Nick D Podcast

Nick brings film critics Erik Childress and Steve Prokopy back for a run through several major new releases, including James L. Brooks’ comedy drama “Ella McCay,” the animated sequel “Zootopia 2,” the latest “Knives Out” mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” and the follow up to the video game horror hit “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.” Their conversation moves quickly, mixing sharp reactions with the kind of easy back and forth that comes from years of arguing about movies together.

Esmeralda Leon joins Nick later for a round of holiday chatter, which turns into a story about a South Side spot that sells great Christmas trees and also lets you recycle them by feeding them to a herd of very enthusiastic goats. That leads to a tour of strange Christmas trees from around the world, including one built entirely from full bottles of Heineken. The holiday spirit takes on some unusual shapes, and Nick and Esma have plenty of fun with it. [Ep 409]

Nick brings back Consumerman Herb Weisbaum for a fresh round of listener questions and a rundown of holiday-season consumer traps. They dig into how many so-called sale prices are nothing more than fake markdowns, take a look at toys that raise safety flags, and walk through Herb’s practical shopping tips that actually matter heading into the 2025 rush.

Car Guy Tom Appel from Consumer Guide Automotive jumps in next with updates from the road, including the newest vehicles he has been test-driving and standout moments from the 2025 Los Angeles Auto Show. Jeep shows off some eye-catching concepts, and the conversation drifts into memorable vintage car ads like the 1977 Pontiac Can Am and the 1983 Chrysler Fifth Avenue with its Miss Universe tie-in.

The show wraps with another round of Starspotter and Mystery Show, keeping the mix of nostalgia, automotive fun, and consumer savvy rolling through the end. [Ep 408]