The years keep coming, and they don’t stop coming. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers return to the London Podcast Festival for a sold-out show that leaves Disney’s Magic Kingdom behind for the swirling swamp of 2001’s Shrek. For our 50th episode, it’s finally time to tackle the big green guy in the room – a figure who not only changed the trajectory of Walt Disney Animation Studios movies for years to come, but has played a major part in Sam’s academic pursuits. Together, Ben and Sam talk fart jokes, Farquaad, Farkle and more as they break down the film’s overt Disney parodies, its repositioning of what an animated fairytale can be, and question how subversive it really is. Plus, prepare to meet the laser-eyed non-ogre of the original story book, gear up for a Shrek In The Swamp Karaoke Dance Party, and take a trip to the most magical place of all: Shrek’s Adventure.

Huge thanks to everyone who came to see us in person – and to Kings Place for hosting us!

Next up: Disney 100 specials (then, Atlantis: The Lost Empire)

Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

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Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Strange World. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.