MuggleCast: the Harry Potter podcast MuggleCast

We are off this week due to the Memorial Day holiday in the United States, but we are releasing a recent Bonus MuggleCast installment to give you a taste of the great benefits available at Patreon.com/mugglecast! Please join us there to receive two Bonus MC episodes every month and so much more! We couldn't do this show without support from Muggles like you, so thank you!

A new article from the Wall Street Journal has been published which offers a rare insight into the relationship between Warner Bros Pictures and Potter author, J.K. Rowling, describing how WB's current C.E.O. David Zaslav has worked to secure a profitable future for the HP property under unusually restrictive guidelines set up long ago. Your MuggleCast hosts read from excerpts of the article and offer their thoughts on some of the many revelations, including what may be changes made to upcoming video game titles. Thanks, as always, to our Patrons and those subscribed to us on Apple for their support.
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On this Bonus MuggleCast segment, Micah, Eric, Laura and Chloé discuss places that never made the cut for the 8 Harry Potter films, but which appear in the 7 core books. From Zonko's Joke Shop to the Gaunt Shack, Vernon Dursley's workplace and St. Mungo's Hospital, the hosts discuss how and when such places could appear once the TV series airs, and how entire storylines were nixed before that do not have to be now!

Grab your House-themed pennants and something to do for an hour, because today we’re heading down to the Black Lake and celebrating a Triwizard Task that nobody above ground can see or appreciate! Join Eric, Laura, Micah and special guest Chloé as they discuss Chapter 26 of Goblet of Fire, “The Second Task.”

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 26: The Second Task

7-Word Summary: The merpeople mock Harry incessantly under water

Main Discussion #1: Leading up to the task

Hagrid’s back teaching. Do we miss Professor Grubbly-Plank?

Could Harry be reaching out to Lupin or other folks for help?

Have we ever overslept on the day of an exam and had to wing it?

Main Discussion #2: The Task and Immediate Aftermath

Why are the other headmasters so visibly annoyed at Harry? Could they tone it down a bit?

What does the Second Task look like, for the audience and spectators? Even Dumbledore has to ask the merpeople what happened at the end of it.

Micah’s Hot Take: Hermione is not meaningful enough to Krum for her to be his hostage.

The hosts debate: were the ‘hostages’ ever really in danger? We also polled our Patrons... twice.

Are we disappointed by the writing’s handling of Fleur’s performance?

Do we agree with the final results of the Second Task?

Odds and Ends touches on a Skeeter sighting, and another mention of their school hats!

Quizzitch: Who authorized Aurors to use the Unforgivable Curses during the first Wizarding war?

Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!

For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, including the chance to co-host the show, a new physical gift every year, and a video message from one of the four of us visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast!

Reminder: Micah and Eric and Chloé will be at LeakyCon! Visit LeakyCon.com to check out the latest guests, and use code 'MUGGLE' while registering for a discount!


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According to a recent article by GameSpot, WB Games CEO J.B. Perrette wants to create an always-on, free-play video game that isn't like those "one and done" console games we've seen before, like Hogwarts Legacy. But, in this bonus MuggleCast episode, the hosts discuss how Hogwarts Legacy COULD have been the game that's exactly what he's describing. AND how HP games in the past have done similar things to what Mr. Perrette is describing. Join Andrew, Eric, Laura, Micah and Slug Club guest Geoff as they talk through this news and attempt to figure out if WB Games even knows what they want out of a future video game title!

Crank up the hot water and pour the bubbles, because this week we’re soaking in the Prefects bathroom with, eh, Moaning Myrtle! Then grab your Invisibility Cloak and head downstairs because Moody and Snape are must-see TV! 

Welcome Slug Club member, Geoff!

Chapter-by-Chapter continues with Goblet of Fire, Chapter 25: The Egg & The Eye

7-Word Summary: Mermaids sing to a bathroom of children

Main Discussion #1: Harry’s First Bath in 14 Years

Is the Prefects Bathroom everything we’ve ever wanted?

Moaning Myrtle is back!

Why is Myrtle confined to the Hogwarts plumbing? Who is monitoring her?

How do feel about Myrtle's bathroom behavior?

Soooo... Hogwarts is dumping all of its waste into the Black Lake?

Geoff gives us a beautiful rendition of The Second Task Clue

Main Discussion #2: Curiosity Killed the Cat

Could the Horcrux be behind Harry's pursuit of Barty Crouch Jr.?

Security Nightmare: Why has Hogwarts not fixed that trick step?

We dare you to name another wizard who could tell Snape to go to bed (and live)!

Should Moody's eye be able to see through a Deathly Hallow?

What if... Harry's foot didn't get trapped?

Do we think Moody's recommendation that Harry become an Auror is sincere?

Quizzitch: According to Hagrid, at what age do unicorns become pure white?

Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!

For twice-monthly Bonus MuggleCast, as well as other great benefits, including the chance to co-host the show, a new physical gift every year, and a video message from one of the four of us visit Patreon.com/MuggleCast!

Reminder: Micah and Eric will be at LeakyCon! Visit LeakyCon.com to check out the latest guests, and use code 'MUGGLE' while registering for a discount!


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we revisit the ever-exciting MuggleMail bag and listen to your voicemails on all things Goblet of Fire. The debate about Cedric's clue to Harry rages on, and listeners have opinions on everything from House-Elf rights to defending Ron Weasley's youth.

Voicemails cover House-Elf evolution, Cedric's clue, judges at professional sporting events, and Barty Crouch, Sr.

The Hungarian Horntail may NOT have been the last addition to the First Task, multiple listeners posit.

Quidditch could easily have fit in between the 3 year-long tasks, couldn't it?

One listener defends Ron Weasley's recent actions on the basis of his youth. Do we let him off the hook?

Do Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students have classes with Hogwarts professors?

Working backwards from the Portkey, does the plot of Book 4 even work?

Do Aurors have the same damage to their souls as Death Eaters if they both kill to survive?

Feminism in Harry Potter has some pitfalls from the onset, one listener opines.

What did Sirius Black's family members think upon receiving word of his incarceration?

The hosts take turns choosing one wizarding profession that they would have in the Wizarding world.

Quizzitch: Where specifically does Moaning Myrtle mention haunting Olive Hornby?

This week's episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at BetterHelp.com/mugglecast


Visit MuggleCast.com for episode transcripts, social media links, our full episode archive, our favorite episodes, and to contact us!

Reminder: Micah and Eric will be at LeakyCon! Visit LeakyCon.com to check out the latest guests, and use code 'MUGGLE' while registering for a discount!!


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices