Dave Plier

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes retired WGN newsman Roger Badesch for a fascinating look at the history and origins of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, discovering the stories behind the names, the people, cultures, and events that shaped each community, and how Chicago’s rich neighborhood heritage continues to define the city’s identity today.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes WGN Morning News anchor and traffic reporter Brhett Vickery for a heartfelt conversation about returning to work after maternity leave. Brhett shares the joys and challenges of balancing new motherhood with the demands of early morning television, reflects on the perspective that parenthood has brought to her life, and expresses her gratitude for the unwavering support of her family.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with Chicago radio legend Garry Meier about the importance of getting out and connecting with others in an increasingly isolated world. As younger generations spend more time online and less time socializing face-to-face, Meier shares why real conversations, friendships, and community matter more than ever.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with Tom Carballo of Detroit’s Mojo in the Morning and a newly elected member of the Museum of Broadcast Communications Board of Directors about the Museum’s Front Row Experiences Charity Auction, featuring more than 50 once-in-a-lifetime opportunities with some of the biggest names in entertainment, broadcasting, sports, and music.

Highlights include cool in person experiences with Emmy Award-winning actor Henry Winkler, Chicago Bears Quarterback Caleb Williams, Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk, Joe Mantegna, Bill Kurtis, Barbara Eden, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, legendary meteorologist Tom Skilling, and WGN Radio favorites John Williams and Lisa Dent, along with more than 50 exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences and unforgettable opportunities.

Every bid supports the Museum of Broadcast Communications’ educational initiatives, exhibitions, media literacy programs, preservation efforts, and field trips for students from underserved communities.

Learn more and start bidding at Museum.tv and Charitybuzz.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with comedian and Chicago native Pat McGann about making the most of summer, family vacations with his kids, time with his parents, and life on the road as one of America’s top touring comedians. They also discuss Pat’s upcoming performance at Zanies Rosemont on Sunday, July 19, and his return to The Wynn Las Vegas this August, where he’ll once again open for comedy superstar Sebastian Maniscalco.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes Scott Dehn, proprietor of the McHenry Outdoor Theater, the only drive in movie theater in Chicagoland, to discuss the nostalgia of the drive in experience, from classic concession stand favorites and retro intermission commercials to why watching movies under the stars continues to delight generations of moviegoers. Scott also previews the McHenry Outdoor’s spectacular Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, featuring the Cubs vs. Cardinals on the giant screen, followed by the beloved baseball classic The Sandlot and a fireworks finale. For tickets, visit GoldenAgeCinemas.com.

Plus, Dave talks with filmmaker April Wright, director of the acclaimed documentaries Going Attractions and Back to the Drive In, about the fascinating history, enduring appeal, and cultural legacy of America’s drive in theaters.

From June, 2022: WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes TV icon James Burrows to talk about his book: ‘Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More’. All this from the man who helped launch the careers of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Melissa McCarthy, to name a few. 

Burrows died Friday, June 19, 2026 at the age of 85.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with Chicago’s own Billy Corgan about an exciting year ahead for The Smashing Pumpkins, including the band’s summer and fall tour, kicking things off with the America 250 celebration in Los Angeles, headlining Lollapalooza, and returning home for a major show at Chicago’s United Center this October. Billy also discusses his podcast, The Magnificent Others, the resurgence of vinyl records as a true art form, his love of classic television and more. smashingpumpkins.com

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier and Watching TV co-author Walter Podrazik celebrate television’s most memorable dads, spanning more than seven decades of TV history. From the wise and dependable fathers of the 1950s like Jim Anderson (Antenna TV’s Father Knows Best) and Ward Cleaver (Leave It to Beaver), to the lovable dads of the 1960s including Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show) and Steve Douglas (My Three Sons), they explore how television fatherhood evolved with the times. The conversation continues through the 1970s and 1980s with iconic TV dads such as Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch), Howard Cunningham (Happy Days), Fred Sanford (Sanford & Son) and more. They also spotlight memorable fathers from the 1990s and beyond, including Carl Winslow (Family Matters), Ray Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Phil Dunphy (Modern Family).

This Father’s Day, Antenna TV is celebrating the dads who worked hard, paid the bills, put a roof over everyone’s head — and never let their kids forget it. On Sunday, June 21, Antenna TV will air Sanford & Son…Father’s Day at the Junkyard, a special marathon of the classic sitcom featuring the unforgettable father-son duo Fred and Lamont Sanford.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Chicago’s own Joe Mantegna on Memorial Day to honor our fallen, a recap of the annual National Memorial Day concert, some of the other celebrities involved, how he got involved with the veteran community, plus a discussion about the Cubs, and more.