nick and Pro-Wrestling expert Dr. Keith Lipinski talk about the upcoming AEW and WWE pay-per-views, plus they discuss the incredible success of the great Rhea Ripley, the sudden popularity of Dom-Dom, how much Nick HATES Cody Rhodes, the mystery of the CM Punk return, the success of MJF’s title reign thus far, and what two more hours of AEW programming could bring. They also remember the great “Superstar” Billy Graham, who passed away this week. Then Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to fulfill another Magic Megaphone request (involving legendary singer Michael McDonald), they talk about disturbing songs about very young girls by The Knack, The Boss, and The Bee Gees, and Esma contemplates about what she would do if she were the Bionic Woman. And, Nick talks about the new 24/7 Streaming service at radiomisfits.live, where you can hear all of your favorite Radio Misfits podcasts and more! [EP142]

Nick talks with Marnie Shure from the food website The Takeout, about how Fruit Roll-Ups are now huge on the black market, traveling to Hawaii in order to have an old-school fried apple pie from McDonald’s, and about AMC Theaters’ plan to create their own alternate snack brand. They also discuss horror movies, the last Mortified stage show, and the intense “Milk Wars” that are happening as we speak. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick play back a listener voice mail about how depressing Tom Petty’s music is, which leads to a conversation about what Esma wants at her funeral (you better dress up) and how she ultimately wants to become compost to feed the trees, while “Feed The Tree” by Belly is playing for all to hear. And, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP141]

Nick is joined by Mike Kerz, the owner of The Midway Drive-In in Dixon Illinois, to talk about the 90th anniversary of the opening of the very first drive-in. They talk about the history of the drive-in, the great events that will take place during this special season and some of the historic promotions and events that Mike has been responsible for creating. Plus, The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention with it’s great guests (like Rose McGowan from “Scream,” the cast of the “Terrifier” movies, and the car from “Christine!”) is discussed as well. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick honor Esma’s upcoming trip to Las Vegas by talking about the legendary Vegas performers like Frank Sinatra, Liberace, David Copperfield, Phyllis Diller, and more. Nick also talks about the time he actually did a wacky bit with Jerry Lewis (!) during one of his stage shows! Vegas Baby! [EP140]

Nick teams up with Dan Fienberg, the cool TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print. They dive into the Writers Guild strike, chatting about how it’s gonna shake up TV on all levels. They also gab about HBO’s fresh new series on Watergate, “The White House Plumbers,” starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, and the out-of-this-world sci-fi series “Silo” with Rebecca Ferguson on Apple TV+. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick tackle a Megaphone Message about bats going suburban, jam to some listener voicemails (Cesar Romero even makes an appearance), and reveal the surprisingly twisted lyrics in tunes from The Turtles, The Bee Gees, and Band-Aid. And, of course, don’t miss out on Nick’s Dad cracking a joke! [EP139]

Nick teams up with music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes and The Daily Herald for a fun chat about Jim’s encounters with John Oates, Rev. Horton Heat, and Inhaler (whose lead singer is Bono’s son!). Jim also dishes on the latest Depeche Mode concert and shares a side-splitting tale from a Milwaukee minor league hockey game followed by a bewildering free Stone Temple Pilots concert. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive into the uncanny accuracy of “Idiocracy,” the wackiness of the MET Gala, cat costumes, and the UGG boots and Lindsay Lohan era. [EP138]

In the newest “For The People” episode, Nick chats with The ConsumerMan, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org. They talk about why home warranties are a no-go and how the FTC is making it easier to ditch unwanted subscriptions. They even share how The ConsumerMan got his name. Next, car guru Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to discuss the latest Hyundai Santa-Fe Calligraphy, the Ford Maverick’s return, and grabbing a federal tax credit for electric cars. They also have fun talking about Bondo, geeky 80’s shows, and some hilarious facts about the crazy Ford Pacer. To top it off, Nick’s Dad cracks a joke. [EP137]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a lively chat about the 10th annual Chicago Critics Film Festival at The Music Box Theatre. They discuss the exciting lineup of new movie screenings and a special 35mm presentation of “The Right Stuff” on the big screen. They also give their take on some fresh releases, including the delightful adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel, “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.” Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick share amusing stories about Porter, the deaf dog Esma hangs out with, and her adventure in learning dog sign language to communicate with him. To top it all off, they vent their frustrations with Google Maps and take a nostalgic trip reminiscing about Indiana Beach, Disney World, and the unforgettable Frank ‘N’ Stein’s, where hot dogs and beers are served by the iconic Frankenstein monster. [EP136]

Nick chats with Dan Fienberg, TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter & The Fien Print, about the amazing new show “The Diplomat,” featuring Nick’s back porch tenant Keri Russell. They also discuss the dark and twisted TV adaptation of “Dead Ringers,” starring Rachel Weisz as twin gynecologists, and the latest season of Bill Hader’s “Barry.” Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to share tips on taking a slap across the face, how a glass of milk can come to the rescue after knocking out a tooth, and the time The Tamale Guy interrupted one of Esma’s live podcast recordings. Plus, and of course, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP135]

Nick welcomes podcaster, writer, journalist, and filmmaker, Amy Guth. They dive into a lively conversation about Amy’s new movie, her goth upbringing, the origins of the word ‘jagoff,’ and the recent mayoral election. They also discuss the upcoming NASCAR race and its potential impact on the city. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a fun chat about awful Chuck E. Cheese imitations, the real differences between mice and rats, the exciting world of roller skating, and Nick’s equestrian experiences over the years. [EP134]

Nick and pro-wrestling icon Al Snow sit down together to celebrate Al’s 41-year journey in the industry, which now features a stand-up comedy tour filled with captivating tales. They discuss wrestling’s evolution, memorable road experiences, Al’s collaboration with Mick Foley, and his involvement in the thrilling “Attitude Era” and “Monday Night Wars.” Al also shares his amusing conflict with the animal kingdom. Catch Al’s stand-up show at Zanies in Chicago on April 29th. Later, Nick and Esmeralda Leon explore non-stop Robert Zemeckis films, the true heroes of “Jaws,” ineffective automatic toilet cleaners, unclean eggs, and a humorous segment and of course, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP133]

Nick as he teams up with renowned film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the latest movies, including the bloody vampire comedy “Renfield” starring Nicolas Cage and the mob farce “Mafia Mamma” with Toni Collette. They also give you a sneak peek of the “Crackjack Compass: The Works of Robert Zemeckis” festival, which celebrates the extraordinary works of the famous filmmaker, including the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Forrest Gump,” “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “Contact,” “Cast Away,” “Romancing the Stone,” and the hilarious “Used Cars.” The Music Box Theatre will screen all these films as part of the fest. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick map out their globe-trotting adventure to follow Michael Bolton, reminisce about the cringe-worthy 80s fashion trends (like feathered hair, rat tails, unfortunate mustaches, tight designer jeans, and excessive hairspray), and uncover the surprising historical roots of the Mullet, tracing back to the time of the Iliad. Don’t miss this entertaining and educational episode! [EP132]

In this episode, join Nick as he chats with renowned TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print. They dive into the latest SNL episode hosted by the talented Molly Shannon, explore the unique reality/sitcom hybrid “Jury Duty” starring James Marsden, and delve deep into Netflix’s dark and captivating comedy, “Beef.” Later, Esmeralda Leon hops in for another entertaining Magic Megaphone Message segment, featuring a hilarious anecdote about an intoxicated Oliver Stone. The duo also samples some delightful Mexican candy, reminisces on Esma’s recent birthday celebration, and takes a fascinating journey through the enigmatic career of Jean-Claude Van Damme. To top it all of Nick’s Dad tells a joke! [EP131]

In this episode, Nick is joined by Marnie Shure from “The Takeout” food website. They delve into recent articles covering Easter Candy, the enigma of Oreos and MIT’s research on them, the boneless chicken “wings” lawsuit, and ALDI’S phallic marshmallow candies. The conversation also explores horror movies and includes a taste test of “Hot Tamale” and “Dr. Pepper” Peeps. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss so-bad-they’re-good movies such as “Showgirls,” “Fever Pitch,” “Virtuosity,” and the dreadful new Casablanca Records film, “Spinning Gold.” Additionally, they unpack the intricate world of “Saved By the Bell” and fulfill a Magic Megaphone request involving dinosaurs. [EP130]

“For the People,” join Nick and The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, for a lively chat about the sneaky ‘check washing’ scam making a comeback, and how airlines are finally getting on board with kid-friendly seats. They’ll also dish out seven nifty tips to help you level up your consumer game. While they’re at it, they reminisce about the legendary Katz’s Deli in NYC, home to that unforgettable “When Harry Met Sally” moment. Later, Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive rolls in to chat about the quirky 1958 Edsel ad campaign, the buzz-worthy 2024 Dodge Hornet, Honda’s sweet extended warranty deal, and the downright bizarre Plymouth Voyager III—a double dose of automotive disappointment. Plus, you won’t want to miss the hilarity of Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP129]

Nick is joined by renowned film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy as they delve into the latest cinematic releases. They discuss the new “Dungeons and Dragons” adaptation, explore the intriguing cold war tale surrounding the creation of “Tetris,” and marvel at the first standout film of 2023, “A Thousand and One”—a powerful drama that chronicles a family’s journey through the rapidly evolving inner-city landscape of New York from the mid-90s to mid-00s. Later, Nick and Esmeralda Leon have a blast with the Magic Megaphone, share their thoughts on the cringe-worthy “The Masked Singer” (including a baffling “Cheers” cast member reveal), reminisce about cheesy local TV commercials, and swap stories about concerts plagued by abysmal opening acts. Don’t miss out on this episode filled with lively discussions, laughter, and much more! [EP128]

Nick talks with Dan Fienberg, a TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print, covering various topics such as the return of “Yellowjackets,” the final season of “Succession,” the hilarious new animated comedy “Agent Elvis,” featuring the voice work of Matthew McConaughey as Elvis, and the dark, twisted, and fantastic horror/comedy “Swarm,” which might not sit well with Beyonce fans. Additionally, they fulfill a Magic Megaphone request about Ted Danson, sample some exotic Mexican candy, discuss the brilliance of John Wick and the perils of city bike riding. Lastly, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP126]

In this episode, Nick is joined by Bill Janovitz, the founding member of Buffalo Tom and author of the new book, “Leon Russell: The Master of Space & Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll’s History.” They delve into the fascinating life and career of Leon Russell and discuss many other topics. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick respond to a Magic Megaphone Message, sample some Mexican sweets, share stories of hanging out with comedians in an Irish pub, and learn that Red Bull might not be as beneficial as once thought. Finally, they reveal the last-minute details for the upcoming Nick D Podcast LIVE event, featuring Rich “Svengoolie” Koz. [EP126]

Nick is joined by screenwriter and host of the Daily Gist Podcast, Amy Guth for a discussion about the Oscars, working from home, the joys of living downtown during the drunken St. Patrick’s Day activities, and the AWP (Association of Writers & Writing) weekend conference. Also, her film about an Elvis impersonator has been green-lit! Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick grant another Magic Megaphone request, taste some strange Mexican candy, and talk about solutions to problems that only make matters worse. And, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP125]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy as they join him to discuss some films showcased at the SXSW Film Fest, and to provide their insights on new releases such as Willem Dafoe’s thriller “Inside,” the follow-up to DC Comics’ “Shazam,” and the exceptional latest installment of the “John Wick” series starring Keanu Reeves. Following this, Esmeralda Leon and Nick respond to another Magic Megaphone Message and delve into some peculiar rumors, ranging from spider eggs in Bubble Yum to Halle Berry having an extra toe and the legitimacy of Marisa Tomei’s Oscar win for “My Cousin Vinny.” Additionally, they share more information about the upcoming Nick D Podcast LIVE event at Zanies in Rosemont, featuring special guest Rich “Svengoolie” Koz, and embark on a taste-testing journey of Mexican candies. [EP123]

Nick and TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print catch up on the latest happenings. They discuss this year’s Oscar telecast, HBO’s “The Last of Us” finale, and a new documentary about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special called: “A Disturbance in the Force.” Later, Nick is joined by Esmeralda Leon to dish about wild celebrity rumors, including the Kardashians, the Richard Gere and gerbil story, and Rod Stewart’s stomach pumping. They also taste-test some Mexican candy, chat about the upcoming Nick D Podcast LIVE event with Rich “Svengoolie” Koz, and Nick’s Dad even tells a joke! [EP123]

In this episode, Nick shares his indifferent prediction of the Oscar ceremony winners, followed by a conversation with music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes and The Daily Herald. They discuss Warren Zevon’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot, Jim’s interviews with music legends John Fogerty and Paul Stanley of KISS, and Jim’s moderating of a Q&A with the band Material Issue about their documentary “Out of Time.” Nick and Jim also pay tribute to the late Lin Brehmer from WXRT with some memorable anecdotes. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the peculiar promotion of bad movies, further Academy Award topics, and conclude the Kit Kat taste testing. [EP122]

In this episode of “For The People,” Nick converses with The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org. Herb provides seven tips for leveraging National Consumer Protection Week and shares information on the proposed rule that aims to curb excessive credit card late fees. He also discusses the free prescriptions that eye doctors are required by law to provide. Later on, car expert Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive offers Nick an overview of the 2023 Chicago Auto Show. The two delve into the upcoming 2025 Buick Electra E5, as well as Nick’s personal experience waking up on Christmas morning to discover the doors had been stolen off of their Oldsmobile. Additionally, they discuss the recent spate of stolen catalytic converters and share a good laugh over a hilarious Ford commercial from 1960. Finally, Nick’s Dad closes the show with a joke. [EP121]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy in this episode to review “Creed III” and “Operation Fortune” while also discussing the upcoming Robert Zemeckis retrospective at The Music Box Theatre in Chicago. The retrospective will feature classics like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?,” “Forrest Gump,” “Used Cars,” “Romancing the Stone,” the “Back to the Future” trilogy, and many more. Esmeralda Leon and Nick also fulfill another Magic Megaphone Request and reminisce about the beginnings of “Adult Swim” on The Cartoon Network, including shows like “Space Ghost: Coast to Coast,” “The Eric Andre Show,” and “Aqua Teen Hunger Force.” Additionally, they discuss the upcoming Nick D Podcast LIVE event at Zanies in Rosemont, featuring special guest star Rich “Svengoolie” Koz. [EP120]

Nick is joined by Dan Fienberg, a TV critic from “The Hollywood Reporter” and “The Fien Print,” in this episode. They discuss the unusual L.A. weather, last week’s episode of SNL hosted by Woody Harrelson, the new Amazon Prime show “The Consultant” featuring Christoph Waltz, and the irrelevance of TV ratings, which no longer exist. Esmeralda Leon also shares her recent trip to Mexico, where she bravely faced scorpions, cockroaches, and frogs, and they also fulfill another Megaphone Message involving a man in the ladies’ room searching for a urinal. And of course, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP119]

In a conversation with guest Monica Eng from axios.com, Nick delves into her fantastic new book, “Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites,” which uncovers the history and anecdotes behind some of Chicago’s finest cuisine. The book sheds light on intriguing questions such as the origins of the Jim Shoe, the creator of the Sweet Steak, the top spot for Tavern Style Pizza in the city, and the reasons for Malort’s popularity. Additionally, Monica shares information on an exciting slot-car racing venue located on the north side. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss the most transformative inventions of the past decade and reflect on their proud antisocial tendencies. [EP118]

Nick is joined by Marnie Shure from “The Takeout” to discuss Krispy Kreme’s remarkable success in 2022 despite store shutdowns across the country where they sold over 1.63 BILLION donuts! They also explore McCheapest.com, a platform that tracks the prices of McDonald’s items across different regions, with the cost of a Big Mac in Massachusetts being $9. Additionally, they delve into scary movies and the upcoming Mortified Chicago event that centers around “Star Wars.” Esmeralda Leon and Nick fulfill another Magic Megaphone Message and talk about things that were once disliked but are now popular, including The Marx Bros’ “Duck Soup.” They also taste-test some unconventional flavors of Kit Kat bars, and Nick’s dad tells a joke. [EP117]

Nick is joined by movie critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the new private-eye mystery “Marlowe,” with Liam Neeson; the Australian romance “Of An Age,” and the latest Marvel Universe adventure “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.” Then, British Bon Vivant, Slap Slapply (close friends with Tom Hush, Executive Producer of The Steve Cochran Show on WLS-AM) hosts another round of the game show “For The Record” in which Nick and Esmeralda Leon test their music knowledge, discover that Slap is actually a werewolf, remember the genius of the band Everclear, and battle for a prize that includes an evening with the ghost of Raquel Welch. It’s all very strange. [EP116]

In this special “Anti-Valentine’s Day” episode, Nick visits with TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter, Dan Fienberg to talk about appropriate anti-valentine’s TV to watch, plus they discuss the Super Bowl commercials (most of them were bad) and half-time show (which was serviceable), and the new ABC show “Not Dead Yet,” and the sudden renaissance of the good network sit-com like: “Ghosts,” “Abbott Elementary,” “American Auto” and more. Then Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for the annual “Anti-Valentine’s Day” celebration with talk of horrible break-ups, bad relationships, and the best anti-valentines songs, movies and stories (it’s gets a little personal and intense…it’s awesome). Plus Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke to lighten things up! [EP115]

Nick is joined by writer/podcaster/filmmaker Amy Guth to talk about her cross country road trip to Seattle, her latest writing projects, the joys of Scottish TikTok, being ‘hotlined’ on the radio and the upcoming Nick D Podcast LIVE show at Zanies in Rosemont that she will be co-hosting. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss things that everyone used to hate, but they now love (like The Wizard of Oz, The Charlie Brown Christmas Special and The Big Lebowski), they grant another Magic Megaphone Message and eat some crazy Kit Kat bars, and more. [EP113]

In this “For The People” episode, Nick talks with The Consumerman: Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, about the feds coming down on hidden fees (from places like TicketMaster, your cell phone company, hotels), being safe from buying flood-damaged used cars, some tax tips for 2023 and more. Then Car Guy Tom Appel, from Consumer Guide Automotive, joins Nick to preview the 2023 Chicago Auto Show (and why you should never expect the truth from an Auto Show Producer), talk about the end of Jaguar, the new 2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray and what exactly is a kilowatt? And Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP113]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to talk about the great Billy Wilder festival at The Music Box, and they review the new movies: “80 For Brady” a comedy about Tom Brady and some old ladies, the new horror/sci-fi satire from David Cronenberg’s son Brandon called “Infinity Pool,” and “Knock at the Cabin,” the latest train wreck from the M. Night Shayamalan. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about more TV characters that have completely changed (Fonzie used to be tough and Laverne and Shirley used to be sluts), they fulfill another Magic Megaphone Message (featuring a tribute to one of the funniest movies ever made) and they taste test some funky flavored Kit Kat bars. [EP112]

Nick talks with artist/writer/podcaster/publisher/ex-cab driver Dmitry Samarov about his latest book “Paint-By-Numbers,” his upcoming art shows, the reviews he writes for the Chicago Reader, his horror movie podcast, and how he described 2020 as “the Best Pandemic Ever.” Then, Nick is joined by Esmeralda Leon to discuss the details of his latest Facebook prison sentence (it involves the very “sexy” aliens from John Carpenter’s “They Live”), fulfill the latest Magic Megaphone Message, taste test more weird Kit Kit bars, and discuss why so many people just keep getting dumber and dumber. And Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP111]

Nick talks with Joe Ahern the co-writer, director and star of the new movie “The Disppearance of Toby Blackwood,” a terrific comedy shot during lockdown about consiracy theories, a crazy mystery, and going down the hilarious rabbit-hole of the internet. It also features great cameos by many stars, including Luis Guzman and Nick’s Future Ex-Wife: Dana DeLorenzo. Then Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for another Magic Megaphone Message, and to chat about weird parenting, Karo Syrup covered pancakes, Brad Pitt gving toddlers cans of Coke and more. They also taste test some weird flavored Kit Kat bars and talk about the next Nick D Podcast LIVE event at Zanies in Rosemont. [EP110]

Nick is joined by TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter Dan Fienberg to talk about some new documentaries debuting at the Sundance Film Festival, including “Still” the new doc about Michael J. Fox, and “Deepest Breath” a Netflix doc about deep water free-diving. Also discussed is the latest episode of SNL (and the departure of Cecily Strong), the new reboot of “Night Court,” and the return of the very funny “American Auto” on NBC. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick fulfill another Megaphone Message, talk about the madness of the CTA, share stories of weird celebrity parents, and taste test some crazy Kit Kat candy bars. And, Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke. [EP109]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to review the new Anna Kendrick film “Alice, Darling,” the Gen Z techno thriller “Missing,” “The Son,” the new family drama with Hugh Jackman and Anthony Hopkins, and a brand new 4K restoration of the John Carpenter masterpiece “Assault on Precinct 13.” Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick grant another Magic Megaphone wish, finish their Japanese snack taste tests, and talk about citizens of Chicago naming the snow plows of the City, and more. [EP108]

Nick is joined by music journalist Jim Ryan, from Forbes and The Daily Herald to talk about The Year in Music, including the best albums of 2022 (Spoon, Eddie Vedder, Tears For Fears are among the artists on the list) and the best concerts of 2022 (including The B52s at the Chicago Theater, Jack White at Empty Bottle, and Chris Stapleton at Wrigley Field). They also talk about how Joe Walsh has always been waaaay too good for The Eagles, and the time that Paul Oakenfold pretended to be both Pet Shop Boys. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about more celebrity drama (Richard Gere and Debra Winger HATED each other during the making of “An Officer and a Gentleman” and Justin Bieber is a punk), fulfill a drunken Megaphone Message, taste some Japanese candy that look suspiciously like meth rocks, and Nick’s Dad Tells a Joke! [EP107]

Nick is joined by Marnie Shure, The Editor of “The Takeout,” to talk about needlessly complicated A.I. ovens, terrible sugar-free wine, how Tik Tok ruins everything, they also talk about movies like “The Menu,” “The Babadook” and the new classic “M3GAN”, and they taste test the new Crunchy Cookie M&M’s. Then Esmeralda Leon and Nick taste more Japanese snacks, fulfill a Megaphone Message, discuss celebrity drama involving Robert Downey Jr., Lea Michelle and an very angry Peter Frampton. Plus they preview the next Nick D Podcast LIVE event at Zanies in Rosemont. [EP106]