Advertise on podcast: The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Nick welcomes Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast to catch up on three weeks’ worth of SNL, and wrap up Big Brother Season 28. Dan also reviews a bunch of shows including, “Brothers” with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, the latest TV incarnations of a couple of classic novels “Carrie” and “East of Eden,” and two new CBS shows: the vampire comedy “Eternally Yours,” and “Cupertino,” which is the latest from the creators of “Evil.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about what’s going on in their lives, and in the world, including witnessing horses eating peppermints, passing gas and falling asleep. Then, they finish up their very amusing celebrity fast-food discussion with a fun quiz. How much do you really know about onion rings? This is serious. [Ep 499]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to talk box office (wow, did Tom Cruise’s new movie bomb!), upcoming releases, and to review the new films of the week including: Aaron Sorkin’s sequel to “The Social Network” – “The Social Reckoning,” “Angel and the Badman” which is an unnecessary John Wayne remake, Samuel Jackson as the president driving around in a heavily armored car in “The Beast,” and more. It’s Spooky Season, so Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about scary movies like “Night of the Demons 2,” “The Exorcist,” and more. Esma also tells Nick about the cool old-school horror programming happening at the 400 Theater in Roger’s Park, and an appearance by Count Fartula triggers a deep (and very funny) discussion about vampires, and their diets. [Ep 498]

Nick talks about a BIG event at The Museum of Broadcast Communications to celebrate the release of his new book “40 YEARS, 40 HORROR FILMS,” with Rich Svengoolie Koz hosting an interview with Nick on stage. It’s on Saturday, October 10th at 11:30am! Includes a meet and greet, full access to all exhibits, and Nick will be selling and signing copies of his book too! Tickets available at www.museum.tv NOW! Then, it’s “For The People.” Nick welcomes The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum, back to discuss: food safety, the FCC’s price transparency, a new Amway settlement, and 20 ways to save loads of money this season. Then Car Guy Tom Appel, joins Nick to tell us about the latest cars he has been test-driving, the latest fuel economy standards, the revenge of the minivan, a look back at the 1973 Volkswagen Bug, and what the heck is a Camper Special? Plus, more fun rounds of #Starspotter and #Mystery Show. [Ep 497]

Writer, actress, and storyteller Jen Bosworth-Ramirez is back to catch up with her old friend Nick and talk about her latest projects, including writing for Sesame Workshop and appearing in Season 2 of Apple TV’s Dark Matter. Jen also talks about moving back to Chicago after a miserable experience in LA, how her career actually took off after leaving Hollywood, and the surprising way Coyote vs. Acme changed her life. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick get into Martin Scorsese’s wonderfully weird After Hours, which somehow leads to a conversation about why Tom Cruise is so damn good at playing jerks. Then it’s off to the world of fast food, where they discover what celebrities love to eat. Jason Sudeikis and Katy Perry are Taco Bell fans, while Selena Gomez apparently can’t get enough Jack in the Box. [Ep 496]

Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com is back to talk about some of the concerts he’s caught lately, including Iron Maiden and Megadeth, Mötley Crüe and Extreme, and all the rain, mud, and music at Riot Fest. Jim also shares stories from his recent interviews with punk legend John Lydon, who told him to “F*** off!” several times, director and musician John Carpenter, pro wrestling icon Jimmy Hart, and, of course, GWAR! Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap their weekends, talk about some upcoming stuff, and put Esma’s musical knowledge to the test with The Ultimate ’90s Music Quiz. How much does she remember about the decade’s biggest songs and artists? Time to find out. [Ep 495]

Film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back to review the latest movies, including Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt and Odin the dog, and Primetime, featuring Robert Pattinson as To Catch a Predator star Chris Hansen. Erik also reports back on some of the big movies he caught at the Toronto International Film Festival, while Steve shares some of the very cool and very strange films he saw at Fantastic Fest in Austin. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick get into some fun music stuff, including bizarre Muzak versions of rock songs, misheard lyrics, and songs that should simply never be played again. That includes the story of a bartender who would actually skip Elton John’s Tiny Dancer whenever someone dared to play it on the jukebox. Plus, Esma and Nick continue discovering the real people who inspired some of the fictional characters we all know. [Ep 494]

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter is back to recap the latest ridiculousness in the Big Brother house, break down this year’s Emmy Awards broadcast, and talk about the big winners and losers. They also get into the fun of revisiting old TV shows, inspired by Nick’s recent binge of All in the Family for the first time in years. Plus, Dan reviews the new HBO docuseries about Jay-Z and Neagley, Amazon’s new Reacher spinoff. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss just how annoying Quentin Tarantino can be, compare the movies they know by heart, and get into some more Nerd Talk. They also start exploring fictional characters inspired by real people. Find out who Mr. Burns from The Simpsons is based on, and which very unexpected celebrity helped inspire the creation of Bugs Bunny. [Ep 493]

The Movie Mom herself, Nell Minow, is back to talk about a bunch of new movies, her visit to the George Lucas Museum, her interview with Domhnall Gleeson, and a new 4-hour documentary about that very wealthy weirdo Elon Musk. Nick and Nell also catch up on what’s happening over at RogerEbert.com. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive headfirst into Nerd Talk, dissecting video game movies like Street Fighter with Jean-Claude Van Damme and the original Mortal Kombat, before getting into The Lord of the Rings movies. Esma also reveals just how big a nerd her partner Colin is: he keeps Heat on his phone so he has access to it 24 hours a day…because apparently he needs it. Oh, and according to Nick, Elton John was in a video game movie. You’ll have to listen to find out what the hell that means. [Ep 492]

Food writer and entertainment journalist Marnie Shure is back with her monthly Horror Report, including a deep dive into why the movie Obsession has somehow captured the collective minds of Gen Z. Nick also helps Marnie make an important Halloween season decision: a Friday the 13th marathon or a Scream marathon? Plus, they talk about the upcoming “Games For Good” fundraising event. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap their weekends, review some late-night streaming discoveries, and venture into the surprisingly terrifying world of TV commercial mascots. The Noid, Mr. Mucus, and the legendary Quiznos Spongemonkeys all make the list. Enjoy trying to fall asleep after that conversation. [Ep 491]

Film critic Steve Prokopy is back to review the latest movies while Erik Childress is away at the Toronto Film Festival. Nick and Steve take on the Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman sequel 28 years in the making, Practical Magic 2, the peasants-vs.-oppressors adventure The Uprising, the South Korean sci-fi monster epic Hope, the wild action thriller Runner, and Liam Neeson’s latest, The Fix. Erik will have a full TIFF report and plenty of reviews when he returns. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick preview their weekends, discuss the disturbing trend of men not showering, and dissect the career of Hugh Grant, including their mutual hatred of Four Weddings and a Funeral. They also finish up the Phobias Quiz with some important questions: What exactly is chorophobia, and what do you call a fear of sitting down? [Ep 490]

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter returns to talk about the latest shenanigans in the Big Brother house, preview some upcoming television, and review a few new releases, including a documentary about Carl Sagan, the latest adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities with Kit Harington, and the gripping new documentary The Row. Nick and Dan also break down the Creative Arts Emmy winners, preview the upcoming primetime Emmy ceremony, make their predictions, and more. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive back into the wonderfully weird world of phobias, including “High Places Phenomenon,” the strange urge to jump from a tall structure, plus fears involving avocado pits and anthropomorphic food. That somehow leads to Esma explaining why the “Liberty Biberty” guy from those insurance commercials freaks her out, especially his creepy mouth full of human teeth! [Ep 489]

The legendary Stephen Tobolowsky returns to hang out with Nick and talk about the state of show business, why the industry has all but abandoned California, the mystery of storytelling, and the dream he recently had about Nick. Tobo also realizes he’s officially old and absolutely loves it. Plus, after decades of playing just about everybody, he’s finally been cast as God. It was inevitable. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick complain about the ridiculous Chicago heat, the horrors of the great outdoors, mountain climbing, and more. Esma also continues her first journey through Middle-earth with more thoughts on The Lord of the Rings trilogy as she works her way through the movies. [Ep 488]

Nick remembers his former WGN Radio partner Garry Lee Wright, who passed away last week. A talented broadcaster and a genuinely lovely man, Garry left behind a tremendous legacy, and Nick shares what it was like working with him and how much he learned from their time together. Then, The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum returns for “For The People” to answer listener questions, explain how to find the best dentists, break down the latest news on GLP-1 drugs, and more. Later, car expert Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive talks about the latest vehicles he’s test-driven, the 2026 crop of designer SUVs, some fancy new features showing up in recent models, and the completely insane 1979 Bonanza Bandit. Plus, another round of #StarSpotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep 487]

Nick reflects on the recent passing of several celebrities, including 2 legends, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, before film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to talk movies. They break down the latest box office numbers and review a batch of new releases, including the long-awaited Looney Tunes comedy Coyote vs. Acme, Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller The Dog Stars, and the creepy new horror movies It Ends and Buddy, about a Barney-like kids TV character who starts killing kids. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick make their weekend plans and wrap up their wonderfully weird conversation about celebrity phobias. This time, it’s Khloé Kardashian’s fear of belly buttons, followed by the discovery of exactly what anatidaephobia is. Here’s a hint: it involves ducks. [Ep 486]

Nick welcomes TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter Dan Fienberg back to the podcast. Nick and Dan discuss the latest developments in the Big Brother house, including one of the best moves a houseguest has ever made, and CBS’s insistence on jamming “Big Brother Unlocked” down our collective throats. Then, Dan reviews HBO’s new superhero comedy “Lanterns,” discusses the best TV Teen Dramas of all time, this summer’s TV Beauties and Bores, and the life and career of Hayden Panettiere. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about their weekends, and dive deep into the weird world of celebrities and their exotic pets. Included in the conversation are Nicolas Cage’s octopus, Reese Witherspoon’s donkeys, and Elvis Presley’s chimp. Pay attention…because there is also a quiz. [Ep 485]