Dean Richards

Now is the time for sweet treats and Dean is excited. The Chicago Tribune has an annual holiday cookie contest and Chicago Tribune food reporter Louisa Chu helped bring everything together this year. Food stylist, Maria Del Mar Cuadra also joined Dean to talk about some of her favorite holiday cocktails for the cold weather that has arrived.  

From newcomers to seasoned veterans, The American Blues Theater’s production of “It’s A Wonderful Life” celebrates it’s 15th season of the show. Brandon  Dahlquist (George Bailey), Camille Robinson (Mary Bailey), Shawn Goudie (Fowley), and John Mohrlein (Mr. Potter) joined Dean in studio to talk about how to keep the iconic holiday production true to it’s roots while spicing it up each year.  

Dean, Dave Schwan, and the rest of the team at WGN Radio know all too well about the crazy Black Friday shopping since every week they step into the studio on Michigan Ave. This year was historic with the shopping activity across the country, but this shopping can be a credit card and identity scammers dream. Dean chatted with Adobe Digital Insight Principle Analyst, Tamara Gaffney about their report on this year’s Black Friday data.  

Sitting down with one of the seasoned veterans of Hollywood can be overwhelming, and the stories can be even more fascinating. Dean got the chance to sit down with Warren Beatty, to talk about his new movie “Rules Don’t Apply” about the life and times of Howard Hughes. Dean gave the movie a Dean’s List B-  

The holidays are the tough times for those who want to stay healthy. There are plenty of temptations and “food traps” that linger around the office, family member’s houses, and everywhere in between. Dean sat down with a registered dietitian nutritionist, Christine Palumbo to talk about the tricks of the trade to making it through the holidays and staying healthy   P.s. Did you know adding carbonated drinks to alcohol can get you drunker faster, and it takes 5 months […]

The holiday plays in the city of Chicago are internationally known. One of those plays year after year is The Goodman Theater’s, “A Christmas Carol”. The classic story of Bob Cratchit, Mrs. Cratchit (played by Ron Rains & Sadieh Rifai) continues it’s annual holiday message. Dean invited a handful of the cast members in studio to chat about the show and perform some of what you can see at The Goodman Theater this year.  

Did you know there was a University where you can learn about turkeys? That’s exactly what Butterball University is all about and Mary Alice Coffey has obtained the wealth of food knowledge. Dean talked with the Butterball University trainer about the ever popular Butterball “Turkey Talk-Line” and Mary Alice answered listener’s questions about the busiest cooking holiday of the year this week (1-800-288-8372)  

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” has made Dean proud as it has a pleasantly Potter feel. Dean sat down with the cast of the new film including Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston to talk about the high expectations, their personal Harry Potter interest, AND the Chicago Cubs.    

Tonight is the night Dean spreads an important message about a terrible disease we are all familiar with called Alzheimer’s. Dean and Dina Bair host the WGN TV event, “Unforgettable: Living with Alzheimer’s“. A couple affected by this disease is Tom and Marilyn Oestreicher, and the two joined Dean to talk about the realities of living with the disease.  

Theater veteran, Gene Weygandt is best known for playing the Wizard of Oz in Chicago’s production of Wicked, and on Broadway as Paul in BIG, but Gene is back in the Windy City with a hilarious and heartbreaking, “Uncle Philip’s Coat”. Dean chatted with Gene in studio about the new Chicago production and got a preview of what’s to come on opening night on November 27th.  

Dean Richards sat down with the ever popular Benedict Cumberbatch to chat about the latest addition to the Marvel movie repertoire “Dr. Strange”. Benedict told Dean that the effort and detail to perfection is what makes this film so special. “Dr. Strange” has topped the weekend charts with a $85.05 million debut.  

If you set the turkey on fire last year or if you simply don’t feel like cooking this Thanksgiving, Dean can help you out. Dean talked with Chicago Tribune Food Critic, Phil Vettel about all the restaurants that will be open this Thanksgiving. For everything on where to eat out this holiday season check in with Phil’s Thanksgiving Guide at Chicago Tribune.  

If the holidays are associated with stress and anxiety Dean has the best way for you to step away from the worries of the world. Go see a show! Dean chatted with Deb Clapp, the Executive Director of League of Chicago Theaters, to talk about all the shows that’s charming the city this year such as A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, It’s A Wonderful Life, and more. Deb told listeners about the must sees, HotTix.org for half priced tickets, […]

Dean is a seasoned professional but he couldn’t look past the fuzzy friend on Producer Bennett’s face. Before the monthly DVD release run down, Dean and Bennett chatted about the Movember cause and why growing mustaches and donating to a cause is helping raise awareness (DONATE HERE). Below are the very exciting titles that are gracing the shelves this month, some of which are Dean’s favorites… Bad Moms Bob Hope: Hope for the Holidays Hell on Wheels: Season Five, Volume […]

This week, Dean was whisked away to the magical winter wonderland of Treetime Christmas Creations in Lake Barrington. He started things off by talking to owners Lori and Joe about Treetime’s amazingly festive trees and decorations. Then Dave Schwan brought us to Christmastown, South Carolina for this week’s Far Flung Forecast. This week in theatre, Singin’ in the Rain cast members Danny Gardener and Mary Michael Patterson joined Dean, talked about the production and sang him a couple tunes from […]