In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss: The history and mystery behind Disney’s forgotten project The Hero of Otherwhere, a live-action/animation hybrid tied to Pete’s Dragon and Jerome Courtland's career. The evolution of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, celebrating 15 years of The Princess and the Frog while previewing the updates coming to the reimagined attraction. Highlights from D23 Brasil, including the announcement of Ice Age 6, Toy Story 5, and Pixar's highly anticipated new feature, Hoppers. Alan Menken’s enduring musical magic, from The Little Mermaid to his contributions to Netflix’s upcoming Spellbound. Laika’s Wildwood, Coraline returning in 3D, and fresh updates on Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse and more. Join Jim and Drew as they uncover hidden gems from animation’s past and highlight what’s coming next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into the magical world of Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. Hear all about Jim's recent visit to this dazzling event at the New York Botanical Gardens, where he experienced life-sized sculptures, fog-filled forests, and stunning light displays that bring Burton's eerie, whimsical vision to life. Also in this episode: The Wild Robot still dominates the box office, edging closer to $300 million worldwide. D23 Brasil’s big animation reveals, including a new Ice Age film and Toy Story 5 updates. Behind the scenes on Skydance and Netflix's Spellbound promotion in Times Square. Updates on Marvel’s animated lineup and what’s in store for 2025. Get ready for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor dive into some of animation’s quirkiest corners and biggest news: Godzilla’s 70th Anniversary: Celebrating Godzilla Day with a look back at the 1978 Godzilla animated series and the fascinating story behind Hanna-Barbera’s unique take on the King of Monsters. The Wild Robot’s Box Office Success: DreamWorks' hit continues to climb, surpassing $250 million worldwide. "Emily the Strange" Returns: A new animated feature from Warner Bros. and J.J. Abrams brings the iconic goth character to life. The Simpsons’ NFL Takeover: A real-time Simpsons Monday Night Football game using innovative animation technology. Halloween Treats & Holiday Previews: Highlights from Netflix’s That Christmas, Marvel’s upcoming series lineup, and spooky animated specials. Tune in for a monster-packed episode celebrating everything from classic kaiju to modern animation news! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor explore a wide range of animation news and insights: Netflix's Spellbound and Disney’s Thanksgiving Line-Up: A look at Netflix’s upcoming animated feature Spellbound set to compete with Disney’s holiday releases, plus details on Disney’s latest Thanksgiving promotions. King of the Hill Returns: A sneak peek at Hulu’s revival of King of the Hill, including aged-up characters and exclusive artwork reveals. Inside Out Universe Expands: Updates on Pixar’s Inside Out spinoff series, Dream Productions, and what fans can expect from Riley’s imaginative world. SpongeBob’s New Stop-Motion Christmas Special: Details on SpongeBob and Sandy’s Country Christmas, the latest festive stop-motion treat featuring everyone's favorite sea sponge. Disney's Lost Hitchcock Tribute: A deep dive into Frady Cat, Disney's ambitious but abandoned Hitchcock-inspired animated film. Discover the story of how it almost became a Halloween classic. Tune in for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you behind the curtain of Moana 2, diving deep into the highlights from Drew’s recent panel at the Animation is Film festival. They explore the exciting details shared by directors David Derrick Jr. and Jason Hand, including Moana’s continued journey, new characters, and thrilling challenges in this upcoming sequel. Jim Hill and Drew Taylor also explore some of the biggest news and exciting developments in animation: "Creature Commandos" Preview: Dive into DC Studios' upcoming animated series, set to premiere on Max this December. With James Gunn at the helm and voice talents like Alan Tudyk and David Harbour, this series is set to shake up the DC animated universe. Halloween-Themed Animated Shorts: From The Simpsons to Sing, we break down the latest Halloween-inspired shorts, including a nod to Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" and Disney+’s spooky surprises. The Wild Robot's Box Office Success: The Wild Robot continues to dominate, having surpassed $100 million domestically. What’s next for this DreamWorks hit? "Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur" Cancellation: Disney Channel's beloved animated series wraps up after two seasons, but the character still has some exciting crossovers in store with "Spidey and His Amazing Friends." New Marvel Preschool Show: Get ready for Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends, a new show for Disney Junior and Disney+ slated for 2025, introducing preschoolers to the Marvel Universe. Tune in for these topics and more on this week’s Fine Tooning! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

in this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you on a fascinating journey through Disney’s forgotten Mickey Mouse projects, including the untold story of "Mickey Columbus" and other abandoned ideas that never made it to the big screen. They also dive into Disney's challenges while bringing Mickey into the world of CGI, from his iconic ears to scrapped anniversary projects like "The Search for Mickey.” The Wild Robot's Box Office Triumph: DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot continues its strong performance at the box office, paving the way for a sequel. Jim and Drew discuss what’s next for this hit film, based on Peter Brown’s popular book series. Wallace & Gromit Are Back!: Aardman Animations is bringing the beloved duo back to the screen with Vengeance Most Fowl. Jim and Drew break down the significance of this return and what fans can expect from the upcoming Christmas release. What’s Next for Animation Fans: With new releases like Transformers One and the latest from Aardman, there’s a lot to look forward to in the world of animation. Tune in for all this and more on this week’s Fine Tooning! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill dives into the latest animation news and rumors. With Drew Taylor away, Jim covers: Unraveling Studio Feuds and Hollywood Drama: What caused the downfall of Fleischer Studios and their ultimate takeover by Paramount Pictures? Jennifer Lee’s Next Move: Disney Animation’s Chief Creative Officer steps down to focus on Frozen 3 and Frozen 4, while Jared Bush steps in. Joker: Folie à Deux’s Box Office Struggles**: Warner Bros. Discovery faces losses as the Joker sequel underperforms despite the original film's success. MuppetVision 3D’s Future: Rumors swirl about the potential impact of Disney’s new Monsters Inc. door coaster on MuppetVision 3D at Hollywood Studios. Plus, updates on DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot and Warner Bros.’ upcoming Dynamic Duo superhero film using innovative animation techniques. Don’t miss this deep dive into the latest animation industry news and history! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts a solo edition of this podcast by discussing how well “The Wild Robot” did at the domestic box office this past weekend. He then discusses the Halloween-themed “The Bad Guys” special which will soon be debuting on Netflix Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How will Warner Bros. Discovery be celebrating Scooby Doo this month Who will be introducing “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” at this year’s Animation is Film Festival What did the “Mufasa: The Lion King” production do to differentiate this film from Disney’s photo-realistic “Lion King” from 2019 Where did “Shrek the Musical” do its out-of-town try-out Why was Jeffery Katzenberg reportedly upset with a plaque he found in the lobby of the Broadway Theater Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss the surprising news of Jennifer Lee stepping down as Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios and what it means for the future of Disney’s animated films. They explore: Jennifer Lee’s New Role: How she’s shifting her focus to the upcoming Frozen 3 and Frozen 4. Jared Bush Takes the Lead: What does this creative shake-up mean for Disney, and what projects might be on the horizon? Pixar’s Pressure to Perform: The intense working conditions at Pixar and the studio’s struggle to produce hits like Inside Out 2 and Elio amidst high expectations and long hours. Plus, hear the latest updates on DreamWorks’ Dog Man, The Wild Robot, and more! Don’t miss this deep dive into the latest animation industry news and insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor discuss how the successful 15th-anniversary re-release of Coraline inspired Disney to bring back some of its beloved classics to theaters. Find out how The Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus are making their return to the big screen this Halloween season. Join us as we cover: Coraline’s Box Office Success: How a cult classic reignited Disney’s interest in re-releases. The Return of Hocus Pocus: Why is this Halloween favorite back in theaters, and what does it mean for Disney's strategy? The Wild Robot’s DreamWorks Triumph: Early reviews from the Toronto premiere and its impact on the animation industry. Tune in for all this and more, as we dive into the latest animation news and Halloween favorites making their way back to theaters! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Fine Tooning, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor take you behind the scenes of Disney’s beloved Hocus Pocus and its unexpected connection to Steven Spielberg. Discover the untold story of how the Halloween classic was pitched, nearly lost, and ultimately stolen away from Spielberg. Tune in as we explore:   The Spielberg-Kirschner Drama: How did the An American Tail creator’s decision to pitch Hocus Pocusto Disney instead of Spielberg create tension in Hollywood? Disney's Billion-Dollar Halloween Gamble: What convinced Jeffrey Katzenberg to greenlight Hocus Pocus after an unconventional pitch? South Park Hiatus: Why Trey Parker and Matt Stone are putting South Park on pause until 2025 and how the Paramount-Skydance merger affects its future. The Wild Robot World Premiere: DreamWorks’ adaptation of The Wild Robot hits the Toronto International Film Festival, and Jim & Drew dive into the excitement leading up to its wide release, including a sneak peek at The Art of DreamWorks The Wild Robot. The Animated Opener of Joker: Folie à Deux: Learn how Sylvain Chomet brings a Looney Tunes-style sequence to life for the Joker sequel’s Venice Film Festival debut.  Join Jim and Drew for an inside look at one of Halloween’s most iconic films, plus the latest in animation news and commentary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how “Inside Out” became the highest grossing animated feature of all time. They also take a look at the upcoming new “Wallace & Gromit” film, “Vengeance Most Fowl” Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many films in Hollywood history have grossed over a billion dollars overseas Why won’t Quentin Tarantino watch “Toy Story 4” \ How long has it been since the last “Wallace & Gromit” (i.e., “A Matter of Loaf & Death”) debuted on BBC One Which emotion was originally supposed to be Envy’s twin in “Inside Out 2” Who acquired the North American theatrical distribution rights for “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by seeing how “Inside Out 2” ‘s worldwide box office stacks up against Jon Favreau’s photo-realistic “Lion King.” They also talk about that Nightmare Before Christmas-themed light trail that’s coming to New York’s Botanical Gardens Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: This long-running animated series just celebrated its 25th anniversary back in January Will Warner Bros. be releasing Genndy Tartakovsky’s “Fixed” anytime soon When will Pixar’s latest feature-length film be available for purchase on Blu-ray How many movies did Robert Stevenson direct for Walt Disney Studios Who almost played Nora, the daughter of the lighthouse keeper in “Pete’s Dragon” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by looking back at some of the animation-related news that came out of the D23 Expo. They also discuss a number of the books that event attendees could pick up at this year’s eve Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Who now is voicing Elio’s aunt in Pixar Animation Studios’ big release for June of 2025 Why it’s kind of ironic that the Mouse House just decided to make Frank Oz a Disney Legend What’s the reported premise for “Hoppers,” Pixar’s Spring 2026 What’s intriguing about the visual clues that were included in the “Frozen 3” concept art that Jennifer Lee showcases at the Honda Center How many episodes of Pixar’s “Dream Productions” did D23 members get to see at this year’s Expo  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s show by looking back at the “Jurassic World: Chaos Panel” he moderated at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con. Then Jim Hill discusses the three feature-length films that were made at Fox Animation Studios in Phoenix Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about:  What spot did Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” just claim on the list of all-time worldwide top grossing films  When will the Boomerang streaming service officially get folded into Max  Which “Gravity Falls” -related book now tops the New York Times bestseller list  On what television broadcast back in the Summer of 2016 did the “Moana” teaser trailer first appear  Back when “Titan AE” was still supposed to be a live-action production, what was the title of this film originally supposed to be Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about how “Inside Out 2” just became the highest-grossing animated feature of all time (barring Disney’s photo-realistic “Lion King” of 2019). They also take a look back at “The Rescuers” Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about; Which character was Phil Harris originally supposed to voice in “The Rescuers” How many art students did Disney initially invite to take part in the Studio’s inaugural animation boot camp? What advice did Bob Newhart give Don Rickles in regards to voicing Mr. Potatohead in Pixar’s “Toy Story” Which Disney featurette from the mid-1970s did the Studio’s animation trainees cut their teeth on? What film did better than the original “Star Wars” when it was finally released in France in 1977 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the “Jurassic World: Chaos Theory” panel Drew will be hosting at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. They then talk about which animated film franchise is currently the top earner  Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: How many people have been to every single Comic-Con since the first event was held in San Diego back in 1970 When did Disney Legend Ken Anderson retire from the Company Why was Disney forced to make “The Story of Robin Hood” in the UK back in the early 1950s How many days will separate the release of “Toy Story 5” & “Shrek 5” during the Summer of 2026 Where is William Stout’s booth located in the San Diego Convention Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking up the two books that Josh Gad will be bringing to the marketplace in the next six months. They then take a look at how “Inside Out 2” & “Despicable Me 4” have been doing at the box office Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many episodes for “Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs: The Animated Series” were produced When does Season 12 of “Futurama” get underway on Hulu Who did Tim Burton share an office with when he worked at Walt Disney Animation Studios back in the 1980s Which member of the “Inside Out” cast joined Joy & Sadness at DCA’s Pixar Pier Bandstand last month When will “Shrek 5” be arriving in theaters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the animated feature that just blew past a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. They also take a look at how Universal Pictures’ promoted “Despicable Me 4” in Las Vegas Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about; How tall is the High Roller Ferris wheel (which towers above the Las Vegas Strip) How many “SpongeBob” movies have been released theatrically to date What was one of the last scenes to be animated for the original version of Disney’s “The Lion King” (which was first released to theaters back in June of 1994) When did “Batman: The Animated Series” debut on television as part of the Fox Kids programming block Where was Lebo M working prior to helping Hans Zimmer record the soundtrack for Disney’s “The Lion King” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about “Inside Out 2” ‘s continuing dominance at the worldwide box office. They then discuss some of the television-related news that came out of this year’s Annecy International Film Festival and Market For this episode, listeners will learn about: What’s the subtitle of the next holiday special in Disney’s “Prep & Landing” series supposed to be called Who did Steven Spielberg want to hire to handle all of the animation in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” What’s the title of the new “Gravity Fall” -related book that’s supposed to hit store shelves on July 23rd Where is the world premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” going to be held What happened in the “Pig Head” scene that was cut out of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor is fresh back from France. And he tells Jim Hill all about the animated films that he got to see at this year’s international animation film festival and market For this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Nick Park have to say when he learned of Steven Spielberg’s love of the runaway train scene in “The Wrong Trousers” Which recently retired Disney Legend received this year’s Annecy Walk of Fame Award Where do Porky, Daffy & Petunia Pig work in “The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” The work of which visual futurist reportedly served as the inspiration for the world in which Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is set How is Disney expanding the cast for “Moana 2”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing how “The Garfield Movie” has been doing at the domestic box office. They also share some fond memories of Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman In this episode, listeners will learn about:  Which animated feature – released to theaters a year ago this week – sold $120 million worth of tickets over its opening weekend in North America What part of the score for “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” (i.e., the first trackless ride at a Disney theme park) did Richard M. Sherman personally direct What limitation of early CG convinced Pixar’s original brain trust that they needed to make movies like “A Bug’s Life,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Finding Nemo” & “Wall-E” According to early box office projections, how much is “Inside Out 2” expected to earn over its first weekend in domestic release In the future, what will the new release pattern be for the animated features released by Pixar Animation Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Jim Hill first talks about how “The Garfield Movie” did domestically over the long Memorial Day Week. He then discusses that new YouTube documentary, “Beyond the Glass: The WDW Animation Building” Throughout this episode, listeners will learn about: Which fairy tale classic was supposed to have served as the basis of Disney’s first-ever live-action musical for television How much of the staff up in Emeryville was reportedly let go as part of the recent round of lay-offs at Pixar Animation Studios Which two movie musicals did the Sherman Brothers write the score AND the screenplays for How many films have been produced to date as part of the “Mad Max” movie series Which installment has been the highest-grossing film (to date) in the “Kung Fu Panda” series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by discussing the first full trailer for Netflix’s “Ultraman: Rising.” They then talk about “Flow,” the dialogue-free post-apocalyptic animated feature which will be debuting at Cannes next week In this episode, listeners will learn about: Who will be voicing Garfield’s Dad in the new animated feature that Sony will be sending out to North American theaters on May 24th Which George Lucas-produced film was Marvel Productions trying to turn into an animated series in 1984 What company did Illuminations get into bed with back in 2017 to help promote the release of “Despicable Me 3” How many “South Park” specials have Matt Stone & Trey Parker produced for Paramount+ so far What was the name of the very first puppet-based series that Jim Henson produced for television Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up “Exploding Kittens.” They then take a look at Mark Dindal’s career as the director of full-length animated features Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the one-and-only film to be produced by Turner Feature Animation Why is the Henson family reportedly not all that fond of Pixar’s “Monsters Inc” How many “Garfield” TV specials were produced for CBS back in the late 1988 / early 1990s Where can you go to get an earlier look at “Slide,” Bill Plympton’s next animated film Who voiced Anna & Elsa’s Mom in the first “Frozen” movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the series finale for that Lucasfilm Animation production, “Star Wars: The Bad Batch.” They then talk about how pleased Paramount+ is with the debut of its “Knuckles” mini-series Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Where did the “Bluey’s Big Play” traveling stage show make its North American debut When will “The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish” be debuting on Nickelodeon Who was supposed to voice the title character in Jorge Guiterrez’ “I, Chihuahua” When did the $70 million custom-built Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida production facility officially come online Which animation historian will be creating original content for the Classic television Network’s soon-to-debut channel, MeTV Toons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up Pixar Fest (which starts this weekend at Disneyland Park). They then look ahead to which studios will be doing presentations at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival & Market For this episode, listeners will learn about: How many Disney-related items are coming up for bid at Van Eaton Galleries’ next big event, “The Joel Magee Auction: Part Two” Which Pixar veteran is directing “Transformers One” for Paramount Animation When will “Robot Dreams” be released to select theaters in North America What became of the plaque in the lobby of NYC’s Broadway Theater which commemorates “Steamboat Willie” ‘s world premiere in that same space back in 1928 Who was supposed to originally voice Fiona in the “Shrek” film series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking up "Ultraman: Rising.” They then discuss which animation studio is soon to be honored with a Palme D’Odr at this year’s Cannes Film Festival For this episode, listeners will learn about: Which character in Pixar’s “Up” did Peter Docter’s daughter Elizabeth voice What does the future potentially hold for the “Bluey” animated series Which Pixar film was “B.O.O,” DreamWorks Animation’s cancelled supernatural comedy, supposed to go head-to-head with back in June of 2015 How long is the “Mary Blair’s Wonderland: Imagining Disney’s Alice” exhibit running at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University Which Animal Planet series from the 2000s is Warner Bros. Pictures Animation reportedly using as the jumping-off point for a feature-length project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s episode by looking back at how Walt Disney Studios did effects back in the 1960s. They also talk about the version of “Toy Story 3” that Circle 7 Studios had in development Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will “Kung Fu Panda 4” be available for viewing on digital platforms like Amazon Video & iTunes How far back did the release date of Disney’s live-action version of “Moana” get pushed back When did Happy Meals toys rethemed around Pixar’s “Elio” become available for purchase in Mexico What name did Disney used for “The Good Dinosaur” when this Pixar production was first announced at the D23 Expo back in August of 2011 Who will be voicing the Mother of the title character in Pixar’s “Elio” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start this week’s show by talking about many of the animation-related books that will hit store shelves later this year. They also discuss how “Aladdin” commemorated its 10th year on Broadway Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which member of the “Frozen” voice cast just collaborated on a Putnum’s Book for Young Readers How does “Disney Junior’s Ariel!” blend the 1989 animated feature with the 2023 live-action reboot What made the Hanna Barbera-produced “Popeye” cartoons different from the shorts that previously starred this character from King’s Feature Syndicate When was “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” originally supposed to be released to theaters How old were Hiccup & Astrid originally supposed to be in Dreamworks’ first “How to Train Your Dragon” movie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor starts off by revealing what he saw at the preview event for this year’s D23 Expo. Then Jim Hill shares a history of Genndy Tartakovsky’s never-completed “Popeye”  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: Which D23 Expo events are going to presented this time around over at the Honda Center, rather than inside of the Anaheim Convention Center Why did Robin Williams want Walt Disney Productions to fly some Imagineers over to Malta back in 1980 Which sequel did Sony Pictures Animation officials ask Genndy Tartakovsky to work on out ahead of proceeding with his feature-length animated version of “Popeye” Why did Bluto get replaced with Brutus back in the early 1960s How did the cancellation of the “Sprockets” movie factor into Mike Myers agreeing to play the title role in Universal Pictures’ “The Cat in the Hat” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing the 96th Academy Awards. They then take a look at how well “Kung Fu Panda 4” did at the domestic box office over this past weekend.  Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Totie Fields say to Gene Simmons when they met backstage at “The Mike Douglas Show”  Which animated feature did many Hollywood insiders think was going to take home the Oscar this year Who is the author of the best-selling series of books that DreamWorks Animation’s “The Wild Robot” is based on Which sitcom star from the 1970s played the villain in Disney’s “Scandalous John” How many people lost their jobs last week when Warner Bros Discovery announced that they were shutting down Roosters Teeth after 21 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Sean Bailey’s sudden departure from Walt Disney Studios. They then talk about why WDAS vet Hyrum Osmond will be sorely missed by “Frozen” fans Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How has the “Curious George Goes to Town” area at Universal Studios Florida been repurposed When was “Song of the South” last released to theaters What do “Psycho 4” and “A Day in the Park with Barney” have in common Which Disney franchise was based on Bambi’s best friend Why did Walt Disney Television Animation start producing series based on hit Disney films like “Aladdin” & “The Lion King” in the early 1990s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about Warner Bros Discovery’s Q4 earnings call. They then talk about which animated features & shorts took home awards at this year’s Annies Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What was the name of the “Fantasia” follow-up that Disney had in the works in the early 1980s How many nominations did “Nimona” have going into this year’s Annie Awards ceremony At which animation studio did Ken Melton start out sculpting maquettes Which members of the original “Fairly Oddparents” creative team are returning to work on “A New Wish” Who did Michael Eisner originally try & recruit to become as the celebrity conductor who’d then ride herd on “Fantasia Continued” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor returns with a detailed recap of what’s been going on with “Coyote vs Acme.” Then Jim Hill talks about the recently released trailer for “Iwaju,” that animated limited series from Disney & Kugali Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: When will the “Valley of the Witches” be opening at Ghibli Park over in Japan Who reportedly personally petitioned Disney execs & Dwayne Johnson to get Thomas Kail the job as director of the live-action version of “Moana” How did Pixar’s “Turning Red” do at the North American box office this past weekend Where is “Tiana: The Series” (i.e., that new limited series for Disney+) being produced \ Who handled the live-action portion of “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill starts off this week’s show with a solo news section. Then Drew Taylor joins the fun in a pre-taped segment that looks back at Gary Rydstrom’s animated films Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: How many Annie nominations did Pixar’s “Elemental” receive this year Which William Shakespeare play provided the inspiration for “Strange Magic” What Pixar movie were the blobby alien characters seen in “Lifted” originally designed for When is the sequel to “Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey” supposed to arrive in theaters How well did Pixar’s “Soul” do when it was finally released to theaters earlier this month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In a solo show this week, Jim Hill starts things off by recapping what happened at this year’s Golden Globe. He shares what he’s heard about the lay-offs that are reportedly coming to Pixar Animation Studios later this year. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about; When will the Blu-ray version of Disney’s “Wish” be hitting store shelves Where did Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera set up their first animation-for-television studio in Hollywood What do Disneyland fans have to say about the “Pixar Fest” marquee / photo-up that weill be set in that theme park later this Spring Which infamous Hollywood mogul from the 1940s & 1940s helped fund the creation of H-B Enterprises, Inc. Why is the “Superman” TV series from the 1950s (i.e., the one that starred George Reeves) sometimes associated with Charlie Chaplin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing which animated films are up for awards at the 2024 Golden Globes. They take a look at some of the superhero-themed animation that’s headed your way. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What did Disney initially charge for VHS and beta versions of that Studio’s films When will Season 2 of “Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur” debut on the Disney Channel Which four US cities did Walt Disney Home Video field-test the idea of selling VHS copies of the Studio’s film When did DC Comics first publish its “Crisis on Infinite Earths” series Which three Golden Globes was “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” up for this year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by looking at how Illumination’s “Migration” is doing at the box office. They then look at how network television & streaming services are handling animated series differently. Over the course of this episode, listeners will learn about: What do the Fairy Godmother in Disney’s “Cinderella” & the Red Queen in “Alice in Wonderland” have in common How did “Archer” wrap its 14 season long run on FXX Why do you NOT want to take the tour of the Warner Bros. lot over the holiday season How many different names did “My Peoples” have while it was in production at Walt Disney Feature Animation – Florida After Andreas Deja stepped away from “Kingdom of the Sun,” which Disney animated feature did he then go work on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing why Hollywood is celebrating Dick Van Dyke’s 98th birthday. They then chat about what impact the rumored merger of Warner Bros Discovery & Paramount could have on animation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill return with an all-new edition of this animation news podcast. They pay tribute to master animator Mark Henn, who is retiring from the Mouse House after 44 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s show by describing what it was like to attend the world premiere of Disney’s “Wish” at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theater. Then Jim Hill looks back at how the success of Disney’s “Aristocats” influenced the development of the Studio’s next animated feature, “Robin Hood” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by discussing Walt Disney Animation Studios production workers decision to unionize. They then talk about box office projections for Disney’s “Wish” (which debuts in theaters on November 22nd) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s an unusual episode this week, folks. Drew Taylor does a quick drive-by while he covers this year’s Lightbox Expo at the Pasadena Convention Center. And then Jim Hill pays tribute to Matthew Perry & Richard Moll Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor starts off this week’s show by talking about the two panels he hosted at this year’s “Animation is Film” festival in Hollywood. Then Jim Hill pays tribute to Edward Bleier, the ABC executive who persuaded Warner Bros. to allow its library of “Looney Tunes” to be shown on television Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Jim had a technical issue from 5min-10min in this show. If the crackle is too distracting, jump to 10:22 into the show. It's clean again after that point.) Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about the “Animation is Film” Festival, which is being held in Hollywood later this week. They then share some of the animation-related news that came out of New York Comic Con this past weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about how well “Exorcist: Believer” & “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” did at the box office this past weekend. They then discuss the “mixed production model” that DreamWorks Animation will soon be adopting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew Taylor & Jim Hill start off this week’s show by talking about this year’s edition of Fantastic Fest. They then discuss “Pencils Vs Pixels,” the upcoming documentary that discusses how the rise of CG in the 1990s led to 2D animation’s fall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices