Episodios

  • The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80)

    The 27-Year Idea: Uncovering the Surprising Origins of CityWalk (Ep. 80)
    Dec 5 2025
    Jim kicks off this week’s show with a wild winter travel saga involving airport shutdowns, missing donuts, and a 3 a.m. pickup run that somehow beats the incoming snowstorm. From there, he and Eric dive into a new Universal survey aimed squarely at teens, explore construction movement in Lost Continent, and track down the long-missing Monsters Café icons now hiding backstage in Dark Universe. They also unpack the Grinch’s sudden takeover of holiday marketing before shifting into a deep-dive feature on the long, winding, neon-lit creation of Universal CityWalk Hollywood—a project Lou Wasserman first dreamed up nearly three decades before it opened. NEWS • Teen-focused Universal survey hints at interest in genre preferences, event awareness, and horror-driven engagement. • Activity in Lost Continent sparks renewed speculation about future land plans and potential tie-ins to Wicked’s box office momentum. • Classic Monsters Café statues resurface behind Dark Universe, raising questions about their next life in the parks. • McDonald’s unveils a Grinch meal, highlighting the odd licensing divide between animated, live-action, and promotional designs. • Universal updates its disability access program, shifting to a more streamlined digital Attractions Assistance Pass. FEATURE • How Lou Wasserman’s 1966 idea evolved into the modern, open-air entertainment district known as CityWalk. • Why Universal insisted CityWalk be “not a mall,” but a curated neighborhood blending neon art, unique shops, and LA culture. • The surprising role of historic neon, UCLA programming, and an 18-screen movie palace in shaping the development. • Early expansions, closures, and how CityWalk continues to evolve ahead of Universal Hollywood’s third on-site hotel. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is brought to you by UnlockedMagic.com, powered by the DVC Rental Store. Planning a 2026 trip to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? Save 10 percent or more on deluxe accommodations at:UnlockedMagic.com If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 m
  • How Jim Carrey Survived Becoming the Grinch (Ep. 79)

    How Jim Carrey Survived Becoming the Grinch (Ep. 79)
    Nov 28 2025
    Jim and Eric unwrap a very different kind of holiday story this week: the wild, demanding, and downright unbelievable making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Fresh from Jim’s trip to IAAPA and holiday visits to the Universal parks, the guys trace how the film’s production shaped today’s Grinchmas offerings, from the makeup performers wear to the version of Whoville Universal still uses. Along the way, they dig into this year’s seasonal additions, Wicked’s strong opening, and the latest rumblings from Epic Universe. NEWS• Universal Orlando and Hollywood launch their holiday seasons, including new decorations, Tribute Store theming, and Grinchmas updates • Wicked for Good posts a massive opening weekend, powering Universal’s awards-season buzz• Epic Universe construction heats up with a major new permit near the Ministry of Magic• Butterbeer expands again with Coffee Mate creamers arriving nationwide soon FEATURE• The unbelievable true story of making the 2000 Grinch.• The intense Hollywood bidding war that secured Dr. Seuss’s beloved book for Universal• What Jim Carrey endured inside a full yak-fur bodysuit, yellow contacts, and nine-hour makeup sessions• The military-level torture survival training Carrey received just to get through filming• How Ron Howard, Rick Baker, and even Eddie Murphy tried to keep morale up on set• And how all of this still influences the Grinch performers greeting guests at Universal today HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis week’s episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic. Save on regular Disney theme park tickets and discounted after-hours event tickets when you book through UnlockedMagic.com. Lock in your winter plans while deals last! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h
  • The Man Who Made Universal Explode: Jay Stein and the Birth of the JayBang (Ep. 78)

    The Man Who Made Universal Explode: Jay Stein and the Birth of the JayBang (Ep. 78)
    Nov 21 2025
    On this episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into the latest Universal Orlando updates before turning to a deep-dive tribute to Jay Stein — the visionary who transformed Universal’s backlot tour into a spectacle factory and helped define the studio’s signature “JayBang” style of themed entertainment. NEWS NBC’s Wicked: One Wonderful Night special sparks strong reactions as Universal’s cross-promotions continue everywhere from Dunkin’ to TV tie-ins. New 2026 Universal Orlando ticket options clarify how multi-day guests can access Epic Universe more than once. Reddit reactions and critic reviews paint a wide spectrum of opinions on Universal’s latest TV musical marketing moment. Preparations continue around Orlando as fans look ahead to more detailed Epic Universe rollouts. FEATURE — A TRIBUTE TO JAY STEIN How a 26-year-old studio problem-solver was handed one directive: “Fix the tram tour.” The creation of the very first “JayBang”: the 1968 Flash Flood, sending 20,000 gallons of water rushing past the tram. The shift from generic “movie magic” to effects pulled straight from current Universal Pictures releases. The Eiger Sanction–inspired glacier tunnel illusion, which evolved into one of the most memorable tram finales ever built. Why Jay Stein’s fingerprints can still be felt across every fireball, near-miss shark, collapsing bridge, and runaway vehicle in Universal’s attraction lineup. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com Patreon Enjoying the show? Your support helps us bring more insider history, analysis, and interviews to the feed. Join us at: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ Follow Us Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer Credits Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic, where listeners can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets — including select after-hours events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 m
  • The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77)

    The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77)
    Nov 14 2025
    Jim Hill and Eric Hersey trace the ambitious — and ultimately ill-fated — vision for Universal’s Dark Universe, from the scrapped sequel to The Mummy to Tom Cruise’s push to reinvent himself as the studio’s modern Van Helsing. NEWS Universal courts talent and headlines by hiring Mark Platt and director Lorene Scafaria for a Sabrina Carpenter–led Alice in Wonderland musical. Comcast explores a bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advising. Competing interest from Netflix and Apple raises the stakes ahead of WBD’s planned corporate split. Peacock sets a new premiere date for The Epic Ride documentary, now featuring rare dragon-drone testing footage from Epic Universe. A closer look at how the industry shake-ups could affect theme park rights, licensing, and future Universal IP development. FEATURE The original plan for a direct sequel to 2017’s The Mummy — and how the story would have expanded Dr. Jekyll’s organization and the gods-and-monsters mythology. Why Tom Cruise’s version of Nick Morton was conceived as the entry point to a larger shared universe… and how internal plans positioned him as the modern Van Helsing, monster hunter and connective tissue between films. How Cruise’s hands-on creative control — the same instinct that later led Top Gun: Maverick to a $1.4B box office — clashed with Universal’s rollout of the Dark Universe brand. A breakdown of what actually killed the Dark Universe: mismatched expectations, a premature cinematic universe announcement, and a marketing campaign Cruise felt undermined the film he delivered. Why Epic Universe’s Dark Universe land succeeds where the films didn’t — channeling classic-monster storytelling without the burden of a forced franchise blueprint. HOSTS Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.comEric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PATREON Love the show? Support more insider stories, deep dives, and history of themed entertainment at:https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ FOLLOW US Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews YouTube: @jimhillmedia TikTok: @jimhillmedia PRODUCTION Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlocked Magic — Save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including discounts on after-hours events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights. Start planning at UnlockedMagic.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 m
  • Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76)

    Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76)
    Nov 7 2025
    Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a newly surfaced Universal guest survey that hints at Epic Universe joining the resort’s Annual Pass lineup — and what that could mean for crowds, pricing, and park strategy. Plus, Jim shares a real-life road trip saga straight out of a Hallmark movie, and the guys unpack Universal’s latest headlines from Orlando to Hollywood. NEWS A listener-sent Universal survey suggests Epic Universe may soon be included in AP tiers. Comcast’s Q3 results show a 19% jump in theme park revenue, driven by Epic’s first full quarter. The Burning Blade Tavern’s fire effect goes dark — and fans dub it “The Invisible Blade.” Jim explains why Spider-Man still appears in Universal marketing — thanks to a contract clause requiring 20% Marvel representation in Islands of Adventure ads. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz return for a brand-new Mummy sequel, proving Universal’s monster legacy isn’t dead yet. FEATUREJim continues his deep dive into Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe — the studio’s ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe. From Dracula Untold to The Mummy (2017), discover how even A-list stars and big budgets couldn’t resurrect the undead franchise. Hosts Jim Hill — X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia | Instagram: @JimHillMedia | Website: jimhillmedia.com Eric Hersey — X/Twitter: @erichersey | Instagram: @erichersey | Website: erichersey.com PatreonSupport Epic Universal and other Jim Hill Media shows at patreon.com/jimhillmedia Follow UsFacebook: @JimHillMediaNews | YouTube: @jimhillmedia | TikTok: @jimhillmedia Producer CreditsEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey — Strong Minded Agency SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic — where you can save up to 12% on Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World tickets, including after-hours events. Visit UnlockedMagic.com today and tell them Eric and Jim sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 m
  • The Annual Pass Puzzle and How The Mummy Buried a Monster Movie Franchise (Ep. 75)

    The Annual Pass Puzzle and How The Mummy Buried a Monster Movie Franchise (Ep. 75)
    Oct 31 2025
    In this Halloween episode, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig up the spooky story of Universal’s Dark Universe - the ambitious attempt to build a monster-filled cinematic universe that never rose from the grave. From The Mummy’s box office stumble to the Wolfman’s cursed production, the duo unpacks how a failed film series still inspired one of Epic Universe’s most anticipated lands. Along the way, they discuss park attendance stats, ticket changes, and a few frightfully fun surprises. 2024 Themed Entertainment Association attendance report reveals Universal’s shifting rankings Why Universal paused 3-Day Annual Pass sales and what it means for Epic Universe access The rise and fall of The Mummy reboot and the costly chaos behind The Wolfman Inside Universal’s forgotten plans for Creature from the Black Lagoon and Dracula Untold How the ashes of a movie misfire gave life to Epic Universe’s monster-filled Dark Universe land Even the monsters couldn’t scare away Jim and Eric’s curiosity—hear the full tale of how Universal’s cinematic dream turned into a theme park triumph. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 m
  • How a Budget Cut Created Back to the Future’s Lightning Strike Moment (Ep. 74)

    How a Budget Cut Created Back to the Future’s Lightning Strike Moment (Ep. 74)
    Oct 24 2025
    Jim Hill and Eric Hersey celebrate Back to the Future Day by revealing how one of cinema’s most iconic moments, the lightning strike finale, was born from a Universal Studios budget cut. Plus, the duo unwrap the latest holiday news from Universal Orlando and Hollywood, discuss a controversial new “pay-per-ride” Express Pass test, and share updates from the Wicked movie preview at the parks. Universal’s 2024 holiday celebrations at Orlando and Hollywood Super Nintendo World’s first-ever holiday overlay and exclusive merch Why Universal is testing single-ride Express Passes and what it could mean for guests Michael J. Fox’s new memoir and his first trip to Universal Studios Hollywood How a budget cut led to Back to the Future’s unforgettable lightning strike finale Even 40 years later, Back to the Future proves that great ideas and great movies are timeless. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 m
  • What If Comcast Buys Warner Bros.? Theme Park Dreams and Streaming Wars (Ep. 73)

    What If Comcast Buys Warner Bros.? Theme Park Dreams and Streaming Wars (Ep. 73)
    Oct 17 2025
    Jim Hill and Eric Hersey explore the big “what if” shaking up Hollywood - what happens if Comcast makes a play for Warner Bros. Discovery? From potential streaming mega-mergers to a theme park fan’s ultimate fantasy lineup, the guys imagine a world where Harry Potter meets Batman on the Universal backlot. Why Warner Bros. turned down Paramount’s $49 billion offer How a Comcast–Warner Bros. deal could reshape Peacock, Max, and the entire streaming landscape The massive IP library that could hit Universal Parks—from DC heroes to Looney Tunes and Lord of the Rings The official reveal of Universal Kids Park in Texas and its new themed lands A nostalgic look back at Universal’s Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theater and Angela Lansbury’s legacy Big brands, bigger rumors, and even bigger possibilities. Follow Eric on X and Instagram @EricHersey Follow Jim on X and Instagram @JimHillMedia Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 m