How Jim Carrey Survived Becoming the Grinch (Ep. 79)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 28 November 2025

⏱️ 58 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Jim and Eric unwrap a very different kind of holiday story this week: the wild, demanding, and downright unbelievable making of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000). Fresh from Jim’s trip to IAAPA and holiday visits to the Universal parks, the guys trace how the film’s production shaped today’s Grinchmas offerings, from the makeup performers wear to the version of Whoville Universal still uses. Along the way, they dig into this year’s seasonal additions, Wicked’s strong opening, and the latest rumblings from Epic Universe. NEWS• Universal Orlando and Hollywood launch their holiday seasons, including new decorations, Tribute Store theming, and Grinchmas updates • Wicked for Good posts a massive opening weekend, powering Universal’s awards-season buzz• Epic Universe construction heats up with a major new permit near the Ministry of Magic• Butterbeer expands again with Coffee Mate creamers arriving nationwide soon FEATURE• The unbelievable true story of making the 2000 Grinch.• The intense Hollywood bidding war that secured Dr. Seuss’s beloved book for Universal• What Jim Carrey endured inside a full yak-fur bodysuit, yellow contacts, and nine-hour makeup sessions• The military-level torture survival training Carrey received just to get through filming• How Ron Howard, Rick Baker, and even Eddie Murphy tried to keep morale up on set• And how all of this still influences the Grinch performers greeting guests at Universal today HOSTS• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITSEdited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSORThis week’s episode is brought to you by Unlocked Magic. Save on regular Disney theme park tickets and discounted after-hours event tickets when you book through UnlockedMagic.com. Lock in your winter plans while deals last! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome back to the epic universal podcast. I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover
0:22.6	the latest universal news, rumors,
0:24.8	and history. And as
0:26.6	always, I'm joined
0:28.6	by Eric Hersey, who
0:30.4	longtime listeners
0:32.0	to this podcast, no,
0:34.3	was among the first, the very first
0:36.6	people to get into the epic universe back in,
0:41.6	that was back in the annual Patsholder previews, right?
0:44.7	Yeah, it was the first day that was non-team members.
0:48.1	And I just, so it was actually watching the epic ride, the documentary that came out on Peacock.
0:53.8	And I've watched it probably three times now.
0:56.0	It's very good.
0:58.0	But they actually showcase the first day where there's paid.
1:01.0	And I'm always looking in there.
1:02.0	I'm like, do I see any of my kids?
1:04.0	I don't think I've spotted,
1:06.0	but they do have footage of that.
1:08.0	Yeah, but Jim, you, my friend, are fresh off your first experience with Epic.
1:13.1	Finally, yes. This past week flew down to Orlando, was there with Mr. Tess and Mr. Shul, mostly for Iyapa, which is the, you know, themed entertainment Super Bowl.
1:30.3	But while I was there, I got to attend an after-hours party at Epic Universe.
	...

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