Epic Universal Podcast

By Jim Hill Media Podcast NetworkSociety & Culture News Entertainment News History Places & Travel

Epic Universal Podcast episodes

March 21, 2025From SpongeBob to Slime: The Story of Nickelodeon at Universal (Ep. 43)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive deep into the surprising and nostalgic story of Nickelodeon’s presence at Universal Studios Florida—from green slime to dark rides and beyond. Plus, they share the latest updates on Epic Universe and more theme park buzz. Highlights include:
Nickelodeon at Universal Studios Florida: How a rent-free deal brought Nick Studios to Orlando and made Double Dare, the Slime Geyser, and Nick-themed attractions part of theme park history.
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast & SpongeBob Square Store: The rise (and fall) of Nick’s attraction presence in the park—and what stayed behind.
SpongeBob in Las Vegas: Eric’s review of the new dark ride at Circus Circus and the surprising quality of this family-friendly experience.
Epic Universe Parking Lot Names Revealed: Eric and Jim break down the new themed lot sections like Monster, Gamer, and Hero.
Universal Hollywood’s Free Parking Updates: What new perks mean for Gold and Platinum passholders—and why free parking hours don’t always make sense.
Rumors of Universal’s ‘Mega Movie Summer’: Alicia Stella uncovers a new trademark hinting at a possible new event or seasonal promotion.
Rankin/Bass & Classic Media Catalog: Jim unpacks the forgotten goldmine of IP (like Rudolph, Casper, and Rocky & Bullwinkle) that Universal owns but rarely uses.

From ‘90s nostalgia to Epic Universe speculation, this episode is packed with trivia, theme park deep dives, and classic Nickelodeon vibes!

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53 min
March 14, 2025Universal’s Forgotten Past: Ma & Pa Kettle’s Hollywood Legacy (Ep. 42)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a nostalgic journey through Universal’s lesser-known history, focusing on the Ma & Pa Kettle film series and its unexpected impact on Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, they also dive into the latest Universal news and rumors. Highlights include:
The Ma & Pa Kettle Film Legacy: How these quirky, small-town characters became box office gold for Universal in the 1940s and 50s.
The Ma & Pa Kettle Petting Zoo: How Universal repurposed the set into a real farm attraction for guests in the early days of the studio tour.
The Evolution of Universal Studios Hollywood: From petting zoos to world-class attractions, how the park transitioned into the entertainment giant it is today.
Epic Universe Updates: The latest behind-the-scenes insights from team member previews, including first reactions to Monsters Unchained and Isle of Berk.
Stardust Racers Testing Issues: What happened when Universal’s new dueling coaster stalled on the track?
Cirque du Soleil in Vegas: Eric shares his experience seeing the long-running Mystère show and how Cirque compares to other theme park entertainment.

This episode blends Hollywood history, Universal’s evolving theme park legacy, and the latest attraction updates. Whether you're a longtime film buff or excited for the future of Universal parks, this one’s for you!

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47 min
March 07, 2025News, More News, and Even More News from Universal (Ep. 41)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the latest news about Epic Universe as team member previews begin, along with rumors about the highly anticipated Wolfman coaster. Plus, they explore Universal’s expanding horror offerings and what’s next for theme park fans. Highlights include:
Epic Universe Team Member Previews: What early reactions reveal about the Ministry of Magic, Isle of Berk, and new interactive wands.
Wolfman Coaster Rumors: Speculation about the mysterious netting seen on the Curse of the Werewolf coaster and how it might hint at a thrilling new ride experience.
Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas: A sneak peek at the year-round horror attraction opening in August, featuring iconic Universal Monsters.
Virtual Queues and New Ticket Options: How Universal is handling crowd control and what new vacation packages mean for fans.
Shrek 5 Trailer Reactions: Why the character redesigns are causing a stir among fans.
FanFest at Universal Studios Hollywood: From Back to the Future recreations to walk-around characters from Wicked and One Piece.

This episode is packed with Epic Universe previews, horror rumors, and plenty of speculation. Whether you’re excited for new coasters or curious about Universal’s horror expansion, this one’s for you!

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1 hr 13 min
February 28, 2025The Dark Crystal: Universal’s Jim Henson Experiment (Ep. 40)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore how Jim Henson’s Muppets found their way to Universal Pictures with The Great Muppet Caper and The Dark Crystal. Plus, they cover the latest Universal Studios news, from Super Bowl ads to Epic Universe food reveals. Highlights include:
The Great Muppet Caper at Universal: How Universal Pictures got involved with Jim Henson’s second Muppet film and what went wrong at the box office.
The Dark Crystal’s Production Nightmare: Why Jim Henson’s boldest film was nearly unreleasable—and how Universal forced last-minute changes.
Scarlett Johansson Joins Jurassic World: How the longtime Jurassic Park superfan finally landed a role in Jurassic World: Rebirth.
Epic Universe Food Preview: A breakdown of the newly revealed menus and the must-try dishes coming to Universal’s newest theme park.
Butterbeer Season Arrives: Universal launches new Butterbeer Crepes and nationwide pop-up Butterbeer carts.
Universal’s Search for Food Vloggers: How you can apply to be part of Universal Orlando’s new YouTube food series.

This episode blends Muppet nostalgia, Universal history, and the latest theme park news. Whether you love classic films or are counting down to Epic Universe, this one’s for you!

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48 min
February 21, 2025How The Muppet Movie Set the Stage for Universal’s Muppet Deal (Ep. 39)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey continue their deep dive into The Muppets’ surprising relationship with Universal Studios, exploring how Jim Henson’s creations almost found a home with the studio long before Disney. Plus, they cover the latest Universal news and updates. Highlights include:
The Muppets & Universal: How The Great Muppet Caper and The Dark Crystal were distributed by Universal, and why the studio took a risk on Jim Henson’s boldest project.
Jim Henson’s Hollywood Struggles: The challenges Henson faced in getting The Dark Crystal financed and how Universal nearly lost faith in the project.
Volcano Bay’s First-Ever Nighttime Event: What to expect from Universal’s new after-hours water park experience.
Epic Universe Updates: A first look at Universal’s life-size animatronic dragons appearing at Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk.
Harry Potter’s New Wands at Epic Universe: The latest sneak peek at the exclusive wand collection coming to the Ministry of Magic.

This episode blends theme park history, Muppet nostalgia, and the latest Universal Studios news. If you're a fan of The Muppets, Universal Studios, or Hollywood what-ifs, this one’s for you!

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Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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45 min
February 14, 2025Could The Muppets Have Called Universal Home? (Ep. 38)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the fascinating history of The Muppets and their surprising connection to Universal Studios. Plus, they cover the latest Universal news and updates. Highlights include:
The Muppets & Universal: How The Great Muppet Caper and The Dark Crystal were distributed by Universal, raising the question—did Universal almost have the theme park rights to the Muppets?
Jim Henson’s Battle for Prime Time: How Henson pitched The Muppet Show to major networks before finding unexpected success overseas.
Saturday Night Live’s Muppet Experiment: The surprising (and disastrous) attempt to integrate Muppets into early SNL sketches.
FanFest at Universal Hollywood: Jim prepares for his upcoming trip to the new fan event, featuring Back to the Future and One Piece meet & greets.
Halloween Horror Nights 2024: Universal announces event dates for both Hollywood and Orlando—will M3GAN return for another creepy flash mob?
Lou Wasserman Statue Returns: The legendary Universal executive’s statue is back—Jim shares why Wasserman was a key figure in shaping Universal Studios.

This episode blends theme park history, pop culture deep dives, and the latest Universal Studios news. If you're a fan of The Muppets, Universal Studios, or theme park what-ifs, this one’s for you!

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Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.
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46 min
February 07, 2025How DreamWorks Almost Made a Very Different How to Train Your Dragon (Ep. 37)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take a deep dive into the history of How to Train Your Dragon and how it became one of DreamWorks’ most beloved franchises. Plus, they break down all the latest Universal news!
First-Time Viewing Experience: Eric shares his reaction to watching How to Train Your Dragon for the first time and how it changed his excitement for Epic Universe’s Isle of Berk.
The Making of How to Train Your Dragon: How DreamWorks nearly made a very different version of the film before Chris Sanders & Dean DeBlois took over.
Dog Man Comes to Universal Orlando: Meet & greets and themed food debut in DreamWorks Land just days after the movie’s release.
Dark Universe Updates: BioReconstruct captures street performers inside Darkmoor Village, hinting at the immersive experience ahead.
Mardi Gras 2025 Kicks Off: Huge crowds pack into Universal Orlando for opening weekend, with T-Pain headlining the first concert.
New Tribute Store – Legends of the Bayou: Universal embraces cryptid lore, with rooms themed to the Moss Man and Grunch Road Monster.
Rip Ride Rockit’s Closing Date Announced: The ride will officially shut down on September 20, 2025, with speculation on when demolition will begin.

This episode is packed with theme park updates, animation history, and plenty of dragon talk. Whether you’re a longtime How to Train Your Dragon fan or just excited for Epic Universe, this one’s for you!

Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations
Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.
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51 min
January 31, 2025Addams Family and The Munsters: How Two Spooky Sitcoms Battled for Prime Time (Ep. 36)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore Universal’s updates and dive into the rich history of The Munsters. Highlights include:
The Munsters’ Origins: How a pitch for an animated series turned into one of TV’s most beloved sitcoms.
Wicked’s Box Office Success: Its award potential and the announcement of the new subtitle, For Good.
Universal Studios Florida Updates: New entrance music and digital signage enhancing the guest experience.
Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s sleek, space-themed hotel.
Wolfman and Monster Movies: A look at Wolfman’s mixed reviews and its impact on Universal’s monster movie future.
Shrek 5 and Minions 3 News: The latest updates on Universal’s animated franchises.

This episode is packed with Universal updates, classic monster nostalgia, and exciting insights into upcoming projects!

Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations

Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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50 min
January 24, 2025How Looney Tunes Helped Shape Universal’s The Munsters (Ep. 35)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey tackle a variety of Universal Studios updates and dive into the history of The Munsters. Highlights include:
Wildfires and Universal Hollywood’s Closure: How recent California wildfires forced a rare closure of Universal Studios Hollywood, plus ways to support relief efforts.
Rock the Universe: A preview of Universal Orlando’s Christian music festival and why it’s a great weekend to visit the parks.
The Stella Nova Resort: First impressions of Universal’s newest resort, featuring a sleek space-themed design and unique guest experiences.
Skull Island Q&A with Mike West: Insights from the former Imagineer on the design and storytelling behind Reign of Kong.
The Munsters Origin Story: How Universal’s iconic sitcom emerged during the 1960s and its connection to the studio’s classic monsters.

Whether you’re a fan of Universal’s latest attractions or nostalgic for classic monster lore, this episode has something for everyone!

Support Our Sponsor: Be Our Guest Vacations
Planning your next Universal vacation? Be Our Guest Vacations is a Platinum-level Earmarked travel agency with concierge-level service to make every trip magical. Their team of expert agents plans vacations across the globe, from Disney and Universal to cruises and adventures, ensuring you have the best possible experience without the stress.

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35 min
January 17, 2025The Monster Mash: Universal’s Classic Crossover Films (Ep. 34)
In this episode of The Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey howl into the legacy of The Wolfman and explore Universal’s iconic monster history. Plus, they cover a variety of Universal Studios updates and nostalgic gems. Highlights include:
The Wolfman’s Legacy: From Lon Chaney Jr.’s classic transformation to Blumhouse’s new reimagining, how the Wolfman defined Universal’s horror legacy.
Monster Crossovers: How films like Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman paved the way for today’s cinematic universes.
Meet & Greet Updates: Universal Studios Hollywood announces auditions for Back to the Future and Dungeons & Dragons characters for its upcoming FanFest event.
The Simpsons Land’s Uncertain Future: What Disney’s recent survey could mean for the beloved Universal attraction.

Whether you’re a fan of horror classics, theme park updates, or Universal history, this episode has a little something for everyone!

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57 min

About Epic Universal Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill have a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. They share news of the day as well as behind-the-scenes stories in a breezy, conversational style. Better yet,…