Tarzan Swings Back In, While the Universal Backlot Goes Up in Flames (Ep. 86)

The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Jim Hill Media Podcast Network

Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Tv & Film

4.7 • 1.5K Ratings

🗓️ 16 January 2026

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick things off with a generational pop culture moment before diving headfirst into a packed episode of Universal news, park planning, and studio history. From a newly announced Rockford Files reboot to freshly released 2026 event calendars, this episode covers what Universal fans need to know now - and then takes a long, fascinating walk through some nearly forgotten corners of the Universal backlot. Along the way, listeners get travel talk, awards season chatter, and one of those deep historical pivots that only this show can deliver. NEWS • NBC commits to a pilot for a Rockford Files reboot, prompting a look back at the original series and its Universal roots • Universal’s awards season recap, including Golden Globes results and where Wicked did (and did not) land • Universal Orlando releases its 2026 event calendar, including dates for Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and passholder perks • The full Mardi Gras International Flavors of Carnival concert lineup is revealed, sparking a game of “name your generation” • Updates from Universal Hollywood on Fan Fest Nights, Butterbeer Season, and the long road toward Fast & Furious Hollywood Drift FEATURE • A listener letter sparks a deep dive into Universal’s forgotten Tarzan serials of the 1920s • How Edgar Rice Burroughs’ dissatisfaction with early Tarzan films led to casting shakeups and lost silent-era movies • The surprising connection between Tarzan, Universal’s backlot geography, and Jay Stein’s infamous tram tour gags • A look at how Park Lake became home to submarines, parted seas, burning houses, and other classic Studio Tour illusions For this episode’s full show notes, click here. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews • Instagram: JimHillMedia • TikTok: JimHillMedia PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR This episode is sponsored by Be Our Guest Vacations, a platinum-level earmarked travel agency providing top-tier concierge planning for Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney Parks, cruises, and more. Start planning your next adventure at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to mention that the Epic Universal Podcast sent you. 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	Hear that? It's your big McDonald's hunger calling, because the big arch is back, and this time
0:05.3	is here to stay with juicy beef, cheddar cheese, and that big arch sauce.
0:09.9	Hungry? You are now. Order delivery on the McDonald's app.
0:15.0	Serve from 11am. Upcharges and fees apply to delivery orders. Subjects availability, price and
0:19.0	participation may vary. Welcome back to the Epic Universal podcast.
0:23.1	I'm entertainment writer Jim Hill, and this is the podcast where we cover the latest
0:27.9	universal news, rumors, and history.
0:30.6	And as always, I'm joined by Eric Hersey.
0:34.5	And again, every so often, the age difference between myself and Eric becomes apparent
0:40.4	because, you know, just, in fact, we were just pre-gaming tonight show.
0:45.4	And I, you know, I came excitedly to Eric.
0:47.8	It's like, hey, they're bringing back the Rockford Files.
0:51.2	And, you know, and Eric was like, yeah.
0:54.0	So, again, it's like, oh. I just Googled it,
0:56.9	Jim. I'm, I just Googled to find out what that was. Okay. It's basically, it sounds like it was from
1:03.1	1974 to 1980, so a little bit before my time. There we go. There we go. But it was a wonderful
1:09.1	TV detective show with James Garner,
1:12.8	you know,
1:13.1	a wonderful mix of good, solid mystery,
1:15.9	but also funny,
1:17.5	you know,
1:18.5	James Garner was in top form.
	...

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