Janet and Steve’s Birmingham hotel lobby transformed into a nightclub every night. The thumping bass could be felt in their room. While waiting 30+ minutes for his car out front, Steve offered a random groom some unsolicited advice. Steve’s A+ behavior on the trip is verified by Janet. Well, there was one thing…

A Burr Ridge official was angered by loud leaf-blowing during his Thanksgiving meal. Steve ordered an oversized scoop he intended for salt. Janet has a few collectible sheets of stamps she’ll never use. Steve has stamps from the 1960s that his grandfather gifted him. Janet and Steve had conflicting GPS advice at the start of their trip to Detroit. What would Santa eat on his pizza? Steve chewing his food?

As the uncollected leaves of Western Springs lay under piles of snow, Steve once again ponders the purchase of a flamethrower. One of the town’s trustees lives nearby and Steve questions his parking practices in a congested area. We also ponder the idea of an anteater as a pet, while discovering molten aluminum ant colony art. And it’s a spirited Talk To Me Tuesday, albeit one day late.

Steve and Dag agree that Vince Gilligan’s new series Pluribus really kicks in during the fourth episode — so hang with it, viewers! Today we also chat with legendary drummer Gregg Potter, who’s gone from Teenage Radiation to The Buddy Rich Band to the cover of Modern Drummer Magazine. Steve and Greg discuss the possibilities of a Teenage Radiation reunion with the original members.

Steve and Janet’s weekend in Detroit featured excellent family time together, in spite of fake promises of Grinch socks from a wayward McDonald’s. Steve’s driving skills got them home safely during an intense snowstorm. Tom Thayer isn’t thrilled with the decision makers who left Notre Dame out of the BCS, but he found the Bears to be confident and cohesive and remains positive about their Soldier Field rematch.

The Detroit weekend trip is almost upon Steve and Janet, and Brendan wonders if Steve sinks into a protective malaise to combat social anxiety. Brendan closes out yesterday’s cliffhanger ending with a question for Janet about Pat and Rachel’s Friendsgiving. What does the future look like for The Old Nerd, and how will it play through? Are we all excited about the new McGrinch Meal?

An “Out to Lunch” sign waylaid Steve’s attempt to pick up his prescription sunglasses. Janet is irritated by Steve’s earbud usage, but Steve feels his earbuds are misunderstood. Steve was on his way to the cobbler when he realized he forgot to bring his boots. Janet is trying to convince him to throw away the tattered Rockport shoes he’s so set on fixing. What is dark showering? Is Janet encouraging Steve to travel by himself to Florida? If so, what about Rosie?

Steve is getting a blood test today, then heading to the cobbler. Dag is obsessed with shoe repair videos. The drinking water dispenser was located in Steve’s childhood bedroom. Dag is obsessed with shoe repair videos. Brendan was onsite at yesterday’s Weiner’s Circle hot dog giveaway, and returns with some top notch audio. Dag is obsessed with shoe repair videos. Steve and Janet are heading to Detroit this weekend.

Steve picked up Chick-fil-A and even remembered to obtain sauce for Janet. Henry Dahl’s voice is changing, as Steve noticed at Friendsgiving. Kai Juhlin still uses a voicemail from before his own voice change. Talk To Me Tuesday yields a deep appreciation of Brendan and his uncanny clip-finding skills, especially to listeners of a certain generation. Janet found some old jam her mother made, and Steve had to strongly talk her out of eating it.

Thanksgiving was lovely all the way around and we’re heading into the holidays with ice scrapers in our cars. Tom Thayer hops on the line to talk about the awesomeness of the Bears game, as well as some of the greetings he received from the Eagles notoriously outspoken fans. Steve going to rewatch the game, after completing his Manchores®. Not to self-belaud, but today’s show will make you want to take off your shirt and scream.

Steve and Janet are entangled in a garland battle for the ages. Steve took the wrong pills and stayed up all night. He thought about waking Janet to ask if she regretting marrying him. The long-awaited debut of Gravy the Musical is today. Today marks the arrival of Brendan’s musical, Gravy and it’s a triumph! Critics say Dag and Steve’s songwriting shines, and Janet’s voice work slaps!

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.