The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter returns to talk about the latest shenanigans in the Big Brother house, preview some upcoming television, and review a few new releases, including a documentary about Carl Sagan, the latest adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities with Kit Harington, and the gripping new documentary The Row. Nick and Dan also break down the Creative Arts Emmy winners, preview the upcoming primetime Emmy ceremony, make their predictions, and more. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive back into the wonderfully weird world of phobias, including “High Places Phenomenon,” the strange urge to jump from a tall structure, plus fears involving avocado pits and anthropomorphic food. That somehow leads to Esma explaining why the “Liberty Biberty” guy from those insurance commercials freaks her out, especially his creepy mouth full of human teeth! [Ep 489]

The legendary Stephen Tobolowsky returns to hang out with Nick and talk about the state of show business, why the industry has all but abandoned California, the mystery of storytelling, and the dream he recently had about Nick. Tobo also realizes he’s officially old and absolutely loves it. Plus, after decades of playing just about everybody, he’s finally been cast as God. It was inevitable. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick complain about the ridiculous Chicago heat, the horrors of the great outdoors, mountain climbing, and more. Esma also continues her first journey through Middle-earth with more thoughts on The Lord of the Rings trilogy as she works her way through the movies. [Ep 488]

Nick remembers his former WGN Radio partner Garry Lee Wright, who passed away last week. A talented broadcaster and a genuinely lovely man, Garry left behind a tremendous legacy, and Nick shares what it was like working with him and how much he learned from their time together. Then, The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum returns for “For The People” to answer listener questions, explain how to find the best dentists, break down the latest news on GLP-1 drugs, and more. Later, car expert Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive talks about the latest vehicles he’s test-driven, the 2026 crop of designer SUVs, some fancy new features showing up in recent models, and the completely insane 1979 Bonanza Bandit. Plus, another round of #StarSpotter and #MysteryShow. [Ep 487]

Nick reflects on the recent passing of several celebrities, including 2 legends, Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, before film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy return to talk movies. They break down the latest box office numbers and review a batch of new releases, including the long-awaited Looney Tunes comedy Coyote vs. Acme, Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller The Dog Stars, and the creepy new horror movies It Ends and Buddy, about a Barney-like kids TV character who starts killing kids. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick make their weekend plans and wrap up their wonderfully weird conversation about celebrity phobias. This time, it’s Khloé Kardashian’s fear of belly buttons, followed by the discovery of exactly what anatidaephobia is. Here’s a hint: it involves ducks. [Ep 486]

Nick welcomes TV critic from The Hollywood Reporter Dan Fienberg back to the podcast. Nick and Dan discuss the latest developments in the Big Brother house, including one of the best moves a houseguest has ever made, and CBS’s insistence on jamming “Big Brother Unlocked” down our collective throats. Then, Dan reviews HBO’s new superhero comedy “Lanterns,” discusses the best TV Teen Dramas of all time, this summer’s TV Beauties and Bores, and the life and career of Hayden Panettiere. Then, Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about their weekends, and dive deep into the weird world of celebrities and their exotic pets. Included in the conversation are Nicolas Cage’s octopus, Reese Witherspoon’s donkeys, and Elvis Presley’s chimp. Pay attention…because there is also a quiz. [Ep 485]

Nick welcomes Tom Hush back to the podcast for the final edition of “Theater of Trash” before the new Radio Misfits Podcast is launched in September. Here, Tom and Nick examine the truly bizarre, and insanely entertaining Italian flick “Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man,” which is very, very loosely inspired by Starsky and Hutch, and features crime, shoot-outs, an extended motorcycle chase, and the bloody death of a seeing eye dog…among other crazy things. It’s a fun look at one of the great examples of trashy cinema, and a great preview of things to come on the new podcast. Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a preview of weekend fun, a deep analysis of The Lord of the Rings, more celebrity phobias, and a conversation about a weird bug invasion at Esma’s house! [Ep 484]

Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com is back to talk about his latest interviews, including a conversation with Corey Glover of Living Colour. Jim also reviews a packed lineup of recent concerts, including Chicago and Styx at Allstate Arena, Guns N’ Roses and Public Enemy in Tinley Park, Rush at the United Center, and Billy Idol at Ravinia. Jim and Nick also compare notes on this past weekend’s Fan Expo at the Rosemont Convention Center. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick continue the Fan Expo conversation, including how Mel Gibson managed to make about $45,000 in just three hours by basically standing still. They also get into the recent illegal raves at the Congress Theater and revisit Marathon Man to ask an important question: Why the hell didn’t Dustin Hoffman have locks on his doors? [Ep 483]

Film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back to review a new batch of movies, including Tony, the story of Anthony Bourdain as a teenager, the dinosaurs-invade-’80s-suburbia thriller The End of Oak Street, the slasher satire Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and The Brink of War, a political drama about the Reagan-Gorbachev summit meetings. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about their weekend plans before returning to the wonderfully strange world of celebrity phobias. This time they get into Christina Ricci’s fear of houseplants and Benicio del Toro’s constant need to knock on wood. Yep…still weird. [Ep 482]

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter is back to review some new shows, including USA Network’s Anna Pigeon, HBO’s reptile-trafficking docuseries Monsters of God, and Ryan Murphy’s latest exercise in excess, The Shards. Nick and Dan also catch up on the latest news from the Big Brother house and talk about what else is happening in television. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick catch up on the weekend, talk about Heat, and get into some truly bizarre celebrity phobias. Alfred Hitchcock couldn’t stand eggs, Tyra Banks is afraid of dolphins, and Jennifer Aniston apparently has serious issues with water…and tricycles. Yeah, it’s pretty weird. [Ep 481]

Monica Eng from Axios Chicago is back to talk about some of the stories she’s been covering this month, including Chicago’s $13 billion lead pipe problem, the latest twists in the CPS budget drama, the best food to grab at Sox Park, the passing of Corny the Cornstalk, where to find great Uyghur food in Albany Park, and who really serves the best Chicago-style hot dog in the city. Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick look back on the fun they had at Flashback Weekend before diving into some of the most awkward, outrageous, and unforgettable talk show appearances of all time. From Tom Cruise’s infamous couch-jumping moment to Bobcat Goldthwait setting a couch on fire, it’s a look back at TV interviews that went completely off the rails. [Ep 480]

Nick recaps his weekend at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, shares a few highlights, and lets listeners know how to pre-order his new book. With The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum on vacation, Nick takes the reins for this month’s “For The People” segment, covering the latest consumer news along with money-saving tips from Checkbook.org on groceries, services, insurance, and more. Later, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to talk about the latest vehicles he’s been test-driving. They also discuss what’s going on with Tesla, how long you should really warm up your car, and look back at a pair of automotive oddities, the 1974 Dodge Colt and Canada’s Monarch. Plus, another round of #StarSpotter, #MysteryShow, and more. [Ep 479]

Recorded live at the 2026 Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, this special bonus episode finds Nick and Esmeralda Leon on stage with a lively audience sharing scary childhood memories, horror favorites, and plenty of laughs. The fun gets even better with a surprise appearance by Chicago horror legend Svengoolie. The show also welcomes the cast of the cult classic Night of the Creeps to the stage, including Jason Lively, Jill Whitlow, and the legendary Tom Atkins, as they celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary with stories, memories, and a terrific live conversation in front of an enthusiastic crowd. [Ep 478]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to discuss the incredible box office success of The Odyssey, the latest movie trends, and several new releases, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Gregg Araki’s comedy I Want Your Sex, and the sci-fi family drama Sheep in a Box. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to recap the weekend at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention before the conversation turns to TV characters who were written off their shows because the actors were reportedly too difficult to work with. From Susan on Seinfeld to Chef on South Park, they look back at some of television’s most memorable behind-the-scenes exits. [Ep 477]

Nick welcomes The Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast to review several new shows, including Adult Swim’s President Curtis, the new Will Ferrell golf comedy The Hawk, Apple TV+’s Lucky starring Anya Taylor-Joy, and more. They also continue their bi-weekly coverage of Big Brother Season 28 with their latest thoughts on the houseguests and the game. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick as they get ready for the LIVE edition of The Nick D Podcast at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention. Along the way, they talk about tribute bands, the work of Stephen King, and more nightmare-inducing entertainment, including the unsettling 1972 documentary Future Shock, narrated by a truly terrifying Orson Welles. [Ep 476]

Nick welcomes Mike Kerz, co-creator and co-founder of the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention and co-owner of the Midway Drive-In Theater in Dixon, Illinois, back to the podcast. Mike and Nick look back at Flashback Weekend’s 24-year history, from its beginnings to memorable conventions and celebrity guests, before previewing everything happening at this year’s event. They also talk about featured guests including David Arquette, Jane Levy, David Naughton, Dermot Mulroney, and Chicago’s own Svengoolie, along with special events coming up at the Midway Drive-In. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick as they continue revisiting the movies and TV moments that have haunted them since childhood. This time, the conversation takes an unexpectedly emotional turn with one of the most heartbreaking episodes of Futurama, featuring everyone’s favorite loyal dog, Seymour. [Ep 475]

Nick is joined by legendary stuntman and actor Dick Warlock, whose remarkable career included stunt work and stunt coordination on more than 175 films. From the 1960s through his retirement after Spider-Man in 2002, Dick doubled for Kurt Russell for decades and famously portrayed Michael Myers in Halloween II. He shares stories from his incredible career, talks about his upcoming appearance at the Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, and discusses his new autobiography, Dick Warlock: The Shape of My Career. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick as they continue their countdown to Flashback Weekend with another fun conversation about the movies and TV shows that terrified kids for generations. [Ep 474]

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to break down the latest box office numbers, talk about current movie trends, and review several new releases, including Evil Dead Burn, Moana, and one of the year’s most anticipated films, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick as they continue getting ready for Flashback Weekend by revisiting more childhood movie and TV moments that left lasting scars. From Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Ernest Scared Stupid to the unforgettable talking toilets from Look Who’s Talking Too, Rick and Morty, and even Better Call Saul, they discover that some things are just as disturbing the second time around. [Ep 473]

Nick welcomes The Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast to review the new Little House on the Prairie reboot and Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness starring Larry David. They also break down the 2026 Emmy nominations, discussing the biggest surprises, the most obvious picks, and a few notable snubs. Plus, Nick and Dan kick off their bi-weekly coverage of Big Brother. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to recap their weekends, talk about the upcoming Flashback Weekend Horror Convention, and revisit some of the movies and TV shows that traumatized them growing up. That includes a spirited discussion about just how terrifying Dumbo really is. Seriously. [Ep 472]

Nick welcomes journalist Monica Eng from Axios Chicago back to the podcast to talk about some of the stories she’s been covering, including great new places to eat in Harbor Country, how police are responding to teen takeovers, the possibility of moving the Pride Parade downtown, refreshing cold soup recipes, and why Lake Michigan stays so unbelievably cold. Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to catch up before diving into anthology TV shows like Tales from the Crypt and the creepy Mexican series La Hora Marcada. They also revisit some of the movie and TV moments that traumatized them as kids, and even as adults, including the shoe scene in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Beast from The Sandlot, and, of course, The Brave Little Toaster. [Ep 471]

In his monthly “For The People” edition, Nick welcomes The Consumerman, Herb Weisbaum, back to the podcast to cover the latest consumer news. They discuss what outlet malls are really selling, the newest tricks cybercriminals are using, how to avoid costly overdraft fees, and debunk a few common gas-saving myths. Later, Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive joins Nick to talk about the end of Polestar, the forgotten story of AvtoVAZ, the bizarre automotive product Motor Honey, and why cigarette lighters have disappeared from new cars, even though there’s still a way to get one. Plus, another round of #StarSpotter, #MysteryShow, and more. [Ep 470]