The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Latest Episodes:

Nick D – Jim Ryan, Music Talk, CIFF and Why Fast Casual? Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Nick shares some of the movies he’s caught at the 62nd Chicago International Film Festival before catching up with music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com. Jim talks about his latest interviews with Harry Connick Jr., Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, and Devo’s Gerald Casale, along with a recent Roger Daltrey concert and an El DeBarge show that took place in the parking lot of a Metra station. Yeah, really. Nick also tells Jim about a terrific WXRT pop-up performance by Wolf Alice at the Empty Bottle on a Monday afternoon.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap their weekends, share some of their latest adventures watching Tubi, and wrap up their fast-food quiz with questions about Blizzards, Super Subs, and the origins of the term “fast casual.” Because apparently, even fast food needed a fancier name. [Ep 501]

Nick D – Celebrating 500 Episodes with Rich “Svengoolie” Koz Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

It’s the 500th episode of The Nick D Podcast, and Nick is celebrating with some great memories, special guests, and a live interview with his old friend Rich “Svengoolie” Koz, recorded at the Museum of Broadcast Communications. Nick looks back at 500 episodes, talks about working with Radio Misfits, revisits some of his favorite guests, moments, and segments, and shares congratulatory messages from past guests and contributors.

Then it’s time for the main event, as Rich Koz and Nick take the stage to talk about their friendship, their shared love of horror movies, and Nick’s new book, 40 Years, 40 Horror Films. There are also questions from the audience and special appearances by film critic Steve Prokopy and TV and radio journalist Andrea Darlas. And what better way to celebrate 500 episodes than with the very first guest who ever appeared on The Nick D Podcast? A fun look back at 500 shows, with plenty of laughs and memories along the way. [Ep 500]

Nick D – Dan Fienberg, TV Talk, and Horses Love Peppermints Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Nick welcomes Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back to the podcast to catch up on three weeks’ worth of SNL, and wrap up Big Brother Season 28. Dan also reviews a bunch of shows including, “Brothers” with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, the latest TV incarnations of a couple of classic novels “Carrie” and “East of Eden,” and two new CBS shows: the vampire comedy “Eternally Yours,” and “Cupertino,” which is the latest from the creators of “Evil.” Then, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to chat about what’s going on in their lives, and in the world, including witnessing horses eating peppermints, passing gas and falling asleep. Then, they finish up their very amusing celebrity fast-food discussion with a fun quiz. How much do you really know about onion rings? This is serious. [Ep 499]

Nick D – Erik & Steve, The Movie Reviews and The Vampire Diet Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Nick welcomes film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back to the podcast to talk box office (wow, did Tom Cruise’s new movie bomb!), upcoming releases, and to review the new films of the week including: Aaron Sorkin’s sequel to “The Social Network” – “The Social Reckoning,” “Angel and the Badman” which is an unnecessary John Wayne remake, Samuel Jackson as the president driving around in a heavily armored car in “The Beast,” and more. It’s Spooky Season, so Esmeralda Leon and Nick talk about scary movies like “Night of the Demons 2,” “The Exorcist,” and more. Esma also tells Nick about the cool old-school horror programming happening at the 400 Theater in Roger’s Park, and an appearance by Count Fartula triggers a deep (and very funny) discussion about vampires, and their diets. [Ep 498]

Nick D – For The People, October 2026 Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Nick talks about a BIG event at The Museum of Broadcast Communications to celebrate the release of his new book “40 YEARS, 40 HORROR FILMS,” with Rich Svengoolie Koz hosting an interview with Nick on stage. It’s on Saturday, October 10th at 11:30am! Includes a meet and greet, full access to all exhibits, and Nick will be selling and signing copies of his book too! Tickets available at www.museum.tv NOW! Then, it’s “For The People.” Nick welcomes The Consumerman Herb Weisbaum, back to discuss: food safety, the FCC’s price transparency, a new Amway settlement, and 20 ways to save loads of money this season. Then Car Guy Tom Appel, joins Nick to tell us about the latest cars he has been test-driving, the latest fuel economy standards, the revenge of the minivan, a look back at the 1973 Volkswagen Bug, and what the heck is a Camper Special? Plus, more fun rounds of #Starspotter and #Mystery Show. [Ep 497]

Nick D – Jen Bosworth-Ramirez is Back & Living After Hours. Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Writer, actress, and storyteller Jen Bosworth-Ramirez is back to catch up with her old friend Nick and talk about her latest projects, including writing for Sesame Workshop and appearing in Season 2 of Apple TV’s Dark Matter. Jen also talks about moving back to Chicago after a miserable experience in LA, how her career actually took off after leaving Hollywood, and the surprising way Coyote vs. Acme changed her life.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick get into Martin Scorsese’s wonderfully weird After Hours, which somehow leads to a conversation about why Tom Cruise is so damn good at playing jerks. Then it’s off to the world of fast food, where they discover what celebrities love to eat. Jason Sudeikis and Katy Perry are Taco Bell fans, while Selena Gomez apparently can’t get enough Jack in the Box. [Ep 496]

Nick D – Jim Ryan, GWAR & The Ultimate ’90’s Music Quiz! Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes.com is back to talk about some of the concerts he’s caught lately, including Iron Maiden and Megadeth, Mötley Crüe and Extreme, and all the rain, mud, and music at Riot Fest. Jim also shares stories from his recent interviews with punk legend John Lydon, who told him to “F*** off!” several times, director and musician John Carpenter, pro wrestling icon Jimmy Hart, and, of course, GWAR!

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick recap their weekends, talk about some upcoming stuff, and put Esma’s musical knowledge to the test with The Ultimate ’90s Music Quiz. How much does she remember about the decade’s biggest songs and artists? Time to find out. [Ep 495]

Nick D – Erik, Steve, Movie Festivals, and No Tiny Dancer! Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy are back to review the latest movies, including Heart of the Beast with Brad Pitt and Odin the dog, and Primetime, featuring Robert Pattinson as To Catch a Predator star Chris Hansen. Erik also reports back on some of the big movies he caught at the Toronto International Film Festival, while Steve shares some of the very cool and very strange films he saw at Fantastic Fest in Austin.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick get into some fun music stuff, including bizarre Muzak versions of rock songs, misheard lyrics, and songs that should simply never be played again. That includes the story of a bartender who would actually skip Elton John’s Tiny Dancer whenever someone dared to play it on the jukebox. Plus, Esma and Nick continue discovering the real people who inspired some of the fictional characters we all know. [Ep 494]

Nick D – Dan Fienberg, TV Talk & Bugs Bunny is Who?? Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

TV critic Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter is back to recap the latest ridiculousness in the Big Brother house, break down this year’s Emmy Awards broadcast, and talk about the big winners and losers. They also get into the fun of revisiting old TV shows, inspired by Nick’s recent binge of All in the Family for the first time in years. Plus, Dan reviews the new HBO docuseries about Jay-Z and Neagley, Amazon’s new Reacher spinoff.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick discuss just how annoying Quentin Tarantino can be, compare the movies they know by heart, and get into some more Nerd Talk. They also start exploring fictional characters inspired by real people. Find out who Mr. Burns from The Simpsons is based on, and which very unexpected celebrity helped inspire the creation of Bugs Bunny. [Ep 493]

Nick D – Nell Minow, The Movie Mom & Nerd Talk Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

The Movie Mom herself, Nell Minow, is back to talk about a bunch of new movies, her visit to the George Lucas Museum, her interview with Domhnall Gleeson, and a new 4-hour documentary about that very wealthy weirdo Elon Musk. Nick and Nell also catch up on what’s happening over at RogerEbert.com.

Later, Esmeralda Leon and Nick dive headfirst into Nerd Talk, dissecting video game movies like Street Fighter with Jean-Claude Van Damme and the original Mortal Kombat, before getting into The Lord of the Rings movies. Esma also reveals just how big a nerd her partner Colin is: he keeps Heat on his phone so he has access to it 24 hours a day…because apparently he needs it. Oh, and according to Nick, Elton John was in a video game movie. You’ll have to listen to find out what the hell that means. [Ep 492]

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