Episodes

Oct. 4, 2024

Looney Tunes and Six Flags: The Story Behind the Characters That Almost Made It to Universal Orlando (Ep. 19)

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the fascinating tale of how the Looney Tunes almost became part of Universal Orlando’s second gate. A listener question sparked a deep dive i…
Sept. 27, 2024

Why Does Toon Lagoon Exist? Exploring Universal’s Most Unusual Theme Park Area (Ep. 18)

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into the fascinating and perplexing world of Toon Lagoon at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They unravel the mystery behind this quirky theme par…
Sept. 20, 2024

Universal's Cartoon World That Never Was & A Look Ahead at Wicked Attractions (Ep. 17)

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive deep into Universal Studios' unbuilt Cartoon World, a project meant to pave the way for Islands of Adventure. Jim shares fascinating insights into …
Sept. 13, 2024

Discovering Diagon Alley: A Complete First-Timer's Experience (Ep. 16)

n this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , Jim Hill and Eric Hersey take listeners on a magical journey through Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. As Eric recounts his family's first experience, Jim provides insi…
Sept. 6, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Herseu Ep 15: Revisiting the Lost Star Trek Experiences at Universal Studios

In this episode of the Epic Universal Podcast , Jim Hill and Eric Hersey dive into various Universal Studios topics, from Halloween thrills to lost Star Trek adventures. Here’s what you can expect: Halloween Horror Nights 20…
Aug. 23, 2024

Epic Universe with Eric Hersey Ep 61-14: The difference between Disney & Universal’s destination resorts

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about viewership for the Summer Games in Paris. T hey then take a look at how Universal Pictures’ recent releases have been doing at the domestic box office Throughout…
Aug. 2, 2024

#08c Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 60-13: Inside of “Ministry of Magic” at Epic Universe

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by reviewing the info that got shared about Universal Orlando’s fourth theme park They also look back at how Universal’s hit movie from 1975 was turned into a theme park attr…
July 26, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 59-12: How Dwayne Johnson wound up playing the Scorpion King

Eric Hersey returns from the Universal Orlando Resort and gives Jim Hill a brief glimpse of what he & his family experienced down in Central Florida. Eric & Jim then take a look at the Rock’s first film role Over the course …
July 5, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 58-11 : Get ready for the Universal Mega Movie Parade

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing box office projections for “Despicable Me 4.” They then wrap up their series about the would-be “Van Helsing” film franchise Throughout this episode, listeners will…
June 21, 2024

Epic Universal with Eri Hersey Ep 57-10 : Dark Universe celebrates Universal’s classic monsters

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by sharing what Universal Parks & Experiences has just revealed about Epic Universe’s next land. They also continue the tale of USH’s efforts to get more monsters into that t…
June 7, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 56-9: How soon will the Simpsons decamp for Disney World

Eric and Jim continue their look back at how USH kept trying to build a successful show around the Universal Classic Monsters
May 24, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 55-8: What sorts of snacks are served in DreamWorks Land

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the media preview that was recently held for Universal Studios Florida’s reimagining Kidzone area. They then look back at the “Pink Panther” film series Throughout …
May 10, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 54-7 : How projection shows came to the Wizarding World

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the latest “Despicable Me 4” trailer. They then review what Universal Parks & Experiences just revealed about Epic Universe’s Super Nintendo World. Throughout this …
April 26, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 53-6: Meet the horrifyingly cute Frankenstein Junior

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the tram accident that happened this past weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood. They then take a close look at the perks annual passholders will be able to en…
April 14, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 52-5: How King Kong came to be at the Universal theme parks

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how the M3gan horde became the break-out hit at last year’s Halloween Horror Nights. They also discuss Universal Orlando’s Stella Nova & Terra Luna resorts T…
March 30, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 51-4: Remembering the “Ghostbusters Spooktacular” attraction

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s episode by taking a look back at the “How to Train Your Dragon” film franchise. They then pivot to discussing the latest land to be unveiled for Epic Universe Over the course of this …
March 16, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 50-4: Raise a glass to Butterbeer Season

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by discussing the various ways to park-hop at the Universal Orlando Resort. They then talk about how Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating its 60th anniversary Over t…
Feb. 28, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 49-3: Remember when the Universal Orlando Resort had a different name

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the change that’s reportedly in the works for “Skull Island: Reign of Kong.” They also talk about the Universal Monsters Tribute Store that just opened at CityWalk …
Feb. 14, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 48-2: What’s next for Nintendo and Universal Parks & Experiences

Eric Hersey & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the Universal-related trailers that aired during Super Bowl LVIII. They then pivot to talking about that 7-minute-long Epic Universe video that debuted online l…
Jan. 24, 2024

Epic Universal with Eric Hersey Ep 47-1: Introducing the Epic Universal Podcast

Jim Hill & Eric Hersey kick off a brand-new show which offers a different take on Universal Parks & Experiences. Highlights include an interview with Carson Luter from Universal Creative about “Villain Con Minion Blast” Over…
June 4, 2021

The Universal Joint Episode 46: What’s significant about UOR’s new $15-an-hour starting wage

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill discuss NBC Sports’ concerns about the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games
April 29, 2021

Universal Joint Episode 45 : :Which Universal-owned IP will we next see in the Parks

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about Comcast’s new marching orders when it comes to the Universal Parks & Resorts
March 11, 2021

The Universal Joint Ep 44: Just how long has Epic Universe been in the works

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how California’s theme parks are readying to re-open. They then discuss how the delay in the production of “Fantastic Beasts” may impact Universal Orlando’s …
Feb. 14, 2021

The Universal Joint Ep 43: When will the Velosicoaster open at IOA ?

Dustin Fuhs & Jim Hill talk about Universal Pictures’ plans for a movie version of “Wicked,” the long-running Broadway musical