Radio host Ray Stevens, 'The Chi' actor Barton Fitzpatrick join 'Windy City Weekend'

Friday, August 22, 2025
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini launched "Windy City Weekend" Friday morning with a Host Chat guest: WLS 890 AM radio host Ray Stevens.

Stevens is the morning man on the "Big 89," hosting his talk show from 6 to 9 a.m. He has also been honored with the Semper Fi Award by the U.S. Marines for his advocacy on behalf of service members.



Stevens talked with Warner and Chiaverini about multiple topics in pop culture. And they also talked about Stevens' daughter, Cheyenne, who was married last week.

Barton Fitzpatrick


'The Chi' actor Barton Fitzpatrick joins 'Windy City Weekend'


Warner and Chiaverini then talked with Chicago-born actor Barton Fitzpatrick.



Fitzpatrick has been on a number of Chicago-based network programs, including "Chicago P.D." and "Empire." But he's best known for his work on Showtime's "The Chi," where he plays the gang chief, Reg Taylor.

That character was apparently killed off in season two of "The Chi." But he has returned for season seven of the series, which premiered earlier this summer.

Fitzpatrick talked to Warner and Chiaverini about the reasons behind the character's return to the show. And he also talked about growing up in Chicago and becoming a performer.

'Our Chicago: Neighborhood Walk' with Lori Lightfoot


Fmr. Mayor Lightfoot showcases her Logan Square in 'Neighborhood Walk'


Warner then introduced the latest installment in her series, "Our Chicago: Neighborhood Walk."



In this installment, she walked through the Logan Square neighborhood with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who has lived in the Near Northwest Side community with her family for the past 20 years.

The two hit a number of spots in the neighborhood, including the Logan Theatre and the historic Logan Square Boulevard district.

And catch a few behind the scenes clips of their Logan Square walk on the "Windy City Weekend" Instagram and Facebook pages.

Roeper's Reviews: Spend or Save?


Spend or save


Warner and Chiaverini were then joined by film critic Richard Roeper for his weekly movie reviews.



This week, Roeper reviewed three movies which are opening exclusively in theatres:

"Honey, Don't!" - This dark comedy from director Ethan Coen (one half of the famed Coen Brothers directing team) focuses on the small-town private investigator Honey Donahue (Margaret Qualley), as she looks into a series of puzzling deaths that are all tied to a mysterious church. Aubrey Plaza co-stars in this one, which Roeper gave a "spend."

"Americana" - Roeper also gave a positive review to this crime drama. A modern-day western stars Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser and Halsey, whose characters are all swept up in the battle over possession of a rare Native American artifact that appears on the black market.

"Eden" - This Ron Howard thriller is based on a factual account of a group of people who settled on a remote island to escape the society that they believe is corrupting mankind. But the outsiders find that the greatest threat may not be the island environment and wildlife, but the people with whom they have settled. It stars Sydney Sweeney (again!) and Jude Law. Roeper gave the film a "spend."

'Inside Jeopardy! Live on Tour' at the Chicago Theatre


'Inside Jeopardy! Live on Tour'


Before closing the show, Warner and Chiaverini talked about "Inside Jeopardy! Live on Tour."



This live version of the popular game show, which is seen every weekday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on ABC7 Chicago, will be at the Chicago Theatre on Friday, Sept. 12. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The show will feature "Jeopardy" host Ken Jennings, who will oversee an interactive "Jeopardy" game, with prizes going to the winners.

Jennings will be on "Windy City Weekend" on Friday, Sept. 12 to talk about the Chicago Theatre show. You can purchase tickets for this event here.
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