Everything Keeps Catching Fire: Universal’s Backlot Blazes (Ep. 106)

About this episode

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey discuss recent Universal news and the history of backlot fires at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey cover a busy Universal news week, from Universal Kids Resort pricing and seasonal operations to new rotating experiences planned for Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas. They also check in on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Mega Movie Summer, including Wicked meet-and-greets, Minions menu items, Fast and Furious teases, Jaws treats, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey getting some serious backlot synergy. Then Jim digs into the surprisingly fiery history of Universal Studios Hollywood, tracing nearly a century of backlot blazes, rebuilds, and close calls. NEWS • Universal Kids Resort in Frisco now has a July 1 grand opening date, with one-day tickets, two-day tickets, annual passes, and resort packages revealed. • Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas appears to be leaning into a year-round event calendar, with rotating seasonal experiences planned through 2027. • Universal Studios Hollywood’s Mega Movie Summer includes The Odyssey props, Minions meet-and-greets, Fast and Furious food, Jaws-themed treats, and Wicked photo opportunities. • Jim and Eric speculate that all the Fast and Furious activity at Universal Hollywood may point to Hollywood Drift…

People in this episode

Host: Jim Hill

Guest: Eric Hersey

Topics covered

• Universal news
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• backlot history
• seasonal experiences
• Mega Movie Summer

Keywords

• Universal Kids Resort
• Universal Horror Unleashed
• Mega Movie Summer
• backlot blazes
• Wicked
• The Odyssey

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Universal Kids Resort, Universal Horror Unleashed, Universal Studios Hollywood

Books & works: Wicked, The Odyssey

Places: Las Vegas, Frisco

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