The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

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-h...

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 ...

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...

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 Th...

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 ...

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 fro...

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 t...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com returns to talk tunes, tours, and rock history with Nick. They recap highlights from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, dig into a new book about Pearl Jam, and catch up on the latest music news. Jim also reviews a few standout live shows, including Howl Owl Howl, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band at the Arcada Theatre, and Bryan Adams & Pat Benatar rocking the Al...

Nick welcomes Dan Fienberg, TV critic for The Hollywood Reporter, back to the podcast for another round of sharp television talk. They dive into the most recent Saturday Night Live episodes and the latest TV news before Dan reviews several new releases, including Vince Gilligan’s sci-fi comedy “Pluribus” starring Rhea Seehorn, Emma Thompson’s mystery “Down Cemetery Road,” Netflix’s tense thriller “Death By Lightning” featuring Mich...

Nick is joined once again by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for another round of sharp movie talk and box office insight. They review a packed slate of new releases, including Guillermo del Toro’s bold new take on “Frankenstein,” the latest entry in the “Predator” saga, the Sydney Sweeney boxing biopic “Christy,” and Jennifer Lawrence’s gripping psychological drama “Die My Love.”

Later, Esmeralda Leon returns to shar...

It’s another “For The People” episode, as Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum from Checkbook.org, to break down the latest consumer news and scams you need to know about. Herb explains why cryptocurrency remains a high-risk gamble, how long-term car loans can quietly drain your wallet, and the growing problem of fake loan approval robocalls targeting unsuspecting borrowers.

Then, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Autom...

Nick kicks things off with some exciting news about his brand-new book, “40 YEARS, 40 FILMS,” available from Eckhartz Press. Then he welcomes Monica Eng from Axios Chicago to discuss local stories like the 100-mile border rule, the Gregory Bovino hearing and its surprising outcome, and why grocery store tacos deserve way more respect. They also debate Chicago’s greatest hometown celebrities before turning to a heartfelt tribute to ...

Nick welcomes TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast for another round of smart, funny, and slightly unhinged TV talk. The two cover everything from Dan’s unwavering loyalty to The Simpsons to his unapologetic dislike of Seinfeld, plus a look at the latest SNL hosted by Sabrina Carpenter. Dan also reviews several new shows, including the Stephen King prequel miniseries “It: Welcome to Derry,” the cringe-comedy “The Chair Compan...

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a special extended edition of their movie review segment, packed with more films than ever. The trio dives into an eclectic lineup of new releases, including Emma Stone’s wild new odyssey “Bugonia,” the Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” George Romero’s daughter’s zombie comedy “Queens of the Dead,” and Kathryn Bigelow’s explosive thriller “A House of Dynami...

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com back to the show for a deep dive into music, madness, and metal. They preview this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and trade stories from Jim’s recent interviews with legends like Rob Halford of Judas Priest — including Halford’s hilarious tale about the best massage he’s ever had in Chicago’s Boys Town — plus Marky Ramone, Emo Phillips, and the chaotic...

Nick welcomes food writer and horror enthusiast Marnie Shure back to the podcast to talk about the upcoming Mortified Chicago show, her latest horror exploits, and her recent pieces on The Disappointed Tourist exhibit at the Chicago Architecture Center. They also dig into Marnie’s hilarious take on the misuse of terms like “sharp” and “medium,” before bravely taste-testing the season’s scariest snack — Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts.

Then, ...