The Nick D Podcast on Radio Misfits

Latest Episodes:

Nick D – Erik, Steve, New Movie Reviews & Idiotic Lawsuits Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Nick is joined by film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for the first round of new movie reviews of 2026, and they jump right into a mixed bag of releases. The conversation covers the fourth entry in the horror franchise with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the historical musical drama The Testament of Ann Lee starring Amanda Seyfried, and the gritty cop thriller The Rip featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. They also get into the urban vampire thriller Night Patrol and a few other titles, with plenty of honest reactions along the way. Before wrapping up, Erik and Steve look ahead to their upcoming trip to the Sundance Film Festival and what they’re hoping to see this year.

Things get sillier when Esmeralda Leon joins in and a couple of new voicemails roll in about the McRib lawsuit. That opens the door to a free-for-all discussion about some of the dumbest lawsuits ever filed, and why the fictional but highly confident Esmaolas Law Firm is clearly ready to take them all on and somehow win every case. [Ep 421]

Nick D – Dan Fienberg, Golden Globes Wrap-Up & Slap Slapply Returns Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Nick catches up with Dan Fienberg from The Hollywood Reporter to break down the Golden Globe Awards while they are still fresh. They talk through the winners and losers, how the broadcast actually played, and what worked and didn’t with host Nikki Glaser. It’s a straight-shooting reaction to an awards night that gave everyone plenty to argue about.

Dan also weighs in on a few new things worth watching, including the Amazon series The Night Manager, the drama His and Hers starring Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, and Jon Bernthal, and a new documentary centered on Chevy Chase. The reviews are thoughtful and honest, with the kind of context only a longtime critic brings.

Things take a sharp turn into chaos when Esmeralda Leon joins in and British bon vivant and game show tormentor Slap Slapply returns. Nick and Esma get thrown into another round of 80s and 90s trivia madness, and the results are as ridiculous and entertaining as you would hope. [Ep 420]

Nick D – Monica Eng, The Latest From Axios, and a McRib Lawsuit! Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Nick welcomes Monica Eng back for her first visit of 2026, catching up as she prepares for a colonoscopy and somehow still manages to be the hungriest person in the room. The conversation moves through the latest local and national stories she’s been covering for Axios, along with a rundown of the ten best things she ate in 2025 and five Chicago-area restaurants she’s watching closely. There’s also a sober moment on how everyday costs keep creeping up for Chicagoans, even when the food is great.

Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later to unpack a federal class-action lawsuit against McDonald’s over the McRib and its lack of actual rib meat. That opens the floodgates to a fast food rabbit hole, with stories and laughs about some of the strangest menu items ever unleashed on the public. It’s a mix of sharp reporting, food obsession, and just enough legal absurdity to keep things moving. [Ep 419]

Nick D – For the People, Jan 2026 Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Herb Weisbaum sits this one out while he recovers from a hip replacement, but the show rolls on with a look back at the biggest consumer stories of 2025 and a few trends already shaping how people will spend and shop in 2026. Herb will be back next month with fresh intel and, by all accounts, a much more flexible outlook.

Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive jumps in to talk about the cars he has been driving lately and what to watch for at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the future of electric vehicles, including why models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and the VW ID Buzz may be facing an early exit. As always, nostalgia sneaks in with a look back at classic car ads for the 1954 Nash Metropolitan and the 1972 AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin.

The fun wraps up with another round of Starspotter and Mystery Show, capped off by the accidental discovery of Tom’s truly fantastic old gas station nickname. Even without the Consumerman, there is plenty to cover, plenty to laugh about, and more than a few surprises along the way. [Ep 418]

Nick D – The Year in Movies! The Best & The Worst of 2025…and More! Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

We sit down with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an extended, no-rush conversation about what 2025 looked like at the movies. It was a strange year, sometimes exciting, sometimes frustrating, and we dig into what worked, what didn’t, and why the box office and streaming landscape felt so uneven. Trends, surprises, and a few head-scratching moments all get their turn.

From there, things get very opinionated. Erik and Steve each roll out their picks for the best movies of 2025 and the worst, and yes, the disagreements come fast and loud. There are a handful of rare moments where they line up, plenty where they absolutely do not, and some strong feelings about how certain films landed or completely missed the mark.

We also look ahead to what has us excited for 2026, and somehow, against all odds, everyone agrees on the single best movie of 2025. It’s a long, passionate movie nerd conversation that takes its time and leaves no opinion unchallenged. [Ep 417]

Nick D – The Year in Pro-Wrestling and Crazy New Year’s Resolutions Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Nick brings pro wrestling expert Dr. Keith Lipinski back to look over a busy, often chaotic year in the ring. They walk through the biggest stories across WWE, including John Cena’s retirement tour and heel turn, the return of AJ Lee, and a string of injuries that reshaped the roster. The conversation also shifts to All Elite Wrestling, spotlighting standout matches and the strong year turned in by Hangman Page, Toni Storm, and Will Ospreay, along with a few behind-the-scenes stories that fans rarely hear. Impact Wrestling and AAW Pro get some attention as well, rounding out a wide view of the wrestling landscape.

Esmeralda Leon joins Nick afterward to shift gears and look back on their own highlights from 2025. That reflection quickly turns into a laugh-filled rundown of the dumbest, strangest, and most unrealistic New Year’s resolutions people make every year and almost never keep. It’s an easy mix of wrestling insight and personal chatter to close things out. [Ep 416]

Nick D – Jim Ryan, The Year in Music and Juan Gabriel is a Legend Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes music journalist Jim Ryan from Forbes back for a wide-ranging look at a year filled with memorable shows and standout conversations. Jim talks about recent concerts that left an impression, including a night with Evan Dando and a still-amazing performance from Paul McCartney. The discussion expands into Jim’s personal highlights from 2025, touching on favorite interviews, albums, and live moments that defined the year in music. They also pause to remember the legacy of Steve Cropper, reflecting on his influence and why his work continues to matter.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick to catch up on life and mark National Stretching Day, which quickly turns into a relaxed, personal chat. Esma also shares her enthusiasm for a Netflix documentary about the legendary Juan Gabriel, celebrating his impact and enduring place in music history. [Ep 415]

Nick D – Dan Fienberg, The Best Television of 2025 & Slap Slapply Returns! Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes Hollywood Reporter TV critic Dan Fienberg back for a packed conversation that jumps from recent SNL episodes to the new documentary “Breakdown: 1975,” along with a thoughtful look at the long, influential career of Rob Reiner. Dan also unveils his picks for the Best Television of 2025, spotlighting standouts like “The Lowdown,” “Andor,” “Pluribus,” “Adolescence,” and several others that made the year feel unusually strong for TV.

The show closes with pure chaos as British bon vivant and game show impresario Slap Slapply makes his triumphant return. Nick and Esmeralda Leon square off in another round of wildly unpredictable trivia, trading correct answers, bad guesses, and plenty of mock outrage. It’s loud, competitive, and exactly the kind of madness Slap was built for, making it a fitting way to wrap up the year. [Ep 414]

Nick D – Erik, Steve and Extended Movie Reviews Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Nick teams up with film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy for an expanded round of movie talk as the year end release rush hits full speed. They dig into a packed slate that includes the newest chapter in James Cameron’s Avatar saga, Timothée Chalamet’s latest turn in Marty Supreme, and Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson fronting a Neil Diamond tribute band in Song Sung Blue. The conversation also covers Will Arnett as a down-on-his-luck stand-up comic in Is This Thing On?, Sydney Sweeney in The Housemaid, and the Brazilian thriller The Secret Agent, with a few more titles folded in along the way.

With so many major releases landing at once, the discussion stretches out and takes its time, offering thoughtful reactions and plenty of back and forth between three longtime critics who know each other’s tastes well. Esmeralda sits this one out, but the movie talk more than fills the space as the holiday film season kicks into high gear. [Ep 413]

Nick D – Marnie Shure, Holiday Foods and Weird Christmas Traditions Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

Nick welcomes writer Marnie Shure for a wide-ranging conversation that blends upcoming live storytelling, food obsession, and a touch of seasonal chaos. Marnie talks about the next Mortified show coming in February, then dives into holiday food talk with authority, covering the best cranberry sauces on the shelf, what actually makes a great grilled cheese, and a gift guide packed with standout Chicago food finds. She also delivers her monthly Horror Report, complete with stories from her recent visit to Halloween Horror Nights.

Later, Esmeralda Leon joins Nick for a tour of truly bizarre Christmas traditions from around the world. Iceland’s terrifying Yule Cat gets its due, Venezuelans roll to church on skates, and Krampus lurks right on schedule. Esma also shares a personal holiday revelation from her childhood, where Santa never showed up, but Jesus very much did. The mix of food, folklore, and personal stories keeps things funny, strange, and perfectly on brand for the season. [Ep 412]

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