The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
Join Jim Hill and co-hosts Len Testa, Dustin Fuhs, Drew Taylor, Aaron Adams, Michelle C. Valladolid, Dan Zehr and Brian Gaughan as they talk about the multi-faceted Walt Disney Company - including Pixar, Lucasfilm and Disney Studios - as well as Universal Studios and the world of collectibles.
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 436: “Shrek 2” celebrates its 20th anniversary
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up Pixar Fest (which starts this weekend at Disneyland Park). They then look ahead to which studios will be doing presentations at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market For this episode, listeners will learn about: How many Disney-related items are coming up for bid at Van Eaton Galleries’ next big event, “The Joel Magee Auction: Part Two” Which Pixar veteran is directing “Transformers One” for Paramount Animation When will “Robot Dreams” be released to select theaters in North America What became of the plaque in the lobby of NYC’s Broadway Theater which commemorates “Steamboat Willie” ‘s world premiere in that same space back in 1928 Who was supposed to originally voice Fiona in the “Shrek” film series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26
43 min
Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 53-6: Meet the horrifyingly cute Frankenstein Junior
Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the tram accident that happened this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood. They then take a close look at the perks annual passholders will be able to enjoy at the Universal Orlando parks starting in May. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which Universal horror classic got transformed from a silent film to a sound picture in 1929 Why did Universal Studios Florida push back the opening of “Twister … Ride It Out” from March of 1998 to early May of that same year Which store used to occupy the space in Universal CityWalk that’s now being transformed into the Epic Universe preview center Back in 1931, who did Universal Pictures originally announce was going to star in that Studio’s upcoming production of “Frankenstein” Which cartoon character is at the wheel of that popcorn bucket that Universal Hollywood is now selling to commemorate the 60th anniversary of that theme park’s tram tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 25
57 min
Looking at Lucasfilm with Brian Gaughan Ep 95: Sampling Disneyland’s “Season of the Force”
Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by revisiting the whole did-Greedo-shoot-first issue. They then talk about what the last few episodes of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” seem to be setting up Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What honor will George Lucas be receiving at this year’s Cannes Film Festival Where can Disneyland visitors view that theme park’s “Fire of the Rising Moons” fireworks display What did Harrison Ford want to have happen to Han Solo in “Return of the Jedi” Which animated series was the first “Star Wars” show to be set in the era of the High Republic How did Leslie Headland – the showrunner for “Star Wars: The Acolyte” – describe this new limited series for Disney+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 24
54 min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 476: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” gets ready for its grand opening
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the Stella Nova & Terra Luna Resorts at Universal Orlando. They then look back at Disney’s reaction to Mattel’s 1972 announcement of its Circus World theme park project Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this year What’s the name of the bay that the “World of Frozen” is built alongside at the theme park formerly known as Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris What price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TX Why are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW Resort How were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973 Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 21
52 min
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 435: Which emotions didn’t make it into “Inside Out 2”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up "Ultraman: Rising.” They then discuss which animation studio is soon to be honored with a Palme D’Odr at this year’s Cannes Film Festival For this episode, listeners will learn about: Which character in Pixar’s “Up” did Peter Docter’s daughter Elizabeth voice What does the future potentially hold for the “Bluey” animated series Which Pixar film was “B.O.O,” DreamWorks Animation’s cancelled supernatural comedy, supposed to go head-to-head with back in June of 2015 How long is the “Mary Blair’s Wonderland: Imagining Disney’s Alice” exhibit running at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University Which Animal Planet series from the 2000s is Warner Bros. Pictures Animation reportedly using as the jumping-off point for a feature-length project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 19
49 min
I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 5: Exploring the Bambi / Smoky Bear connection
Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about the merch locations that are being readied for the WDW version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.”  They then discuss how Disney helped promote the U.S. Forest Service’s fire prevention program Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: When did Walt Disney Animation Studios finally shut production of shorts for theatrical release What did Rankin-Bass produce as their follow-up to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” When is Walt Disney World’s redo of “Splash Mountain” rumored to re-open What’s the name of the bear at the bottom of that totem pole that Guests encounter right outside of the Wilderness Lodge Mercantile Which legendary big-screen romance first opened in theaters back in January of 1943 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 18
49 min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 475: Re-opened 1900 Park Fare serves up a superior character meal
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by deep-diving into the changes the Disney Parks are about to make to their DAS policy. They also continue their look back at WDW’s Tomorrowland Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many episodes of “Law & Order: SVU” has Ice-T appeared in to date What were Disney Legend John Hench’s concerns about the version of World Showcase that was almost built next to WDW’s TTC How long did it take the team at WDW’s Food Labs to create that translucent fruit that was served aboard the “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser” When was Phase One of “Project Florida” originally supposed to end construction How tall was Thunder Mesa (i.e., the table-top mountain that was supposed to house WDW’s “Western River Expedition” ride) supposed to be Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 14
55 min
Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 52-5: How King Kong came to be at the Universal theme parks
Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the M3gan horde became the break-out hit at last year’s Halloween Horror Nights. They also discuss Universal Orlando’s Stella Nova & Terra Luna resorts Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: What role did Michael Eisner play in setting Paramount Pictures’ “King Kong” remake in motion back in the mid-1970s Why did Universal Pictures insist that certain scenes in “M3gan” be reshot Why did Universal Studios Hollywood temporarily shut down “Earthquake: The Big One” back in October of 1989 Which Universal Pictures release back in November of 1974 introduced the world to Sensurround Which after-hours event at the Disney Parks inspired Universal’s Grad Bash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 13
53 min
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 434: The creatures that got cut from Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by looking back at how Walt Disney Studios did effects back in the 1960s. They also talk about the version of “Toy Story 3” that Circle 7 Studios had in development Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will “Kung Fu Panda 4” be available for viewing on digital platforms like Amazon Video & iTunes How far back did the release date of Disney’s live-action version of “Moana” get pushed back When did Happy Meals toys rethemed around Pixar’s “Elio” become available for purchase in Mexico What name did Disney used for “The Good Dinosaur” when this Pixar production was first announced at the D23 Expo back in August of 2011 Who will be voicing the Mother of the title character in Pixar’s “Elio” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 9
44 min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 474:  Why Disney World’s Asian Resort never got built
Len Testa & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how the Shooting Gallery at WDW’s Magic Kingdom will soon close to become a DVC lounge. They also take a look back at Tomorrowland in this same theme park circa late 1971 / early 1972. Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which then-husband & wife team were originally supposed to play the leads in Disney’s never-produced “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” sequel When does it appear that the Magic Kingdom will be opening its version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” Which “Avatar” film is the new experience that Bob Iger recently revealed was in the works for Disneyland in Anaheim supposed to be based on What significant eco-friendly change is supposedly in the works for Florida’s version of Autopia According to John Hench, which proposed WDW resorts were deliberately designed in such a way that they could then be seen from inside of the Magic Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 7
50 min
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