Nick brings back film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy to tear into the newest movie releases—some hits, a lot of misses. Pixar’s Elio gets a once-over, 28 Years Later tries to keep the horror flame alive, and Bride Hard with Rebel Wilson lands with a thud. They also offer an early review of F1: The Movie, Brad Pitt’s high-octane racing flick that turns out to be all rev and no traction.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to gear up for the upcoming Flashback Weekend Horror Convention. The two get into what really makes a movie worth seeing on the big screen—spoiler: it’s not just a lot of close-ups and dialogue. They also dive into the strange fate of people who resemble Macaulay Culkin, and why Scarecrow was just too much for Esma to sit through. It’s a conversation that shifts gears from cinematic spectacle to psychological unease, with plenty of laughs in between. [EP 360]

Nick teams up with Forbes music writer Jim Ryan to honor two towering figures lost last week: funk pioneer Sly Stone and Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson. Jim shares memories of past interviews with Norman Greenbaum, Jerry Harrison, and Steve Stevens, and breaks down two very different concert experiences—Wayne Newton in Michigan and AC/DC bringing the noise to Soldier Field. They also ponder Billy Idol’s uncanny durability and confirm, once again, that Mike Love remains Mike Love.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins the mix to chat about city protests, brutal heat, and the growing list of celebrity doppelgangers. And yes, they attempt to solve one of the internet’s dumbest mysteries: did Rob Schneider secretly swap sketches for suplexes and join the WWE? The truth may disappoint you. [EP 359]

Nick kicks things off with Jack Godfrey, the creative force behind 42 Balloons—a musical inspired by the true story of Larry Walters, the guy who floated into the sky strapped to weather balloons. Now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the show has been drawing buzz, and Jack shares how this wild tale took shape on stage.

Then Monica Eng from Axios Chicago swings by with her usual eclectic mix of stories. From citywide protests to the red carpet at the James Beard Awards, she’s been everywhere lately—even on those weird three-hour cruises where fans can awkwardly corner celebs. She also dishes on her latest run-ins riding the Red Line and weighs in on Jim’s new take on the Chicken Polish.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to unpack summer’s greatest discomforts. They cover the mysterious vanishing of windshield sunshades, patio furniture that brands your thighs, and the persistent agony of a hot butt. It’s a warm-weather rant session, complete with laughs and just a hint of sweat. [EP 358]

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter drops by to talk all things television with Nick, starting with their predictions for the Top Chef finale. Dan also recaps the highs and lows of the Tony Awards, breaks down CNN’s broadcast of Goodnight and Good Luck, and reviews the new wave of streaming content—including Netflix’s moody procedural Dept. Q, Amazon’s The Better Sister starring Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks, and Julianne Moore’s twisted turn in Netflix’s dark comedy Sirens.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a lighter conversation about oversized dogs, summer art fairs, and the bizarre world of celebrity lookalikes who don’t resemble their supposed twins at all. [EP 357]

Nick kicks things off with Mike Kerz of Flashback Weekend and The Midway Drive-In to mark National Drive-In Day and explore the surprising opportunity for regular folks to own a piece of cinematic Americana. From midnight horror screenings to real estate with a screen, it’s a nostalgic look at the past—and maybe your future.

Later, Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy drop by for another spirited round of movie reviews, this time clashing over Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme, the John Wick spinoff Ballerina, and the latest Stephen King adaptation, The Life of Chuck. Spoiler: things get heated.

Wrapping things up, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to dissect oddball cable networks and Hollywood’s most confusing lookalikes. Jessica Chastain or Bryce Dallas Howard? Even they’re not sure some days. [EP 356]

Nick kicks things off with Herb Weisbaum, aka The Consumerman, who breaks down the FTC’s crackdown on hidden junk fees—what it means, how it works, and why it might finally spare you some surprise charges. They also dive into the sketchy world of overpriced solar installations and wrap with practical, money-saving travel tips for your summer plans.

Later, Car Guy Tom Appel pulls up with tales of hybrid Toyotas, obscure concept cars inspired by butterflies, and a nostalgic look at the Super Jeep. There’s also some history on the Pope-Mobile (yes, really) and a reality check on whether that Porsche you spotted is actually worth only twenty grand. As always, Nick throws in fresh rounds of #Starspotter and #MysteryShow to keep things unpredictable. [EP 355]

Nick welcomes back food writer and horror aficionado Marnie Shure for a conversation that spans terrifying films, bizarre food trends, and the upcoming Mortified Live event she’s producing. From the online rabbit hole of “dinosaur eating” videos to the surprising joys of Lemonhead Ropes, Marnie shares her latest cultural obsessions—and issues a critical warning about one kitchen item you should never store near the stove.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to talk about the newly announced Karate Kid movie and where it fits in the ever-expanding dojo of the Karate Kid Universe. The two also dive into the legacy of Jackie Chan, the underappreciated brilliance of Just One of the Guys, and Esma shares reviews of the shows she’s been streaming, including Slow Horses and The Last of Us. Plus: a brand-new installment of “The Easiest Pop Quiz Ever.” [EP 354]

Nick is joined by TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter to unpack the season finale of Saturday Night Live, and break down the highs and lows of its 50th season. They also cover new episodes of Top Chef, Hacks, and dig into Amazon’s comedy Overcompensating, plus HBO’s original film Mountainhead starring Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, and Ramy Youssef. And yes, they try to make sense of the whole “Max is now HBOMax again” situation. Later, Esmeralda Leon returns for another pop culture quiz, this time facing questions on Disney Princesses, rom-coms, and goth trivia. [EP 353]

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for reviews of the latest cinematic offerings, including Tom Cruise’s return in Mission: Impossible, the offbeat music doc Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, the darkly comic Friendship, and a new installment of the ever-morbid Final Destination series. Later, Esmeralda Leon pops in for a spirited breakdown of some real-life Hollywood rivalries, debating whether to side with Alec Baldwin, Shia LaBeouf, or just back away from the mess entirely. [EP 352]

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan for a chat about his recent interviews with Adam Duritz and the group MSSV, plus reviews of concerts by The Smithereens and a Talking Heads celebration screening of Stop Making Sense hosted by Jerry Harrison. Naturally, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame takes its usual beating, and the guys weigh in on the Breakfast Club reunion at C2E2. Later, Esmeralda Leon returns as she and Nick wrap up their takedown of bad TV shows based on movies and expose some of Hollywood’s most notoriously difficult stars. [Ep351]