The Big Wakeup Call

Curt Menefee returned to the show for a chat about what went wrong with the Bears 2019 season and his new show "America's Top Dog," which premieres Wednesday, January 8th on A&E.

In BIll's first visit to the show in 2020, our original topic of the history of calendars was quickly abandoned, and we decided to take a look at some of the new superhero movies coming up this year.  Topics included New Mutants nightmares, Disney's no-no naughty words, a gentler & cuddlier Venom, and Wonder Woman moping out to The Smiths. Plus: Black Widow's big payday, and Colin Jost punches everything up.

It's the end of another year and another season of The Big Wakeup Call!  We close out the radio year and take a look back at 2019 with our special guests Scott Aukerman, David Wain, Dylan Brody, Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan, Bill McCormick, and a chat and special musical performance from Laurie Berkner!

The Big Wakeup Call's 2019 End-of-the-Year show is sponsored by Hotel 99, Same Day Mattress, Dayquil, and Dollar Health Club.

Bree Condon called into the show to talk about her new movie, "Bombshell," which opens nationwide on Friday, December 20.  "Bombshell" tells the story of the Roger Ailes saga at Fox News.  Bree plays Kimberly Guilfoyle, one of Roger's defenders.  We talked about developing her take on the character, printing up a large quantity of t-shirts, and an extra cautious drive from L.A. to Chicago.

Dan Abrams is he chief legal affairs anchor of ABC News and the host of A&E's Live PD. He's also hosting a new show, Court Cam, which airs Thursday nights at 8 central, also on A&E.

Ariane Szu-Tu is an editor at National Geographic Kids, and she called in for a chat about their latest book, Bet You Didn't Know! 2: Outrageous, Awesome, Out-of-This-World Facts.  It's a fun book full of colorful illustrations and fascinating fun facts.  I learned why my Batman shirt may be the reason I didn't do as well on my exams as I should have.  I also got the true reason why an entire section on pizza facts had no mention of Chicago.

Chip Davis is the biggest-selling Christmas music artist of all time as a founding member of Mannheim Steamroller.  The band is celebrating the 35th anniversary of their first Christmas album with a new tour, which comes to the Rosemont Theater on Friday, December 20.

Mark L. Walberg is the long-time host of "Antiques Roadshow" on PBS, and is also hosting "Temptation Island," which is headed toward the two-part season 2 finale this Thursday (12/12/19) on USA Network.  We discussed some of the events of this season, how his role as host also incorporates being a counselor, and a spoiler-free hint and teaser what we can expect on the finale.

Will Vought has joined the cast of the multiple Emmy Award-winning "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel."  We discussed his character (an Army Major who wants to be Bob Hope), the accuracy and detail of their 50s setting and re-creation of the era's comedy scene, and his on-screen relationship with Midge.

After accidentally discovering the stage panels from the 1969 concert, Steve Gold rescued the historic lumber, and inspired by Woodstock's themes of peace and love, coordinated an event with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.  We discussed how he found the stage panels, the historic importance, and continuing the message of peace and love.