Mike Aiello on Jaws, Halloween Horror Nights, and 30 Years at Universal (Ep. 57)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Tv & Film, Society & Culture, Places & Travel

4.8 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 27 June 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey welcome Universal Creative’s Mike Aiello for a special episode celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws and his own 30-year journey with the parks. From working as a teenage skipper on the iconic attraction to helping shape Halloween Horror Nights and Epic Universe, Mike shares stories of theme park transformation, Spielberg fandom, and why he always tries to sneak Bruce the Shark into his projects. Plus, Jim and Eric cover the latest on Halloween Horror Nights 34 and the mysterious Vegas haunt getting ready to open. • Mike Aiello’s origin story—from hard hats at Mel’s Diner to Universal Creative• What it was like to skipper Jaws the Ride 88 times a day• How a scareactor role led to decades of Halloween Horror Nights magic• Halloween Horror Nights’ gothic theme and original house reveals• The new “cool zone” inside the old Sinbad Theater• Why Jaws still scares—and what Spielberg got right by leaving it alone From creative tributes to personal milestones, it’s a heartfelt and fang-filled conversation with one of Universal’s biggest fans turned insider. Unlocked Magic Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store and DVC Resale Market, offers exclusive Disney & Universal ticket savings with TRUSTED service and authenticity. With over $10 MILLION in ticket sales, use Unlocked Magic to get the BIGGEST SAVINGS. Learn More Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hey Harry. Hello, mate. Go any tips for the football? Your best bet is to head over to Bet Victor. They'll give a new customer a terrific welcome offer.
0:23.0	If you bet a minimum of £10, they'll give you £30 in three bets.
0:26.9	Four, that's a steel of a deal.
0:28.5	It's a good darn deal that'll make your squirrel for real.
0:31.6	Neil?
0:32.4	My name's not Neil.
0:33.4	I know, but it rhymes.
0:35.3	Listen to Harry and make your best bet on the football at BetVictor.
0:38.6	18 plus opt in and bet on any football marketing at odds of evens or greater no, cash out
0:42.3	seven-day expiry terms and conditions apply at gambleaware.org.
0:45.2	Welcome back to the epic universal podcast.
0:48.0	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill and this is the podcast where we cover the latest universal
0:53.5	news, rumors, and history.
0:55.9	And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey, who I hope to God that basement is air-conditioned.
1:01.4	Is it?
1:01.7	Yes, Jim, it is super air-conditioned.
1:03.6	We're dealing with, what, some 90-degree weather here.
1:06.3	It would be a good day to hang out in Toon Lagoon, but I don't quite have a Ripsaw fall or anything in my backyard, unfortunately.
1:13.0	Yeah.
1:13.8	Now, speaking of which, again, speaking now like a Universal Orlando veteran, when you and the family did Ripsaw or a Popeye and what is it, the Bill Drat.
1:27.5	Yeah.
1:28.0	Did you guys do the post show dryers?
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Jim Hill Media Podcast Network and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.