MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Re-Read Podcast

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we get back to our Harry Potter character discussions with the brightest witch of her age, Hermione Jean Granger.  We discuss her personality traits, her academic prowess, and her overall perceptiveness. Plus, on Bonus MuggleCast on our Patreon, the hosts try to figure out if Hermione has a female best friend and debate which member of the trio is the "third wheel"? The Secrets of Dumbledore will hit theaters a week earlier in the UK. Why, just days after the franchise's big announcement, are they making this change? Unimpressed by the The Secrets of Dumbledore official movie synopsis, Micah writes his own! Wizarding World Gold is coming to an end this month! Does this news have larger implications for other endeavors of the Wizarding World franchise? Character Discussion: Hermione Jean Granger Much like Hermes, messenger of the gods, does Hermione serve as messenger between the Muggle and wizarding worlds? Why we, as readers, should identify more with Hermione than Harry! What do we make of Hermione's decision to return to Hogwarts after the war? How does she balance personal achievement with what is necessary and urgent? The hosts recall their initial impressions of Hermione. Is she really an "insufferable know-it-all"? Where does Hermione's academic drive come from? Her parents? Pressure to fit into a new school? Pressure to fit into a new society? HER-MEE-OWN! How long did it take us to the proper pronunciation? Emma Watson and Noma Dumezweni: how each made their own profound impact  We share Our Top 7 Hermione Moments and give our Best Hermione Impressions Quizzitch: These 'splintery' treats were considered by Hermione for her parents while in Honeydukes? Submit your answer! This week's episode is brought to you by Greenchef - the #1 meal kit for eating well (visit GreenChef.com/MuggleCast100 and use code mugglecast100 to get $100 off, including free shipping)! Coming up  on Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon), the hosts discuss if Hermione has a female best friend. And, just who is the true third wheel of the Harry, Ron and Hermione trio? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's special episode of MuggleCast, we finally have some Fantastic Beasts 3 news to discuss! The third entry in the Fantastic Beasts series will be titled, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore! Also, a plot synopsis and new release date (April 15, 2022) are out! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss their first impressions of the title, what specific "secrets" the title may be hinting at, and we hear from Slug Club-level Patrons listening live who have some great theories as well!  Fantastic Beasts 3 will be titled, The Secrets of Dumbledore. The hosts all owe Andrew money. He has heavily speculated that "Dumbledore" would be in the title! Back on MuggleCast 442, the hosts each predicted the title of the movie in 2019, and some came close! What do we make of the title? Is this anything other than a money-motivated decision to get people to see the movie because it is called something "Dumbledore"? What does this mean for how prominent Dumbledore will be versus the Core Four and Grindelwald from previous movies? What could the "secrets" of Dumbledore be? Will it have to do with the Blood Pact, or Ariana perhaps? Will the secrets of Dumbledore be better explained than the crimes of Grindelwald in Crimes of Grindelwald? We discover that the film title shares a word with another Harry Potter movie! Will this be a trend? Andrew points out the huge visual difference in the size of both series titles on their respective title cards. It's huge! The movie's synopsis includes phrases like "intrepid explorers" and "Muggle baker" - but otherwise is pretty vague. Are we still going to visit Rio de Janeiro in this movie?! Was the Brazil setting filmed exclusively at Leavesden? Quizzitch: Who is the main character of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? WRONG answers only! Submit your answer! This week's episode is brought to you by MeUndies, makers of the most comfortable loungewear and underwear! Get 15% off and free shipping by going to MeUndies.com/mugglecast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, Andrew has some news that's been 14 years in the making! Plus, we open up our Muggle mailbag to hear from listeners about our most recent Hogwarts House discussions (don't forget, you can find them all here: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw & Slytherin). And on Bonus MuggleCast, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, we review deleted and unreleased scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! Andrew's long-awaited Harry Potter Vibrating Broomstick review is here! Did Slytherins have collective guilt about leaving the Battle of Hogwarts? Was J.K. Rowling really trying to course correct for the lack of love for other Hogwarts Houses? Snapping the Elder Wand?!?! Why one listener thinks the movie got it right! Pickett The Ring Bearer Cuteness Alert! We hear from one of our youngest Hufflepuff listeners! Did J.K. Rowling subtly rank the Houses based on their colors? Do fans' perceptions of their House common rooms differ based on personality? We read several strong defenses of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Houses.  What if... Tom Riddle was in Gryffindor? A 2007 throwback emails asks how Harry could recognize Lily's patronus? Quizzitch: What form does Cho Chang’s Patronus take? Submit your answer! This week's episode is brought to you  BetterHelp - get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/MuggleCast! Coming up later this week on Bonus MuggleCast (available on Patreon), the hosts discuss the deleted scenes from Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone, to celebrate 20 years since the movie was released! Did you know they filmed the Professors singing the Hogwarts school song? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the MuggleCasters tackle the fiercest Hogwarts house of them all with their main discussion centered on Gryffindor! Joining the discussion is long-time friend of the show and boyfriend of Andrew, Pat! The panel of current and former Gryffindors talk about the good and the bad traits of Gryffindor, like why being bold can be a bad thing, and how being "daring" can mean you like to get into trouble. The hosts also examine Gryffindor's security system, ask why it is so insecure, and how famous Gryffindors like Minerva McGonagall and Peter Pettigrew fit into their house assignments! On this episode we conclude our epic House-themed discussions with Gryffindor House! What do daring, nerve and chivalry have to do with the panel's own experiences as former/current Gryffindors? Is the Sorting Hat's description of Gryffindors the complete picture? Why is Pottermore's welcome letter for Gryffindors so hilariously short? We examine the good and bad of Gryffindor, including their readiness to admit fault once they've been proven wrong, their hot-headedness and ill temper, and loyalty to one another. Is everything Snape said about Gryffindors true? We examine moments between he and the Marauders. What does it mean that Gryffindor House has had two pairs of troublemakers that we know of across two generations? What happens when Gryffindors fight each other? Seamus and Harry's argument in Book Five may give us insight into the personalities of Gryffindor. The Fat Lady's password system STINKS! It's a security nightmare!  Notable Gryffindors include Dumbledore, McGonagall and... Peter Pettigrew? The hosts discuss who fits in and who doesn't. Quizzitch: The Sorting Hat tells us that Hufflepuff came from Valley Broad, Slytherin from Fen, and Ravenclaw from Glen, but from where did Godric hail? This week's episode is brought to you by Quip -- get $5 off a mouthwash starter kit at GetQuip.com/muggle5 Coming up later this week on Bonus MuggleCast, available on Patreon, the hosts discuss HBO Max's new Harry Potter Hub, where the platform makes TV and Movie suggestions based on what Hogwarts House you're in. Do we agree with HBO Max's choices? Definitely not -- Laura is hurt by the Ravenclaw picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intelligence. Wisdom. Learning. Wit. Our four-part series on the Houses of Hogwarts continues this week with Ravenclaw (be sure to check out our Slytherin and Hufflepuff episodes)! Andrew and Eric are surprised with just how critical Micah and Laura are of their own house (but, honestly, would you expect anything less of Ravenclaws?). Join us as we "look down" upon the Hogwarts grounds from high atop Ravenclaw Tower and discuss some of the House's most notable members! Main Discussion: Ravenclaw House Could Ravenclaw be the house we know the least about? Does the Sorting Hat group Ravenclaws together based on academic prowess, regardless of their intent?  Why was Hermione not sorted into Ravenclaw? What makes Micah and Laura Ravenclaws... Andrew and Eric have some ideas! Do certain descriptions of Ravenclaws, especially that of their common room, make them come across as elitist? What sort of students were the hosts during their younger years? What does it mean for Ravenclaw House that Luna was the character most often referred to as being authentically herself? What do we make of Cho Chang, a Ravenclaw, being Harry’s first love interest? Would the reader's perspective have changed at all knowing the first two Defense Against the Dark Arts professors/frauds were both Ravenclaws? We discuss other notable Ravenclaws, including Garrick Ollivander, Sybill Trelawney, Filus Flitwick, The Grey Lady and more ! Quizzitch: On which floor at Hogwarts can you find the staircase that leads directly to the door to Ravenclaw’s common room? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! This week's episode is sponsored by ThirdLove (get 20% off your first purchase) and HelloFresh (use code muggle14 for up to 14 free meals, including free shipping)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CHOO CHOO! Join us as we head back to Hogwarts on this week's episode of MuggleCast! Andrew, Eric, Micah and Meg as they play a few games and discuss the school's prime locations for first kisses, homework, parties and more! Plus, with David Yates beginning a new project, could the latest Fantastic Beasts news spell more trouble for the five-part movie franchise? Last chance! Only one day remains to select your 2021 MuggleCast patrons physical gift! Join us at Patreon and make your selection between our throwback socks and the customizable wooden car by September 1st! With so much time having already elapsed between Crimes of Grindelwald and Fantastic Beasts 3, what do we make of the news that there will be a "break" between Fantastic Beasts 3 and 4? Could the Fantastic Beasts franchise rest on the success of the third film? Andrew has a theory for what this break really means! Main Discussion: It's time to go Back to Hogwarts! Where would each of the hosts sit on the Hogwarts Express? What would be the first thing each of us did upon return to Hogwarts? "What Would You Do?" & Guess That Book (Back to Hogwarts Edition) Where at Hogwarts would you: have your first kiss? Do your homework? Have some "me" time? Hold secret parties? Quizzitch: In what books does Harry not directly interact with Draco Malfoy while on the Hogwarts Express? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! This week's episode is sponsored by MeUndies (get 15% off your first order plus free shipping ) and GreenChef (get $100 off plus free shipping)! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coming off of the success of our last episode where we defended Slytherin House, the MuggleCasters turn their sights to that other maligned Hogwarts house: Hufflepuff! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they discuss the qualities possessed by Hufflepuff students, examine why Hufflepuff does not get much glory in the books, and why everyone should want to know a Hufflepuff in real life. All that and more, on MuggleCast episode 527! Important: Only one week remains to select your 2021 MuggleCast patrons physical gift! Join us at Patreon and make your selection between our retro throwback socks and the customizable wooden car by September 1st! We begin the episode with a fun segment, "The Top 5 Most Disparaging Scenes Featuring Hufflepuff"! Main Discussion: While they may have been "picked last for kickball" in the books, Hufflepuffs may represent the best of us. A brief video of the author from after the books were published seems conciliatory to all Hufflepuffs burned by their book representation. What do traits such as "just" and "loyal" mean? What are the values of hard work and patience, and why do Hufflepuffs prefer to walk the quiet road to glory? Helga Hufflepuff's philosophy of "I'll teach the lot, and train them up the same" is actually the best policy when it comes to education, Laura explains. Eric shares which moments from the Hufflepuff Welcome Letter made him feel most at home in his new house. Other famous Hufflepuffs: from Newt AND his brother Theseus, to Helga herself, Hepzibah Smith, the founder of Hogsmeade and more, just which witches and wizards wore the badger when they were at Hogwarts? Each hosts says something nice about Hufflepuff House and listeners give their thoughts! Quizzitch: What conceals the entrance to the Hufflepuff Common Room? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! This week's episode is sponsored by UE Fits True Wireless, Custom Fit Earbuds (Get 15% off your order by going to UE.com/fits and using promo code MUGGLECAST at checkout) and BetterHelp (Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Tylor, President of the Wizarding World-inspired animal rights nonprofit, The Protego Foundation, and co-host of The ChickPeeps podcast with Evanna Lynch! Who is Tylor's favorite character? The answer may shock you (but is perfect for this episode)! Main Discussion: In Defense of Slytherin House What do we make of the first words revealed to us by the Sorting Hat about Salazar Slytherin? Does this introduction mislead us? Is there an argument to be made that Slytherin’s preference for pure-blood students could have been due to muggle persecution of wizardry?  Andrew shares why he converted to Slytherin House How much of Salazar Slytherin’s legacy should be used against current members of his house? The Slytherin Spectrum: we rate notable members of Slytherin House, including Merlin, Severus Snape, Regulus Black, Leta Lestrange, Dolores Umbridge, Horace Slughorn and more! Which characters are still down with Slytherin's pure-blood mania? Which are on the right side of history, but may have some ingrained blood status bias? Each hosts says something nice about Slytherin House and listeners give their thoughts! Quizzitch: What living creature are both Marvolo Gaunt and Salazar Slytherin compared to, in appearance? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! Support us on Patreon and receive magical benefits, including our new physical gifts! Also access to our recording studio, Bonus MuggleCast, a personalized thank you video from one of the hosts and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of MuggleCast, we're discussing Tina Goldstein's role following the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald, and what lies ahead! Plus, we revisit our predictions made after seeing her in the first Fantastic Beasts movie. Welcome to Slug Club Member Deanna and Alohomora's Katy Haile! Fantastic Beasts Character Discussion: Tina Goldstein and her role in The Crimes of Grindelwald We revisit some of the things we mentioned back in Episode 320 during our initial Tina discussion to see if anything held true in Crimes of Grindelwald! Did her standoffishness subside? Did she get her mojo back after catching Grindelwald? What does Tina's horoscope say about her character? What happened to Tina's story between movies? Why did she never reach out to Newt about the photo of him and Leta? Why didn't Queenie help to clarify the situation? Tina The Auror & The Search for Credence Why was she so easily duped by Yusuf Kama? What will Tina and Queenie’s relationship be like now that she has (supposedly) sided with Grindelwald? Are we headed toward a showdown between sisters? Knowing World War II will serve as a backdrop to future Fantastic Beasts films, how concerned should we be for the Goldstein family? What can we expect of her future relationship with Newt? Will it be a very minor subplot? Was Tina catching Grindelwald at the end of the first movie foreshadowing of what’s to come? Will Credence save her much like she has saved him? New Game: Whose Eyes Are They? Quizzitch: As of the late 20th century, Tina Goldstein lived with her husband Newt Scamander in Dorset with their pet Kneazles, what were their pets’ names? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! This week’s episode is sponsored by Quip (get $5 off their mouthwash starter kit) and ThirdLove (get 20% off your first purchase)! Support us on Patreon and receive magical benefits, including our new physical gifts! Also access to our recording studio, Bonus MuggleCast, a personalized thank you video from one of the hosts and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another MuggleMail episode, folks! But first: The Cursed Child's North American productions are being condensed into one part! What does this mean for the show's future? It's time to announce this year's MuggleCast Patreon physical gifts: Throwback socks and a "Sweet 16" customizable wooden model car! Listeners must sign up to our Patreon and choose their gift by September 1st to be eligible to receive them. Voicemails from listeners concern Petunia's motivations for spying on her neighbors, character maturities, a big fandom moment, and fond memories from the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 red carpet. It's DumbledoreMail galore as listeners write in about the hiding of Ariana, the blood pact and 12 uses of dragon's blood being related, and when phoenixes appear. Could Travers already be working for the Dark side in the time of Crimes of Grindelwald? He's got family history. Bellatrix's comment about Snape's neighborhood leaves one listener asking if his home town puts Snape in hot water with the Death Eaters. That same listener asks why NOBODY told Harry that Snape and Lily were childhood friends! Lupin, Sirius, and Dumbledore all hide that fact for their entire lives. Did the Hogwarts Sorting Hat always reflect Salazar Slytherin's bias? The hosts reflect on which scenes from the Potter films most improved on the books. In this month's Throwback Email, an Australian listener details WW2 references present in Grindelwald's backstory. A new game, "Who Said It?" has us identifying which of us said the excerpt read by Andrew. The participants do not do particularly well! Quizzitch: What is the name for the double agent, working for the British MOM as a bounty hunter, who is secretly taking orders from Grindelwald? Visit MuggleCast.com/Quizzitch to submit your answer! This week’s episode is sponsored by MeUndies! Get 15% off your first order, free shipping, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee at MeUndies.com/mugglecast Support us on Patreon and receive magical benefits, including our new physical gifts! Also access to our recording studio, Bonus MuggleCast, a personalized thank you video from one of the hosts and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices