Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 72 “Resetting the Mountain, Erasing the Saga”

We’re back this week after an unplanned break with a full show. In Disney Detective we talk about the major changes coming the Splash Mountain. Then we’ll examine the delays with the previously planned July 17th reopening of Disneyland. We’ll finish up with a look at a recent lawsuit victory for Disney regarding accessibility and it’s Fast Pass system.

Star Wars Insights takes a look at the many pseudonyms of Mark Hamill and his cameos throughout the later Star Wars projects that Disney has undertaken. We’ll examine a new book that suggests there was only one Jedi who could have stopped the rise of the Empire. We’ll finish up with some wild speculation and some connecting of the dots that suggest Disney might have a way to erase the much maligned sequel trilogy and start over.

Entertainment News will talk about a much loved Marvel Cinematic Universe star who will not be making an appearance in the final season of Agents of SHIELD despite the current time traveling story line being a perfect opportunity for the crossover. And Disney World Rival and Comcast owned Universal Orlando plans on moving forward with its Halloween celebration despite Disney’s cancellation of their own version of the event in the COVID-19 conditions.

Then we’ll finish up with a couple of great Insightful Picks of the Week in this Independence Day themed show. Another great podcast coming at you this week!

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 69 “The Happiest Place in the NBA”

It’s official, Disney saves the NBA season. Or at least some form of an NBA season that will be played out at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Florida. We also have an update on when Disneyland in California will reopen and the rules surrounding that reopening. And finally in Disney Detective we take a look at an update on our much anticipated Marvel shows WandaVision and Falcon and Winter Soldier.

Star Wars Insights take a walk down memory lane with a peak at how the original triology could have looked much different had different casting calls been made. Can you picture Al Pacino at Han Solo? Or William Katt as Luke Skywalker. It would certainly have been a very different movie. Then Jon Favreau gives us an update on Season 2 of the Mandalorian to get us through these dark times.

In Entertainment News we’ll take a look at Don Henley and his appeal to Congrats to change copyright law. As innocent as this may seem there could be far reaching consequences affecting every aspect of the internet, especially independent podcasters like us. We’ll watch the development of this story with great interest.

We’ll finish up with a couple of great Insightful Picks of the Week as we always do for another great show.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 68 “Star Wars…Nothing But Star Wars”

Disney Detective uncovers plans for the phased Reopening of Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, Resort Hotels and Disney Stores and we’ve finally got official dates for the staggered reopening along with service restrictions and other precautionary measures being taken.

Star Wars Insights takes a look at how Stormtroopers are helping to encourage social distancing at Disney Springs. Ahmed Best, known for the iconic role of Jar Jar Binks returns to the Star Wars universe with a new game show. We’ll also look at the expected delays to the next phase of the Star Wars Universe Star Wars: The High Republic.

In Entertainment News the awards shows are at it again with more ridiculously restrictive rules and their selective interpretation of those rules. Apparently the Gold Globes takes issue with Pedro Pascal wearing a helmet for his role in The Mandalorian and is under threat of being declared just a voice actor and ineligible for any Globe awards for acting. We’ll bash the Golden Globes a bit for this idiotic move.

Then we’ll move on to our Insightful Picks of the Week with a couple of good ones including a new satirical role for Steve Carell.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 67 “Facemasks, Bonuses and Baby Yoda”

As Disney readies to open it’s parks there is controversy swelling around the use of facemasks. Disney heir and grandson of Walt Disney is the latest family member to come out against the corporate giants policies on paying bonuses to management during a massive furlough of it’s employees. George Lucas talks about a little known link between Yoda of Empire Strikes Back and Baby Yoda of The Mandalorian.

Universal Studios announces it will be the first mega theme park to open in the Orlando Florida area, testing the waters and setting a precedent for others to follow. John Krasinski’s supposedly home grown news show sells out to ViacomCBS after an apparent heated bidding war. Some of our favorite conventions announce the show must go on but with delayed dates plus our Insightful Picks of the Week.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 66 “It’s All Fake Anyway”

Disney Detective looks at the recently published plan for the reopening of Disney World starting with a phase I approach that has Disney Springs partially opening. We’ll also look at Disney’s ‘Frozen’ show on Broadway becoming another apparent casualty of the COVID-19 situation.

In Star Wars Insights we’ll take a look at a Twitter storm surrounding comments made by Lucasfilm executive Matt Martin. More importantly, we’ll look at the fan reaction to his off the cuff comments and see just how passionate and how inappropriate the Star Wars fans can be when their franchise is threatened in any way.

Grease is the word in Entertainment News this week, replacing the Tony Awards broadcast with the Grease singalong. And news of a film adaptation of the Tony award winning smash hit “Hamilton” featuring the original cast which will be appearing on Disney+ in July.

As always we’ll finish up with a couple of Insightful Picks of the Week.

Insights Into Entertainment: Episode 65 “Skywalker in the Shadows”

Disney is bringing back The Wonderful World of Disney Movie Night with a few modern classics. The Haunted Mansion is getting it’s own board game in October. And Pixar is cooking up some fun with their popular animated characters for the kids, all this week on Disney Detective.

Star Wars Insights takes a look at the reports of Taika Waititi helming a forthcoming Star Wars movie And Lego Star Wars returns with The Skywalker Saga featuring some original actors voices and some never before revealed secrets of some of the lesser known characters from the Star Wars Universe.

In Entertainment News Oscar Nominated projects are being banned from Emmy Competition signaling even more mixed reaction to streaming media’s rapid rise to dominance in the entertainment industry. Tribeca Enterprises is partnering with IMAX and AT&T to revitalize a popular form of entertainment venue. And Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill is taking on a dark role in What We Do in the Shadows.

Then we’ll wrap the show with a couple of fresh Insightful Picks of the Week.