Podcast
Dave Plier
Hosted by wgnradio.com · EN
The Dave Plier Podcast from Chicago's Very Own, 720 WGN
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In: July 4th Chicago Cubs Baseball, Classic Film ‘The Sandlot’ & Fireworks!
4d agoTap to summarizeWGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes Scott Dehn, proprietor of the McHenry Outdoor Theater, the only drive in movie theater in Chicagoland, to discuss the nostalgia of the drive in experience, from classic concession stand favorites and retro intermission commercials to why watching movies under the stars continues to delight generations of moviegoers. Scott also previews the McHenry Outdoor’s spectacular Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4, featuring the Cubs vs. Cardinals on the giant screen, followed by the beloved baseball classic The Sandlot and a fireworks finale. For tickets, visit GoldenAgeCinemas.com. Plus, Dave talks with filmmaker April Wright, director of the acclaimed documentaries Going Attractions and Back to the Drive In, about the fascinating history, enduring appeal, and cultural legacy of America’s drive in theaters. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8479802/McHenry_Outdoor_April_Wright_06-26-26_2026-06-27-021202.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <div class="article-list__article-text" data-context="link_group" data-article-list-id="article...
Transcribe →From the archives: Dave Plier talks with legendary TV director James Burrows
2w agoTap to summarizeFrom June, 2022: WGN Radio’s Dave Plier welcomes TV icon James Burrows to talk about his book: ‘Directed by James Burrows: Five Decades of Stories from the Legendary Director of Taxi, Cheers, Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, and More’. All this from the man who helped launch the careers of Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson, Jennifer Aniston, Debra Messing, and Melissa McCarthy, to name a few. Burrows died Friday, June 19, 2026 at the age of 85. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8466619/James_Burrows_2026-06-20-025319.64kmono.mp3 Prolific TV director James Burrows, known for ‘Will & Grace’ and ‘Cheers,’ dies at 85 More from the Archives WGN Radio Archives From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Archives: Sirott and Murciano talk with Walt Parazaider .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Remembering Tom Dreesen .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Remembering Stacey King .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <a class="article...
Transcribe →Billy Corgan Unplugged: Podcasting, Lollapalooza & America’s 250th
2w agoTap to summarizeWGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks with Chicago’s own Billy Corgan about an exciting year ahead for The Smashing Pumpkins, including the band’s summer and fall tour, kicking things off with the America 250 celebration in Los Angeles, headlining Lollapalooza, and returning home for a major show at Chicago’s United Center this October. Billy also discusses his podcast, The Magnificent Others, the resurgence of vinyl records as a true art form, his love of classic television and more. smashingpumpkins.com https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8465612/Billy_Corgan_06-19-26_2026-06-19-205812.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <a href="https://wgnradio.com/dave-plier/tvs-top-dads-fathers-day-edition/" class="article-list__article-link" data-link-type="content-link" data-link-position="4" data-link-pinned="false" data-link-label="A Father’s Day ...
Transcribe →A Father’s Day Tribute: America’s Favorite TV Dads
2w agoTap to summarizeWGN Radio’s Dave Plier and Watching TV co-author Walter Podrazik celebrate television’s most memorable dads, spanning more than seven decades of TV history. From the wise and dependable fathers of the 1950s like Jim Anderson (Antenna TV’s Father Knows Best) and Ward Cleaver (Leave It to Beaver), to the lovable dads of the 1960s including Andy Taylor (The Andy Griffith Show) and Steve Douglas (My Three Sons), they explore how television fatherhood evolved with the times. The conversation continues through the 1970s and 1980s with iconic TV dads such as Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch), Howard Cunningham (Happy Days), Fred Sanford (Sanford & Son) and more. They also spotlight memorable fathers from the 1990s and beyond, including Carl Winslow (Family Matters), Ray Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Phil Dunphy (Modern Family). This Father’s Day, Antenna TV is celebrating the dads who worked hard, paid the bills, put a roof over everyone’s head — and never let their kids forget it. On Sunday, June 21, Antenna TV will air Sanford & Son…Father’s Day at the Junkyard, a special marathon of the classic sitcom featuring the unforgettable father-son duo Fred and Lamont Sanford. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7472309/TV_s_Top_Dads_Father_s_Day_Edition_2025-06-14-145809.128.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <div class="article-list__article-text" data-context="link_group" data-article-list-id="article-list5" data-article-text-classes="article-list__artic...
Transcribe →Chicago’s Own Joe Mantegna: Serving military families of the fallen, first responders, veterans and the Memorial Day concert
May 25Tap to summarizeWGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Chicago’s own Joe Mantegna on Memorial Day to honor our fallen, a recap of the annual National Memorial Day concert, some of the other celebrities involved, how he got involved with the veteran community, plus a discussion about the Cubs, and more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8407779/Memorial_Day_-_Joe_Mantegna_05-25-26_2026-05-24-180919.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} A Father’s Day Tribute: America’s Favorite TV Dads <span class="article-list__article-mediaicon-sv...
Transcribe →Radio Legend Garry Meier: Venerating our fallen with memories of WWII by his father
May 25Tap to summarizeRadio Hall of Famer Garry Meier joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to talk about the real meaning of Memorial Day, celebrating his father, Frank Meier, and his combat experiences serving in World War II. Visit Garrymeier.com for more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8408837/8408837_2026-05-25-224137.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} A Father’s Day Tribute: America’s Favorite TV Dads .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} </...
Transcribe →The true meaning of Memorial Day
May 25Tap to summarizeWGN 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. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8408830/8408830_2026-05-25-220430.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} A Father’s Day Tribute: America’s Favorite TV Dads .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} ...
Transcribe →Backyard Grilling: The Ultimate Summer BBQ with Weber
May 25Tap to summarizeWGN Radio’s Dave Plier talks to Weber’s Kevin Kolman about getting your grill into gear this summer, recipes for the perfect burger, steaks, ribs, breakfast, desserts, and more! Visit Weber.com for more. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8408810/8408810_2026-05-25-225410.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <a href="https://wgnradio.com/dave-plier/tvs-top-dads-fathers-day-edition/" class="article-list__article-link" dat...
Transcribe →Chicagoland’s Santa’s Village celebrates 67 years of summer fun
May 25Tap to summarizeSanta’s Village Amusement & Water Park proprietor Jason Sierpien joins WGN Radio’s Dave Plier to celebrate the park’s 67th season and reflect on the rich history of the beloved family attraction that first opened in 1959. The conversation explores the evolution of the park, including its classic rides, the Santa Springs water park, vintage Kiddieland attractions, food offerings and the nostalgia that continues to bring generations of Chicagoland families back year after year. For more information, visit santasvillagedundee.com https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8408823/8408823_2026-05-25-220523.64kmono.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} <a class="article-list__gradient-link" href="https://wgnradio.com/dave-plier/tvs-top-dads-fathers-day-edition/" data-link-type="cont...
Transcribe →Celebrating Don Rickles at 100: Dave Plier Shares Rare Vegas Interview and Tributes
May 9Tap to summarizeTo honor a promise to “keep his name alive,” WGN Radio’s Dave Plier celebrates the legacy of the late Don Rickles on what would have been his 100th birthday, sharing a memorable backstage Las Vegas interview with the comedy legend. The special also features bonus conversations with Rickles’ longtime best friend, the late Bob Newhart; author Michael Starr, writer of the book The Merchant of Venom; and Tony Oppedisano, the longtime manager and close confidant of both Don Rickles and Frank Sinatra. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/8370465/8370465_2026-05-09-010905.128.mp3 Recent Posts Dave Plier Experience The McHenry Outdoor Drive-In .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} From 2022: Dave Plier with TV director James Burrows .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} Billy Corgan Unplugged: America’s 250th and more! .cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd} A Father’s Day Tribute: America’s Favorite TV Dads ...
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