We remember radio’s JoBo, we discover Freeport, Illinois. Turns out “Pretzel City” is eyeing a modern fixed route transportation system. The main square of Woodstock will light up this weekend as the holiday season commences. Excitement is building as the final creative touches are being put on Brendan’s hot new musical, Gravy!. Steve’s focus on writing a song prevented him from helping with the groceries yesterday.

Steve went Mike’s to watch the Bears game and thought about swiping some smoked ribs from his countertop (they were for his in-laws). Tom Thayer joins us to break down the Bears game, and to reveal the nickname he was given by William “The Refrigerator” Perry. Also: the Philadelphia Eagles stadium has three jail cells, FYI. Steve touches Plymouth Rock at a Western Springs church.

Steve plays a jam from 1999 in tribute to Todd Snider. Friend of the family Kris dropped off some birthday tacos and onion rings for Steve. Pat helped Steve with a CD drive issue. Claudia von Thrift is Hinsdale’s TikTok trash repurposing queen. Brendan got a KitchenAid thrown in as a Facebook Marketplace bonus. Steve gifted everyone with moisture-themed t-shirts. Good Gravy, what a Friday show!

Come join us as we celebrate Steve’s birthday on today’s podcast. Last night’s pizza party was a big success, and Steve was gifted with thoughtful cards (and even some walking around money) from the grandkids. An old classmate of Steve’s stops by to relive some middle school memories. Steve reflects on the House of Pies and other California landmarks, and earliest concert memories.

Steve and Brendan are highly recommending the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. Steve and Janet got a round of shots at Walgreens, and Steve had to remove his shirt during the process. The entire Dahl clan is gathering to celebrate Steve with a pizza party — there will be cake! Steve would like Joe to bring him to the best restaurant in Little Village, as he’s seeking a new go-to taco spot.

A pre-show meeting about ‘Gravy’, the forthcoming Brendan Greeley original musical, left Steve confused. Steve’s got a new windscreen for his microphone. We are joined by special guest, Buzz Kilman, direct from the greatest apartment in the city. We get a chance to talk about the late Tony Fitzpatrick. Buzz also has plenty of film recommendations for us, running the entire breadth of the emotional spectrum.

Though it took him some time, Steve successfully installed a Ring Doorbell over the weekend. It took him hardly any time at all to spill his protein drink this morning. Brendan’s Florida weekend was glorious by all accounts, and Dag enjoyed his birthday weekend tremendously. Tom Thayer is notoriously courteous on his Bears flights — he’s famously hungry as well. Marcello Hernandez nailed a Sebastian Maniscalco impression on SNL.

Steve and Janet would love to attend Dag’s birthday gig with Sunshine Boys at Sidebar, but they are headed to New Buffalo for Steve’s favorite event; a condo board meeting. He’ll have a few things to say about the recent discovery of a squatter living on the premises. Brendan hands out song assignments for this year’s Thanksgiving musical. Jim Fabbrini calls to discuss foliage, centerpieces and Brian Wilson.

Janet has been encouraging Rosie’s snarl with what Steve deems an incorrect command. Cherry is the most popular Tootsie Pop flavor. AI is storming up the country music charts and Dag is suitably fuming about it. Steve discovers the power of scheduling a text message. Joe Walsh is auctioning off music memorabilia for VetsAid. Steve has been overwhelming Janet with Edmund Fitzgerald trivia.

Steve showed up to a country club meeting to decide on a new logo. Mike Dahl led the discussion, and Steve was mightily impressed with his son’s presentation abilities. He also arranged for some tacos in bed with Janet. A Floridiot gets gussied up in an elaborate outfit before strutting his stuff in a public park. Dag’s dog Claude is adjusting to life with three legs.

Brendan sees futuristic delivery robots trucking down Sheridan on a regular basis.Steve had a day out yesterday, where he visited Pat and Mike on-set and possibly witnessed some shoplifting at Walgreen’s. John Heggie calls in with an incredible story of savvy and survival in Vietnam. Dag’s still under the weather, and Brendan is playing it close to the vest about his alleged Thanksgiving musical.

Steve was on the air in Detroit the morning after the Edmund Fitzgerald sunk. Dag’s trusty canine sidekick, Claude, is undergoing a procedure to remove a damaged leg. Steve compares game notes with Tom Thayer. Tom’s sport coat and tie made for a sharp look on Game Night Live. Dag and Steve successfully started their snowblowers in anticipation of the season ahead. Steve and Janet dined with Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano at Gibson’s.

Steve’s not comfortable sending money electronically, despite the many easy ways to do so. Have you noticed the Beaver Moon this week? Steve and Janet enjoyed Hamburger Helper Wednesday night. Pumpkin farmer Chach Havis joins us to discuss a recent crime against his crop. Steve wants to learn about Lucy Apples (the fruit) and Brendan explains his expensive potato choice.

On this TV Takedown Thursday we look into a couple of series that are popular, but somehow also disappointing to Steve and Dag. Steve defrosts a decades old steak. It was a gift from Ed Silha. Brendan proves that boot shopping can be a subject you discuss with friends. Dag is the subject of a poll started by Brendan on our community page. Dee Snider is mad the airlines, as are his associates.

Steve attempts to make a case for his diminished clock-winding prowess, as he discusses his “Foyer Shame”. We listen to some high concept post-show promises from yesterday. Whether it’s a trail or a cut-through, etiquette is important. A French cyclist survives on wine for three days in a ravine. Can re-piloting help a pre-hyped TV show? What influence did The Insane Coho Lips have on American politics?

One of Australia’s largest radio stations is looking for a new morning crew, and we’re ready to throw our hats in the race. We do some research and discover a lively, entendre-riddled afternoon duo, Lu & Jarch. Steve remembers when his dad fell down a hill in Duluth. Brendan feels that there aren’t enough Thanksgiving songs, and throws down a songwriting gauntlet.

We kick off November with piles a leftover candy and a heart-quaking Bears victory. Tom Thayer joins us for analysis, as well as a behind the scenes look at both his pre- and post-game activities. He also talks about the logistics of onside kicks. Janet caught Steve pumping his fist when the Dodgers won Game 7 of the World Series, which featured high drama and endless twists and turns.

Janet will be passing out Nerds Clusters, Bubble Yum, M&M’s, and more for Halloween. Steve is taking his time in cleaning up his studio. He and Janet have different ideas about his cleaning habits, as well as his calorie counting. Brendan turns us on to a five-hour podcast devoted to Viking history. Maybe he’ll go as Ivar The Boneless for Halloween. Steve and Janet find 9-1-1: Nashville hilariously entertaining.

Steve considers applying for executive status at Costco. Dag will be opening for Wesley Stace at Old Town School of Folk Music tonight, with WNUR’s Ron Lewis on the mic as emcee. Steve and Brendan were hunkered down in front of their respective TV sets, watching the Blue Jays wallop the Dodgers. Steve is looking forward to using his latest tube of white lithium grease. Plus, a New Jersey booty call goes ends in frustration and flames.

Dag has a friend who has possibly overanalyzed a Jimmy Stewart cinema classic. Janet accidentally left Target with a jar of jam that wasn’t purchased. Steve Plans to return it. Steve wants to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Route 66. Steve discovers the hope and beauty within the lyrics to Crazy Train. There is currently an active Theremin Threat. Proceed with caution…

A pre-show tech meeting goes well, meaning more guests via phone, checking off a long-simmering item/promise on Steve’s ‘to-do’ list. It’s another Talk To Me Tuesday, and our phone bank is swollen with calls. Brendan and Steve (almost) stayed up for the entire epic World Series game last night. Will future Dodgers fans commute by a gondola in the sky? Bono wins an award in the spirit of an American road warrior.

Our podcast got a shout out during the Bears radio broadcast, as Jeff wagered (correctly) that some of his mishaps might be retold by Tom Thayer. Tom’s list of Bears mishaps was lengthy and with pinpoint accuracy. Dag presented a slideshow about his unique career path in front of a group of educators at Moraine Valley Community College. Steve made a Costco run for chili and chicken soup.

A brew pub fight in La Grange, where Skeletober originated, started as a pleasant conversation. Janet loves the local Western Springs home that features a native butterfly garden in front. Kristen Bell caught heat for an anniversary post on Instagram. Michael J. Fox is an inspiration. He makes Steve want to stop complaining about minor things. Janet stocked up on Halloween candy at Walgreens.

Brendan breathlessly takes place in a publicity/influencer stunt offering a year’s worth of free frozen pizza. But he is cruelly duped at the finish line. We call out this shoddy marketing behavior, and wonder if it will lead to a shift in Brendan’s frozen pizza allegiance. Despite being a midwesterner for fifty years, Steve still hasn’t warmed up to the cooler weather. He’s definitely not looking forward to what the impending Blob will bring, weather-wise.