Welcome to the Jim Hill Media Network, your ultimate source for insider insights into the creative world of Disney, Universal, and other themed entertainment companies. Here, you'll find exclusive news, information, and stories you won't find anywhere else. If you're seeking direct connections to the themed entertainment industry, you've come to the right place.
Jim Hill is an entertainment writer with over 40 years experience and over a decade of podcasting.
Jim Hill is joined by a talented team including:
Len Testa - Disney Dish Podcast Jim Shull - Disney Unpacked Drew Taylor - Fine Tooning Brian Gaughan - Looking at Lucasfilm Eric Hersey - Epic Universal Podcast Lauren Hersey - I Want that Too
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In answer to Len's question, Disneyland's Autopia used to be shorter. There was the brief Tomorrowland Autopia, and then Disney built a second, Fantasyland Autopia. Then, Tony Baxter, I think, oversaw the current layout, which combined the two different Autopia rides into one, longer ride. I think one could also argue that the Disneyland Railroad was made longer, just a bit, since I believe the track was expanded slightly when New Orleans Square, Small World, and the Primeval World exhibits were brought to Disneyland. Plus, I would bet that the track is a bit longer post Star Wars Land than it was beforehand (not positive about that one).
Peter Pan is not about protraying Native AMERICAN cultural authenticity. It is FANTASY. This whole video reeks of New England White-Savior liberalism. I love your show and Jim is a treasure, but lets leave out the WOKE commentary please. It's nauseauting.
Are these your carefully considered opinions on the topic as a “Native AMERICAN”, or have you arrived at the conclusion that there was nothing problematic or demeaning in the ride from your vantage point as a white person? Seriously, what’s so bad about creating a more “inclusive future together”, acknowledging the “harmful impact” of the depictions. I do not share your “FANTASY” if it includes demeaning depictions of other cultures. Few do. You are in the minority, and society has moved on to an (incrementally) better and more loving place--obviously that’s why a corporation, that is primarily devoted to creating as much profit as possible, would make these updates. Society’s values changed, Disney just followed. Anyway, it seems Jim was just trying to lay out the historical context and facts. Maybe vent to Disney instead? Or you can vote with your feet (i.e., stop going) if you don’t share in the new “FANTASY” of a more peaceful and loving and understanding world?
4:56 You're confusing Charles Mintz and George Winkler into Charles Winkler! And Charles Mintz was never The Walt Disney Company's business manager! That would be Walt Disney's brother, Roy O. Disney.
Great episode! Thanks for breaking it all down. I hope the Muppets will be safe and Monstropolis will go in Launch Bay Area. Disney World needs more Muppets, not less! 😅
I have a curio cabinet full of rare and now expensive Disney snow globes and some rare Snoopy/Peanuts globes as well. I’ve been very disappointed over the years that they’ve become impossible to find. Last one I ever saw in the store was the Finding Dory globe. You can find them occasionally at Halmark, but they aren’t as grand and detailed, unfortunately.
That Blue Oswald was made as a Wacky Redesign of Oswald for The New Woody Woodpecker Show that aired on Fox Kids but he never appeared in it and that design only appeared in Woody Woodpecker Comics from Latin America and Merchandise in Japan and South Korea.
You forgot to talk about Walter Lantz! Walter Lantz owned Oswald since 1929 before selling his studio and characters to Universal in 1984 and Walter Lantz created Oswald cartoons from 1929 to 1943 before being overshadowed by Woody Woodpecker and Andy Panda.
Oswald is my favorite Disney character. This is a great history of the character. One of my favorite Disney memories was visiting Tokyo Disney Sea, and finding the store that had nothing but Oswald merchandise!
Elsa and Anna are not princesses anymore. Anna is a queen and Elsa is the fifth spirit... even if Ice is solid water but you get what i mean. Melody who is a REAL princess is not there, Esmeralda who is as brave as Pocahontas and as pretty as Jasmine is not here, Meg who married a GOD is not here but the two sisters yes? That's unfair ☹
I've been wanting to build up a collection of Disney snowglobes for quite some time, and this was a really fascinating historical tidbit. It's wild the way 9/11 affected completely-unrelated industries in profound ways. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Sorry but, Elsa really should've been the antagonist because she wasn't gonna be your typical Disney villain. In fact, she was gonna be a morally-gray one like John Silver in the underrated Disney masterpiece, Treasure Planet. Changing an entire musical film at the last minute just to "better fit" a single song is not only a big MISTAKE, but also a DUMB creative decision.
Jonh silver, to me, is not a real villain. He was with the other pirates but became kind thank's to Jim. The cyborg was kind and a better father than Jim's dad. He also saved his life when the planet explode. I think John is an anti-hero; not entirely evil but not entirely nice either.
The homes available right now are over $10 million…😂 (I think that $8 million one is sold, I don’t see it on Zillow anymore…not that I could afford that one either!😂)
I heard about 911 as it was happening in the united kingdom via news sites, im sure people in the magic Kingdom could also see news on their mobile, wouldnt need a cast member to tell them
Honestly, I’m not sure how I came across this video, and I have to say, it was very interesting!! I’m yet to check out the rest of the channel, but if you made this video slightly more structured, I could see it becoming a success. Keep up the good work <33
Thank you! Yes, we pulled this video out of a section of our podcast called "I Want That Too". Some of the references and comments tie back to part of the episode, but thought this was a good video to produce to stand alone. Really appreciate the comment and checking us out.
I felt that JIM HENSON IDEA MAN presented the Disney acquisition in a misleading way - as if they wanted people to believe that Jim Henson enthusiastically handed over the Muppets in 1990 - so I've been eager to research the topic. A lot of great information in this, and you did a wonderful job telling the story in an engaging, well-paced way. Thank you!
same, Ive read about the whole situation years ago, and was curious what the documentary was going to say about it. Im trying to give benefit of doubt that Ron Howard wanted to keep it all about Jim and not get into the aftermath of Disney after his death. Though could have had graphic on screen saying the Disney acquisition wasnt until 2004 cause it did portray as if happened then when wasnt for another 14 years after his death,
Did Jim's health have anything do with his demise or was it stress from Disney. Also, didn't Children's Television Workshop not like the deal and were worried that the mouse would try to get their hands on Big Bird, Elmo, and company.
Brian Henson really was not ready or a capacity yet where he could run the Henson company when his father died. I often fantasize about a component CEO taking over for Jim when he died and what could have been in that case.
My question is , how did the muppets went their separate ways ? And years later , a new muppet moved to Smalltown U S A that helped the muppets for a reunion telethon and most wanted .
These Muppet fans are still very upset. Did the Disney Company break their promise to release all the Muppet shows and specials on home media? Those Muppets really meant a lot to Jim Henson.
The Muppets belong to Disney, but Sesame Street belongs to the Sesame Workshop (formally the Children's Television Workshop) and everything else including Creature Shop, Storyteller, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock, all later non-Muppet projects belong to the Jim Henson Company. Some stuff like Dinosaurs and Bear in the Big Blue House were co-productions by Disney and Henson.
Yesterday on the Imagineering RU-vid channel they released a video and like a minute or two in the zazu animatronic from under new management can be seen
hey Jim. Love the podcast with Len. fellow New Hampshirite and Disney nerd. So glad to see you posting again. Love to meet you sometime either in WDW or NH. I have emailed with Len a few times. Keep up the great work and love your Disney stories
Better writing than a couple of Disney+ Star Wars episodes! (Yes Power Ranger moped riders and Scooby Doo droid amusement park - I’m talking about you)
Incredible timeless movie!! My family's favorite for over 25 years; definitely quoted in my home! Cary Elwes' book, 'As You Wish' is a MUST READ for every fan!!
