Mugglecast: The Harry Potter Podcast

Slug Club member Nicole joins the show! Claudia Kim weighs in on the Nagini controversy  The hosts predict the U.S. opening weekend box office total for The Crimes of Grindelwald  MuggleMail covers obsessive love and Care of Magical Creatures Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Hermione’s Helping Hand 7-Word Summary: Harry tries to prune Buckbeak’s big lunch Hermione reveals why Harry is so appealing... and it definitely bothers Ron! Did people think this provided a window for Harry and Hermione? Or was it always Hermione and Ron? Stan Shunpike's comments land him in Azkaban. What does this tell us about the current state of wizarding affairs? Gryffindor tryouts - whose vetting these people?!?! Why is Hagrid letting Buckbeak just chill outside his hut? Couldn't he be recognized? Shouldn't Hagrid be more mature in his initial reactions to the Trio? Time Turners: were they really all destroyed? Cursed Child begs to differ! Did Hermione

Welcome Slug Club member Sam! News: JKR shares why everyone is headed to Paris… Credence! Voicemails cover Book 1 and 7 connections, Hogwarts professors, Leta Lestrange and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with 'The House of Gaunt' 7 Word Summary: A memory comes before another big reveal Sam shares why this chapter is one of her favorite in the series Why can't Hermione accept following alternate directions? Does Slughorn remember Snape as a student? Do Trelawney's mumblings shed insight on future Pensieve memories? Stepping inside Bob Ogden's memory Pureblood mania is alive and well inside the House of Gaunt Merope is part of a horrible family dynamic with Marvolo and Morfin. Is her family lineage at all to blame for her actions? Do we blame Tom Riddle Sr. for abandoning his son? What if he didn't? Horcrux alert: the ring and the locket As readers, what are we to make of all this guesswork by Dumbledore? Who is the worst character in this chapter?

This week's episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter and Bombas!  News covers Harry Potter: A History of Magic in NYC, Beedle The Bard Illustrated Edition and a cool Funko Advent Calendar The hosts try and guess the official runtime of the Crimes of Grindelwald and analyze recently released photos and posters Fans can see Crimes of Grindelwald early at your their AMC! We take voicemails on Nagini, Moody, Cursed Child, Hogwarts Mystery and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with 'The Half-Blood Prince' 7 Word Summary: Potions is taught by a quirky walrus Harry is still trying to convince his friends Draco is a Death Eater Is Hagrid even qualified to teach a N.E.W.T. level course? Why do teachers accept certain O.W.L.s for N.E.W.T. level courses but others don't? Snape is again the focal point of the chapter. Are there any clues in this chapter to suggest that he is the Half-Blood Prince? What do we think of Snape's remodeling of the DADA classroom? The importan

This week's sponsor is BeachBody OnDemand! Text 'MuggleCast' to 303030 to try it for free! Welcome Slug Club member Lottie! Our first glimpse at the new ride coming to Wizarding World Orlando!  Is a new open world Harry Potter video game on the way? We discuss the recently leaked trailer! Lethal White is headed to the BBC in a four-part series! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Snape Victorious One listener writes in to reveal Slughorn's full name 7 Word Summary: Harry feels really frustrated by Snape's attitude Connecting The Threads: Late arrival to Hogwarts and a confrontation with Snape Tonks finds Harry on the train; much like the movie, would we have preferred Luna? Why aren't alarms going off and an official manhunt underway if Harry is missing? The security measures in place set a much darker tone at Hogwarts We discuss Snape's behavior towards Tonks, Harry and as a professor overall Did Dumbledore appointing Snape DADA professor seal his own fate? Why does Ron think Moody was a professo

We take listener feedback and voicemails on the latest Crimes of Grindelwald trailer Chapter-by-Chapter continues with The Slug Club 7 Word Summary goes off the rails: The tasty pheasant boards scrumptiously Belby’s mouth Connecting the Threads: this isn't the first time Harry has suspected Malfoy of something very serious! Why do Ron and Hermione have such a hard time believing Draco could be a Death Eater? Is his age a legitimate concern? Why does Arthur Weasley not take Harry seriously? Crushes and The Cool Kid's Table: the hosts share their experiences Harry acknowledges that Neville could have been The Chosen One Hugh "H.E.F." Slughorn... what does the E.F. in his name stand for? What are our initial impressions of the Slug Club? Elitist or a chance for house unity? If Draco were a true Death Eater, why didn't he just off Harry in the train compartment? We give our MVP of the Week and Rename The Chapter Quizzitch: Who comes to Harry’

Welcome Slug Club member Laura! Andrew and Eric recap their trivia party The final Crimes of Grindelwald trailer is released! Our reactions to the big Nagini reveal! Will this change how we think about Nagini in the Potter series? Why is she on Voldemort's side in later years?  Is it possible she's our first thread between Grindelwald and Voldemort? Could Credence be helping her try to control her power much like himself? Why is Nagini at Circus Arcanus? Is it by choice? Or is she being held captive? Do we really believe JKR has been keeping this secret for 20 years? Jamie Campbell Bower & Toby Regbo reprise their roles as young Grindelwald & Dumbledore What does this mean for future films? Will their relationship finally be explored? Why can't Dumbledore move against Grindelwald? Convenient excuse or something more magical? Is Nicolas Flamel's home the "safe house" Dumbledore tells Newt about? What's Tina doing in the Parisia

You asked, we answered: Our latest movie commentary is for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! This audio file features our commentary on the sixth Potter movie as we all watch it. The beginning of the file offers instructions on how to sync up with us so that you can watch along! (The movie's audio is not included in this commentary track.) Patrons were able to join us as we recorded the commentary, and we incorporate their feedback throughout the episode. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guest Kamilah joins the show! A plug for Alanna Bennett's excellent piece on what a Black Hermione represents Evanna Lynch is Dancing With The Stars! Eric has all of the info. Lethal White hits store shelves next week! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Draco's Detour Our seven word summary makes a little more sense this week: Diagon Alley looks really sad and desolate End of the Innocence: they kidnapped the ice cream guy and the wandmaker! JKR provides some insight on Fortescue‘s intended role Quidditch Captain = preferred bathroom access Why has Molly's perspective on security changed in one chapter? How is Hagrid a viable security guard? Harry and Narcissa face off in Madam Malkin's Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes provides some much needed levity in an otherwise dark chapter We’re all impressed by the twins’ level of magic Inside Borgin and Burkes: Vanishing cabinets, necklaces, dark marks and more Why does Hermione

News: Back to Hogwarts featurette, JKR's old website returns and just when was SS released in the US? Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 5 of Half-Blood Prince We rename the chapter to... the best of our ability: Fleur was entering Harry’s room and existed Harry and Dumbledore arrived to The Burrow sooner than expected. What else did the Headmaster have up his sleeve to pursue Slughorn? What business does Dumbledore have with the Minister? Why is Tonks so visibly upset? Slughorn taught Molly and Arthur. Could there be a Fantastic Beasts cameo in the works? We discuss the themes of security, comedy and xenophobia  Harry lets Ron and Hermione in on the fact that he will be having lessons with Dumbledore and the truth about the prophecy OWL mayhem  Quizzitch returns! What classic childrens' game gets a magical upgrade in Chapter 6, Draco's Detour? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is sponsored by Puffs the Play! Receive a special discount on ticketsto see Puffs at New York City's New World Stages. Slug Club member Matt joins the show! Back to Hogwarts: Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law surprise fans at King's Cross Potter movies return to theaters this September Get your velvet Slytherin bath robe! Pottery Barn releases an amazing new line up of Potter stuff! It's the 20th anniversary of Sorcerer's Stone - the hosts and patrons share their memories of picking up the first book! Main Discussion: Crimes of Grindelwald Set Report (spoiler alert) We explore Paris' version of Diagon Alley... and their sewer system! Credence has drawn everyone to Paris and is himself in search of someone important Grindelwald escapes! Who will he be able to rally to his cause? Will we see Nurmengard? Magic lungs, ministerial hearing parchments and sorcerer's stones What interesting information could be found inside the French Min

Pat joins the show and shares his Wizarding World experience and why he still plays Hogwarts Mystery The hosts review two recent interviews with Eddie Redmayne and David Heyman Newt's apartment, his relationship with Theseus, Dumbledore's manipulation and more Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 4 of Half-Blood Prince The hosts recap the chapter in 7 words with a new Group Summary game! Harry is allowed to use magic outside of school, but is it his first time truly Apparating? We learn that Voldemort is now on the defensive (against Harry's mind) Dumbledore continues to put his final plan in motion by recruiting Slughorn References two and three - what's up with Dumbledore's blackened hand? Why does Harry never check that Dumbledore... is in fact Dumbledore? How does Dumbledore know where Slughorn is living - has he been tracking him? Does Slughorn recognize what's truly happened to Dumbledore's hand? Is Horace correct that he would

Hypable.com writer Kendra joins the show! Eric recaps a great LeakyCon weekend in Dallas! We meet a brand-new Fantastic Beast - the chupacabra - and get our first glimpse at baby nifflers Newt is headed to Paris to "track" Credence, but how does he even know he's alive? Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Chapter 3 of Half-Blood Prince Are the media headlines meant to make readers and the wizarding community feel safe despite Voldemort's known return to power? Why has Dumbledore been reinstated as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot? Our first (passing) mention of Inferi Is Harry's lack of trust in Dumbledore showing up at Privet Drive a result of their relationship from Order of the Phoenix? Why didn't Harry tell the Dursleys that Dumbledore would be visiting? How would they have reacted if he did? We discuss Dumbledore and Petunia's prior correspondence. Was Dumbledore ready to play that hand if necessary? Privet Drive Payoff: Dumbledore puts the Dursleys in their right

… Did that work? Is he listening to this episode? With Micah gone this week, we're joined by two of our listeners, Alex and Stefanie, who do their best impressions of the NY News Anchor. Patrons in the U.S. have received their mugs, but we need to know if they arrived okay! And if yours arrived broken (rare but possible), let us know. This week's episode is sponsored by Puffs the Play! Receive a special discount on tickets to see Puffs at New York City's New World Stages. Chapter by Chapter continues with Chapter 2 of Half-Blood Prince: Spinner's End. The brilliance of this chapter is how Snape is playing Bellatrix and Naricissa simultaneously but in different ways. How much does Voldemort know about Dumbledore's injury? He can't know about the Horcrux… right? Does one line from Bellatrix help make Delphi's existence canon? Why would Bellatrix have such a hard time trusting Snape's word when Voldemort is content with his reasoning? And what should she do if she had ever learned the tru

Happy Birthday Harry & Jo! We rank Harry's birthdays from worst to best MuggleCast turns 13 years old on August 7! We break down the details of two new Crimes of Grindelwald posters ZouWu? JKR reveals the mysterious beast in the recent Crimes of Grindelwald trailer! Ezra Miller talks about Credence's character development The biggest Harry Potter LEGO set ever hits store shelves August 15 Patrons share their thoughts and questions on the latest trailer Does Dumbledore see Grindelwald in the Mirror of Erised because he desires him to be captured? What role exactly will Nicolas Flamel play in The Crimes of Grindelwald? How will Jacob find himself with Newt? Will Credence be reunited with his true family? Will he ever get the chance to go to wizarding school? Was Abernathy working for Grindelwald the whole time? Did he help him capture Graves? We compare Grindewald's populist movement and Dumbledore's timid response to that of the U.S.

Andrew and Eric reminisce on their latest trivia night battle, which leaves Andrew and friends with a huge prize. The new Crimes of Grindelwald trailer is here and we go scene-by-scene! There is some mixed reaction to Dumbledore's DADA lesson with Newt What interests Credence so much about Circus Arcanus? Who is Grindelwald addressing when he says hiding in the shadows serves us no longer? A flying black curtain - is this a new obscurial effect or perhaps a Lethifold? Dumbledore's deepest desire is not socks - he sees Grindelwald in the Mirror of Erised! Newt, Tina and Leta team up to escape the French Ministry of Magic! The Niffler is back! What's up with those cats? And is Newt trying to rescue the Oni Oni? Is Leta referring to herself when she tells Newt he never met a monster he couldn't love? Could Grindelwald be referring to his own failed relationship with Dumbledore when he asks Newt if Dumbledore will mourn for him? Could it be a reference to Ariana? Does A

Slug Club member Chris joins the show David Heyman says Grindelwald is scarier than Voldemort! Why is Dumbledore teaching a young Newt Defense Against the Dark Arts? "After all this time," Chapter-by-Chapter returns! And just in time for HBP's birthday! We analyze the chapter that had been brewing in JKR's mind for more than 13 years Would The Other Minister have worked earlier in the series? Where's Harry? Our first Potter book that doesn't begin with the boy wizard! Voldemort is on the rise and its clear the tone of the series has shifted Fireplace entrances, shady portraits, secret staff - do wizards have a superiority complex? Should the Ministry have considered lifting the International Statute of Secrecy?  Does Fudge ever consider enlisting the help of the Muggle Prime Minister? Do other heads of state have similar relationships with their Muggle counterparts? Rufus Scrimgeour: our thoughts on the new Minister and do we have cause t

Cursed Child is coming to two new cities... San Francisco (2019) and Hamburg, Germany (2020). Could a Midwest location be next? Chamber of Secrets turns 20 years old! We begin our Half-Blood Prince discussion looking back at some popular fan theories Patrons share their midnight release party memories! We discuss how parts of Half-Blood Prince were originally written for Chamber of Secrets and that it was Book 2’s working title The hosts revisit some of MuggleCast’s theories following the release of the sixth book Who is the Half-Blood Prince? Harry? Voldemort? Felix Felicis? We dive deep into The Underground Lake, one of MuggleNet’s notorious series of editorials What did Dumbledore mean by Remember My Last, Petunia? Who will take over the DADA vacancy? Why does Dumbledore trust Snape? Voicemails cover a Deathly Hallows symbol in Goblet of Fire, deluminators, Cho Chang and more! Quizzitch: What two Order members does Harry bump into (in

Slug Club member Sarah joins the show! Warner Brothers cracks down on unofficial fan events Main Discussion: The Department of Mysteries & The Prophecy Who are The Unspeakables? The Brain Room: just what are they studying in there? What does each of us think is beyond The Veil? Does the Veil have magical properties to draw one in? Was the Ministry built around the amphitheater that houses the Veil? How is security so lax around such a dangerous room? The Love Room: why is it locked? The Planet Room: what can you do in here that makes it worthy of the Department of Mysteries?  Are there alien wizards? The Time Room: do we believe this is where Time Turners were invented? The Hall of Prophecies: why are they kept locked away?  Should who the Prophecy concerns be able to hold onto the prophecy? Do we forgive Dumbledore for withholding this information until now? Patreon Question of the Week: What other rooms could be

Slug Club member Karen joins the show Listeners share their Order of the Phoenix release party memories Cursed Child cleans up at the Tony Awards Universal Orlando adds Harry Potter to their nighttime water show Main Discussion: Major Events of the Phoenix Grimmauld Place: Was this truly the safest place for the Order to be headquartered? Do Sirius and the Order underestimate the threats within the Black Family home? Ministry Interference at Hogwarts: What are Umbridge's credentials for becoming DADA professor? Was it always Fudge's intention for Umbridge to become Headmistress? Do the Educational Decrees expose weaknesses in Dumbledore's leadership? The Formation of Dumbledore's Army: we discuss the Hog's Head, the Room of Requirement and the importance of unifying (almost) all of the Houses Welcome to St. Mungo's: why was it cut from the film? Augusta Longbottom, Neville's parents, Lockhart and Harry's connection to Nagini We remi

Paris, London, New York: Pottermore offers fans the chance to attend the Fantastic Beasts 2 premieres for charity Cursed Child is up for 10 Tony Awards Main Discussion: Fresh Faces of the Phoenix What would have happened to Harry without the support of Luna and her father? We discuss Bellatrix exposing Harry's ignorance and her unwavering loyalty to Voldemort Does Tonks make the Order of the Phoenix cool? Dolores Umbridge has one redeeming quality - she's the reason for Dumbledore's Army! Do we overlook the importance of Ms. Figg? Was she best equipped to keep Harry safe? What's up with the relationship between Squibs and cats? Mundungus Fletcher... enough said! What if these characters were introduced earlier in the series? What if they never were? This episode's lone voicemail asks about a Hermione-based movie with Emma Watson Quizzitch: Who did JKR say would win in a fight: Crookshanks or Mrs. Norris? MuggleCast Vault: Luna Loveg