Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for reviews of the latest releases, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Stephen King’s The Long Walk with Mark Hamill, and the charming low-budget holiday film The Baltimorons. Erik also shares highlights from the Toronto International Film Festival, with buzzworthy titles and festival standouts.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive into the bizarre saga of McDonald’s broken ice cream machines, why the Feds are investigating, and then shift gears into 90s pop culture. They cover everything from Saved By the Bell and Appletinis to solving the eternal mystery of what “QR” really stands for in QR Code.  [Ep 385]

Nick welcomes back Dan Fienberg, TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter and The Fien Print, for another wide-ranging TV chat. They break down the latest drama inside the Big Brother house, talk about the major cast shake-ups coming to Saturday Night Live, and review some big new releases: FX’s The Lowdown with Ethan Hawke, Peacock’s The Office spin-off The Paper, and National Geographic’s gripping documentary Lost in the Jungle. Dan also looks ahead to the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards and lays out his bold predictions for the night’s biggest winners.

Then, it’s the triumphant return of everyone’s favorite British bon vivant, Slap Slapply. Nick and Esmeralda Leon go head-to-head in another round of Slap’s ridiculous game show antics, complete with trivia, laughs, and a goo-covered Matrix-style entrance you won’t soon forget. [Ep 384]

Nick begins with reflections on the date of September 4th, a bittersweet day marking both the passing of the legendary Roy Leonard and Nick’s own difficult exit from a certain radio station. He shares why those memories matter, how they shaped him, and the perspective he’s gained since.

Writer Marnie Shure then joins the conversation to preview the upcoming Mortified event, the Printer’s Row Lit Fest, and to dig into the history of podcasting. She also brings her monthly “Horror Report,” breaking down the latest scary films she’s been watching.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap the recent Oasis concert at Soldier Field and continue their playful stroll through 90s pop culture, touching on slap bracelets, the early days of the Sony PlayStation, and how anyone survived earning just $3.80 an hour.  [Ep 383]

Nick welcomes back The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum of Checkbook.org, to tackle listener questions and share updates on key consumer issues. They cover the federal government’s plan to stop issuing paper checks, a Texas judge striking down the consumer-friendly Medical Debt Rule, and how shopping thrift stores can uncover unexpected treasures.

Later, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive drops in with the latest from the auto world, including his current test drives, a goofy Chrysler concept car, Ford’s aggressive push toward EVs, and the trend of slipping tiny engines into big vehicles. The show wraps up with another fun round of #Starspotter and #MysteryShow.  [Ep 382]

Nick teams up once again with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for a round of reviews, including Austin Butler’s wild crime thriller Caught Stealing, the dark comedy remake The Roses, Jane Levy’s heartfelt drama A Little Prayer, and the outrageous reboot of The Toxic Avenger.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jaws and its enduring place in pop culture. They also preview some big concerts coming to Chicago, including Oasis at Soldier Field, before diving into another lively trip through 90s nostalgia.  [Ep 381]

Nick is joined once again by Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg for the latest on the chaos inside the Big Brother house. Dan also runs through reviews of new shows, including Long Story Short, an animated comedy from the creator of BoJack Horseman; Netflix’s political thriller Hostage with Julie Delpy; John Cena’s return in The Peacemaker; and USA Network’s fresh take on John Grisham’s The Rainmaker.

Later, Esmeralda Leon teams up with Nick for a lively chat about hot dogs, street fairs, and a full dose of 90s nostalgia. From Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys mania to the shocking original casting plans for Friends—like Janeane Garofalo as Monica, Vince Vaughn as Joey, and Jon Cryer as Chandler—they dig into the alternate universe of what might have been. [Ep 380]

Nick welcomes Monica Eng from Axios Chicago for another wide-ranging conversation on the stories shaping the city. They cover local politics, a trip to the legendary Steak N Egger, Burrito Beach turning 30, new restaurants outside the Joliet casino, the best Korean dumplings on Pulaski, and key updates from CPS as a new school year begins.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for laughs and nostalgia. They chat about Joliet casinos, the reboot of Hollywood Squares with Drew Barrymore, and the end of AOL dial-up. The episode also revisits 90s pop culture staples—from Now That’s What I Call Music! and The Macarena to the truly terrifying Furby. [Ep 379]

Nick opens with a push for movie fans to get back into theaters, especially to catch Spike Lee’s powerful new film Highest 2 Lowest. Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes then drops by to recap a run of standout shows, including Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick, Al Green with The O’Jays, Paul Simon, and a throwback 80s fest featuring John Waite and Wang Chung. He also shares highlights from his interview with Morgan Freeman and delivers a full Lollapalooza report.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a dive into 90s pop culture. They swap stories about Airheads, Pogs, the Pink Power Ranger, and how Mentos commercials somehow made it acceptable to act like a complete jerk. Esma clears up the mysteries of Clarissa Explains It All, while Nick revels in the nostalgia of a decade defined by quirky candy and questionable fashion. [Ep 378]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for their regular round of movie reviews. They dig into Spike Lee’s gripping new drama with Denzel Washington, Highest 2 Lowest, the high-octane sequel Nobody 2 starring Bob Odenkirk, and the wild, shoestring-budget horror oddity Jimmy and Stiggs, along with a few other fresh releases.

Esmeralda Leon later stops by to take a nostalgic trip through the flashy days of LA Gear sneakers, afternoons spent watching Figure It Out on Nickelodeon, and late-night Taco Bell runs—preferably with a wisecracking chihuahua in the commercials. [Ep 377]

Nick is joined by Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg for a conversation about his site The Fien Print and the latest chaos in the Big Brother house. They cover the return of King of the Hill, what to expect from Wednesday Season 2, and the debut of FX’s Alien: Earth. The discussion also touches on Ozzy Osbourne’s surprising TV legacy, the politics of South Park, and other small-screen topics.

Esmeralda Leon then teams up with Nick to swap outrageous CTA stories. From a man licking every pole and handrail on a train, to Nick’s bus ride with a loose mouse, to a woman on the Blue Line eating scrambled eggs with her bare hands right next to him—these tales prove public transit is never boring. [Ep 376]