Song of the Summer: 2024's Highlights, and How Hits Are Made

Join us for a stroll down the witch’s road to unpack the latest Marvel Television series ‘Agatha All Along.’ In a refreshing move for Marvel, ‘Agatha All Along’ is simultaneously part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe without beating viewers over the head with unnecessary cameos. We address where ‘Agatha’ fits into the larger MCU story, but honestly, this is a story all its own with new characters and plenty of twists and turns along the way. We also discuss the current state of Marvel, and whether or not ‘Agatha’ represents a return to form for the MCU! What were YOUR favorite parts of ‘Agatha All Along,’ and which Marvel property do you think we’ll see these characters in next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Andrew, Eric, Laura and Micah as we dive into the Muggle Mailbag and respond to listener feedback from the first five chapters of our Order of the Phoenix reread! Visit our new online store for can’t-miss items that are one of a kind! MuggleCastMerch.com Voicemails cover what Hermione would be like in grad school, and a theory as to why the Cursed Child runtime keeps being shortened in America. An astute listener writes in about the historical name origins of the wizengamot! We are all impressed. Ron wearing the locket in Book 7 has the same exact feelings we see Harry have in early Book 5. Other topics include: Why Salazar Slytherin may have chosen emeralds as a house gem, whether we should feel sorry for Petunia Dursley, why Nearly Headless Nick should still be frozen, and Harry’s sparse security detail. A fun What If… segment and Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul round out the discussion. Finally, our Lynx Line benefit exclusively for Patrons has them sharing their overall thoughts on Book 5 so far. Next week’s Quizzitch question: How many Halloween feasts do we see Harry attend during his time at Hogwarts? This episode is brought to you by Better Help. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calling all Sassenachs! This week on What The Hype, we’re diving into the world of ‘Outlander’! Join Pam, Laura, and Micah as they break down the basics of this beloved television series adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s best selling book series, which follows Claire— a World War II combat nurse who suddenly finds herself time traveling back to 18th century Scotland. Our ‘Outlander’ newbies talk about what it’s been like watching season 1 for the first time, in addition to weighing in on Claire as a protagonist, who else is starting to stand out amongst the ensemble cast as one to keep an eye on, Claire and Jamie’s budding relationship, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween! Welcome to Harry Potter and the Graveyard of Goods! Join us as we discuss the official projects by Wizarding World Inc. that’ve perished over the decades. These’ve been rejected by the Sorting Hat. They're on display in Diagon Fail-ey. You get the point. Our Time Turner segment takes us back to the echoes of Halloween episodes past! Be sure to check out Episode 633: Quizzitch Live - Halloween Edition (2023); Episode 535: Halloween Extravaganza (2021); Episode 487: The Scariest Moments in Harry Potter (2020); Episode 343: Fantastic Beasts And The Not 2 (2017); Episode 161: Larger Than Life (2008) and Episode 61: Ghosts (2006). Reminder! The MuggleCast Merch Store is now open! Grab brand-new, original MuggleCast designs. We have t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, hats, and more! So what names are on the headstones in the Graveyard of Goods? Fantastic Beasts... more like Fantastic Busts! Who really axed the MinaLima Illustrated Editions? Potter-NO-more Who pulled the plug on Wizards Unite & Magic Awakened? What happened to the Original Version of the Harry Potter Stage Play? Will Jim Kay's Illustrated Editions get a sixth and seventh installment? Why was there only one 10th Anniversary Edition of a Harry Potter book? Wizarding World Festival... oh, you never heard of that either? Is the Official Harry Potter Encyclopedia the biggest bogeyman of the Wizarding World! Who scratched up all of the Ultimate Edition DVDs? Plus, if each of the hosts could pick one item, what would each of them revive? On this week's Bonus MuggleCast, we discuss how Harry Potter characters would (or wouldn't) survive famous horror movies! You can get Bonus MuggleCast and other great benefits at Patreon.com/MuggleCast! Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Spooky Szn! We're celebrating by diving into the world of Halloween movies! We're exploring the thrill of fear, our earliest memories of scary films, and the evolution of horror as a genre. We celebrate iconic films and their impact on audiences, look at the psychological aspects of fear and the cultural significance of horror narratives, and share personal favorites. Plus, we ask if scary movies are ONLY for Halloween, and what the point of these movies are in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More like DISorder, are we right? The cracks against Dumbledore keep coming as the MuggleCasters discuss the events of Book 5, Chapter 5 in our continuing re-read. Join Andrew, Eric, Pam and Micah as they discuss Sirius’ godfatherliness and Molly’s intentions. And more! Reminder! The MuggleCast Merch Store is now open! Grab brand-new, original MuggleCast designs. We have t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, hats, and we’ll be rolling out more in the months ahead! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 5: The Order of the Phoenix. And our Time Turner segment has us spinning some old recordings from past discussions! Check out Episode 437 and Episode 230! We learn just how underground this “underground” organization really is! (Positively subterranean) Why Sirius is good for Harry Interrupting!Molly interrupts a would-be apology from Mundungus to Harry, and in general is trying to do too much all at once. Has nobody checked in with Dumbledore on his definition of “need to know” for Harry? This debate is ugly, but it would have been less stressful if Dumbledore were around to ask. Why do Fred and George pick now to fight for their own right to know what’s going on? Can’t they read the room? The Order members detail just how bad their uphill struggle is, thanks to Fudge. We examine the harm that Fudge’s lean on the Daily Prophet is causing for getting the word out to the public, and how the unsuspecting public is being placed in great danger by the leaders sworn to potect it. Andrew gives props to Dumbledore for sticking up to the Wizengamot. Odds and Ends include Crookshanks’ friendship with Sirius, the Vanishing Charm, and more Horcrux evidence. Lynx Line: Our patrons share which non-Order members should be in the Order! What do we each think is the Most Over-the-Top Molly Moment of the Week? Quizzitch:  Name a nation within the United Kingdom where the legal voting age is 16 years? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, What the Hype?! looks at the vibrant world of pop culture conventions! Tapping into our personal experiences attending cons like SDCC, NYCC, Harry Potter fan events, Star Wars Celebration, WonderCon, we share the highs and lows of con-going, and why so many people see it as an escape from reality. We also talk about the sense of community and escape that conventions provide, as well as memorable moments from our own con trips (Warning: Do NOT touch Andrew's light saber). Later, we chat about paying to meet and receive autographs from celebrities, and if it feels like fans are being preyed on (Don't be like Eric and take out a cash advance!). To wrap up, we share a list of tips to help you have the best con experience possible. Follow What the Hype?! in your favorite podcast and social media apps, and don't forget to watch full video episodes on YouTube! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, just let it all out! Join Andrew, Eric, Micah and Laura as they listen in to Harry unloading on his best friends and get the latest Order of the Phoenix goss. But be sure to tiptoe down the hall quietly because we don’t want to wake up any maniacal pureblood portraits! BIG NEWS! The MuggleCast Merch Store is now open! Grab brand-new, original MuggleCast designs. We have t-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, hats, and we’ll be rolling out more in the months ahead! Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 4: Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. And our Time Turner segment has us spinning some old recordings from past discussions! Check out Episode 436 and Episode 229! Foreshadow Alert: Grim-Old-Place, "house of a dying person"... OH NO, SIRIUS! We break down Harry, Ron and Hermione's reunion with a fun new edition of "Horcrux or Harry?" The hosts try their hands at impersonating ALL CAPS HARRY! One host is SCARY good! Does Harry feel better about being left in the dark after learning what Ron and Hermione have been up to all summer? Do we agree with Mrs. Weasley not letting the kids attend the Order of the Phoenix meetings? Do her previous losses and the size of her family impact her decision-making? Guard Duty Misdirect: was the Order talking about watching Harry or something else entirely? PompASS Percy: what do we make of this new Weasley family dynamic? The chapter wraps with Ginny, Kreacher, Snape, Mrs. Black and more! Lynx Line: Our patrons share who they wish they had a living portrait of in their home and why! Who gets our picks for Worst Weasley of the Week? Quizzitch:  In honor of the portrait of Walburga Black, what famous artist and sculptor was given an exclusive license in 2014 to use a material known as “Blackest Black”? Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our second What the Hype?! on Heartstopper, the hosts react to season 3 of the Netflix graphic novel-to-TV series! We look at Heartstopper's character development, how the show has matured, and its balance between happiness and realism in LGBTQ storytelling. Plus, we look at when to expect Heartstopper Season 4 / Graphic Novel 6, the series' evolving soundtrack (Has it gotten too mainstream?) and make recommendations for another queer books and shows now that Heartstopper is over for a while. Check out Part 1 of our What the Hype?! Heartstopper coverage! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode, Harry is rude to his owl. Then someone breaks into his home. It's very exciting to be leaving Privet Drive! Join us for a chapter of highs and lows as Chapter-by-Chapter covers Chapter 3 of "Order of the Phoenix," and the hosts as well as Slug Club member Katie discuss the recent passing of Maggie Smith, take answers from our Lynx Line, and generally have a nice time as usual. Welcome to our Slug Club guest Katie! The hosts reflect on the amazing life of Dame Maggie Smith, who has passed away. Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 3: The Advance Guard. And our Time Turner segment has us spinning some old recordings from past discussions! Check out Episode 435 and Episode 229! Harry interrupts Hedwig’s dinner. Is this one step too far on making his friends’ lives miserable? Andrew loves Harry’s plan to ensure his friends give him answers, but it may remind us all of Professor Umbridge. Does the delay between the last chapter and the night the Advance Guard arrives exist because Dumbledore needed time to implement the escape route? Is the real Moody overcompensating on security? The Dursleys are back to their old tricks, of abusing Harry… and Harry is back to his old tricks of appearing indifferent to them. The hosts rank this rescue effort against all the other times Harry was saved from Privet Drive. Should Harry have been more aggressive about intruders in his home? Doesn’t everybody at this point know Harry’s Patronus? How secure is Lupin’s question exactly? If this is the Advance Guard, who is in the Rear Guard? Lynx Line: What five Potter characters would our patrons have in their Advance Guard? Where’s Dumbledore?, the segment, returns! Our Most Trustworthy Advance Guard Member of the Week: the hosts explain. Quizzitch: “What well-kept lawn in London has been home to a zebra, an elephant, and a helicopter landing pad?” Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices