Nick welcomes journalist Monica Eng from Axios back to the podcast to dig into some of her latest stories. They cover the looming possibility of the National Guard coming to Chicago, updates on how to get your Covid vaccine, the opening of a new restaurant at Bally’s in River North, and why Aldi might just be the best place on earth (yes, even with self-checkout). Monica also shares her thoughts on the serene beauty of the Caldwell Lily Pool. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a fun segment on weekend plans, the arrival of Halloween, and another dive into 90s pop culture. They revisit the name of the Fresh Prince’s beloved butler, debate who was really behind “The Slap Heard Around the World,” and more nostalgic gems. [Ep 387]
Nick welcomes back music journalist Jim Ryan for a lively chat about the concerts he’s been covering. Jim shares an absolutely hilarious recap of a chaotic Who performance where Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey nearly came to blows on stage, along with yet another Van Halen–related disaster courtesy of David Lee Roth. He also previews this year’s Riot Fest lineup, which mixes big-name bands with the unexpected appearance of John Stamos. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a fun conversation about the fall season and the quirks of pop culture. They revisit the saga of cloned sheep, remember Skeet Ulrich in his 90s prime, celebrate the legendary Game Boy, and wander through plenty of nostalgic detours. [Ep 386]
Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for reviews of the latest releases, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Stephen King’s The Long Walk with Mark Hamill, and the charming low-budget holiday film The Baltimorons. Erik also shares highlights from the Toronto International Film Festival, with buzzworthy titles and festival standouts. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive into the bizarre saga of McDonald’s broken ice cream machines, why the Feds are investigating, and then shift gears into 90s pop culture. They cover everything from Saved By the Bell and Appletinis to solving the eternal mystery of what “QR” really stands for in QR Code. [Ep 385]
Nick welcomes back Dan Fienberg, TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print, for another wide-ranging TV chat. They break down the latest drama inside the Big Brother house, talk about the major cast shake-ups coming to Saturday Night Live, and review some big new releases: FX’s The Lowdown with Ethan Hawke, Peacock’s The Office spin-off The Paper, and National Geographic’s gripping documentary Lost in the Jungle. Dan also looks ahead to the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards and lays out his bold predictions for the night’s biggest winners. Then, it’s the triumphant return of everyone’s favorite British bon vivant, Slap Slapply. Nick and Esmeralda Leon go head-to-head in another round of Slap’s ridiculous game show antics, complete with trivia, laughs, and a goo-covered Matrix-style entrance you won’t soon forget. [Ep 384]
Nick begins with reflections on the date of September 4th, a bittersweet day marking both the passing of the legendary Roy Leonard and Nick’s own difficult exit from a certain radio station. He shares why those memories matter, how they shaped him, and the perspective he’s gained since. Writer Marnie Shure then joins the conversation to preview the upcoming Mortified event, the Printer’s Row Lit Fest, and to dig into the history of podcasting. She also brings her monthly “Horror Report,” breaking down the latest scary films she’s been watching. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap the recent Oasis concert at Soldier Field and continue their playful stroll through 90s pop culture, touching on slap bracelets, the early days of the Sony PlayStation, and how anyone survived earning just $3.80 an hour. [Ep 383]
Nick welcomes back The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum of Checkbook.org, to tackle listener questions and share updates on key consumer issues. They cover the federal government’s plan to stop issuing paper checks, a Texas judge striking down the consumer-friendly Medical Debt Rule, and how shopping thrift stores can uncover unexpected treasures. Later, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive drops in with the latest from the auto world, including his current test drives, a goofy Chrysler concept car, Ford’s aggressive push toward EVs, and the trend of slipping tiny engines into big vehicles. The show wraps up with another fun round of #Starspotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep 382]
Nick teams up once again with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a round of reviews, including Austin Butler’s wild crime thriller Caught Stealing, the dark comedy remake The Roses, Jane Levy’s heartfelt drama A Little Prayer, and the outrageous reboot of The Toxic Avenger. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws and its enduring place in pop culture. They also preview some big concerts coming to Chicago, including Oasis at Soldier Field, before diving into another lively trip through 90s nostalgia. [Ep 381]
Nick is joined once again by Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg for the latest on the chaos inside the Big Brother house. Dan also runs through reviews of new shows, including Long Story Short, an animated comedy from the creator of BoJack Horseman; Netflix’s political thriller Hostage with Julie Delpy; John Cena’s return in The Peacemaker; and USA Network’s fresh take on John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. Later, Esmeralda Leon teams up with Nick for a lively chat about hot dogs, street fairs, and a full dose of 90s nostalgia. From Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys mania to the shocking original casting plans for Friends—like Janeane Garofalo as Monica, Vince Vaughn as Joey, and Jon Cryer as Chandler—they dig into the alternate universe of what might have been. [Ep 380]
Nick welcomes Monica Eng from Axios Chicago for another wide-ranging conversation on the stories shaping the city. They cover local politics, a trip to the legendary Steak N Egger, Burrito Beach turning 30, new restaurants outside the Joliet casino, the best Korean dumplings on Pulaski, and key updates from CPS as a new school year begins. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for laughs and nostalgia. They chat about Joliet casinos, the reboot of Hollywood Squares with Drew Barrymore, and the end of AOL dial-up. The episode also revisits 90s pop culture staples—from Now That’s What I Call Music! and The Macarena to the truly terrifying Furby. [Ep 379]
Nick opens with a push for movie fans to get back into theaters, especially to catch Spike Lee’s powerful new film Highest 2 Lowest. Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes then drops by to recap a run of standout shows, including Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick, Al Green with The O’Jays, Paul Simon, and a throwback 80s fest featuring John Waite and Wang Chung. He also shares highlights from his interview with Morgan Freeman and delivers a full Lollapalooza report. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a dive into 90s pop culture. They swap stories about Airheads, Pogs, the Pink Power Ranger, and how Mentos commercials somehow made it acceptable to act like a complete jerk. Esma clears up the mysteries of Clarissa Explains It All, while Nick revels in the nostalgia of a decade defined by quirky candy and questionable fashion. [Ep 378]
Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for their regular round of movie reviews. They dig into Spike Lee’s gripping new drama with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest, the high-octane sequel Nobody 2 starring Bob Odenkirk, and the wild, shoestring-budget horror oddity Jimmy and Stiggs, along with a few other fresh releases. Esmeralda Leon later stops by to take a nostalgic trip through the flashy days of LA Gear sneakers, afternoons spent watching Figure It Out on Nickelodeon, and late-night Taco Bell runs—preferably with a wisecracking chihuahua in the commercials. [Ep 377]
Nick is joined by Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg for a conversation about his site The Fien Print and the latest chaos in the Big Brother house. They cover the return of King of the Hill, what to expect from Wednesday Season 2, and the debut of FX’s Alien: Earth. The discussion also touches on Ozzy Osbourne’s surprising TV legacy, the politics of South Park, and other small-screen topics. Esmeralda Leon then teams up with Nick to swap outrageous CTA stories. From a man licking every pole and handrail on a train, to Nick’s bus ride with a loose mouse, to a woman on the Blue Line eating scrambled eggs with her bare hands right next to him—these tales prove public transit is never boring. [Ep 376]
Nick catches up with filmmaker, podcaster, and journalist Amy Guth to hear about her latest projects and the behind-the-scenes grind of getting a movie made. They talk about the quirks of working in a foreign language, the translation tools that make it possible, and the challenge of posting exciting updates on social media when most days are just paperwork and meetings. The conversation also drifts into the return of King of the Hill and a few other pop culture side roads. Esmeralda Leon then joins Nick for a lively recap of their time at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention. From hanging out with Dee Wallace to handling Q&As and making a few too many vendor room purchases, they share stories from the event and wrap things up with a nostalgic dive into 90s pop culture. [Ep 375]
Nick welcomes The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum to tackle listener questions and cover the latest consumer news. They dig into updates on EV tax credits, a federal court decision striking down click-to-cancel rules, the surprising impact of Buy Now Pay Later deals on credit scores, and Kroger's shift to digital-only coupons. Later, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive stops by to talk about NACS charging, Subaru’s massive-screened 2026 Uncharted, and bizarre vintage car commercials from Dodge and Chrysler. Plus, another round of #Starspotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep 374]
Recorded live at The Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, Nick and Esmeralda Leon bring the podcast to the stage at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. They kick things off with audience stories about the best horror movie jump scares—plus a few prize giveaways—and welcome Chicago’s own Svengoolie for a chat about his latest appearances and upcoming projects. Then actress Dee Wallace joins the show for a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious conversation about her legendary career. From battling werewolves in “The Howling” to surviving “Cujo,” Dee shares unforgettable stories from the sets of horror classics, what it was like being America’s mom in “E.T.,” and why she still loves the genre. [Ep 373]
Nick opens the show with a heartfelt tribute to Ryne Sandberg, honoring the legacy of the Hall of Famer and longtime Cubs icon, who passed away earlier this week. Sandberg’s impact on Chicago baseball is remembered with affection and admiration. Then, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to break down this week’s movie releases. They dive into the psychological horror film Together, the new reboot of The Naked Gun starring Liam Neeson, and the sequel to the animated satire The Bad Guys 2, weighing in on whether these films live up to the originals or crash and burn. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the recent wave of celebrity deaths, including Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Hulk Hogan, and Ozzy Osbourne. While the losses are somber, they quickly shift gears into a much lighter mood, sharing excitement and plans for their upcoming appearances at Flashback Weekend, where horror, nostalgia, and mayhem await. [Ep 372]
Nick sits down with horror icon Danielle Harris to talk all things Flashback Weekend. From her early days as a child actor in the “Halloween” franchise to her scene-stealing role in the “Hatchet” films, Danielle shares what it's been like growing up in the genre and how she's managed to keep things bloody and badass ever since. She also teases her return to Flashback Weekend for a “Hatchet” cast reunion and some unforgettable celebrity photo-ops. Nick and Danielle get into her other life as a podcast host, the unique bond horror fans have with the actors they grew up screaming at, and what she still loves most about working in the genre. Then Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to preview all the madness in store at this year’s Flashback Weekend, including a live taping of this very show. Special guests like Svengoolie and Dee Wallace will hit the stage at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, and if you’re in the crowd, you might just become part of the show. [Ep 371]
Nick previews all the bloody fun coming to the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, including a special live taping of this podcast with Esmeralda Leon, special guests Svengoolie and actress Dee Wallace (yes, the mom from E.T.), and the chance for fans to be part of the action. It’s happening soon, and Nick’s ready for mayhem. Later, he’s joined by food writer and horror superfan Marnie Shure for a chat about her clever pieces like Trail to Taproom and Sauteed Standup, and what she’s been watching lately. From the cult classic They Live to early reactions to 28 Years Later, it’s a feast of horror talk. Then Esma returns to share more Flashback excitement and muse on the joys of aging, Ozzy Osbourne’s final bow, and the new season of South Park, which kicks off with a jaw-dropping premiere. [Ep 370]
Nick is joined by Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter for a sharp, funny breakdown of the new season of Big Brother and the cast of lovable idiots already making a mess of things. They also dig into the 2025 Emmy nominations, calling out the most satisfying nods and baffling snubs, with a passionate plea for Harrison Ford to finally take home some gold. Plus, they react to the wild new Dexter reboot and marvel at Jamie Lee Curtis dropping the word "jagoff" repeatedly on The Bear—which, somehow, Nick still hasn't seen. Later, Esmeralda Leon pops in to help Nick rewind to the chaotic, glorious heyday of VH1 reality TV. From The Surreal Life to Mob Wives to the unforgettable Flavor of Love, it's a nostalgic trip through some of the most absurd and addictive shows ever created. Plenty of laughs, solid takes, and maybe a little regret over just how much of that stuff we all actually watched. [Ep 369]
Nick, Erik Childress, and Steve Prokopy break down a packed lineup of new releases, starting with Ari Aster’s eerie pandemic thriller Eddington. They also unpack the murky identity crisis of the I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, dissect the twisted charm of the rom-com satire Oh, Hi!, and weigh in on the latest Superman movie that has sparked more controversy than applause. Esmeralda Leon then joins Nick for a passionate ode to Jean-Claude Van Damme, revisiting classics like Kickboxer, Bloodsport, and her guilty pleasure, Street Fighter. Along the way, she explains why most modern movies leave her baffled and yelling, “Is this even a movie?” at her screen. Hollywood, consider yourself warned. [Ep 368]
Laura Huelsmann
it is very hard to hear everything clearly. Hope this improves with other live broadcasts.
Jeff s
finally. all right all right all right
Joe Okoskey
Welcome back Nick. Great show!! Feels like home!!