Episodes

The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77)
Nov. 13, 2025

The Van Helsing That Never Was: Inside Universal’s Abandoned Dark Universe (Ep. 77)

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...
Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76)
Nov. 6, 2025

Survey Says: Epic Universe May Join Universal’s AP Lineup (Ep. 76)

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...
The Annual Pass Puzzle and How The Mummy Buried a Monster Movie Franchise (Ep. 75)
Oct. 30, 2025

The Annual Pass Puzzle and How The Mummy Buried a Monster Movie Franchise (Ep. 75)

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 b...
How a Budget Cut Created Back to the Future’s Lightning Strike Moment (Ep. 74)
Oct. 23, 2025

How a Budget Cut Created Back to the Future’s Lightning Strike Moment (Ep. 74)

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 holida...
What If Comcast Buys Warner Bros.? Theme Park Dreams and Streaming Wars (Ep. 73)
Oct. 16, 2025

What If Comcast Buys Warner Bros.? Theme Park Dreams and Streaming Wars (Ep. 73)

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, t...
How Transformers Replaced Murder, She Wrote at Universal Studios (Ep. 72)
Oct. 9, 2025

How Transformers Replaced Murder, She Wrote at Universal Studios (Ep. 72)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey crack open the story behind how Transformers: The Ride 3D bulldozed its way into Universal Studios Florida—literally replacing the Murder, She Wrote Mystery Theater. Along the way, they cover everythi...
What Other IPs Could Be Coming to Universal’s Fan Fest 2026? (Ep. 71)
Oct. 2, 2025

What Other IPs Could Be Coming to Universal’s Fan Fest 2026? (Ep. 71)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dig into a leaked Universal survey that hints at the future of Fan Fest in Hollywood. From Scooby-Doo teaming up with Universal Monsters to the possibility of Pokemon Go and Sailor Moon activations, t...
Cabana Bay and the Resort Boom at Universal Orlando (Ep. 70)
Sept. 25, 2025

Cabana Bay and the Resort Boom at Universal Orlando (Ep. 70)

This week, Jim and Eric tackle a tough headline out of Epic Universe as a guest tragedy forces the closure of Stardust Racers. From what happened to what comes next, they break down the details and share insights on ride safe...
From Dueling Dragons to Zelda Rumors: What’s Next for Lost Continent? (Ep. 69)
Sept. 18, 2025

From Dueling Dragons to Zelda Rumors: What’s Next for Lost Continent? (Ep. 69)

Universal has filed demolition permits for nearly five acres of Islands of Adventure, and Jim and Eric break down what that could mean for the Lost Continent. The main feature of this week’s episode dives into the history of ...
How Universal Snatched Rocky & Bullwinkle from Disney (Ep. 68)
Sept. 11, 2025

How Universal Snatched Rocky & Bullwinkle from Disney (Ep. 68)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey are back with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast . From award-winning attractions to behind-the-scenes stories that almost made it to the big screen, this week covers a lot of ground: The ...
Who Stole It Better? Disney, Universal, and the Battle of Borrowed Rides (Ep. 67)
Sept. 4, 2025

Who Stole It Better? Disney, Universal, and the Battle of Borrowed Rides (Ep. 67)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a loaded episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , blending Halloween Horror Nights buzz with theme park history and rumors. Opening weekend reactions to HHN 2024, including Terrifier , Five...
Deathly Afraid Necklaces and the Origins of Dueling Dragons (Ep. 66)
Aug. 28, 2025

Deathly Afraid Necklaces and the Origins of Dueling Dragons (Ep. 66)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with another packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , diving into the latest Universal news, fan reports, and theme park history. Highlights this week include: Firsthand impressions of Un...
Vegas Goes Scary: Universal Horror Unleashed and Jaws the Revenge (Ep. 65)
Aug. 21, 2025

Vegas Goes Scary: Universal Horror Unleashed and Jaws the Revenge (Ep. 65)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with another packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast. This week, they cover everything from nostalgic movie anniversaries to Universal’s latest projects, before diving deep into the troubl...
The Orlando Theme Park That Made Jaws 3D Possible (Ep. 64)
Aug. 14, 2025

The Orlando Theme Park That Made Jaws 3D Possible (Ep. 64)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a jam-packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, starting with a surprising WWE–Disney streaming deal and ending with a behind-the-scenes look at the wild production of Jaws 3D . From s...
Charting the Future of Epic Universe with Parklore’s Brian Krosnick (Ep. 63)
Aug. 7, 2025

Charting the Future of Epic Universe with Parklore’s Brian Krosnick (Ep. 63)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast featuring news from Universal Orlando, Hollywood, and Las Vegas - plus a deep-dive interview with Brian Krosnick, the creative force behind P...
Epic Universe at Capacity: What Changes When the Park Sells Out? (Ep. 62)
July 31, 2025

Epic Universe at Capacity: What Changes When the Park Sells Out? (Ep. 62)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return from a summer packed with parks, previews, and one sold-out Friday at Epic Universe. In this episode, the duo reflects on the dramatic changes between their April preview visit and a mid-July r...
When Jaws 3 Almost Became a National Lampoon Movie (Ep. 61)
July 24, 2025

When Jaws 3 Almost Became a National Lampoon Movie (Ep. 61)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with the latest from Universal Parks and the unbelievable story of how Jaws 3 nearly became a full-blown comedy. From Spielberg’s pivot to Close Encounters to the moment Universal almost partne...
The Studio, the Sequel, and the Great White That Ate the Budget (Ep. 60)
July 17, 2025

The Studio, the Sequel, and the Great White That Ate the Budget (Ep. 60)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey return with a jam-packed episode that swings from Halloween Horror Nights updates to the troubled legacy of Jaws 2 . First, they unpack the latest HHN announcements, including the debut of the Terrifi...
When Universal Shut Down a Sequel: The Making of Jaws 2 (Ep. 59)
July 10, 2025

When Universal Shut Down a Sequel: The Making of Jaws 2 (Ep. 59)

Eric is packing for his return trip to Epic Universe - but before he battles the Florida heat, Jim takes him on a wild ride through box office records, coaster rumors, and a deep dive into the troubled waters of Jaws 2. In th...
Why Apollo 13 Still Lands After 30 Years (Ep. 58)
July 3, 2025

Why Apollo 13 Still Lands After 30 Years (Ep. 58)

In this explosive Fourth of July episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , Jim Hill and Eric Hersey ride the rails of ghostly New England folklore and land in the middle of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights house reveals. Fro...
Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30 Years at Universal (Ep. 57)
June 26, 2025

Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30 Years at Universal (Ep. 57)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey welcome Universal Creative’s Mike Aiello for a special episode celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws and his own 30-year journey with the parks. From working as a teenage skipper on the iconic attr...
How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56)
June 19, 2025

How Abbott & Costello (and a Baseball Bit) Saved Universal (Ep. 56)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey step up to the plate with the unbelievable true story of how a simple comedy sketch— Who’s on First —helped pull Universal Studios back from the brink of bankruptcy. Along the way, they cover the box ...
Slime, Slapstick, and the Secret History of Nickelodeon Studios (Ep. 55)
June 12, 2025

Slime, Slapstick, and the Secret History of Nickelodeon Studios (Ep. 55)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey rewind to the green-slime-soaked days of Universal Studios Florida with a deep dive into the rise (and fall) of Nickelodeon Studios. From Double Dare to the slime geyser, they break down how Nick turn...
Harry and the Hendersons, Spielberg’s Lost Alien Film, and the Birth of E.T. (Ep. 54)
June 5, 2025

Harry and the Hendersons, Spielberg’s Lost Alien Film, and the Birth of E.T. (Ep. 54)

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey go deep into the surprising history behind Harry and the Hendersons —including how a scrapped alien horror film called Night Skies ultimately led to E.T. and Bigfoot comedy gold. From Oscars to animat...