Dave Plier

UIC Adjunct Lecturer and historian Wally Podrazik joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier, along with Ryan Burrow, Mark Carman and Amanda Czarnecki look back at the notable figures we lost in 2025 including Rob Reiner, James Lovell, Brian Wilson, Diane Keaton, George Wendt, Ryne Sandberg, Roberta Flack, Charlie Kirk, Sister Jean, Hulk Hogan and more.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Dr. Ian Smith about the fallacies about New Year’s resolutions, motivation and commitment to make a change in your life and his latest book ‘The Last 15’ with meal plans and more.

Attorney and WGN Radio host Karen Conti talks to WGN Radio’s Dave Plier about the new laws that take effect on New Year’s Day 2026.

Andrea Darlas joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the upcoming WGN-TV New Year’s Eve special ‘Coast to Coast Countdown 2026’.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier sits down with the stars of one of the most beloved holiday films of all time — National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. In this festive conversation, Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo revisit the behind-the-scenes stories that helped turn the Griswold family’s misadventures into a Christmas classic watched by generations. From on-set memories […]

Actor, director and producer Peter Billingsley joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier for a nostalgic conversation about the making of A Christmas Story and its lasting impact. Billingsley shares behind-the-scenes stories from the original film, talks about revisiting the beloved world in A Christmas Story 2, reveals which original props he still owns, and reflects on […]

“A century is not enough,” says iconic entertainer Dick Van Dyke. To celebrate Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, WGN Radio’s Dave Plier revisits a joyful, wide-ranging conversation with the entertainment legend himself. From growing up in Danville, Illinois, to starring in classics like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer in studio to talk about his new TV special, “Chicago Works.” In this new 60-minute program, Baer meets (and helps) the industrious workers across the city and suburbs who operate Chicago’s moveable bridges, deliver millions of packages, care for the city’s animals, process recycling, operate the Wrigley […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes WGN-TV’s Larry Potash to talk about his hosting duties at the Museum of Broadcast Communications (440 W. Randolph St., Chicago) on Saturday, Dec. 6, at noon, and the upcoming WGN-TV Toy Drive on Friday, Dec. 12. Plus, a bonus encore interview with legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis. For tickets, visit museum.tv.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to author and host of The Carson Podcast Mark Malkoff about his new book ‘Love Johnny Carson’, a wildly entertaining read by one of the world’s most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson’s legacy and shining light on the personality behind […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis about his book ‘Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News’, plus his upcoming appearance on Saturday December 6th, 2025 at 12pm featuring a Q&A, book signing and meet and greet. For tickets, visit MUSEUM.TV.

Weber Grill Ambassador Kevin Kolman talks turkey on your grill, sides and more this Thanksgiving morning with WGN Radio’s Dave Plier in for Bob Sirott.

Dean Richards, entertainment reporter for WGN, joins Dave Plier in for Bob Sirott to provide the latest news in entertainment. Dave and Dean talks about the 20th anniversary of “Bozo, Gar and Ray: WGN TV Classics,” as well as what movies are must-see in the theater this Thanksgiving weekend.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier and Dave Schwan share the history of the very first Thanksgiving and the traditions that have developed over the years.

WGN Radio’s Lou Manfredini, John Williams, Lisa Dent, Bob Sirott, John Landecker, Jon Hansen, Rollye James, Joe Romano, Hayley Boyd, Karen Conti, Steve Dale, David Hochberg and Dave Plier share what they are thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. What are YOU thankful for?

Goose Island’s annual Bourbon County Stout lineup will be released on Black Friday!  WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Todd Ahsmann, President of Goose Island, Mike Siegel, Goose Island Senior Innovation Manager, and Brian Noonan & Cody Gough from the Crafty Brewers podcast about this time-honored tradition, the history, the process, and why Bourbon County […]

Brian Noonan, Wally Podrazik, Justin Kulovsek and Chris Pokorny (the museum exhibit team) join WGN Radio’s (and MBC chair, president and CEO) Dave Plier to talk about the new exhibits at the Museum of Broadcast Communications: “Johnny Carson: The Centennial,” “The Evolution of Late Night,” Antenna TV’s “I Dream of Jeannie” 65th anniversary, “Bozo’s Circus” […]

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Tom Skilling about his special reports about the Byron Nuclear Plant and the rise of electrical demand to power our cities. Later, they talk about Chicago’s Doppler radar.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier salutes our veterans with the help of Chicago’s own Gary Sinise and his foundation; Mike Rowe on his partnership between veteran-run wireless service provider PureTalk and the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to promote skilled trades among U.S. military veterans; a Chicago radio tradition with Garry Meier and his father’s tape, recounting his time in […]

Chicago radio legend Kevin Matthews joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about his documentary, “Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story,” premiering in theatres nationwide at 7 p.m. this Tuesday, October 7th, 2025. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit fathomentertainment.com.

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis about his new book ‘Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News’, highlighting his extraordinary career as a legendary correspondent, anchorman, and producer. Bill Kurtis details his whirlwind career reporting American history as it unfolded.

Executive Producer Anna Gardner of WTTW’s Chicago Stories joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the brand new season with stories including Inside the Tylenol Murders, Legendary Blizzards, Rod Bagojevich, Iconic Foods and Marshall Field’s.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jerry Harrison of iconic band Talking Heads joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the group’s 50 year journey and the 40th anniversary and 4K showing of ‘Stop Making Sense’ at The Genesse Theatre on Thursday October 30, 2025. For tickets: geneseetheatre.com

WGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Dr. Ian Smith about the latest novel in his Ashe Cayne series, ‘Beyond Midnight’, and how to stay healthy as we head into the colder months.

Lisa Ann Walter, one of the stars of the award-winning ABC comedy ‘Abbott Elementary’, shares behind the scenes stories on set and previews her comedy show at Batavia’s Comedy Vault on October 3 and 4th, 2025. For tickets, visit comedyvaultbatavia.com.