WGN - The Dave Plier Podcast

From May 24, 2015: Songwriter Bobby Hart joins Dave Plier to talk about being half of one of the most powerful musical duos, ‘Boyce & Hart’, working with music icons Don Kirshner and Dick Clark, and how they wrote and performed the songs that launched musical group ‘The Monkees' to stardom. Hart has died at age 86.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Bill O'Reilly about conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, the need for the nation to confront and end political violence, and Bill's new book ‘Confronting Evil'.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to TV Insider and TV Guide's Matt Roush about the ever-evolving way we watch our favorite shows, plus a preview of Sunday's Emmy Awards.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier sits down with Mike Rowe, host of the Emmy-Award winning show ‘Dirty Jobs' and host of YouTube's ‘People You Should Know', to talk about the American workforce, concerns of the nearly 7 million able-bodied, working age Americans who are not looking for work, the skilled trades gap issue, and how the […]

The leather jacket is back! WGN-TV's Larry Potash talks to WGN Radio's Dave Plier about his upcoming triple season premiere of ‘Backstory' on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 11pm with stories including:

Chicago radio great Kevin Matthews joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his radio days and his upcoming documentary, ‘Broken Mary,' premiering October 7th, 2025. Jim Shorts also joins in to talk about the new Bears coach and his ‘Pig Skin Picks’ for the first Bears game of the season.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier and Dave Schwan talk about the history of the American labor movement as well as the legacy of comedian Jerry Lewis and what was an annual tradition on Labor Day weekend, the MDA telethon.

Don Barnes from 38 Special celebrates five decades of music with WGN Radio's Dave Plier and talks about how the band was formed, how they came up with the name, and the stories behind their biggest hits.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks backyard autumn grilling, tailgating tips, and more with Weber Ambassador Kevin Kolman.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Grammy Award winning artist Herb Alpert about his music, the Tijuana Brass, one of the most iconic album covers of all time ‘Whipped Cream & Other Delights', the history behind A&M Records and the artists that graced his label including The Carpenters, Styx, The Go Go's and Janet Jackson. Herb […]

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to WGN-TV's Mike Lowe who will be honored for his courage and determination at the H Foundation’s 23rd Annual Goombay Bash, a fundraising event for basic science cancer research on July 26, 2025 at Navy Pier. Mike will be the recipient of the “Eye of the Tiger” Award.

Editor and Chief of Nostalgia Digest Magazine Steve Darnall talks to WGN Radio's Dave Plier about their summer edition including Burma Shave, Harpo Marx, Don Ameche, and more! 

Harry Teinowitz, one of Chicago’s most popular sports radio hosts, has died at age 64. In addition to a number of appearances on WGN Radio through the years, in 2014 Harry was part of our sister station, 87.7 FM The Game. In 2021, Harry along with frequent on-air partner Spike Manton visited with Dave Plier […]

Chicago radio legend Garry Meier joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier in studio along with Tom Skilling from Hawaii to talk about Garry's adventures in the suburbs. Tom jumped in with Garry and Dave to reminisce about his time on air with Garry, volcanoes erupting in Hawaii, weather and too many laughs to count. 

WGN Radio's Dave Plier celebrates Wally Phillips on the 100th anniversary of his birth, sharing a little bit of Wally on the WGN Radio airwaves, including a portion of Bob Sirott's 2004 interview with Wally and Wally's acceptance speech in 1993 for the Radio Hall of Fame.

Class of 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Chubby Checker joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his 60 years in music, the origins of his name, ‘The Twist,' and his upcoming appearance at Ron Onesti's Des Plaines Theatre on Sunday, 7/27/25. For tickets, visit arcadalive.com.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier celebrates the ‘Fabulous Fifties' with 91 year old music legend Pat Boone; author Todd Purdum on his book ‘Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television'; 50's teen idol Frankie Avalon; the definitive story of the drive-in theater; Keith Thibodeaux ‘Little Ricky', the last living cast member from ‘I Love Lucy'. Plus, […]

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Country Music Icon Wynonna Judd about her summer tour, her level of gratitude right now in her life, missing her mom Naomi Judd, and her peaceful life on the farm. Wynonna will be playing at The Hard Rock Casino on Thursday, July 26th. For more, visit wynonna.com.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier shares his conversation with author John Malahy about the movies that reflect the full range of how summer has been depicted on screen, including Jaws, National Lampoon's Vacation, The Endless Summer, Caddyshack, and more.

WGN's Dave Plier and Wally Podrazik, television historian and author of ‘Watching TV', break down top TV dads by decade including Howard Cunningham (‘Happy Days'), Andy Taylor (‘The Andy Griffith Show'), Jim Anderson (‘Father Knows Best'), Mike Brady (‘The Brady Bunch'), Archie Bunker (‘Archie Bunker's Place'), Cliff Huxtable (‘The Cosby Show'), Phil Dunphy (‘Modern Family') and […]

WGN-TV's Pat Tomasulo joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his brand of comedy, what his father taught him, what he loves and doesn't like about summer traditions, and his upcoming shows at Zanies in Rosemont from Thursday, June 19th – Saturday, June 21st. For tickets go to zanies.com.

Dag Juhlin and Jason Narducy join WGN Radio's Dave Plier LIVE in studio to talk about their upcoming ‘Celebration of Pete Townshend' event at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights. The date of the show is Saturday, June 21st. The 7pm show has sold out, but tickets, including great table seats in this intimate viewing/listening room, […]

WGN Radio's Dave Plier and retired WGN Radio newsman Roger Badesch talk about the history behind radio and television call letters including WGN ‘World's Greatest Newspaper', which made its first appearance in the Chicago Tribune nameplate on August 29, 1911, and dozens of other Chicago call signs that graced the airwaves over the past 100 years on both radio and television.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to actor, comedian and entertainer Frank Ferrante on the 40th anniversary playing Groucho Marx (1890-1977) on stage, whose irreverent legendary humor continues to influences audiences today. For tickets to see Frank as Groucho on Wednesday June 11, 2025 at 7pm, visit https://zinzanni.com/chicago/clubzinzanni-groucho/.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier celebrates the 1960's with Mike Love of The Beach Boys, Barbara Eden of “I Dream of Jeannie” (seen weekdays on Antenna TV), Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Bill Mumy of Lost in Space, George Schlatter of “Laugh In” and iconic singer Darlene Love.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier showcases stand-up comedians with Chicago's Own Pat McGann, Roastmaster General Jeff Ross, Nikki Glaser, Harvey Illinois' own Tom Dreesen, Tom Papa, Jake Johannsen. Dave also talks to author Michael Starr on his new book: ‘Nothing Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield and Kelly Carlin on the legacy of her late […]

Comedian Pat McGann joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about opening for Sebastian Maniscalco in Las Vegas and his upcoming show at the Raue Center for the Arts on Saturday July 12, 2025. For tickets, visit rauecenter.org or patmcganncomedy.com.

Author Michael Starr joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his latest biography, Nothing Comes Easy: The Life of Rodney Dangerfield, the first-ever biography of the legendary comic and the most improbable rise to fame in the history of American comedy.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to All American Icon Christie Brinkley about her memoir ‘Uptown Girl', being discovered in Paris, life with Billy Joel, the origins of the song ‘Uptown Girl', ‘Vacation' movie with Chevy Chase, life lessons, and living with gratitude.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Chicago's own Gary Sinise on Memorial Day to honor our fallen, recap the annual National Memorial Day concert, discuss The Gary Sinise Foundation, and explain the significance of how his non-profit honors the country's fallen, first responders, and more.

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Kevin Cronin joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his journey this summer touring with The Kevin Cronin band and Styx in their Brotherhood of Rock tour and the wind down last December of the iconic band REO Speedwagon. Kevin will sing the songs of REO that you […]

Radio Hall of Famer Garry Meier joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about the real meaning of Memorial Day. Garry celebrates his father, Frank Meier, and his combat experiences from serving in World War II. Visit garrymeier.com for more.

NYT best-selling author Robert M. Edsel, who also wrote ‘The Monuments Men’, speaks to WGN Radio's Dave Plier about his new book ‘Remember Us', an ensemble piece that follows twelve main characters over a six-year span. It zeroes in on ordinary people from the small rural province of Limburg in the Netherlands, their gratitude for freedom […]

WGN Radio's Dave Plier and Dave Schwan talk about the true meaning of Memorial Day, which originated as ‘Decoration Day' after the Civil War and was officially signed into law in 1967. Plus, Dave shares President Ronald Reagan's moving Memorial Day speech from 1984.

WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Weber's Kevin Kolman about getting your grill into gear this summer, recipes for the perfect burger, desserts, and more!

Smashing Pumpkins’ own Billy Corgan joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his new solo tour with newly formed band The Machines of God, upcoming concerts overseas, his upcoming collaboration this fall with The Lyric Opera of Chicago, expanding his family, and Billy's world of wrestling.

Authors Wally Podrazik and Harry Castleman join WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about the latest edition of their extremely comprehensive book on the history of television and visual media from the 1940's to today.

Chicago radio great Kevin Matthews joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his radio days, his upcoming documentary, a longtime friendship with the ‘85 Chicago Bears including the late great Steve McMichael, and Jim Shorts joins in to talk about the new Bears coach and his pig skin picks.

Chicago Bishop John Siemianowski joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about Chicago's own Pope Leo XIV, the expected direction of the Catholic Church, and is the new Pope a Cubs fan or Sox fan?

Evanston's own Jeremy Piven joins WGN Radio's Dave Plier to talk about his upcoming comedy show at The Vic Theatre on June 6th, his acting journey, his legendary parents and the Piven Theater Workshop and his upcoming projects. For tickets, visit axs.com.

Who is your favorite TV mom? WGN Radio's Dave Plier talks to Watching TV author Wally Podrazik about TV's best moms that you grew up with, ranging from I Love Lucy, The Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family, Happy Days, The Cosby Show, Modern Family and more.

In keeping a promise to help ‘keep his name alive', WGN Radio's Dave Plier celebrates the legacy of the late Don Rickles on his birthday by sharing his backstage Vegas interview with the comedy legend. Plus bonus interviews with his longtime best friend, the late Bob Newhart, author Michael Starr of the book ‘The Merchant […]