After Hours with Rick Kogan

06/23/2026

The photo will certainly give you more than a hint about who won but don't let that prevent you from reading about the weird and silly and over-served night that Donny fought Danny and more than 2000 people watched.

On Jan. 17, 1994, Danny Bonaduce and Donny Osmond faced off in a three-round fight at the China Club in the West Loop.

06/17/2026

And here is the obituary the one and only Tom Dreesen, child of suburban Harvey, Sinatra's opening act, a kind hearted man with a million pals. Gift link:

Comedian Tom Dreesen, from south suburban Harvey, grew up poor and first found comedy when he partnered with Tim Reid in an in*******al duo. He later became Sinatra’s longtime opening act and close friend.

06/17/2026

Tom Dreesen, child of Harvey, friend to millions, opening act for a guy named Sinatra, superb golfer, softest touch in show biz and just a damn fine guy has died at 86. Obituary coming in Tribune soon.

06/17/2026

Tattoo artist Ben Wahhh is helping women erase some of the nightmares of their pasts, turning their "brandings" into things of beauty, "transforming lives by transforming skin.”

Tattoo artist Ben Wahhh has founded Ink Relief, a charity that supports survivors of domestic violence and other painful pasts by providing cover-up tattoos.

06/10/2026

Okay, stop worrying! Yes, Dave Jemilo has sold the Green Mill, one of the greatest nightclubs on Earth, but it's staying "all in the family." You can meet the new owners in this story. They will, Marc Smith says, "keep the dive the beloved dive it is.”

The celebrated Chicago jazz club’s longtime owner, Dave Jemilo, has sold it to Jason Cole and Jill Skintges, both Green Mill employees who say they plan to keep running it the same way he did.

06/09/2026

The Bears will find a place to play before planes fly at Peotone. The story of the decades' long fight for and against a 'third airport' is told in a new movie.

New documentary tells the story of a proposed south suburban airport, an elusive dream for some, a nightmare for others.

06/04/2026

For that jukebox in your head, these two have crafted a remarkable CD with 11 songs, the familiarity of which enriches the listening. Without words, we supply the lyrics, but also listen more intently and the music soars on guitar and cello.”
For that

Michael Miles and Jill Kaeding’s new album, “Great American Jukebox,” has 11 songs and echoes of the Great American Songbook.

06/02/2026

This happy couple, Judith Barnard and Michael Fain, who split their time between Aspen and Chicago, wrote novels together under the Judith Michael and sold millions of copies. She died early in May after 94 fruitful years.

She and her husband Michael Fain wrote together as Judith Michael, and their novels were runaway bestsellers. The first became an NBC miniseries.

05/30/2026

No "After Hours" this Sunday, as we take a break while a couple of new shows move into that vaunted 5-7 pm timeslot. WGN would like to continue its long, very long, relationship with me and has been rather persuasive in explaining how a podcast version of the show would allow for longer interviews (uninterrupted by news and commercials) and give me more flexibility. So there is much for me to learn before we launch or crash. I will keep you posted.

05/26/2026

Tim O'Malley was one of the most naturally funny people this city has ever known, memorable as a performer and teacher at The Second City. He was also a man who used some of his own experiences to help and inspire others.

He shared the Second City Mainstage with Bonnie Hunt, Tim Meadows, Bob Odenkirk and Chris Farley, later becoming a teacher and leading a program for fellow addicts.