Miami Vice Goes to the Theme Park (Ep. 88)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 30 January 2026

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week, Jim Hill and Eric Hersey connect the dots between an MTV-inspired TV phenomenon and one of the most ambitious nighttime stunt shows ever staged at a Universal theme park. From Brandon Tartikoff’s “MTV Cops” brainstorm to exploding boats on Universal Studios Lagoon, the guys unpack how Miami Vice helped shape theme park history - even when Universal Florida was not allowed to use the name. NEWS • Universal announces a global Pokémon theme park expansion tied to the franchise’s 30th anniversary • Early speculation on where Pokémon could land stateside, including Lost Continent and Simpsons real estate • Universal files a trademark for “OZTACULAR SPECTACULAR,” fueling Oz land rumors for the rumored UK park • First public look at the Universal Kids Resort model ahead of its Frisco, Texas opening • Reactions to Wicked: Part Two being shut out of this year’s Academy Award nominations FEATURE • How Miami Vice evolved from “MTV Cops” into a pop culture juggernaut • Why Universal Studios Hollywood repurposed its A-Team stunt show into the Miami Vice Action Spectacular • The borrowed mine cart chase that directly inspired Disney-MGM’s Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular • Why Universal Studios Florida’s lagoon show became Dynamite Nights instead of Miami Vice - and how long it ran 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 SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Redeem your lab bucks on free bet spins or even cash in for real money.
0:04.6	That's satisfaction from Lab Brooks.
0:06.4	And for extra satisfaction, here's the T's and C's.
0:08.6	Let's rock.
0:09.8	18 plus participates in selected promotions to get LabBucks.
0:15.3	Go get LabBugs.
0:17.5	Within them four offers or rewards. Lab bucks entertainment writer Jim Hill and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal news,
0:39.4	rumors, and history. And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey, who managed to blow up a space
0:46.3	heater just a moment ago. Is that correct, Eric? Yeah, well, I've been using it all day, all week.
0:52.4	It's funny that I was testing. So I have my office here in the lower level of the household, and it is quite cold here. And it's funny that I had the space heater on one side. And I would notice that my left hand was perfectly normal. And the mouse hand, which is the left, would start to freeze up. And I'd have to slowly de-thaw it so often.
1:12.5	I'd go...
1:13.0	So I went upstairs and just showed Lainey the sample testing here of, like, I placed my hand on one cheek, and I'm like, this is a normal hand, and then I showed the other. So, yeah, and now we're going to have both cold hands. but you know the thing is I can't be running a space heater while we're recording anyway.
1:26.0	Those buzzes would, our editor Dave would not be happy about that.
1:29.1	So instead, I can't be running a space heater while we're recording anyway. Those buzzes would, our editor Dave, would not be happy about that.
1:29.1	So instead, I have a heated blanket, so I don't think that'll make any noise.
1:35.4	Okay, well, good.
1:36.5	And speaking of people who clearly cannot be happy.
1:40.6	I mean, the Academy Award nominations were announced this past Friday, and regular
1:48.1	listeners to this podcast know Eric and I are contractually obligated to mention Wicked for
1:54.0	good on every episode of this podcast, and it is with some chagrin that we mentioned that in contrast to the last set of Academy Award nominations where the first Wicked film did really, really well.
2:11.6	Wicked for Good got skunked, right? I mean, nothing. Absolutely nothing, right?
2:16.7	Yeah, I was going to say, Jim,
	...

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