

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

Mar 9, 2024 • 59min
Looking at Lucasfilm with Brian Gaughan Ep 93: How Billy Dee Williams was recruited for Star Wars
Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing why “The Mandalorian & Grogu” will be shot in the State of California. They also talk about the first five episodes of Season 3 of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch”Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
When will the new version of the “Star Tours: The Adventures Continue” ride film debut at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Paris
What frustrated Ewan McGregor about the shooting of the finale of “Star Wars – Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith”
Who was Billy Dee Williams’ stunt double when it came to the scene in “Return of the Jedi” when Lando Calrissian dangled over the Sarlacc pit
When does Stellan Skarsgard believe that the second season of “Star Wars: Andor” will begin airing on Disney+
How will the announced layoffs at Electronic Arts reportedly impact that Star Wars-themed first-person shooter that Respawn Entertainment was working on
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Mar 5, 2024 • 47min
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 430: “Maximum Horsepower” & other animated series that didn’t get greenlit
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Sean Bailey’s sudden departure from Walt Disney Studios.They then talk about why WDAS vet Hyrum Osmond will be sorely missed by “Frozen” fansOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How has the “Curious George Goes to Town” area at Universal Studios Florida been repurposed
When was “Song of the South” last released to theaters
What do “Psycho 4” and “A Day in the Park with Barney” have in common
Which Disney franchise was based on Bambi’s best friend
Why did Walt Disney Television Animation start producing series based on hit Disney films like “Aladdin” & “The Lion King” in the early 1990s
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Mar 4, 2024 • 1h 1min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 469: Will Jollywood Nights return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by talking about why the WDW Resort revealed its hotel rates for 2025 months ahead of schedule. They then wrap up their series about the construction of Tomorrowland at DisneylandOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Where the math actually maths for WDW’s free-entry-into-the-water-parks-on-arrival-day offer
What’s different about the newly updated Tequila Experience at Epcot’s La Cava
Where did hundreds of thousands of snow geese stop for a bite as they’re flying back to Canada
When did the very first “Tomorrowland” -themed episode of the “Disneyland” TV show air during the first season of this ABC series
Which Disney animator handled the ID monster in MGM’s “Forbidden Planet”
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 1, 2024 • 45min
I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 2: Uncover the Secrets Behind Disney's Most Iconic Accessory
Dive into the world of Disney merch with Lauren Hersey and Jim Hill as they explore the iconic Mickey Mouse Ear Hats. Learn how these beloved hats made their way into the parks and evolved into the Minnie Mouse Ear headband craze we see today, all starting from the Mickey Mouse Club. In this episode, Lauren and Jim cover a wide range of topics, including:-The legacy of "The Lion King" from its original animation to Broadway and the upcoming Prequel.-The Disney Store's unique presence within Target stores.-Insights into when "Wish" the animated movie will hit Disney+ and why the Blu-Ray might become a collector's item-The evolution and significance of Minnie Ears within Disney culture.-An introduction to the new Disney Villains-themed wedding dresses.- A celebration of "Aladdin" on Broadway's 10th anniversaryThe #IWantThatToo podcast and web show is part of the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network. Catch today's episode wherever you get your podcasts and watch on YouTube @JimHillMedia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 2024 • 47min
Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 49-3: Remember when the Universal Orlando Resort had a different name
Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the change that’s reportedly in the works for “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.”They also talk about the Universal Monsters Tribute Store that just opened at CityWalk out in HollywoodOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
When – according to Vin Diesel – will the “grand finale” of the “Fast & Furious” film series finally arrive in theaters
Which Epic Universe attraction was being tested after dark late last week
How much longer is the Peter Jackson version of “King Kong” than the original (which was released to theaters back in 1933)
Which Disney Legend helped build the “King Kong Encounter” for the Universal Tram Tour back in the mid-1980s
What was the one thing that Thierry Coup said that he regretted about his career in themed entertainment
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Feb 27, 2024 • 39min
Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor Ep 429: How “Rhapsody in Blue” became part of “Fantasia 2000”
Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Warner Bros Discovery’s Q4 earnings call. They then talk about which animated features & shorts took home awards at this year’s AnniesOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
What was the name of the “Fantasia” follow-up that Disney had in the works in the early 1980s
How many nominations did “Nimona” have going into this year’s Annie Awards ceremony
At which animation studio did Ken Melton start out sculpting maquettes
Which members of the original “Fairly Oddparents” creative team are returning to work on “A New Wish”
Who did Michael Eisner originally try & recruit to become as the celebrity conductor who’d then ride herd on “Fantasia Continued”
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Feb 26, 2024 • 48min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 468: Who just got offered free dining at Walt Disney World
Len Testa & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing what’s about to happen to the NBA Experience at Disney Springs. They then talk about why kids back in the 1950s were absolutely crazed when it came to Disneyland’s “Autopia” Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
Which “Star Wars” movie director just got hired by Universal Pictures to direct their next “Jurassic World” movie
Why did the Imagineers insert all of those CG animals into “Soarin’ Around the World”
What was originally supposed to transport Disneyland visitors from the Hub all the way to the very back of that theme park’s “World of Tomorrow”
Where in World Celebration Gardens should you go if you want to do some people watching
When did Disneyland’s Junior Autopia get renamed the Fantasyland Autopia
Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 21, 2024 • 55min
Looking at Lucasfilm with Brian Gaughan EP 92: “Phantom Menace” to return to theaters this May
Brian Gaughan & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the construction permit that has just been filed down in Florida for “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.” They then talk about how the characters from the “Young Jedi Adventures” animated series just visited Black Spire OutpostOver the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
How many mattresses did General George Washington reportedly carry with him over the course of the Revolutionary War
Who is supposedly funding Gina Carano’s wrongful termination suit against The Walt Disney Company & Lucasfilm
How many episodes have been produced for Season Three of “Star Wars: The Bad Batch”
Which Star Wars character is rumored to be getting his own first-person video game from Respawn Entertainment
How much did Harrison Ford’s copy of the fourth draft of the “Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope” script go for at auction this past weekend
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Feb 19, 2024 • 55min
Disney Dish with Jim Hill Ep 467: When will WDW’s version of “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure” open
Learn about the transformation of Hong Kong Disneyland's castle, upcoming ride safety tests, financial considerations for theme park visits, and the evolution of iconic Disney attractions. Explore the potential for drone shows at the Magic Kingdom and the rush to include Tomorrowland in Disney's early attractions.

Feb 17, 2024 • 44min
I Want That Too with Lauren Hersey Ep 1: I Want That Too!” shines a spotlight on Disney merch
Lauren Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the “Disney Eats” line of home goods, accessories and apparel. They then talk about what’s been going on with the live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch”Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:
When did the Mickeyhead balloon initially come on the market
How many popcorn carts in the Magic Kingdom did you have to visit if you wanted to collect a full set of the WDW 50th anniversary version of the Mickey Balloon-Shaped Popcorn Buckets
What does “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” have in common with Disney’s upcoming live-action “Lilo & Stitch” movie
Which Disney theme park treat have the Mouse’s masters of merch used as their inspiration for a new pet bed
According to Licensing Magazine, why are millennials & Gen Z such big buyers of Stitch-themed merchandise
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