Mugglecast: The Harry Potter Podcast

*Gasp* No Andrew or Matt this week! Spielberg rumors still cropping up – Mikey and Eric provide a strong case for him. Jo compares Fudge to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. What will happen in HBP since the Dursleys are cut? Micah says the word “lovers”. How does Mad Eye’s magical eye work on a door? Was Umbridge influenced at all by the locket? Part Two of our interview with Freddie Highmore. Chapter By Chapter: Chapter 14, The Thief. How does Hermione give away the secret? Ron saves the trio unknowingly. We have some in-depth analysis on Grindelwald’s depiction in Gregorovitch’s memory. Can older actors perform stunts? If Slytherin only wanted purebloods, why did the sorting hat want to put Harry in Slytherin along with Voldemort and Snape, who were also half-bloods? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew kicks the show off with an intriguing, on-topic story. It’s a new month so vote on Podcast Alley! Del Toro isn’t directing Deathly Hallows, and we react. Betting Men better be betting. MuggleMail covers last week’s hot topics. We interview Paul DeGeorge from Harry and the Potters. Harry Year 7 discusses his second annual charity effort, the Wizard Rock EP of the Month Club. The MuggleNet song, created in 2005 by Paul and his brother, makes its worldwide debut. Chapter by Chapter: Chapter 13. Did the locket have any effect on Umbridge? Mad-Eye’s Eye on the toad’s door makes us sad. We discuss the Polyjuice Potion scenes in the film series and how this one should be done. Make the Connection ideas from listeners like you. A Pensieve Possibilities list sent in by MuggleCast Fan Forum listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss what we’re most looking forward to about Half-Blood Prince and what we think may be cut. Small update on the East Coast Tour. Vote on Podcast Alley…or else! Muggle Mail on movie intermissions, cliffhangers and Chapter 10. Interview with Freddie Highmore. Chapter-by-Chapter: Chapters 11 and 12. The hosts draw some excellent comparisons in these chapters to Nazi Germany. The story begins to take on a very dark tone. We analyze the argument between Harry and Remus from both perspectives – sorry Harry, seeing this one from just your point of view doesn’t cut it. One listener writes a very good defense of Lupin. Kreacher and the saucepan: finally some comedy! Jo shows just how good she is in her revelation that Umbridge has the locket. What is up with this plan to infiltrate the Ministry? Micah doesn’t buy it. Snape named Headmaster of Hogwarts – was he there to actually protect the students? Why does Hermione keep nagging Harry to close his mind? It actually helps him! Chicken Soup.

Andrew boasts about the new Wizard Rock section. Rumors concerning a two-part Deathly Hallows surface. Harvard announces JK Rowling to give commencement keynote. We fantasize. A possible MuggleCast spring break east coast tour? Listener e-mails cover last week’s discussion on the dust figure and more. Chapter by Chapter: Kreacher’s Tale. We sympathize for Harry seeing Hermione and Ron holding hands. How does the fidelius charm actually work? How does Bathilda Bagshot visit Lily if Pettigrew is the only secret keeper? Favorites: We each talk about our favorite song from the Potter soundtracks. Chicken Soup. Dog Bloopers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JKR Documentary discussion. Jo talks about her family and religious views. What was the character name she took from the book in the church? Universal adds a new poll to their website and we discuss the pros and cons of where we would like to have a drink. Andrew, Matt and Laura review Sweeney Todd. Our thoughts on the recent Helen McCrory interview. We respond to some Muggle Mail from our Holiday and New Year’s shows. Chapter-by-Chapter: A Place to Hide. Is Hermione the genie in the Potter world? Tottenham Court Road and Grimmauld Place. Make the Connection returns. Chicken Soup. Andrew attempts the fastest show close ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Further discussion about HBP casting and TIME’s “Person of the Year”. Andrew places a call to WB about his defective DVD. Top 10 Moments of 2007. Favorite Memories of 2007. Chapters 7 & 8 of Deathly Hallows. Should Harry really be opening his mind to Voldemort? Is Voldemort that stupid to be letting Harry see his actions? Harry’s birthday and a visit from the Minister. What good would it do the Ministry to know of Harry’s plans? The mark of Grindelwald: another Nazi-WWII reference? Character analysis: Xenophilius Lovegood, Aunt Muriel, Elphias Doge. Why did Dumbledore never tell Harry he lived in Godric’s Hollow? “The Ministry has fallen” becomes our first holy *%&$ moment of the series. Scrimgeour gets his swan song. Countdown to 2008. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s another holiday season! Jamie is back and recounts his problems with Christmas. We discuss the latest news, including casting, TIME, and the Jo documentary. Jamie and Laura add their input to the show ending announcement. MuggleMail address DVD issues and Chapter by Chapter. This week, Chapter by Chapter covers Chapters 5 and 6 of Deathly Hallows. Was Harry right to use Expelliarmus against the Death Eaters? Did Lupin have a right to discipline him? Was Mrs. Weasley’s motherly protection justified? Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione tension. Measures taken for the Horcrux hunt. British Joke of the Day returns! The hosts read a Holiday poem sent in by a listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon.com revealed as winning bidder for The Tales of Beedle The Bard. We announce a big change coming to our show. Order of the Phoenix DVD discussion. Andrew has pixilation problems. Were the deleted scenes really that good? Trailing Tonks one of the best special features. Hidden Secrets of Harry Potter: was it necessary? We read some Muggle Mail from last week’s show. Chapter-by-Chapter: The Seven Potters. Ties to previous books: Polyjuice Potion and the Motorcycle. Hedwig’s death sets an early tone to the novel. Was Expelliarmus the weakest explanation for the Death Eaters recognizing Harry? The mysterious wand reaction that saved Harry’s life. Chicken Soup Finals Edition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where are the other co-hosts?! We discuss the Golden Compass and its controversy. MTV’s list of Wizard Rock bands is unfair and inaccurate. Happy Birthday Jamie! Next week we’ll be talking about the OOTP DVD – send in your thoughts! MuggleMail covers last week’s Chapter by Chapter discussion. This week we talk about Chapter 3 of Deathly Hallows. What were the Dursley’s feeling when they left Harry? Would Harry come back to save them? Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast soul. We reminisce over the old Sorcerer’s Stone VHS tape. Bloopers. This week’s episode brought to you by Audible.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MuggleCast to podcast from Portus 2008! Check out our new holiday album art! David Heyman and his wife. A look at Beedle the Bard. MuggleMail checks out some of last week’s discussion. Chapter by Chapter: Chapter 2 of Deathly Hallows Mutual Attraction Comparing the Doge and Rita articles. Listener e-mails about Chapter 2. New game: QUOTE QUIZ quiz quiz. Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. This week’s episode brought to you by Audible.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harry Potter theme park update. JK Rowling named Entertainer of the Year. Ian McKellen discusses why he didn’t become Dumbledore. In fact, it’s good that he wasn’t Dumbledore. Andrew explains. MuggleMail covers Potter in schools, Potter’s influence on reading, and HD/Blu-Ray DVDs. Chapter by Chapter returns! We give a brief history and explain what we’re doing this time. First segment: Chapter 1, The Dark Lord Ascending. Is Bellatrix leading a less-than-exciting love life? Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. An on-the-spot HUH?! Facebook message of the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mikey B returns, and Andy from HarryPotterFanZone.com makes his MuggleCast debut! Andrew is 1337! LOLZ! Harry Potter changes a school in England. Could it do the same for America? We talk about the books that don’t fly with kids in school. WB confirms the rest of the HBP cast. But wait… is it truly the REST? Order of the Phoenix or Hairspray? Hairspray. Half-Blood Prince sneak peeks. MuggleCast Wall of Fame! Got a ZUNE? Now you can subscribe to us! MuggleMail goes through YOUR e-mails. Will the Writers Guild strike affect Deathly Hallows? What impact has Harry Potter made on literature? Thanksgiving is here and we count our blessings. Chicken Soup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re LIVE for episode 119! One listener explicitly comments on explicit language. We comment one last time on the subject of Dumbledore’s sexuality. More on the suit over the Lexicon book. Should Jo be Time person of the year? What is the craziest thing a fan has ever done? Some talk about the summer conferences. Andrew gets angry at Terminus. Does the Sorting Hat always offer choices? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new segment to kick off the show. We discuss the impact of Equus coming to Broadway. Will it be overtaken by fangirls? How long can it run if HBP is released just two months later? The Lexicon Lawsuit is making a lot of press and we respond. Should the book hit store shelves or do WB and JKR have a point? How other Potter books (including ours) on the market don’t compare. We address some listener rebuttals, most of which focus on Dumbledore being gay. Our views on Christianity are cleared up. One listener asks us how to handle parents who are now considering banner the books from her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dumbledore is gay – initial thoughts from the hosts! Eric gives us a full report on MuggleCast LIVE in Australia! We go over each of the questions answered at the October 19th reading in NYC. Andrew, Laura, and Micah talk about meeting Jo. (Yes, life is now complete.) Should Jo have revealed Dumbledore’s sexuality? Why does it matter, and why is it front-page news? This leads into a discussion on the presence of homosexuality and how it is regarded in society, as well as our own experiences. The hosts become quite opinionated when it comes to fans who act as though Dumbledore being gay tarnishes his character. The message of this episode: embrace differences and don't blindly follow the doctrine that all people must be one way, which is deemed the “right” way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Cooke from Fandom Forecast joins us this week! Where is Jo going with Wizard of the Month? Titan Tiffin as young Tom Riddle? Eric gives a reminder about MuggleCast Down Under. The news that launched a thousand shrieks: Jamie will not be on for a while. Was Pettigrew braver at age eleven? We discuss the morality of Dumbledore. Was he raising Harry as a pig for slaughter? Did he help Harry by distancing him? Was what Dumbledore did morally permissible? Would Harry have chosen his path if not for Dumbledore? HUH?! Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. Bloopers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Micah sees Order of the Phoenix…finally! Dan and David Yates talk Half-Blood Prince. Eric is back and has info on MuggleCast Down Under. Kevin returns as well after battling some technical issues (typical). Laura has the golden ticket…which sparks a big book tour discussion. One listener clears up that she is not in fact Mrs. Sims. Bill Nighy as Rufus Scrimgeour? Could Harry have survived another Killing Curse in the final battle? What was the difference between the beings in the graveyard in Goblet of Fire and the ones that appeared from the Resurrection Stone in Deathly Hallows? We take some more Muggle Mail in response to our book parallel convo last week. Voicemails return! Chicken Soup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma finishes Ballet Shoes: we discuss the trio filming outside of Potter. Order of the Phoenix DVD release date, but somebody hasn’t seen it in theaters. Our thoughts on Jim Broadbent being cast as Horace Slughorn. Feedback from our live show. Listener Rebuttal: Why did Fred have to die? Main Discussion: Book 1 and Book 7 Parallels. The Little Things. Opening chapters, the Mirror of Erised, King’s Cross and Gringotts. The Men With Two Faces: Quirrell and Snape. Dumbledore’s Ambiguity. Anchor’s to life: Sorcerer’s Stone, Horcruxes and Hallows. Dueling Club featuring Harry, the Terminator and Optimus Prime. Make the Connection is taken to a whole new level. Australians: Listen to the end of the show for a special announcement from Eric! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a 12-hour show, ladies and gentlemen! This episode only includes the first two hours, however. Andrew, Jamie, and Laura entertain you for the first two hours. Pickle Pack reopening soon for a limited time. Harry Potter is the top grossing franchise of all time – what do we think? Dan on Broadway? Andrew Strang? Pre-order tickets, ladies! Andrew and Laura offer themselves out for lunch dates in exchange for tickets to Jo’s reading. …and proceed to argue over who deserves to go more. The hosts discuss school and how the show has had an effect. Jamie discusses why he thinks HP classes won’t become universal. Kick back with Springsteen, Tenile, and much more during breaks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12 Hour Live Show, Part 5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices