The Mouse Castle Lounge Podcast: Disney News and Interviews, Cocktails and Conversations

Tim Callaway previews (kind of) the D23 Expo by interviewing (sort of) Disney songwriting legends Richard Sherman and Alan Menken. Richard and Alan will be performing together at Disney's massive fan event in Anaheim this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. www.TheMouseCastle.com.

In a few weeks, author Didier Ghez will release Volume 13 of his epic compilation of personal interviews, "Walt's People." Like the 12 books before it, "Walt's People" will feature conversations by noted historians with many of the great names who knew, worked with, and were inspired by Walt Disney. The latest edition will include the likes of Roy E. Disney, Virginia Davis, Joe Grant, Fess Parker and Blaine Gibson. In The Mouse Castle Lounge, Tim Callaway talks with Didier not only about "Walt's People," but also about the other exciting book projects he has in the works. www.TheMouseCastle.com

Two great conversations in the Lounge today. First, filmmaker Matthew Silva talks about his efforts to preserve the New York Pavilion in Flushing Meadows, one of the last remnants of the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was at this fair that Walt Disney launched some of his most iconic attractions including It's a Small World, the Carousel of Progress and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. We also wrap up a conversation with Tim O'Day, who tells tales about what it was like to hold the world premiere of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" at Disneyland in 2006. www.TheMouseCastle.com

"The Lone Ranger" opened dismally for Disney this weekend, but is it really that bad? Tim has his review of the wild west epic plus comments from the cast and crew. Also, Tim presents part two of his conversation with Tim O'Day, who recalls many of the Disney Legends he's known including Marc Davis, Herb Ryman and John Hench. www.TheMouseCastle.com

You really can't go wrong when your guests are the always interesting Tim O'Day and Paula Sigman Lowery. Tim visits the Lounge to talk about his lengthy career with Disney and the many famous people he's called friends over the years. Plus, Paula will chat about the recent life celebration event at the Walt Disney Studios honoring everyone's favorite Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. www.TheMouseCastle.com

It's interviews and soundbites galore in this episode of "The Mouse Castle Lounge" as we hear from Billy Crystal and John Lasseter at the "Monsters University" premiere in Hollywood. Also, we go behind the scenes with the cast and crew of "Oz the Great and Powerful," now available on home video. Finally, your host Tim Callaway presents part three of his interview with Sarah Ashman Gillespie, the sister of the late Disney lyricist Howard Ashman. www.TheMouseCastle.com

In part two of Tim's conversation with Sarah Ashman Gillespie, they discuss Howard Ashman's career at Disney, how he met his musical collaborator Alan Menken, and why it wasn't a good idea to make him mad. Also, Tim pays another visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum and catches up with guest curator Anel Muller to discuss the museum's new special exhibit, "Maurice Sendak: 50 Years, 50 Works, 50 Reasons." www.TheMouseCastle.com

"Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Beauty and the Beast," "Be Our Guest." Tim visits with Sarah Ashman Gillespie, the younger sister of the late writer, lyricist and director Howard Ashman. With Alan Menken, Ashman wrote many of the great songs from Disney's animation renaissance of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Sarah pays tribute to her brother's legacy on her website "Howard Ashman: Part of His World" at www.howardashman.com. This is the first of three conversations with Sarah. Look for parts two and three in upcoming episodes of "The Mouse Castle Lounge." www.TheMouseCastle.com

It's a Happy Mother's Day as Tim Callaway visits the Walt Disney Family Museum to interview "lowbrow" artist Camille Rose Garcia and talk about her new exhibit "Down the Rabbit Hole," a dark and delightful look at "Alice in Wonderland." Also, we take a look at the controversy over Princess Merida's new Disney makeover, Entertainment Arts' takeover of Disney's "Star Wars" video games and the underwhelming tease for Disney/Marvel's "Big Hero 6." www.TheMouseCastle.com

"Iron Man 3" opened to huge box office numbers in the U.S. over the weekend, but is it any good? Also, Merida from Pixar's "Brave" is about to officially become a Disney princess and John Ratzenberger is now officially immortalized in a collection of Pez dispensers. www.TheMouseCastle.com.