

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
Jim Hill Media Podcast Network
The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network features weekly shows hosted by Jim Hill and his collaborators. The lineup includes The Disney Dish with Len Testa, Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor, Epic Universal Podcast with Eric Hersey, I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey, Marvel Us Disney with Dan Graney, The Case For with Chris Cox, and more. Each series offers industry reporting, history, analysis, and insider stories spanning Disney, Universal, animation, film, streaming, and themed entertainment. With over 25 years of online storytelling and thousands of hours of content, the network delivers trusted, in-depth coverage for fans, enthusiasts, and industry professionals.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 25, 2024 • 54min
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 upThroughout 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 22, 2024 • 49min
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 projectThroughout this episode, listeners will learn about:How many times will Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights be presented this yearWhat’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 ParisWhat price range is Universal reportedly considering when it comes to admission to its new kid-friendly park currently under construction in Bliss, TXWhy are the popcorn buckets sold at the Disney Parks in Anaheim & Tokyo so much nicer than the ones that are sold at the WDW ResortHow were the elephants dressed at the groundbreaking ceremony for Circus World back in April of 1973Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 20, 2024 • 50min
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 FestivalFor 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, 2024 • 46min
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 programThroughout 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 15, 2024 • 52min
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 TomorrowlandThroughout 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, 2024 • 54min
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 resortsThroughout 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 10, 2024 • 44min
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 developmentOver 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 8, 2024 • 47min
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 5, 2024 • 40min
I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 4 : Disney's Tiki Culture & Merchandise
In Episode 4 of "I Want That Too," where we venture into the world of Disney merchandise, with a special focus on the Tiki culture found within the Disney universe. Join entertainment writer Jim Hill and co-host Lauren Hersey as they uncover the stories behind Disney collectibles, explore the history of the Enchanted Tiki Room, and dive into the resurgence of Tiki culture among Disney fans and collectors.In This Episode:
The Significance of April 5th in Disney Park History: Discover why this date holds a special place in the hearts of Disney fans.
Spotlight on Tiki Culture: A deep dive into the history of the Enchanted Tiki Room and its controversial management change, exploring how Tiki culture has been integrated into the Disney parks and merchandise.
Featured Merchandise: The newly released Zazu shoulder plush in celebration of "The Lion King's" 30th anniversary and a look at the coveted Tiki mugs that have become a collector's dream.
Book Review:
"Before the Birds Sang Words" by Ken Bruce, offers an in-depth
exploration of Disney's feathered friends and the technology behind their creation.
Sponsor Shoutout: A big thank you to TouringPlans.com for making this deep dive into Disney's Tiki culture possible.
Listener Engagement: We invite our listeners to share their Disney collections and stories. Reach out to us at Lauren@laurenhersey.com or
Jim@jimhillmedia.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 2024 • 43min
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 433: How we went from Bluto to Brutus & back again
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about many of the animation-related books that will hit store shelves later this year. They also discuss how “Aladdin” commemorated its 10th year on BroadwayOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which member of the “Frozen” voice cast just collaborated on a Putnum’s Book for Young Readers
How does “Disney Junior’s Ariel!” blend the 1989 animated feature with the 2023 live-action reboot
What made the Hanna Barbera-produced “Popeye” cartoons different from the shorts that previously starred this character from King’s Feature Syndicate
When was “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” originally supposed to be released to theaters
How old were Hiccup & Astrid originally supposed to be in Dreamworks’ first “How to Train Your Dragon” movie
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


