Nick Digilio

So this is not a film review but it’s an opportunity to express my gratitude to someone whose new podcast is launching today over at the Radio Misfits Podcast Network. Two years ago, he was unfairly fired from a radio station that was always on at home through my dad’s radio during the 80s and 90s. That is no longer the case because that station is no longer what it once was. But the memories remain of my dad and I listening together. Especially on Saturday mornings because I think my dad sensed that sports weren’t my hobby or interest, but music and movies were, especially after seeing Back To The Future in 1985. Jump ahead five years. At the age of 12, I fell into a deep depression as a result of entering junior high, gaining lots of weight and basically just going through puberty and the possible divorce of my parents. Then something happened, I was saved by a movie that WGN’s Nick Digilio and Roy Leonard reviewed on a Saturday morning in August of 1990. I convinced my mom to take me to see Pump Up The Volume starring Christian Slater. I am convinced that was the turning point; my life changed. It was something I didn’t know I needed to see at the time.

I think being in the studios of WGN telling Nick this story alongside friends and film critics Erik Childress and Collin Souter, was a little overwhelming to experience. There’s no way in 1990 did I see myself someday being on Nick’s show to share my thoughts on cinema. I didn’t go into great detail about why Pump Up The Volume meant so much to me for that first in-studio appearance but I of course thanked Nick and Roy every chance I could for saying, “go see this movie because I think teenagers will get something out of the experience.” I was a very young teenager at the age of 12, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. For someone who was suicidal, I never would’ve thought to myself that movies could actually be therapy. My guidance counselor certainly wasn’t helping and my parents were going through their own difficulties in their marriage so I didn’t tell them I was depressed because I really didn’t know what clinical depression was.

Christian Slater in Pump Up The Volume was saying what I needed to hear especially towards the end of the film in which he says, “quitting won’t make you strong, living will.” I told my mom after we walked out that I think that Pump Up The Volume might be one of my new favorite movies of all time and I am so grateful that Nick Digilio and Roy Leonard made me aware of this incredibly powerful film (hence the photo above). In turn, many years later I had the pleasure of reviewing movies with Erik and/or Collin on Nick Digilio’s radio show on WGN on and off. I never could contribute consistently due to being in college or having a day job but I have saved every appearance in MP3 form. It was hard not to be awe-struck talking to someone I consider to be a talk radio hero, who communicates in ways I could never even dream of doing with such grace, wit and ease. He can be intensely opinionated but that’s also what makes him Nick Digilio. Now that he has a podcast where he can swear, look out. But no more ad reads, traffic and weather reports. The new show on Radio Misfits will be Nick Digilio unfiltered and true to his wildly expressive and joyful personality.

Really this is an opportunity to make you aware that Nick Digilio is launching a new podcast. He was kind enough to talk Martin Scorsese with me once, that’s also in my archives here too. I wouldn’t be doing what I do with film criticism or podcasting if it weren’t for him. He deserves all the support and success possible, so please subscribe to his show. I recently put together a podcast episode featuring excerpts of me talking to the writer/director and actress of Pump Up The Volume and it was hard not to hold back the tears knowing what that movie means to me. I encourage you to listen to that but more importantly, continue to listen to Nick because he is one of the all-time greatest broadcasters and his recommendation of Pump Up The Volume may in fact have changed my life for the better. I learned to love movies, talk radio, podcasts and so much more because of his presence over the years. The airwaves do need Nick Digilio even if radio is no longer what it used to be. That’s okay, because with podcasting, he now can use his voice in a whole new medium. Talk hard, indeed, Nick and thank you for everything. So glad you’re podcasting again and I know Roy would be proud.

Below is a video i put together when Nick was inducted into the WGN Radio Hall Of Fame. Bittersweet now.