Dave Plier

Treetime Christmas Creations and WGN Radio celebrate their Kickoff to Christmas with prizes, music, peppermint bark from Anderson’s Candy and holiday cheer! Owner, Laurie Kane joins the show to highlight the origins of Treetime and shows what her business has to offer in terms of Christmas decorations, including both warm and colorful Christmas lights, angel toppers, and even an upside down tree.

PAWS Chicago also stops by with loving puppies looking for a new forever home. Their founder, Paula Fasseas sits with Lisa and shares the reality of why the creation of PAWS Chicago was needed in order to prevent more animals from being euthanized.

Then, Chicago Culinary Kitchen‘s “Special Ops” Manager, Jay Goldberg joins the program to talk about their special Thanksgiving catering menu available for pre-order until November 15th.

Dave Plier, Chairman, President and CEO of the Museum of Broadcast Communications joins the program to invite listeners out to MBC as they host a live holiday radio performance of Miracle on 34th Street on December 20th featuring some of your favorite voices from TV and radio. To learn more go to museum.tv.

Later, the audience gets to enjoy the music stylings of both John Vincent as well as Elvis (Corey McKinney) and Johnny Cash (Michael Potter) from Paramount Theatre‘s Million Dollar Quartet.

• Christmas Kickoff at Treetime Christmas Creations. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• The whole crew broadcasting live at Treetime Christmas Creations. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• The showroom at Treetime Christmas Creations (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Wendy Snyder working the crowd at Treetime Christmas Creations. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Corey McKinney (Elvis Presley) and Michael Potter (Johnny Cash) from Paramount Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Corey McKinney (Elvis Presley) and Michael Potter (Johnny Cash) from Paramount Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet performing. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Corey McKinney (Elvis Presley) and Michael Potter (Johnny Cash) from Paramount Theatre’s Million Dollar Quartet performing live. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Corey McKinney (Elvis Presley), Lisa Dent and Michael Potter (Johnny Cash) live at Treetime Christmas Creations (WGN Radio/Ashley Bihun)
• Corey McKinney (Elvis Presley), Wendy Snyder and Michael Potter (Johnny Cash) live at Treetime Christmas Creations (WGN Radio/Ashley Bihun)
• Wendy Snyder and an audience member (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• An ornament a listener made for WGN Radio. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• PAWS Chicago with an adorable puppy up for adoption. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Anderson’s Candy Shop handing out Peppermint bark to the live audience. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Wendy Snyder, Chicago Culinary Kitchen’s “Special Ops” Manager Jay Goldberg holding one of their infamous turkeys and Lisa Dent live at Treetime Christmas Creations (WGN Radio/Ashley Bihun)
• Lisa Dent with the leg of the turkey brought in by the Chicago Culinary Kitchen (WGN Radio/Ashley Bihun)
• Ashley Bihun and Drew Harris proudly displaying the food from Chicago Culinary Kitchen. (M. Boyle/WGN Radio)
• Wendy Snyder and Ashley Bihun sharing the amazing food from Chicago Culinary Kitchen. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• The crowd picking up pizza from our friends at Lou Malnati’s. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• The whole crew at Treetime Christmas Creations. Lisa Dent, Bob Kessler, Mary VandeVelde, Wendy Snyder and Kevin Powell. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Santa petting one of the puppies from PAWS Chicago. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Live from Treetime Christmas Creations. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Lisa Dent with Bob Kessler playing his harmonica. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Wendy Snyder giving Santa her Christmas list to Santa. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Santa discussing some very important things with Wendy Snyder (K. Moss/WGN Radio)
• Bob Kessler playing his harmonica. With Lisa Dent, Mary VandeVelde, Wendy Snyder and Kevin Powell. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Laurie Kane, owner of Treetime Christmas Creations. (K. Moss/WGN Radio)
• Laurie Kane, owner of Treetime Christmas Creations, with WGN Radio’s General Manager, Mary Boyle. (K. Moss/WGN Radio)
• Dancers from Barrington Dance Ensemble’s Nutcracker. (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• A dancer from Barrington Dance Ensemble’s Nutcracker. (K. Moss/WGN Radio)
• Dancers from Barrington Dance Ensemble’s Nutcracker. (K. Moss/WGN Radio)
• John Vincent performing at our Christmas Kickoff at Treetime Christmas Creations (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• John Vincent performing at our Christmas Kickoff at Treetime Christmas Creations (K. Quinn/WGN Radio)
• Wendy Snyder, John Vincent and Lisa Dent live at Treetime Christmas Creations (WGN Radio/Ashley Bihun)

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes Chicago ghostlorist, historian and author Ursula Bielski to explore the city’s most chilling ghost stories and her new book, The Complete Chicago Haunts: 200 Years of True Ghost Stories. From the legendary Resurrection Mary, the mysterious hitchhiker said to haunt Archer Avenue, to the eerie apparitions of Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery and the ghostly legends surrounding Chicago’s historic Congress Plaza Hotel, Bielski uncovers the fascinating history, eyewitness accounts and enduring mysteries behind Chicago’s most famous hauntings.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with actor and singer David Naughton about the 45th anniversary of the cult classic horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London, the groundbreaking special effects and makeup that brought his terrifying transformation to life, and his iconic Dr Pepper commercials that made him a household name. “Wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper, too?”

Attend a special screening of An American Werewolf in London on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the historic Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, hosted by WGN-TV’s Jeff Hoover. For tickets, visit classiccinemas.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with bestselling author, journalist and political commentator Bill O’Reilly about his new book, Confronting America: What Has to Change, exploring the challenges facing the nation, the changing American culture, politics, education, family values and personal responsibility.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with Anna Gardner, executive producer of WTTW’s Chicago Stories, about the acclaimed documentary series and its new season, exploring the fascinating people, places and events that shaped Chicago. From the 1893 World’s Fair and the city’s legendary toy industry to its historic skyscrapers and rich Irish heritage, the series uncovers remarkable stories from Chicago’s past. Watch Chicago Stories on WTTW and stream episodes at wttw.com/chicagostories.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with music legend Micky Dolenz, the last surviving member of The Monkees, about his remarkable six-decade career in music, television and entertainment, the unforgettable hits that defined a generation, his memories of fellow Monkees Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork, and more. See Micky LIVE at the historic Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on Sunday, November 1, 2026. For tickets, visit rialtosquare.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier, also Chair of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, welcomed radio legend Fred Winston into the Radio Hall of Fame. They talked about Fred’s influences including Dick Biondi, his time at WLS and in rock radio, and some of his funniest moments on the air

TV’s Mike Rowe talks with WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about today’s job market, the growing demand for skilled trades, the value of hard work, and the powerful impact of his mikeroweWORKS Foundation.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with the legendary William Shatner, who recently turned 95, about his two upcoming Chicago performances during Riot Fest weekend, his new heavy metal album, 60 years of Star Trek, and his upcoming documentary, “The Sixty-Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World,” opening October 9 at Regal Cinemas nationwide.

Dr. Sharon Hesterlee, President and CEO of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, talks with WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about the impact of MDA today, advances in research and treatment, support for individuals and families living with neuromuscular diseases, and the organization’s enduring legacy, including the iconic Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.