WGN Radio’s Dave Plier shares his interview with author and historian Adam Selzer to talk about the fascinating yet little-known story of how Chicago served as the unlikely capital of American film production in the years before the rise of Hollywood (1907–1913), the rise and fall of the major Chicago movie studios in the mid-silent era (principally Essanay and Selig Polyscope), and the colorful, larger-than-life historical figures, including Thomas Edison, Charlie Chaplin, Oscar Micheaux, and Orson Welles.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes Brendan, Siobhan, and Anlon McKinney of Chicago’s #1 Irish pub Chief O’Neill’s talk to about the legend of Chicago Police Chief O’Neill, their 25th anniversary, the art of pouring the perfect pint of Guinness, their classic Irish cuisine, new private label scotch, beer, the Bad Irish Momz of Comedy event on March 9th, inspired music and their events schedule for the weekends leading up to Saint Patrick’s Day. For more information, visit chiefoneillspub.com.

They are big Tom Skilling shoes to fill, but WGN-TV’s Demetrius Ivory is up to the task! WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Demetrius about his first official days on the job.

Music legend Tony Orlando joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier for an in-depth conversation reflecting on six decades in music and his farewell tour. Tony is appearing at the DesPlaines Theatre on Saturday March 2, 2024 and at The Arcada Theatre on Sunday March 3, 2024. For tickets, visit oshows.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes Phil Rosenthal, creator of ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ on touring the globe on the 7th season of ‘Somebody Feed Phil’.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to comedian Jake Johannsen about his shows this weekend at Zanies in Old Town and on Sunday in Rosemont, marital advice, navigating parenthood, aging and more. zanies.com

Listen to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier’s complete interview with Grammy Award winning jazz great Branford Marsalis, about the influence of his father in music, playing with the likes of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Sting, The Grateful Dead, his style of music and collaboration, and composing the moving sounds for the soundtrack of Netflix’s civil rights story of Bayard Rustin.

Presidential historian and author Douglas Brinkley joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the history of the American presidency, how the course of history would have changed if the 9 U.S. Presidents who were assassinated or died in office completed their terms, and why it takes 25 years to realize the impact of an American President.

Radio Hall of Famer and old time radio guru Chuck Schaden and Steve Darnall, publisher of Nostalgia Digest, join WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the legacy of comedian Jack Benny, a world class entertainer who invented a quintessentially American art character: the genially self-deprecating fall guy, the history of his radio and TV shows, vaudeville, the stage and more. speakingofradio.com, nostalgiadigest.com.

In this week’s history segment, WGN Radio’s Dave Plier and WGN news anchor Dave Schwan talk about Julius Rosenwald (1862-1932), best known as a part-owner and leader of Sears, Roebuck and Company, for establishing the Rosenwald Fund, which donated millions in funds to build over 5,000 schools in the South, and promoted vocational and technical education in underserved Black communities.