Claim OwnershipThe Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits
Subscribed: 135Played: 16,071
Subscribe
© Radio Misfits
Description
Award-Winning, longtime Chicago radio personality Nick Digilio hosts this pop culture/entertainment podcast, featuring interviews, movie reviews and much more. Tuesdays & Fridays on the Radio Misfits Podcast Network
422 Episodes
Reverse
Nick kicks things off by diving into the 2026 Oscar nominations, running through his predictions and unloading on the snubs and head-scratching choices that immediately set him off. There’s praise where it’s earned, frustration where it’s deserved, and plenty of strong opinions about how the list shook out.
Marnie Shure returns to talk food, fear, and a little chaos. She brings along her monthly Horror Report with thoughts on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, plus a handful of food stories worth paying attention to. The two also talk about the upcoming Mortified live show and take on the important work of taste-testing Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters, with results that are taken very seriously.
Esmeralda Leon joins later as the conversation drifts back into the strange world of forgotten celebrity talk shows. Names like Harry Connick Jr. and Fran Drescher come up, before landing on Chevy Chase and what might be the worst talk show idea ever put on television. It’s Oscars, horror movies, candy, and bad TV decisions, all wrapped into one very on-brand conversation. [Ep 423]
Nick is joined by former radio producer and longtime movie obsessive Tom Hush for the debut of what instantly feels like a dangerous new segment, Tom’s Theater of Trash. The two dive headfirst into the world of gloriously bad and forgotten films, starting with Tom’s love for the sharksploitation oddity Jaws 5: Cruel Jaws. That spirals into a conversation about the history of the subgenre, the fine art of stealing footage, why low-budget filmmaking can be charming, and exactly how Sharknado managed to miss the entire point.
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to clean out the voicemail bag and wander into the graveyard of celebrity talk shows no one remembers, including brief, strange detours hosted by Martin Short and Zach Galifianakis. Things wrap up with shared memories of attending tapings of The Jenny Jones Show, which were exactly as chaotic and ill-advised as you would expect. It’s trash cinema, forgotten TV, and bad decisions, all handled with pride. [Ep 422]
Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for the first round of new movie reviews of 2026, and they jump right into a mixed bag of releases. The conversation covers the fourth entry in the horror franchise with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the historical musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee starring Amanda Seyfried, and the gritty cop thriller The Rip featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They also get into the urban vampire thriller Night Patrol and a few other titles, with plenty of honest reactions along the way. Before wrapping up, Erik and Steve look ahead to their upcoming trip to the Sundance Film Festival and what they’re hoping to see this year.
Things get sillier when Esmeralda Leon joins in and a couple of new voicemails roll in about the McRib lawsuit. That opens the door to a free-for-all discussion about some of the dumbest lawsuits ever filed, and why the fictional but highly confident Esmaolas Law Firm is clearly ready to take them all on and somehow win every case. [Ep 421]
Nick catches up with Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter to break down the Golden Globe Awards while they are still fresh. They talk through the winners and losers, how the broadcast actually played, and what worked and didn’t with host Nikki Glaser. It’s a straight-shooting reaction to an awards night that gave everyone plenty to argue about.
Dan also weighs in on a few new things worth watching, including the Amazon series The Night Manager, the drama His and Hers starring Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, and Jon Bernthal, and a new documentary centered on Chevy Chase. The reviews are thoughtful and honest, with the kind of context only a longtime critic brings.
Things take a sharp turn into chaos when Esmeralda Leon joins in and British bon vivant and game show tormentor Slap Slapply returns. Nick and Esma get thrown into another round of 80s and 90s trivia madness, and the results are as ridiculous and entertaining as you would hope. [Ep 420]
Nick welcomes Monica Eng back for her first visit of 2026, catching up as she prepares for a colonoscopy and somehow still manages to be the hungriest person in the room. The conversation moves through the latest local and national stories she’s been covering for Axios, along with a rundown of the ten best things she ate in 2025 and five Chicago-area restaurants she’s watching closely. There’s also a sober moment on how everyday costs keep creeping up for Chicagoans, even when the food is great.
Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later to unpack a federal class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s over the McRib and its lack of actual rib meat. That opens the floodgates to a fast food rabbit hole, with stories and laughs about some of the strangest menu items ever unleashed on the public. It’s a mix of sharp reporting, food obsession, and just enough legal absurdity to keep things moving. [Ep 419]
Herb Weisbaum sits this one out while he recovers from a hip replacement, but the show rolls on with a look back at the biggest consumer stories of 2025 and a few trends already shaping how people will spend and shop in 2026. Herb will be back next month with fresh intel and, by all accounts, a much more flexible outlook.
Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive jumps in to talk about the cars he has been driving lately and what to watch for at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the future of electric vehicles, including why models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and the VW ID Buzz may be facing an early exit. As always, nostalgia sneaks in with a look back at classic car ads for the 1954 Nash Metropolitan and the 1972 AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin.
The fun wraps up with another round of Starspotter and Mystery Show, capped off by the accidental discovery of Tom’s truly fantastic old gas station nickname. Even without the Consumerman, there is plenty to cover, plenty to laugh about, and more than a few surprises along the way. [Ep 418]
We sit down with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an extended, no-rush conversation about what 2025 looked like at the movies. It was a strange year, sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating, and we dig into what worked, what didn’t, and why the box office and streaming landscape felt so uneven. Trends, surprises, and a few head-scratching moments all get their turn.
From there, things get very opinionated. Erik and Steve each roll out their picks for the best movies of 2025 and the worst, and yes, the disagreements come fast and loud. There are a handful of rare moments where they line up, plenty where they absolutely do not, and some strong feelings about how certain films landed or completely missed the mark.
We also look ahead to what has us excited for 2026, and somehow, against all odds, everyone agrees on the single best movie of 2025. It’s a long, passionate movie nerd conversation that takes its time and leaves no opinion unchallenged. [Ep 417]
Nick brings pro wrestling expert Dr. Keith Lipinski back to look over a busy, often chaotic year in the ring. They walk through the biggest stories across WWE, including John Cena’s retirement tour and heel turn, the return of AJ Lee, and a string of injuries that reshaped the roster. The conversation also shifts to All Elite Wrestling, spotlighting standout matches and the strong year turned in by Hangman Page, Toni Storm, and Will Ospreay, along with a few behind-the-scenes stories that fans rarely hear. Impact Wrestling and AAW Pro get some attention as well, rounding out a wide view of the wrestling landscape.
Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward to shift gears and look back on their own highlights from 2025. That reflection quickly turns into a laugh-filled rundown of the dumbest, strangest, and most unrealistic New Year’s resolutions people make every year and almost never keep. It’s an easy mix of wrestling insight and personal chatter to close things out. [Ep 416]
Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes back for a wide-ranging look at a year filled with memorable shows and standout conversations. Jim talks about recent concerts that left an impression, including a night with Evan Dando and a still-amazing performance from Paul McCartney. The discussion expands into Jim’s personal highlights from 2025, touching on favorite interviews, albums, and live moments that defined the year in music. They also pause to remember the legacy of Steve Cropper, reflecting on his influence and why his work continues to matter.
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to catch up on life and mark National Stretching Day, which quickly turns into a relaxed, personal chat. Esma also shares her enthusiasm for a Netflix documentary about the legendary Juan Gabriel, celebrating his impact and enduring place in music history. [Ep 415]
Nick welcomes Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back for a packed conversation that jumps from recent SNL episodes to the new documentary “Breakdown: 1975,” along with a thoughtful look at the long, influential career of Rob Reiner. Dan also unveils his picks for the Best Television of 2025, spotlighting standouts like “The Lowdown,” “Andor,” “Pluribus,” “Adolescence,” and several others that made the year feel unusually strong for TV.
The show closes with pure chaos as British bon vivant and game show impresario Slap Slapply makes his triumphant return. Nick and Esmeralda Leon square off in another round of wildly unpredictable trivia, trading correct answers, bad guesses, and plenty of mock outrage. It’s loud, competitive, and exactly the kind of madness Slap was built for, making it a fitting way to wrap up the year. [Ep 414]
Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an expanded round of movie talk as the year end release rush hits full speed. They dig into a packed slate that includes the newest chapter in James Cameron’s Avatar saga, Timothée Chalamet’s latest turn in Marty Supreme, and Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fronting a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue. The conversation also covers Will Arnett as a down-on-his-luck stand-up comic in Is This Thing On?, Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid, and the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, with a few more titles folded in along the way.
With so many major releases landing at once, the discussion stretches out and takes its time, offering thoughtful reactions and plenty of back and forth between three longtime critics who know each other’s tastes well. Esmeralda sits this one out, but the movie talk more than fills the space as the holiday film season kicks into high gear. [Ep 413]
Nick welcomes writer Marnie Shure for a wide-ranging conversation that blends upcoming live storytelling, food obsession, and a touch of seasonal chaos. Marnie talks about the next Mortified show coming in February, then dives into holiday food talk with authority, covering the best cranberry sauces on the shelf, what actually makes a great grilled cheese, and a gift guide packed with standout Chicago food finds. She also delivers her monthly Horror Report, complete with stories from her recent visit to Halloween Horror Nights.
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a tour of truly bizarre Christmas traditions from around the world. Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat gets its due, Venezuelans roll to church on skates, and Krampus lurks right on schedule. Esma also shares a personal holiday revelation from her childhood, where Santa never showed up, but Jesus very much did. The mix of food, folklore, and personal stories keeps things funny, strange, and perfectly on brand for the season. [Ep 412]
Nick welcomes Axios Chicago’s Monica Eng for a rundown of the stories she has been digging into lately, starting with the city budget and the complicated process required to get it passed. She also highlights a handful of terrific local gift shops for holiday shopping, the recent WBEZ power outage, and new data on CPS college enrollment. The conversation gets delightfully seasonal with a defense of pickled herring and a story about how Monica managed to get snowy bike lanes plowed through sheer persistence.
Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward to catch up on life and mark National Stretching Day with the kind of chat that makes even basic self-care sound like a group project. She also shares her enthusiasm for a standout Netflix documentary on the legendary Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, a recommendation that quickly becomes its own mini conversation. [Ep 411]
Nick brings Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back for a fresh round of TV talk, starting with the latest SNL episodes and the unexpected charm of “Pluribus.” Dan runs through his newest reviews, including the Netflix western “The Abandons” with Gillian Anderson and the HBO Max hockey drama and love story “Heated Rivalry,” and he offers an early look at the wonderfully unhinged HBO comedy special “Sarah Squirm: Live + In The Flesh.” They also size up the newly announced 2025 Golden Globe nominations across TV and film.
Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward for a gleefully odd detour into the history of radiators and how these clunky metal giants actually heat a home. That leads to stories about terrible landlords, the misery of board meetings, and even a memorable Tom Skilling moment that sneaks in before the laughter dies down. [Ep 410]
Nick brings film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back for a run through several major new releases, including James L. Brooks’ comedy drama “Ella McCay,” the animated sequel “Zootopia 2,” the latest “Knives Out” mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” and the follow up to the video game horror hit “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.” Their conversation moves quickly, mixing sharp reactions with the kind of easy back and forth that comes from years of arguing about movies together.
Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later for a round of holiday chatter, which turns into a story about a South Side spot that sells great Christmas trees and also lets you recycle them by feeding them to a herd of very enthusiastic goats. That leads to a tour of strange Christmas trees from around the world, including one built entirely from full bottles of Heineken. The holiday spirit takes on some unusual shapes, and Nick and Esma have plenty of fun with it. [Ep 409]
Nick brings back Consumerman Herb Weisbaum for a fresh round of listener questions and a rundown of holiday-season consumer traps. They dig into how many so-called sale prices are nothing more than fake markdowns, take a look at toys that raise safety flags, and walk through Herb’s practical shopping tips that actually matter heading into the 2025 rush.
Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive jumps in next with updates from the road, including the newest vehicles he has been test-driving and standout moments from the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show. Jeep shows off some eye-catching concepts, and the conversation drifts into memorable vintage car ads like the 1977 Pontiac Can Am and the 1983 Chrysler Fifth Avenue with its Miss Universe tie-in.
The show wraps with another round of Starspotter and Mystery Show, keeping the mix of nostalgia, automotive fun, and consumer savvy rolling through the end. [Ep 408]
Nick welcomes back the always delightful Stephen Tobolowsky, who slips right into the conversation like he never left. They trade memories about the moviegoing rituals they shared as kids, revisit his early film work on “Josh and Sam,” and dig into the unforgettable day he performed on Broadway for a group of Hispanic schoolchildren who had never seen a play before, complete with Buck Henry running a post-show Q&A. Tobo also talks about the projects he has coming up on both the big and small screens.
Esmeralda Leon later joins Nick for a round of Black Friday horror tales that feel equal parts shocking and strangely familiar. There’s a sucker punch at Sears, a kid left behind at K-Mart, and even a customer who stepped over a dying person to grab a bargain at Target. Holiday cheer takes many forms, apparently. [Ep 407]
Nick shares more about the celebrations planned for his new book, “40 Years, 40 Films,” and how listeners can snag copies before the holidays. TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter drops by with sharp takes on recent SNL episodes, the Eddie Murphy documentary “Being Eddie,” the newest season of “A Man in the Inside,” and reviews of “The Beast in Me,” “The Assassin,” and the Susan Powter documentary, along with a quick look at what’s coming in the new season of “Stranger Things.”
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a lively chat about cooking, holiday dishes, kitchen chaos, and the pressure of pulling off ambitious menus without sabotaging the turkey. [Ep 406]
Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of movie talk and box office breakdowns. They look at the sluggish November numbers and review several new releases, including “Rental Family” starring Brendan Fraser, the long-awaited sequel to “Wicked,” George Clooney’s tense drama “Jay Kelly,” and the over-the-top action spectacle “Sisu: Road to Revenge.”
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to spread the word about an upcoming holiday food drive on Chicago’s northwest side. The two then dive into some more pop culture nostalgia with Bond movies, spooky 90s TV classics like “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and “Eerie, Indiana,” and plenty of laughs along the way. [Ep 405]
Nick welcomes Nell Minow, The Movie Mom, back to the show for a lively mix of politics, pop culture, and film talk. They break down the latest political headlines from D.C., including reactions to the recent elections and Elon Musk’s absurd pay package, before diving into Nell’s brand-new book, Low Information. Nell also shares insights from her interview with the composer of the new “Knives Out” movie, her article celebrating the 50th anniversary of Siskel & Ebert, and her thoughts on a slate of current releases.
Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for another nostalgic pop culture deep dive — from Bond movies and a bizarre “Suddenly Susan” episode featuring Warren Zevon, to some truly forgotten relics of 90s TV like Northern Exposure, Two of a Kind, The Sifl and Olly Show, and the inexplicable MacGruder & Loud. [Ep 404]
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
it is very hard to hear everything clearly. Hope this improves with other live broadcasts.
finally. all right all right all right
Welcome back Nick. Great show!! Feels like home!!