Transcript #51

MuggleCast 51 Transcript


Show Intro


Andrew [Show Intro with music in background]: Because 50 episodes of MuggleCast just wasn’t enough, this is MuggleCast Episode 51 for August 13th, 2006.

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Hello everyone, welcome back to the show. I’m Andrew Sims.

Ben: I’m Ben Schoen, in the middle of the street in Nebraska…

[Everyone laughs]

Ben: …stealing someone’s wi-fi.

Laura: [laughs] I’m Laura Thompson.

Jamie: Oooh! And I’m Jamie Lawrence.

Andrew: And this is the show where we bring you the latest in Harry Potter news, theories, discussions and we’re driving in Nebraska. But, before we go anywhere else, first let’s check in with [laughs] Micah Tannenbaum for the past week’s top Harry Potter news stories.


News


Micah: MSN has now posted a complete video from the second night of An Evening With Harry, Carrie, and Garp. The charity readings with JK Rowling, Stephen King, and John Irving took place on August 1 and 2 in NYC.

B1 Media, the company which produced the Goblet of Fire DVD, has won for “Major Technical – Best Menu Design” at the 9th annual DVD Awards.  

Producer John Pohl commented, “We’re honored that this award recognized the elaborate and expressive 3D achievement and strong sense of design the menus displayed. The artistic excellence of these menus contributed to an incredible DVD experience and was a result of the sacrifice that our 3D, composite and design teams made.”

JK’s Army, the team who gives MuggleNet fans advice on buying or selling Harry Potter memorabilia, has started a new campaign urging eBay to clamp down on the selling of fraudulent Harry Potter merchandise. They need your help. That’s a scary thought. To find out more about this worthwhile effort and how you can help bring about change, head over to MuggleNet’s Main Page

The Scotsmanreports that Jo has donated a handbag of hers to be auctioned off at the new members’ club 29, in Glasgow’s Royal Exchange Square on October 6th. Jo took the small black Rodo purse to the premiere of Sorcerer’s Stone.

In a new interview, first published in Surrey Life, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton talks about his acting career, hobbies, Harry Potter, and what he’s been up to lately. He says filming for the Potter movies is always fun and that it’s weird to see the final product.

Finally, WB has confirmed that Order of the Phoenix will be released in Argentina on July 12th, 2007. As more dates are announced, we will bring them to you.  There a few new Order of the Phoenix set pictures, including one of Dan Radcliffe over on MuggleNet.com

That’s all the news for this August 13th, 2006 edition of MuggleCast.  Back to the show.


Ben Recording While Driving In Nebraska


Ben: There’s a car passing and I’m laying down. Hold on.

[Everyone laughs]

Ben: False alarm, they turned, they turned.

Laura: Wouldn’t it be awesome if Ben got arrested and we were recording?

Ben: Live on MuggleCast.

Jamie: Oh, it would be so funny. It would be Spy on Schoen.

Ben: This is ridiculous. I drove three-and-a-half hours tonight tired as – more tired than you can imagine.

Jamie: Tired and soaked to his skin.

Ben: And I get here to record MuggleCast and I go to the library to steal their wi-fi…

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: Ben…

Ben: They had it encrypted…

Jamie: I think the term is “use” not “steal.”

Ben: “Use” their wi-fi. They have it password protected. And so I drive around this small podunk town, searching for wi-fi and I found some and now I am parked in the middle of the street…

[Laura laughs]

Ben: …windows rolled up in my car. It’s about 5,000 degrees and I’m here to do MuggleCast.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: So, I am the most dedicated MuggleCaster…

Jamie: That’s commitment to you?

Laura: That is devotion.

Ben: …EVER.

Jamie: Are we still streaming this to the FBI, Andrew? Or did we stop?

Andrew: [laughs] Yeah, I think we’re going to have to stop after this episode.

Jamie: Okay, cool.


Announcements


Andrew: Eric will be joining us in a minute, but for now, let’s do some announcements.

Don’t forget, everyone, to purchase your MuggleCast t-shirt, especially now. Now is a very critical time to purchase your MuggleCast t-shirt, because there are rumors going around that all t-shirts that do not promote MuggleCast are going to burst into flames within the week.

Jamie: Yep.

Laura: Oh, no!

Ben: Mhm. I’ve heard this rumor.

Jamie: I don’t think it’s a rumor, I think it’s true.

Ben: There’s also a rumor going around that the current MuggleCast t-shirts may be going out of stock.

Andrew: [laughs] So, now is the time to buy.

Ben: Ooo.

Andrew: That’s right.

[Laura laughs]

Andrew: No, but seriously, if you do want to support the show, please purchase a MuggleCast t-shirt. As you know, we are taking a trip to California later in September and we need some money to get us out there. So, any help will be appreciated, and you get a cool shirt also.

Ben: An awesome shirt.

Jamie: Yeah.

Andrew: And, Podcast Alley, place your votes for support and the Podcast Awards are now closed. We thank everyone who has voted, once a day and unfortunately…

Ben: Only if you’ve voted once a day.

Andrew: Yeah. [laughs]

Ben: Otherwise…

Andrew: No thank you. [Still laughing]

Laura: Mhm.

Ben: Yeah.

Andrew: No, thanks to everyone and we unfortunately won’t know the winners – well, we won’t know the winner of the “People’s Choice” category until actually the ceremony. So, we’ll know if PotterCast won in “Entertainment,” but we won’t know if we won in “People’s Choice.” Which, is worrisome because we don’t want to all fly out there [laughs] and lose, but…

Laura: [Laughs] Yeah.

Ben: Oh well. Oh well.

Andrew: Oh well, it will still be fun.

Jamie: Yeah.

Laura: Andrew, I had something I wanted to do really quick.

Andrew: Okay.

Laura: I got a couple of things from the PO Box today, thank you Ben. One was from Patricia. She sent me some hand decorated shoes – they’re pretty cool. She did them in my three favorite colors. And then Lauren sent me this really cool shirt and she hand-embroidered this really awesome pattern on it. It’s got a flower and a dove and it’s really, really awesome and I’m wearing it right now. So, I just wanted to say thank you to them.

Ben: Awesome.

Laura: That was very sweet and thanks to Ben for sending them. [laughs]

[Andrew and Laura laugh]

Ben: Finally. A little update about the PO Box. I finally got my butt in gear.

Jamie: Yeah.

Ben: The other day I actually responded to a letter. I am a changed man.

[Andrew and Laura laugh]

Ben: So, please send anything, everything to the PO Box.

[Andrew and Laura laugh]

Jamie: Can I just thank Julius Caesar for that excellent piece of papyrus he sent me. I only just got it, thanks to Ben.

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Because he was a bit late. But, it’s very nice Julius, thank you. And, I’m sorry you got stabbed.

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: It was a nice thought.


Listener Rebuttals – Comments on Episode 50


Andrew: Listener rebuttals this week. Jamie do you want to take the first one?

Jamie: Yep. This is from Casey, 15 from Wyoming. She says:

“Hi, I just want to say I loved the last episode,” that was Episode 50, our one-year anniversary episode. “Especially with all of the music. I especially like Your Song by Elton John…” There you go, Ben! “…because my choir had to sing it one year for a concert, and even though no one else liked it, I did.” And here comes the award for sarcastic comment of the century.

[Laura and Andrew laugh]

Jamie:

“Also, I wanted to tell Jamie that he has a beautiful voice, and should pursue a career in music.”

Andrew: Oh, wow.

Jamie: Thank you for that.

[Laura and Andrew laugh]

Jamie:

“I love the shows, and it is the highlight of my week. Peace!” Thank you very much Casey.

Ben: [sings] “I just want to tell everybody, this is your song.”


Voicemail – Cascada


Andrew: Jamie, we also got a voicemail this week that I thought you should take a listen to. I know you mentioned to me earlier this week that you thought, maybe you could write to Cascada and get a little money out of this because you have been promoting them.

Jamie: Exactly. Definitely.

Andrew: So, I think this voicemail will help you out.

Jamie: Go for it.

[Audio]: Hey, MuggleCasters! This is Emily and I’m from Missouri. And, I just wanted to tell you that I hated the song “Every Time We Touch” until I heard Jamie sing it or, the part of it that you did post him singing. Anyway, thank you so much for giving me a new favorite song. Bye!

Jamie: Awww.

Laura: Awww.

Jamie: Isn’t that lovely? Thank you very much. And, I will be writing to Cascada now and I will be requesting ten pounds every single time that song is played.

[Laura and Andrew laugh]

Jamie: That can get us to California.


Listener Rebuttal – Every Time We Touch


Andrew: Yeah, in no time. Next song Ray Mur – not song. [laughs] Next rebuttal comes from Ray Murphy of Ireland. He writes:

“Just thought I’d say how is it Jamie didn’t hear that song until he went to America? I myself am from Ireland and us and the United Kingdom kind of share the music charts. The same songs are released at the same time, Cascada’s “Every Time We Touch” has been released here for its second time this year and is constantly on all music video channels and radio stations. Thought I’d just bring dat up. Class show buds.” [laughs]

Thanks for writing in real English words. [laughs]

[Ben laughs]

Jamie: No seriously, Ray. It’s just I don’t really pay attention to the charts, I think. So, and I don’t really watch the music channels and stuff so I get stuff late. Although, I might add that I sent Ben “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers – no, no sorry. It wasn’t Ben. It was…

Andrew: Emerson?

Jamie: …Emerson, yeah. I sent that song to him about two months before it got big over there so that’s my claim to fame.

Ben: Actually, you sent me James Blunt’s…

Jamie: Oh, so there you go.

Ben:You’re Beautiful like, four months before it got big over here.

Andrew: Really? Hmm.

[Laura laughs]

Ben: Mhm.

Andrew: Next…

Ben: [sings] You’re beautiful.

Andrew: Oh god! This show, really, we should call it “MuggleCast: Music Mix” or something.

Jamie: Music – yeah.

Andrew: Something funny. Insert it there. Next one comes…

Ben: I don’t think music mix quite, [laughs] quite does the trick, Andrew.

Andrew: [laughs] Thanks for the support, Ben.

Jamie: [laughs] MusicCast. That is original.


Listener Rebuttal – Will The Trio Survive Book Seven?


Andrew: Next rebuttal comes from Meghan of Nova Scotia, age 20. She writes:

“I completely… [laughs] I completely agree [Laura laughs] with what Ben said on this subject. It’s not realistic to me for all of them to survive. All three of them are still quite young and are not all that powerful. Why should they make it out of the final battle alive and others more powerful should die? It is just not probable.”

Jamie: Thank you, Meghan. This is what I’ve been trying to say for so long. That it’s not a fairy tale. These people – you know, if three 16-year-olds who haven’t learned as much magic are going to war with all these adults who are qualified and everything, they can’t all survive. It’s, it’s just – it would be completely unrealistic. Although, I hope…

Laura: No one said that all the 16-year-olds were going to…

Ben: So Jamie, you – Jamie, you agree with me?

Laura: …were going to survive, though.

Jamie: No. No, no, no. No. I agree that it is unrealistic to expect all three, considering the task they’ve taken on and the danger. Lupin said in Order of the Phoenix that there are dangers involved that they can have no idea of and they still don’t have any idea of. And it’s just some of the stuff they’re going to be up against – dark magic they haven’t experienced before, spells they don’t even know. It’s just, I really think it’s improbable that they’re all going to survive. It’s a horrible thought, but…

Andrew: Yeah.


Listener Rebuttal – Every Time We Touch


Andrew: In relation to that rebuttal, Bryan, age 16, from Pennsylvania writes:

“Though this e-mail is for all you MuggleCasters in general, I particularly – blarh – particularly [Andrew and Laura laughs] have something to say to Laura.”

Laura: Oh no.

Andrew:

“I don’t understand why you and the majority of the MuggleCasters are so convinced that JKR ‘slipped-up’ about the Trio living through the series.”

Jamie: Oooh.

Andrew:

“I have watched the entire video you guys just posted, and I honestly wasn’t given that impression at all. Laura, mmm girl, [Jamie and Laura laugh] you tried to say that JKR said, after naming the Trio, ‘But I’m the only one that knows who lives through Book Seven.’ She never says this!”

Jamie: Apart from Chuck Norris.

Andrew:

“The only thing she does say… [laughs] The only thing she does say, after the audience begins to shout out names, is: “I’m the only one that knows who’s actually dead.”

And he is correct. I’m reading the transcript now.

Laura: He is. What I would like to say in relation to that, though, Bryan…

Ben: Ha! In your face, Laura.

Andrew: No, no, no.

Laura: Hey! Shut up, Ben.

[Jamie laughs]

Laura: Anyway, you went on in your e-mail to kind of discuss how it was misleading to misquote her and I completely agree with you. However, I think that her saying, “I’m the only one who knows who’s actually dead” implies that she’s the only one who knows who dies in Book Seven. So, that was why that thought came into my head because I only went to the readings. I didn’t actually go through and read the transcripts and get the actual quote, so you were absolutely right, but I do think that it was somewhat of a slip-up on her part because she did say she was the only one who knew…

Andrew: It was.

Laura: …that died. So, yeah.

Andrew: It was. I think that gives it away. And let’s read that whole part right now. I have the transcript up right here. She says – I’m very prepared tonight.

[Jamie laughs]

Andrew: She says, “I’d take Harry to apologize to him. I’d have to take Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I would…this is…see…I know who’s actually…” Well, what happens… King says – Stephen King says to her, “Hagrid. Take Hagrid.” And then JK Rowling says, “See, I know who’s actually dead.” But I mean, that could also be saying that Hagrid dies.

Ben: But she never actually said that she was inviting only people who live to the table.

Andrew: No, but…

Ben: I don’t see how that’s – I don’t see how that’s implied.

Andrew: Because she’s saying, “See, I know who’s actually dead.”

Laura: Because she’s saying… Yeah.

Andrew: She’s talking about who she would take to dinner who’s alive.

Laura: That was alive, yeah. I guess it’s just a matter of opinion, really, but that was how I perceived it. [laughs]

Ben: You guys are wrong, okay?

Andrew: Hold on. And then Stephen King says…

Ben: [laughs] Just kidding.

Andrew: “Pretend you can take anyone.” And then she says, “Pretend I can take anyone? Well then, I would definitely take Dumbledore.”

Laura: Yeah.

Andrew: “I’d take Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and, Hagrid. I’d take Hagrid.” Okay?

Jamie: What’d she say to them?

Ben: So that means Hagrid’s going to die?

Jamie: Maybe, no. But what would she say to them, though? She’s just sitting there. “So, I wrote you.” [laughs]

Andrew: [laughs] Correct, Jamie. Correct.

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: Thank you. That would be an interesting conversation.


Eric Joins The Show


Andrew: Now moving on to our main discussion this week. Oh! Hold on, hold on. Well, he should be recording when he comes in. Let’s see if he’s a good enough podcaster to be doing that.

Jamie: Yeah, is he prepared?

Andrew: Eric, are you recording? Eric?

Eric: Hi.

Andrew: Hey, are you recording?

Eric: Yes, I am.

Laura: Hey Eric.

Eric: Hey everybody.

Andrew: Oh! He is a good podcaster. Everybody, a round of applause. Eric Scull has just joined us in the Skype chat this evening.

[All clap]

Laura: Yay!

Eric: Oh, wow.

Ben: Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Eric Scull!

[All laugh]

Eric: Thank you, thank you.

Andrew: Nice one, Ben.

Jamie: Why don’t you give an opening speech? Actually, wait.

[Andrew and Ben laugh]

Eric: [laughs sarcastically] No, anyway. What are we talking about?

Andrew: We just wrapped up listener rebuttals and we were just transitioning into our main discussion when you so kindly conference called. So…

Ben: Eric, I need your praises. I am in the middle of a street…

[Jamie laughs]

Ben: …in a small town in Nebraska, stealing someone’s wi-fi. Aren’t I the best MuggleCaster ever? Or what?

Jamie: Yeah.

[Laura laughs]

Eric: Yes, Ben. Three praises for Ben.

Laura: Sure, Ben.

Eric: Round of applause for Ben, everybody. [claps]

Andrew: Oh, we already did. We already had one.

[Everyone laugh]

Jamie: I can beat that.

Ben: Yeah.

Jamie: I can beat that, Ben.

Eric: I can, too.

Andrew: How? Oh, yeah.

Jamie: I’m…

Andrew: What time is it there?

Jamie: I’m hanging… Oh well, yeah. Well, no, apart from it being 4:54 a.m., I’m floating down a river…

[Everyone laugh]

Jamie: …hanging onto a raft…

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: …and I’ve put my laptop on top and Skype’s open and it’s a very nice laptop and it could fall in.

[Everyone laugh]

Ben: Oh, really. Yeah.

Jamie: So I’m ten times – ten times more committed than you are, Ben.

Eric: I…

Laura: Well, not to mention the nine hour flight to get over here for the live shows.

Andrew: [laughs]Yeah.

Jamie: Yeah. Exactly, exactly.

Eric: Guys, I’ve just worked two jobs – yay for me – in one day. I worked 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. full-time at school, and then I worked from 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. at the movies, so I’m kind of mellowed-out here, but, yeah.

Andrew: Awww.

Ben: Okay, well let’s move on with the main discussion…

Andrew: [laughs] Yeah.

[Jamie laughs]

Ben: …because it’s already 100 degrees in my car and this laptop is adding to the heat and…

[Andrew and Jamie laugh]

Jamie: [sings] That’s why they call you Mr. Fahrenheit.

Ben: …and the car is starting to fog up.

Andrew: Okay, well, our…[laughs]

Laura: Roll down your window a crack!

Ben: I can’t because then my lights will come on again.

Eric: [singing] Here in my car, life is safest of all. I can lock all my doors.

Jamie: Very good Eric, Gary Newman.

Eric: Yes, Gary Newman, Cars. Download it, everybody.

Jamie: Very good. It’s a good song.

Andrew: Too much music on this show. Too much music.

Eric: Oh, there is.

Andrew: I’m just kidding. Who handles music?

Ben: R.I.A.

Andrew: Yeah, they’re going to come after us.


Main Discussion – Book Seven Theories


Andrew: Main discussion this week: Book Seven theories. And we’re going to start off with one today by Jamie Lawrence.

Jamie: This is a kind of big discussion, and it’s a weird discussion, because I’ve never seen any conclusive evidence throughout the entire series. Because some theories, they start of with Book One, and they carry on and get more solid and things change, but you can always follow them. Whereas this one, it’s complete speculation. So, we’ll probably be completely wrong, and in two years when the book comes out – yes, two years, not Summer 2007, I’m sorry, but Summer 2008 –– when the book comes out. We’ll probably be proven wrong. But anyway, here goes.

[Laura laughs]


Harry’s Eyes


Jamie: We’re going to talk about Harry’s eyes. JK Rowling has said Harry’s eyes and their similarity to Lily’s is paramount to the series as a whole, completely essential. So, I’d question, such as what is the relationship between their eyes? Are his physical eyes going to play a part, or does it show some kind of bond between them? Do you think that the color is important? And just what exactly do they mean?

Let me start off with something, okay? Let me put something out there. Harry’s eyes have been described several times, and it’s been driven home by Jo that his eyes are green, and obviously there’s the Slytherin connection. What could that mean? And, of course, we’ve seen an increase in the people who thinks Snape likes Lily. So, is there any kind of Slytherin connection there between them?

Eric: Snape is his father.

Jamie: Yes, Eric, yes!

Laura: Ewww. It’s just really difficult, because we keep hearing that we’re going to see what the big deal is about their eyes, and it hasn’t happened yet, and one would think that if it was so important, the movies would get it right. But Daniel Radcliffe has blue eyes, so I don’t understand.

Jamie: No, Laura, it’s fine. They’ll just tie him down and inject some green dye into his eyes, and that will make it all worthwhile, won’t it? You know, that’s fine.

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: We’ll do that for the next one.

Andrew: Well, they’ll probably be kicking themselves when Movie Seven comes along…

Jamie: Yeah, they will. Yeah.

Andrew: …and they’re like, “Hmmm, I guess we’d better change his eyes.” But that can be solved with contacts.

Eric: Yeah. [laughs]

Ben: No, Jo wouldn’t have let that happen. If it was that important, his eyes would have been green.

Eric: Yeah.

Jamie: Yeah, but she said it’s very important, but I found on Google one absolutely charming Harry Potter fan put a theory out there. He suggests that Harry will go to Godric’s Hollow, go to his mother’s grave, pluck out her eyeballs, and then he will finally have, “his mother’s eyes.”

Eric: Yeah.

Jamie: That’s… That’s…

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: Ah, that’s a wonderful theory.

Eric: That’s absolutely charming, as you put it, Jamie.

Laura: That’s very charming.

Jamie: Whoever that was, I think you’re onto a winner there, son.

[Laura laughs]

Ben: But in all seriousness guys, do you think there’s – does anyone have any idea, any speculation on what the eyes mean?

Eric: Well, I’d like to give some credit to Jamie for coming up with, making this a somewhat worthwhile discussion.

Jamie: Thank you, Eric.

Eric: Well, the whole eye thing, it’s a matter of, if eyes are, as you said, the underlying thing of the book, then it’s also to say that if he has his mother’s eyes, that love – I think it just reinforces love being a central theme of the book. Because Lily loved Harry and died for him and all that stuff. And all these connections to his mother, and love, and maybe even Snape’s love for Lily just underlies love. How is love going to play a part in the next book? I’d really like to know, because love so far hasn’t really acted as like a force against Voldemort with the exception for those very few times where it crippled him very much so.

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: But beyond that it’s just…

Ben: Well the…

Eric: Yeah.

Ben: But when Lily sacrificed herself back when Harry was a baby, that was the first way love played any role in the series.

Eric: Right. And love in the future kind of played a little on the back burner, as far as circumstances, how Harry made friends, the certain relationships he had because he could love, because he could forgive. Things like that, that’s how Pettigrew owes him the debt. Things like that. Love does kind of… If you look carefully enough, love does weave itself in between everything, including Pettigrew, including maybe even Dumbledore. I’m sure you could draw love connections through everything. As a result of Harry loving, this has happened. So, we’ve not seen anything, have we, like certain things only eyes can do, or certain eyes?

Jamie: Exactly, yeah.

Eric: Yeah, there’s never been really a separate thing of eyes. I mean, fingers you can even call are more important than eyes, because long fingers apparently signifies – and there’s enough evidence to guess this. Longer fingers mean greater power.

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: But it doesn’t seem like there’s any eye signifiers out there.

Jamie: Perhaps he’s inherited Lily’s x-ray vision, and he’s going to find all the Horcruxes. Something like that.

Andrew: Lily has x-ray vision?

Jamie: Yeah, didn’t you know that, Andrew?

Andrew: No.

Jamie: You seriously need to reread Book One, seriously.

Andrew: I know. [laughs] I’m sorry.

Laura: I just think it’s interesting that green is the color that’s supposed to represent envy, and Harry is anything but envious, don’t you think?

Ben: Well, he’s envied a lot.

Andrew: Yeah.

Laura: Yeah, that’s true. I just think that since he has the power of love, it’s just interesting to me that something that is so often reinforced in the series is that he has his mother’s eyes, and they are bright emerald green. So, I just thought that was interesting.

Jamie: Yeah.

Andrew: The whole Slytherin thing is interesting, but I think it’s kind of weak, because there’s what, four eye colors?

Jamie: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Eric: Yeah.

Laura: Yeah, and Voldemort has red eyes, Gryffindor color.

Andrew: Oh!

Eric: Yeah, surely Voldemort doesn’t have red eyes because he loves so much that it’s just, you know? It’s like saying, you’re so full of poo that you’re eyes are brown. It just has no correlation whatsoever.

Jamie: Yeah, I guess. I don’t know. So, we’ll open this to you all. Write in, and tell us what you think about Harry’s eyes, and their significance in the series as a whole, their significance with Lily, weather there is a Slytherin connection, and weather you think Harry will go to his mother’s grave, pluck out her eyeballs, and then he will finally have his mother’s eyes.

[Eric laughs]

Jamie: I think it’s a pretty solid theory, so, we’ll see if you agree.


Lily Is Good At Charms


Andrew: What about the point you have in here, Ollivander said Lily was very good at Charm work?

Jamie: Oh, yeah. Well, I read this awhile ago, and he specifically said in the shop that she was extremely good at Charm work, and I’m just wondering if that’s going to feature in Harry, Harry’s fight in the final book. Probably not.

Andrew: Well, she was good at Potions, too, and that’s pretty interesting.

Eric: I find it interesting. I would really like to know what Charms is more advanced at. They took a Charms OWL but we haven’t actually seen any Charms have we? Since Year One where it was obviously Alohomora and the levitating thing Wingardium Leviosa. That was like the only Charms we’d actually seen, wasn’t it? Like where they’re – what’s the difference between charms, spells, enchantments, hexes, they’re just different names to describe a different type of the same thing.

Jamie: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Eric: So, the fact that you could study Charms, I wonder how different Charms is then to studying hexes, studying spells. Things like that.

Andrew: Yeah.

Eric: So, if Charms requires more eye work…

Ben: Well, the thing about Charms – the thing you were talking about with classifications, I think it starts with spells and then everything fits into spells. You know what I’m saying? It’s sort of a tree that sort of works it’s way down.

Eric: Yeah, I understand.


Eyes In Battle


Jamie: Can I just come out with a revelation? Oh my god, do you know what I think it is? It’s because in Occlumency and whatever the other one is…

Eric: Oh god, wait.

Ben: Legilimens?

Eric: I think I know where you’re going with this.

Jamie: It’s 5 a.m. It’s 5 a.m. So, I can’t even…

Eric: It’s midnight you Brit.

Jamie: …remember who Harry Potter is.

Eric: Right.

Jamie: Okay, Occlumency you need eye contact. Perhaps there’s something there with Snape and Harry and…

Eric: With eyes.

Jamie: Yeah, something like that, and no, no, no, no…

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: I’ve got it. I’ve got it. Okay, I’m so excited now. She died to protect Harry. Perhaps she has given him some type of mental barrier, well not mental, but eye barrier against Voldemort’s Legilimency. There you go. When he finally fights or something. It’s like when you wear contact lenses and a piece of dirt flies into your eye and it just bounces off because you have something protecting your eye.

Eric: Doesn’t it get stuck between your eye and your contact forever?

Jamie: Eric…

Laura: Yeah. [laughs]

Jamie: Eric, you just completely ruined my analogy now. I hate you.

Ben: Jamie, they already have – Harry and Voldemort already have the connection through the scar, so…

Eric: Yeah.

Ben: …regardless or not of the eyes, eye contact is irrelevant because he…

Jamie: No, it can be stronger.

Ben: …can still use Occlumency. Yes.

Jamie: It could be stronger with eye contact. So, it’s just and idea. It’s just an idea.

Eric: It’s interesting because if Harry’s going to revert – well, Ben said, the connection is through the scar and they said in Book Six that Voldemort was practicing Occlumency against Harry so Harry couldn’t pry into his mind, to pry into Voldemort’s mind. Not that Harry would want to – just that fact. If they ever have duel and eyes are going to be part of the thing, I kind of see Harry being without his scar or something. That kind of instance because you’d think they’d be able to mentally – that eyes wouldn’t be…

Jamie: Yeah, yeah.

Eric: If you’re talking about battling Harry in the future with eyes playing importance or significance, I really don’t know. I just want to know more about Lily. I think once we know a little bit more about Lily…

Jamie: Yeah, I agree.

Eric: …that will reveal everything.

Ben: She must have…

Eric: Whether or not she had anything with Snape, or how she ever accepted a bum like James. According to Remus and Sirius, he cleaned himself up, but still. Based on what we saw in the Pensieve in Book Five , I just think she was a smart girl who wouldn’t really fall for James, but I don’t know.

Laura: He was a 15-year-old boy though. I mean, let’s not kid ourselves here, fifteen year old boys can be jerks.

Eric: Yeah, but he was cruel.

[Laura laughs]

Eric: He was really cruel.

Laura: Well, yeah, but you guys are all cruel to each other.

Ben: Never.

Jamie: No !It’s love. It’s love cruel. It’s love cruel, isn’t it Ben?

Laura: Oh, right. Right.

Ben: Right.

Jamie: It is. We love each other.


Gray and Black Eyes


Andrew: Rebuttal comes from Crystal, 13 – not a rebuttal but an e-mail comes from Crystal, 13 of Chicago. I was just looking into the MuggleCast box and she had a question about eyes, and she says:

In the Harry Potter books, many people are described of having black or gray eyes. Do people really have black or gray eyes? I suppose gray could just be a really light shade of blue, but I’ve never seen anyone with black eyes. I’m not sure why I’m asking you, but I’m at the point of insomnia where I’m an odd sort of calm coming over me and I’ve been listening to MuggleCast for nine straight hours. [Everyone laughs]

Oh, well that’s very nice.

Laura: Awww.

Andrew: Could it be that Jo’s just… They don’t really have black or gray eyes, they have…

Jamie: They’ve got beetle black eyes. For Hagrid.

Andrew: No, that’s just the way…

Ben: Maybe she just describes them as being…

Laura: Yeah.

Ben: That’s her way of saying they’re really dark.

Andrew: Like metaphorically?

Laura: Not to mention – yeah. Have you ever seen anyone with such dark brown eyes they look black?

Andrew: Right.

Ben: Well, my eyes even. The pupil and the little center thing blends in with the whole eye.

Jamie: Iris.

Ben: The iris.

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: No, no, that’s the circular thing. It’s all circular so it doesn’t really say anything but…

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: …the little bits the pupil, then the iris, then it’s the white bit – that’s the scientific term, the white bit.

Eric: Well, I think the eye thing is just characterization without realism – not necessarily without realism – but if she describes someone with having small black eyes, and beetle black as Hagrid’s are, you can sort of picture that even if you’ve never seen anybody with black eyes. I think just the way it’s done, you can understand what somebody with gray eyes would be kind of cool or chilly inside, or something like that.

Jamie: But, Sirius has cold gray eyes, and he’s nice.

Eric: Well, he’s somber. He’s kind of reserved.

Jamie: Yeah, yeah.

Eric: Kind of faded out, from all the years in Azkaban.

Jamie: Yep.


Theories From Chamber of Secrets Forums


Andrew: Should we move on now to our next discussion?

Laura: Yeah, I know that we have been talking about featuring some theories from the Chamber of Secrets forums, and according to Eric we haven’t really been doing it…

Andrew: We haven’t done it at all.

Eric: I didn’t really say that, but…

Laura: Yeah, well you said they were over there with pitchforks and…

Eric: Yeah. [laughs}

Laura: All sorts of nasty things. So I was browsing the forums over there [stumbles on speech] the other day and I can’t even talk right now because it’s 12 o’clock in the morning and…

Jamie: Sorry, sorry, can I interrupt here and say, Laura, I’m sorry it’s 12 o’clock. Why don’t you get some sleep?

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: I swear, every single time. Go and have a lay down and I’ll stay up all night and I’ll come back after you’ve slept and carry on.

[Andrew laughs]

Laura: Okay. All right, all right, all right. Thank you, Jamie. Thank you, Jamie.

Andrew: That’s very kind of you, Jamie.


That Night At Godric’s Hollow


Laura: Now, I was kind of interested about a theory that I saw concerning Godric’s Hollow and who was there the night that the Potter’s were murdered, and this theory, I think it was a bit iffy but it was interesting all the same. Now, some users have been clever and pointed out how Jo’s pretty specific about how the Godric’s Hollow scene should be filmed and we didn’t see James in that scene, and we didn’t really see anyone else in that scene apart from Lily and Voldemort, who was just in a cloak type thing. And in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, we didn’t hear James’ voice saying, “Lily take Harry and run.” We only heard Lily yelling. Now, some of them think that what could end up happening in Book Seven would be along the same lines that happened in Book Three, where Harry goes back in time to Godric’s Hollow and is actually the one telling Lily to take Harry and run. What did you guys think of that?

Eric: I don’t like it.

Jamie: Yeah, it’s a bit…

Eric: Didn’t Dumbledore say something about how many times you would ever have to turn a Time Turner just to go back what, 15 or 17 years?

Laura: Mhm.

Eric: 18 years?

Jamie: Really? When did he say that?

Eric: It might not be a thing, but even if they didn’t say it, how long would that – can you really go back in time that far and change that much? Is there that power? And also, the thing about not hearing James in the thing in Prisoner of Azkaban

Laura: See…

Eric: We didn’t really hear a lot of things in Prisoner of Azkaban the movie.

Laura: No, we really didn’t. See, what I didn’t really think this theory solved was how Harry would defeat Voldemort. It would just seem like it was a recurring cycle; it wouldn’t really solve anything. But at the same time, I find it interesting because if you read Prisoner of Azkaban when Harry says that he saw his dad on the other side of the lake, it was either Remus or Sirius that said, “You saw James,” and he got very pale. And if this theory were true, then it would kind of lend itself to the fact that James had survived that night, wouldn’t it?

Eric: I think actually James – I think JK Rowling shot down the idea that James was still alive.

Laura: I think she did, too, but I find it interesting because she was so specific about how that scene should be filmed. I think that she really put a lot of time into making sure that they did it right, and I find it interesting that we didn’t see him in that scene…

Eric: Well…

Laura: …and we didn’t see anyone else.

Eric: You’ve got to understand who’s telling the story as well, and you know, whereas we did see Voldemort entering the house, we only really needed to understand what happened with his mother and him at the time, and JKR was very specific with how that scene was filmed, apparently. I mean, that’s the rumor, but there’s also part of when the camera spins you can almost see…

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: …another figure. People think that’s Snape. You know, in the movie, like things in the background and stuff. There’s like a shadow present, things like that.

Ben: But, honestly, guys, don’t you think that Lily would have…

Laura: Mhm.

Ben: …pleaded with Severus if she knew that he sort of had a soft spot for her? Wouldn’t you think that we would have actually heard a mention of Severus, rather than just the pleading with, “Don’t kill me – take me, not my son”?

Laura: Mhm.

Andrew: You’re saying, Ben, she would be able to influence him, because Snape was…

Ben: Well, I think we would – Harry, in the brief recollection that he has of his parents being killed, that when his mother’s pleading, you’d hear plead with Snape, not just Voldemort.

Laura: Yeah, but it’s also – it’s also just that: it’s a brief recollection. It’s not the entire occurrence. She could have pleaded with Snape, but I don’t know. For some reason, I’m not sure if I could see her doing that…

Eric: Yeah.

Laura: …just because of her attitude towards him in the Pensieve scene.

Eric: I can compare Lily to Ginny. I think Lily and Ginny are very similar in the way that they are women who understand the tasks set upon them, the dangers therein. At least, that’s who Ginny is now. I think if Lily happened to see Snape there, she would nod to him and give him the look of utmost disappointment, but I guess she would accept that he was there, or something along those lines. I don’t know.

Laura: Yeah, but even if she did plead with Snape that wasn’t going to stop Voldemort.


Don’t Try This At Home


Ben: I’m paranoid. I’m glancing out my mirror.

[Andrew and Laura laugh]

Jamie: Do you hear a siren, Ben?


Back To James


Eric: Yeah, James is definitely dead. I remember now. It’s because there was a theory running that James and Lupin had actually switched bodies prior to James’s death.

Laura: Oh, yes! [groans and laughs]

Eric: Actually, a decently thought out…

Laura: I remember that one.

Eric: …plotline, but it was very clever.

Laura: I don’t know. I’ve never – I’ve never bought into the idea that the Potters were alive, really.

[Ben laughs]

Eric: See, that’s the thing. You know, Jo said in her response, I believe it’s even on her website, she said something like, “Brilliant theory.” I mean, that was the first thing she said, “but, no, James would never abandon his family at a time of death…”

Jamie: Of course he did.

Eric: “…and he died with them.” Yeah, he died with them is pretty much what she said. So, you know, and I don’t know how he would go on living and watching Harry, or letting Harry be with the Dursleys and all that stuff.

Laura: Mhm. I agree.

Eric: So, I think he’s still dead.

Jamie: I concur, too.

Eric: But, you know, that’s not to say that I don’t find it incredibly weird how certain Harry was that he saw his father on the lake that night. But then, that was supposed to emphasize just how much like James Harry looked, or something crazy like that.

Jamie: Precisely. Yeah, yeah. That’s it.

Eric: I don’t know. But it seemed really awkward…

Laura: Yeah.

Eric: …like it didn’t really fit there.

Laura: Well, how did they not match up, Eric?

Eric: It’s kind of like, okay: you can see that she was just trying to draw similarities between Harry and James, but Harry was, like, beyond certain that it wasn’t… I don’t know. Maybe it’s a sign of his immaturity or inability to grasp that it was indeed him. Maybe it’s his inability to get with the picture and understand things entirely, but he was a little bit, I don’t know. I think there was something going on there, about that night, and about Dumbledore and how he acted that night. That whole night, they went back in time, I really think that there was just something else there that wasn’t really – I mean, I’ll accept that it’s Harry, you know, who thought that Harry was Prongs or whatever, but there just seemed to be so much extra stuff that might come in place later. You know? The similarities drawn between Harry and James were brought up again and brought up again, but so were Harry’s eyes, with his parents. It’s just like any of his lineage is – seems to be emphasized throughout the books: his parents, his love for his parents, which might, again, be love. So, what does that mean, you know?

Laura: Wouldn’t you agree, thought, that he might have thought it was his dad because of how powerful the Patronus was? Maybe he thought he couldn’t conjure one?

Eric: It could be that.

Laura: A powerful one?

Eric: It could be the lack of confidence in that, but he… I don’t know. It’s just interesting how certain he was, how wrong he was, apparently. I think James is dead, don’t get me wrong. I just think there might be something else really weird going on there, and I can’t really explain it. But, it’s kind of like Dumbledore says, “Those we love never truly leave us,” and Harry really wanted to see his father; at least, he really wanted help, and something in the form – what appeared to him as his father, but it turned out just to be him.

Ben: Well, the fact that the Patronus was a stag, and that was his dad’s Anim – Animag [stumbling] Animagus form.

Eric: Yeah, exactly. Yeah.

Laura: Mhm.

Eric: Right. That’s why it’s brilliant. That’s a good point. Thank you.


Ben is Melting


Ben: I’m sorry, guys, I’m not talking very much. I’m melting. I am melting.

Andrew: I don’t believe you, Ben. That’s almost impossible.

Ben: I will take a picture of…

[Laura laughs]

Ben: I will take a picture of myself with Photo Booth.

Eric: [to Ben] It is. [laughs]

Andrew: Can you? Can you please, right now? [laughs]

Ben: Yes, right now.

[Eric and Laura laugh]

Andrew: Do it.

Ben: And we will put it up on…

Eric: Yeah!

Andrew: Can we use it as the show title, Laura?

Eric: Ben melting!

Andrew: For those who subscribe via iTunes?

Eric: Ben melting!

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: Sure. Here, I’ll turn up my screen up to full brightness now.

Andrew: Oh, this is going to be fun.

[Eric and Laura laugh]

Eric: Ahhh.

Ben: This is disgusting.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: You can’t see anything, really.

Andrew: Ben, do you have your MuggleCast t-shirt on?

Ben: [laughs] I do, actually!

Andrew: Oh, this is perfect! [laughs]

[Laura laughs]

Ben: I think I got enough punishment, though. If a police officer comes up here…

[Laura laughs]

Ben: … and he’s like, “You’re coming in,” I’d be like, “Thank god! Is there air conditioning in the building?”

[Andrew, Eric, and Laura laugh]

Ben: Anything to get out of this car!

Eric: Yeah!

Andrew: Listen, you have to promise me that if they come up, you’ve got to keep recording [laughs]. We need that!

Ben: Okay, I will.

[Eric and Laura laugh]

Andrew: No you won’t. That’s silly. What town are you in?

Eric: MuggleCast 50: Live from Jail!

Ben: Alma, Nebraska.

Andrew: All right. Let me Local Google or Google Local and get the number there… [laughs]

Laura: Yeah, let’s get their number.

Andrew: … and call the police station!


Jamie’s Contest


Jamie: Ben, how do you spell that name?

Ben: A – L – M – A, Nebraska.

Jamie: Okay. The first person to write in and tell us the population…

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: … of Alma, Nebraska, wins a free t-shirt.

Andrew: [laughs] Okay! He’s not joking, either.

Jamie: E-mail… Yeah, no, I’m not joking. Seriously.

Laura: Because Jamie’s going to pay for it for you.

Jamie: So, e-mail Ben and…

Eric: The correct population [laughs].

Jamie: Yeah, well, we’ve got to go and count them, so it might take a while to send you a t-shirt, but it will be fine.

Ben: E-mail… E-mail…

Jamie: E-mail jamie at staff dot mugglenet dot com with your answer.

Ben: Yes.

Jamie: First person gets a free t-shirt.

Andrew: If you already have a t-shirt, don’t – don’t play.


Voicemail – Harry The Auror?


Andrew: Well, we’ve got a few voicemails this week. A little update on the co host. Kevin is not here because he’s sick. E-mail Kevin at staff. He’ll never read his e-mail, but send it anyway and in another year I’m sure…

Ben: [imitates Kevin] Kevin…

Jamie: [imitates Kevin] No! That is insulting, Andrew! I always read it! Fifteen times a minute!

Andrew: [laughs] And Micah is also out. He’s socializing in New York City. All right, let’s move on to this week’s voice mails?

[Audio]: Hey guys. This is Adam from Tennessee. I just wanted to say that I love the show, and do you guys really think that Harry’s going to want to become an Auror after he defeats Voldemort? I mean, he would have gone through this seven-year battle with him. I mean, wouldn’t he just want to have some kind or fun or something? Just wanted to know what you guys thought. Anyway, bye.

Ben: I just finished rereading Half-Blood Prince not too long ago, and in the opening chapters Harry’s thinking about what he wants to do for a career, and he’s very excited because Professor McGonagall lets him in to Potions because there is a new Potions Master, Professor Slughorn, and he started thinking about his future, and he said that there’s nothing else that he’d really want to do, so…

Andrew: Besides Potions?

Ben: No, besides becoming and Auror.

Andrew: Oh, okay.

Ben: So, if he could defeat Voldemort, then all these other people would be just child’s play, wouldn’t they?

Laura: I don’t know.

Andrew: Yeah. You would think so.

Ben: So, it’s not like… I doubt he wants to… You know the rich and the famous, they still want to be productive. It’s not like just because he defeats Voldemort, he’s not going to sit around and lounge all the time, just because he beat Voldemort.

Laura: I think he’ll have had enough after he defeats Voldemort.

Jamie: I think he’ll want to go…

Laura: I think he will.

Jamie: You know…

Eric: No, he – I don’t think he’ll have had enough.

Laura: Yes.

Jamie: What’s he got a no-defeating-dark-wizards fetish?

Andrew: Why, Laura?

Laura: No, it’s not that! It’s because he’s already spent his whole life this far, not only risking his life…

Jamie: I agree with you. No, I agree.

Laura: …but the lives of everyone who loves him.

Eric: But that’s what he does.

Laura: He’ll want to get… Yeah, but he doesn’t want that. We saw that from the sixth book. He had to dump his girlfriend because he’s afraid for her safety.

Eric: True.

Laura: He’s going to want to be able to settle down with people.

Ben: Yeah, but he didn’t really dump her.

Laura: That doesn’t matter! That doesn’t matter! He still did it because he feels like he had to protect her, and he’s going to want to settle down and live a quiet life with the people he loves. That’s what he’s going to want.

Jamie: I agree. He said in – I think it was Order of the Phoenix or Half-blood Prince. No, it was after he got his O.W.L results. He said that surely the best choice, and the best chance of him defeating Voldemort is to become one of the dark wizard catchers that are trained to find and kill him. So, I think yeah, he’ll do it for that because he wants to have the best chance, but it’s just like afterward he isn’t needed to defeat normal dark wizards, if that makes any sense. The Aurors can do that. He wants to… His task is to finish Voldemort. You don’t see Frodo, after he’s finished off with the one ring, going and getting a load of other rings and doing it.

[Ben laughs]

Jamie: It’s just his task and he’s finished it. So, I think that’s going to be the end after that.

Eric: I understand…


Ben Is Live In Alma, Nebraska


Ben: Guys, I hate to interrupt, but I really have to go.

Laura: Alright.

Andrew: Okay.

Ben: I’m needed back at the house. My grandparents’ house. So…

Andrew: All right.

Ben: I really enjoyed my time with you guys. I’m excited to leave because I get to go to air conditioning.

[Laura laughs]

Eric: Awww.

Ben: And I don’t have to worry about getting caught anymore.

Laura: Darn.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: But I have had the best luck on the street tonight. This is [sings] Where the streets have no name!

Andrew: Can you plug the street? Do you know what street your on? Can we thank those people?

Jamie: Can I just repeat what Ben’s just said?

[Eric laughs]

Jamie: Ben’s had the best luck on the street tonight.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: I have! No one has turned down this street. So, thanks people…

Jamie: Was she good?

Andrew: What street is it, Ben?

Ben: Here, I’ll start my car right now.

[Car engine starting noises]

Laura: We get to listen to Ben’s car.

Eric: That sounds like a Chevy.

Andrew: Oh boy.

Jamie: [sings] Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.

Ben: No. It’s a Pontiac. I’m in motion right now. [Car driving noises]

Eric: Schoen…

Andrew: He’s going to lose his connection.

Ben: No. It’s getting stronger, actually.

Eric: You’re driving towards the house. Ben, go towards the house.

Andrew: Oh boy. [laughs] All this…

Eric: Go in to the house.

Laura: Let’s see how long Ben can drive around before…

Andrew: It sounds like a nice car.

Laura: …he loses his connection.

Andrew: Yeah.

Jamie: He just downloaded Pontiac sounds off of Google, and he’s playing them now.

Eric: Yeah, I’m in a car right now.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: Yes, Jamie.

Jamie: He’s really in a 15-year-old passion wagon.

Andrew: Sounds like a nice car.

Ben: I am on First Street. Thanks to the people of First Street in Alma, Nebraska for providing me with internet tonight so I can record MuggleCast.

Andrew: Oh wonderful. Wonderful.

Ben: So, everyone send your thanks…

Laura: I’m sure they’re going to enjoy the fact that you told everyone where they lived.

[Eric laughs]

Ben: Yeah. So, if you ever need free wi-fi, come down to Nebraska.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: And so we’re going to have one last drive away with me. We’re going to drive away until my internet dies. So, this is the last you’ll hear of me, people.

Andrew: Okay.

Ben: I’m driving with a laptop on my lap. My seat’s halfway laying down, and the light in this house next to me just turned on. They’re probably wondering who…

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Ben, do you have any comment about the difficulty of being yourself?

Ben: It is rough being Ben Schoen. Getting chased around…

[Jaime laughs]

Andrew: Ben, is this a dirt road your on?

Ben: No, no. And I’m passing Kennedy Street…

Andrew: Oh!

Ben: …and I’m losing my signal. So, goodnight guys! Thanks for having me on the show.

Eric: He’s going.

Jamie: He’s losing it.

Eric: Bye Ben!

[Andrew laughs]

Laura: Bye Ben.

Andrew: Ah, and there he goes.

Jamie: If you grab the defibrillator we might just be able to save him just in time.

[Andrew laughs]

Andrew: Like the dork that I am, I’ve could follow him on Google Map. So that was very nice, and once again we thank the people of First street in beautiful Alma Nebraska. It is a very nice neighborhood.

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: [laughs] We hope to podcast from there again some time in the near future.


Voicemail – Thank You MuggleCast!


Andrew: Anyway, let’s move on to the next voice mail.

[Audio]: Hey MuggleCast. This is Michelle from Connecticut. I met you at the first charity reading in New York city. I’m the one who asked what Hermione would see if she looked in to the Mirror or Erised, and I just wanted to say how nice it was to meet you guys. Going to the charity reading was my birthday present this year, and meeting you guys made it even cooler than it already was. So, I just wanted to say that I really love the show, and oh yeah! Thank you so much, Andrew, for just reminding me how many people there were there. That really helped my nerves, and made it great. [laughs] But, yeah! Love the show! Keep up the good work! Bye!

Andrew: There’s a story to this voice mail, and it’s the reason we’re playing it. Jamie, you might remember the girl who came up to us.

Jamie: Ohhh! It was her birthday and…

Andrew It was that girl.

Jamie: And she said that I’ve actually been picked to ask a question.

Andrew: Yeah, and she was very scared, and I said to her, “Oh well don’t worry, there are only…”

Jamie: There’s only 6,000 people there, yeah.

Andrew: And that scared her, and now I feel bad, so I’d just like to apologize.

Jamie: But it was a very good question, so it came across very well anyway. Even though there were 6,000 people there.

Andrew: Yeah. And we had a discussion about it on the live podcast and all that. So…

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: It was a good question. I actually liked it a lot – I actually liked it a lot because of JKR’s wording. JKR said two things. She said that they’d… She, not only would she see her – the whole trio with Voldemort defeated, but she’d also see herself tightly eloped around a certain somebody. But that was two things, that was two answers.

Jamie: She did.

Eric: So, that was actually really good. It was a good question.

Jamie: I think, I believe, Eric, she said, “tightly entwined.”

Eric: Oh, entwined. Sorry, what did I say?

Laura: Mhm.

Jamie: I don’t know… In…

Eric: Inter…

Laura: “Eloped.” He said “eloped!” [laughs]

[Everyone laugh]

Eric: Eloped!

Jamie: Did he really say that? Did he really say that?

[Laura laughs]

Eric: Why? Why is that funny?

Laura: Yeah!

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Because “eloped” means run off with, and secretly marry. So, I’m not too sure that was the correct choice.

[Andrew laughs]

Eric: Whatever.

Andrew: Good vocabulary.

Jamie: Oh, my god. The running jokes from that from now on are going to be huge!

Eric: No, Ben, forgive me. It was – it’s 12:30…1:00 a.m. here. I…

Andrew: Ben?

Eric: I – I just can’t think.

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: I just…


Voicemail – Unity In Hogwarts


Andrew: Next voicemail comes from someone who wants to know about the unity in Hogwarts.

[Audio]: Hey, MuggleCast guys and Laura. This is Bailey and Tyler from Connecticut. Love the show. We were just wondering what you thought of this idea: assuming that Hogwarts does reopen, whether Harry goes back or not, will the four houses stay separate or will they be abolished and the school will become one? House position has always been a source of animosity between students since the founding days, so this could be the first steps to a more unified wizarding world. As Dumbledore, may he rest in peace, had always been such a strong supporter of unity, do you think this is a possibility? On a completely unrelated note, Ben, you and I should really get married. I mean, how cute does Ben and Bailey Schoen sound? Anyway, thanks and congratulations everyone on a year of MuggleCast!

Andrew: It’s a shame he’s not here to hear…

Jamie: It is.

Andrew: …hear that!

Jamie: Can I…

Andrew: Yeah.

Jamie: I think creating one house instead of Gryffravenhufflerin…

[Andrew, Eric, and Laura laugh.]

Eric: Gryffravenhufflerin. That’s amazing.

Jamie: Will – will not work because it’s forcing people who are normally tolerant of each other to work together and I think they are better kept apart, but still kept together with Hogwarts. You know, because they’re – they’re primarily a part of Hogwarts, I’d say, rather than a part of their house. So, I don’t think it’s going to happen, but…

Eric: I agree.

Laura: Yeah, I think that no matter what you do there’s always going to be animosity between certain groups of students…

Jamie: Yeah, exactly.

Laura: That’s just how it’s going to be.

Eric: If it wasn’t houses, you know? If it wasn’t officially in houses, it would just be cliques within Gryffindor or cliques within Slytherin, you know? Yeah.

Andrew: I think there still has to be the houses, but it seems like there might be a lot less competition this year or in the seventh year.

Jamie: Yeah, that’s probably right.

Laura: Mmhmm.

Andrew: I mean, I don’t know. Turning into one, like Jamie said, it’s not going to be Gryffravenhufflein.

Jamie: Rin.

Andrew: Rin.

Jamie: Rin.

[Andrew and Jamie laugh.]

Andrew: That’s beautiful, though. No one’s actually – that’s our new shirt slogan. WB can’t get us for that one! [laughs]

Jamie: [laughs] Yeah, yeah.

Andrew: All right…

[Laura laughs.]

Eric: Slythravenhuffledor. I don’t know.


Voicemail – Dumbledore Protected Snape Against DADA Job


Andrew: Next voicemail contains a very interesting theory. At least, I thought it was interesting.

[Audio]: Hi, guys. This is Amanda and I’m 21 and I go to Penn State University. In the Half-Blood Prince, at the end of the chapter “Lord Voldemort’s Request,” Dumbledore and Harry had just finished viewing Dumbledore’s memory of when Voldemort returned to Hogwarts to request a teaching position. Harry asks if he was after the Dark – the Defense Against the Dark Arts job again and Dumbledore replies that he definitely wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts job and that the aftermath of the meeting proved that. “You see, we have never been able to keep a DADA teacher for longer than a year since I refused the post to Lord Voldemort.” I’m wondering, in addition to Dumbledore’s supposedly withholding this job from Snape because he was afraid Snape would fall back on his old ways, could it also be a possibility that Dumbledore was protecting Snape from the curse that was placed on the DADA job? This makes Snape’s sudden change in position even more intriguing, because Dumbledore must have known that putting Snape in the DADA job would mean he would no longer be at Hogwarts at the end of the school year. This lends further credence to the idea that Dumbledore knew that he was going to die and that there was some sort of understanding between Snape and Dumbledore. Just wondered what you guys thought. I listen to MuggleCast, PotterCast, and the Leaky Mugs obsessively, but I have been unable to make any live shows. Ever consider doing a college tour? Thanks! Bye!

Andrew: Isn’t that a good idea, though? No, seriously…

Laura: Yeah! We do have, though. We do have a staffer at Penn State. So…

Andrew: Oh, yeah.

Laura: So, shout out to Penn State! Whoo!

Andrew: Wait, who? Who was it?

Jamie: What was the idea?

Laura: Rachel.

Jamie: What was the idea?

Andrew: Rachel’s at Penn State?

Laura: Yeah!

Andrew: Rachel. MuggleNet?

Eric: Got to…

Laura: Yeah!

Eric: …come do a college tour. MuggleNet Rachel.

Laura: Yeah, MuggleNet Rachel. She goes to Penn State.

Andrew: I never knew that.

Eric: Which is like, a few hours west of here. So…

Andrew: I never knew that. I thought she lives in California, though, right?

Laura: Yeah, but she goes to Penn State.

Andrew: Oh, wow.

Eric: Whoa, that’s a little awkward.

Andrew: Hmmm. [laughs]

Eric: “I live in Pennsylvania and I got to California for college.” USC, baby!

Andrew: [laughs] Yeah.

Eric: All right. [laughs] Laura, was it you who said Dumbledore used people in, I think, it was the last episode? You said Dumbledore really… Someone…

Laura: Ummm, no, I believe that was Jess that said that Dumbledore manipulates people, not me.

[Andrew and Laura laugh]

Eric: I didn’t say manipulates, but uses them for, like, when they’re ready. I think this theory… I think… It was kind of like Dumbledore…

Laura: No, I completely agree with her…

Eric: Dumbledore withholding things…

Laura: I completely agree with her theory, but…

Eric: Yeah.

Laura: I never said that he uses people…

Eric: No, no, that’s okay. That wasn’t you. Someone was saying it once.

[ Laura laugh.]

Eric: I heard Dumbledore waits for the time – until the time is right.

Laura: Mhm.

Eric: He withheld Snape from that position and I strongly agree with this theory – until the time suited him. Until the time was right where Snape would only need to remain at Hogwarts another year. A time such as this. One could argue Dumbledore was waiting to give Snape the position for the time when Snape would eventually need to leave and, you know, set off the final chain of events as either forcing their plan, or not forcing it at all, to defeat Voldemort. I think it’s a great plan.

Laura: Mhm.

Eric: I also want to mention something, but I won’t right now. I want to hear everybody else’s theories on this particular one. But, she reminded me of something.

Laura: I really don’t have any theory on it because I agree with her 100 percent.

Andrew: Yeah.

Laura: I thought that ever since I closed Book Six.

Eric: Yeah.

Laura: That’s what I thought went on.

Eric: It had to have been.

Jamie: Yeah.

Andrew: Me too. I like because it works. [laughs] I can’t debate it.

Jamie: It sounds good to me, too.

Andrew: Yeah, good theory. Good theory.


Sidetracked To The Sorting Hat


Eric: So, there was, you know that – that potential theory about the Sorting Hat being a Horcrux, because people somehow think that Dumbledore didn’t know that the Sorting Hat was a relic of Godric Gryffindor, and so when Dumbledore points to the sword, he says, “The only known relic is not a Horcrux and I’m sure,” but people think Dumbledore was either not thinking about it or not considering or not able to find the Sorting Hat. There’s speculation that when Voldemort comes into Dumbledore’s office and Dumbledore, you know, says, “No” and says, “You don’t want to be a teacher.” Voldemort almost reaches for his wand, according to Harry. Harry sees him kind of twitch his wand. Some people speculate that’s the moment where he made the Sorting Hat a Horcrux. Personally, I think it’s way too easy to make something a Horcrux, but the whole point of that is people think that the Sorting Hat might be a Horcrux and that would have been the perfect means to create one in that room. But, I think – I was watching Chamber of Secrets, the movie, the other day and I think I deduced that the Sorting Hat can’t be a Horcrux because the Sorting Hat was the one thing that saved Harry in Book Two, by presenting him with Gryffindor’s sword.

Jamie: But…

Eric: You know? If there was.. If there was… But, if there was any kind of Voldemort in the Hat, wouldn’t it have prevented the Hat itself from giving, you know, from giving the sword to Harry. I mean, if you think it’s a relic of Godric Gryffindor, and the sword is the one thing besides Fawkes that really…

Laura: Mhm.

Eric: You know? And where was the sword before that? Again, with our Room of Requirement thing, do things have to appear from nowhere? But, the sword was a known relic. The sword just was somewhere else at the time and Harry got it. So, I think if the Sorting Hat were a Horcrux, it wouldn’t have given Harry the sword.

Andrew: Well, it’s important to bring up here that JK Rowling put on her official site that the Sorting Hat is not a Horcrux. So… [laughs]

Eric: Yeah, okay. End of story

Andrew: [laughs] I guess that’s a good reason.

Laura: Not to mention Dumbledore, [laughs] he would have to know that it was a relic of Gryffindor’s because the Sorting Hat put it in one of its songs.

Jamie: Yeah.

Eric: Yeah.

Laura: He said something about how Gryffindor would deem off his head and put a spell on him. So, I think that was pretty obvious.

Jamie: I love how you saved that point, Andrew, until right after Eric had finished.

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: Well, I… I tried to get it in but he just keeps talking. There’s no break. [laughs]

Before I forget, if anyone has any topic discussions or topic ideas or ideas from the Forum that you guys think we can discuss, you know how long we usually talk about these things and into what depth. So, let us know if you have an idea for something you want us to talk about. Just email us at mugglecast at staff dot mugglenet dot com. We’re always open to ideas because, after all, it is you guys who are listening. So, we want to talk about something you’re going to be interested in. We have a hunch that you want it to be about Harry Potter but, besides that, we don’t know anything else.

[Laura laughs]


Jamie’s British Joke of the Day


Andrew: Now it’s time for a segment that we haven’t heard of for quite a while. Early July, I’d say. And that would be Jamie’s British Joke of the Day.

Jamie: Oooh! Okay, I have one. However, it could slightly cause offense. So, I’m going to replace…

Andrew: Uh oh.

Jamie: No, I’m going to replace what – I’m going to make it so it couldn’t possibly cause offense. Okay?

Andrew: Okay.

Jamie: So, there are three women, okay? One with a certain hair color [laughs], one with another certain hair color…

[Eric and Laura laugh]

Jamie: …and the third one with the hair color, which is…

Eric: Often connotated…

Jamie: …often connotated with feelings of stupidity and… Yeah. So, okay?

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: So, these three women with different hair color are all on trial for murder. They’re all convicted. And they’re all to be executed by firing squad. And the first one – of not the hair color that we were insinuating before, Eric – is brought in front of the firing squad. And they say, “Ready, aim,” and she goes, “Earthquake!” And everyone turns around and she escapes. It’s brilliant!

Andrew: Uh huh. [laughs]

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: So, the second one comes out, who also doesn’t have the hair color of the one we were talking about earlier, and sits down and they go, “Ready, aim,” and she says, “Tsunami!” And everyone turns around and, brilliantly, she climbs up the wall and escapes. Then the third one, who does have the hair color that we were insinuating brings about connotations of stupidity, sits down, and the firing squad lines up, brings their guns up to her and go, “Ready, aim,” and she shouts out, “Fire!”

[Laura laughs]

Andrew: Ummm, all right, I get it.

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: Good joke, Jamie.

Jamie: It was ruined slightly by the need to put in excesses of [inaudible] and stuff.

Andrew: Yeah, okay.


New Segment: Dylan Spartz’s Inspirational Quote Of The Week


Jamie: Also, can I introduce a brand new section to MuggleCast, please?

Andrew: Yeah. Can I do one first, though? Can I do one first? I have a new one. This came to me while we were sitting here recording. It’s a new segment and I’m going to call it, “Dylan Spartz’s Inspirational Quote of the Week.” “Dylan Spartz’s Inspirational Quote of the Week.”

Laura: Oh geez.

[Jamie laughs]

Andrew: I’m sitting here on Skype and, as most of you know, there’s a little message people can put next to your Skype name. But, before that, as most of you know, Dylan Spartz is the brother of Emerson Spartz. And a lot of you girls out there like him for his boyish charm and his cute…

[Eric laughs]

Jamie: His uh, his uh…

Andrew: …sense of humor. And his…

Eric: And his Chevy.

Andrew: [laughs] Fill-in-the-blank Jamie?

Jamie: And his uh, and his uh, and his uh…

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: [laughs] I know where you’re going with this, so I’ll just move on.

Jamie: And his. We’ll just stop there.

Andrew: So, he has something in his Skype name – I don’t even know what Skype calls it – but I found it very inspirational and would like to read it for everyone now. This is Dylan Spartz’s Inspirational Quote of the Week. “Style doesn’t matter when you’re on your back.” “Style doesn’t matter when you’re on your back.” This has been the Dylan Spartz’s Inspirational Quote of the Week.

Laura: Hmmm.

Andrew: Tune in next week when I tell him we did this on the show and he gives me another one.

Jamie: Yeah.

Andrew: Isn’t that nice? Isn’t that great? [laughs]

Laura: Now I’m looking at everyone’s Skype things. Andrew is “Awayigo.”

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: Andrew’s trying to be down with the lingo, aren’t you, Andrew?

[Laura laughs]

Andrew: I haven’t looked at that in years and I’m changing it right now. “Rocksors my socksors.”

Jamie: No, change it to [singing] “Take me down to the paradise city.”

Andrew: It’s just, you know, Dylan Spartz – let me talk to you guys for a minute about Dylan Spartz. Dylan Spartz is a man of brilliance, he is a man of creativity, he is a man of humor…

Eric: [laughs] So, he is a man.

Jamie: He is. He is a man. And I know that everyone out…

Laura: Absolutely.

Jamie: Absolutely, Andrew. And everyone out there really would love to entwine with him – elope.

Andrew: [laughs] Yeah.

[Laura laughs]

Eric: Elope. I don’t know, some fan girls would like to elope with him.

Jamie: They would.

Eric: And going back to Hermione and Ron, they might have to elope and run away from all the Harry and Hermione ‘shippers.

Jamie: That’s very true.

Andrew: So, we’re in a fun mood today, so we have yet another fun segment for everyone. Jamie?


New Segment: Dumbledore Facts


Jamie: Oh, yes! Okay, this is going to be a regular segment. It is called, it is appropriately titled, “Dumbledore Facts.” Okay? Now, I don’t really know how to introduce this, but I’m sure everyone out there has heard of Chuck Norris facts. Yes?

Andrew: Yes. Yes.

Jamie: Right.

Laura: Mhm. Yes.

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Now, these Chuck Norris facts are stated to emphasize Chuck’s awesomeness, amazingness, virility, power, all these kinds of things. And people worship him just as we worship Dumbledore, so I thought, why can’t we have some facts about Dumbledore, as well? So, I’m going to shoot off this week with, that Dumbledore can lead a horse through water and make him drink.

Andrew: [laughs] Ahhh … I’m the only one who got that.

Eric: Oh wait, so it’s actually…

Laura: Really!

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: But you see, someone kind of mean…

Andrew: It’s going to be hard to set this up because most people don’t understand these Chuck Norris jokes.

Jamie: No, just say that. Put that in and we’ll see it goes. And one more since it’s the first one and everyone likes it. There is no chin underneath Dumbledore’s beard. There is just another fist.

[Andrew and Eric laugh]

Eric: Oh god, not these. No, no, no, no, no.

Jamie: Come on, it’s funny!

Andrew: Ah, yes, these.


Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul


We haven’t done this segment for in a while. We have a Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. So, the first one comes from [laughs] Can’tSay? Can’tSay? Oh, she can’t say her name.

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: Oh. I thought her name was Can’tSay.

Andrew: [laughs]I know! She’s strategically made it one word to fool us.

Jamie: That’s awesome!

Andrew: So, this is from Can’tSay. [laughs] Wouldn’t it be funny if that’s actually her name? [laughs]

Laura: Oh no!

Jamie: Can’tSay Johnson from Canada. What were your parents thinking?

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: Twelve years old she writes, “Hi, MuggleCasters…” Well, okay, I got to set this up because I had it in my head. We are about to enter another school season and this is a school related Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul. I’d love to start a school type segment for MuggleCast, but can’t think of anything.

Andrew: This comes from Can’tSay, 12, of Canada.

“Hi, MuggleCasters, I really love the show. I would like to thank you for helping me in school. I began listening to MuggleCast in April while I had the flu, and when I saw my sister downloading an episode in French class we were discussing technology. My teacher asked the class to do reports on different ways to use the computer, etc. So, I did my report on podcasts because I’m obsessed with the show and Harry Potter. My idea was original, and I got 100 percent.”

Woohoo!

Laura: Yay!

Andrew:

“So, my parents were really proud of me. Thank you so much! Please continue the show! I love MuggleCast!”

Someone needs to compile a list…

Jamie: That’s nice, that’s nice.

Andrew: …of… Yeah!

Eric: Of all the things we do for people?

[Jamie laughs]

Andrew: Since we’re getting back into the school spirit, here, if you have something that relates to MuggleCast that involved your school, like a report or something because I know there’s been a few. We’ve gotten emails before. Send a copy of it – maybe a scan, because we’d like to see 100 at the top…

Jamie: Yeah.

Andrew: …with a big smile, even if it’s in the As or Bs. Even if you failed it. That would be pretty funny.

[Eric and Laura laughs]

Andrew: [laughs] So…

Eric: Just so long as it has one of our names in it.

[Laura laughs]

Andrew: Right. Right.

Jamie: And, Andrew, our second Chicken Soup for the MuggleCast Soul comes from Don’t Know, and then after that it’s Not Sure.

[Everyone laughs]


The Colbert Report


Andrew: Ah, well. Anyone got anything else to bring up? Anyone, anything? I wanted to talk about news, actually.

Jamie: But Micah does that.

Andrew: No… You… He reads it, he doesn’t talk about it.

Laura: Oh, if that means we get to talk about that episode of The Colbert Report, then I’m totally cool with that. I love the show.

Andrew: Oh, that was really funny. Did you like that, Laura?

Laura: Yeah, I watch The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. That was pretty funny.

Andrew: It was…

Laura: It’s pretty funny stuff.

Andrew: We posted it on MuggleNet the other day, and Stephen Colbert tipped his hat to Jo, [laughs] for threatening to kill off Harry Potter.

[Laura laughs]

Andrew: It was really funny. Good stuff.

Laura: Did you guys ever see that one episode, where he was interviewing Al Franken, and there was one point where they both – they were in a very heated discussion, and somehow they both ended up with their index fingers touching each other. And Stephen Colbert goes, “Our wands have the same type of Phoenix feather.”

[Andrew laughs]

Laura: And I thought that was hilarious. I burst out laughing, and my dad’s looking at me, like, “What, are you insane?” And Al Franken just looked totally confused. Colbert was just like, [imitates Colbert] “Oh, your kids are too old.” So, I thought that was a cute little tidbit, and, so pretty clearly he’s a fan. So, I thought that was awesome. [laughs]

Andrew: I’m glad he got his own show, because he was so good on The Daily Show.

Laura: [laughs] He is hilarious.

Andrew: Yeah.

Laura: But, we can’t get too far…

Andrew: No.

Laura: …into some of the other things that he talks about. Unfortunately.


Phoenix Photos


Andrew: Yeah. In other Potter news, we’ve seen a lot of filming pictures, lately. Anyone surprised by this? Does anyone really care? It’s interesting, though, because…

Laura: [laughs] I haven’t even looked at them.

Eric: Yeah, I…

Andrew: Oh, good.

Laura: I’m feeling like such a bad fan.

Eric: Don’t we see…

Andrew: Good podcasters.

Eric: They’re from like, a good few 100 yards away, and they’re like half-built.

Andrew: But these are good, because unlike with other movies, we’re actually seeing the actors.

Eric: Are we?

Andrew: Yeah, Harry and… Well, Dan Radcliffe and Harry Melling, were seen – what was it? On July 24, I think it was. Outside of…

Laura: Oh, yeah. Running in some field…

Andrew: …some field. Yeah…

Eric: I didn’t recognize them. They were just like two people at the corner left of the screen. I was like… [makes uncertain noise]

Laura: What happened to them being in a neighborhood?

Andrew: Yeah.

[Everyone laughs]

Andrew: Well, there’s no neighborhoods in England, apparently. And I’m sure Jamie could attest to that.

Laura: Yeah. [laughs]

Andrew: But they’re filming the scenes where Dudley is attacked by Dementors.

Laura: Hey Jamie, tell us about how television sets came before the neighborhood, in England.

Andrew: Because we’re looking at the set photos and they’re shooting Dan Radcliffe and Harry [has trouble pronouncing “Melling”] Melling running through some open fields. But they run through neighborhoods in the movie, so.. And I said, well as Jamie could attest to, there’s no neighborhoods in England, either.

Jamie: A what, sorry? A nabhor – neigh – what was it called? Neighborhood?

Andrew: No, neighborhoods.

Jamie: What’s that?

Andrew: Neighborhoods.

Jamie: What’s that?

Andrew: Yeah.

Jamie: No, I…

Andrew: How do you call it?

Jamie: Oh my god!

Andrew: [laughs] Oh.

[Jamie laughs]

Andrew: Oh, Jamie.

Jamie: That was the worst bit of teamwork I’ve ever heard in my life.

Andrew: [laughs] I’m sorry. I should have picked up on that.

Jamie: It’s okay.

Andrew: I did at the live podcast. Um, also, we saw some photos… They’re filming – what is it? “Snape’s Worst Memory” scenes, too. And, once again, we saw Dan Radcliffe and whoever is playing a young Snape – the young Snape. Once again, I see from the feedback that nobody really cares. [laughs]

Laura: [laughs] Pretty much.

Jamie: Alan Rickman’s son.

Laura: No one cares until [laughs] the movie comes out.


How Many More MuggleCasts?


Andrew: It’s true. Hey, you know, I was doing the math the other day, and by doing the math, I meant going through…

Laura: You were doing math?

Andrew: …going through my Google calendar and adding every single MuggleCast that’s scheduled…

Jamie: Nice.

Andrew: …to be released, up through the Half Blood Prince release date.

Jamie: That’s pretty depressing.

Andrew: And, yeah, it only took me about 20 minutes [laughs]. We will be up to Episode 170 when…

Jamie: My god!

Andrew:Half Blood Prince is released.

Laura: Oh my god!

Andrew: On November 21, 2008.

Eric: No! No, no!

Laura: Yeah, but don’t you think the seventh book…

Jamie: No. No.

Laura: …will have come out by then?

Jamie: [with food in his mouth] No. Oh, yeah, it will, yeah.

Eric: Oh, god. I can’t fathom 170.

Laura: [laughs] So, we won’t be up to quite that many. Unless, I mean, maybe we shouldn’t put this thing, because it will make people sad, but are we really going to keep going weekly after the seventh book comes out?

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Let’s do it! Let’s do it! Let’s do it, let’s do it, let’s do it.

Andrew: All right…

Jamie: There’ll still be loose ends.

Andrew: Yeah, why not?

Jamie: There’ll still be loose ends.

Laura: We’ll have nothing [laughs]

Eric: We’ll all be grown with kids.

Laura: We’ll have nothing to talk about!

Eric: You know…

Andrew: Yeah. Who’s to say, you know? We can make the show like a half hour long, just do it that way. No, no, we’ll…

Laura: We’re all going to be getting ready to – we’ll be getting ready to go into our sophomore year of college.

Andrew: Laura, you’re very negative, and I don’t appreciate this type of attitude.

[Laura laughs]

Eric: Yeah, Laura…

Andrew: …as a podcaster.

Eric: I can totally see you, just like, “We’re about to record…”

Laura: Hey, you know what? I’m done. I…

Andrew: Whoa!

Jamie: Yeah.

Laura: My contract is only through Book Seven, I’m sorry.

[Andrew laughs in shock]

Eric: Your contract?

Andrew: I’d better check mine. I don’t know what Spartz put down on that.


Lucky Charms


[Everyone lapses into silence, and Jamie eating can be heard]

Andrew: Jamie, what are you eating? We all want to know.

Jamie: I’m eating cereal. In fact, Andrew, do you know what cereal I’m eating?

Laura: Oh my god. Emerson would love you.

Jamie: I’m eating Lucky Charms.

Andrew: Are you eating Lucky Charms?

Jamie: Okay, everyone, you see, this is true.

Andrew: Really?

Laura: [laughs] Ciaran would be so proud.

[Everyone laughs]

Jamie: Just before…

[Eric laughs]

Jamie: Just before I left Casa del Sims in America, Andrew’s Dad, very kindly, put a thing of Lucky Charms into my suitcase, which I didn’t find until I got home. And when I got back, I was very, very excited, and I’ve been eating them ever since. In fact, I think they really are Lucky Charms, because I’ve had about 400 bowls, and I don’t think it’s going down.

Andrew: [laughs] I was going to say, you’ve had that box for a while. Was it a filled box, or was it half-empty, or…?

Jamie: [chokes] Sorry…

Andrew: Half-full, if you think positive.

Jamie: It was about…

[Laura laughs]

Jamie: it was about three-quarters full. But I’m sure it’s going up. It’s full now.


Show Close


Andrew [Show Close with music in background]: [laughs] Oh, okay. Well, on that note, once again, I’m Andrew Sims.

Eric: I’m Eric Scull.

Laura: I’m Laura Thompson.

Jamie: And I’m Jamie Lawrence, eating Lucky Charms.

Andrew: We’ll see everyone next week for Episode 52. Goodnight, everyone.

Laura: Oh my god, 52.

Eric: Thank you guys, for having me on.

Andrew: We’re too old.


Blooper #1


Jamie: Okay, let’s do some – okay. Okay, let me think. Okay. I’m going to have to think how I’m going to phrase this. Okay, you’re going to have to put this straight after…

Ben: Car coming.

Jamie: …what Ben was saying.

Ben: Car coming down the road.

Jamie: Let me think.

Ben: Turn.

[Andrew laughs]

Jamie: Okay, Ben…

Ben: Turn!

Jamie: Ben, he’s not going [swears] to arrest you.

Andrew: Don’t curse!

Jamie: He’s not a [swears] policeman.

Andrew: [laughs] Please don’t curse!

Jamie: Sorry.

Andrew: We can’t use this in the show. Okay…

Ben: [in relief] They turned.

Andrew: All right.

Ben: We’re good.

[Andrew laughs]

Ben: They turned.

Jamie: Talking of…

Ben: This is ridiculous!

Jamie: Ben, it’s not ridiculous. They’re not going to [swears] arrest you for sitting in your car on a computer.


Blooper #2


Micah: There are a few new set pics, including one of Dan Radcliffe, over on MuggleNet. There are a few new Order of the set Phoener… Phoener… [trails off, trying to pronounce Phoenix] Wow! There are a few new [begins coughing]. There are a few new Order – oh my god! There are a few new Order of the set… [sighs] This is just not working out, man. Andrew, why must you demand the news of me when I have to get up at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow morning?

———————–

Written by: Micah, Allison, Ally, Amanda, Eloise, Jessica, Margaret, Martina, Rhiannon and Roni