545: Milestone Anniversaries with Kevin Reitzel
Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive
Release Date: 02/05/2026
Skywalking Through Neverland: Keeping the Star Wars Magic Alive
All your upcoming events—in one place. From conventions and charity fundraisers to Star Wars gatherings, 2026 is already shaping up to be incrediblel. We’ve announced things here and there, but now we have more details and more specifics, so much that we needed to devote an entire episode so we can keep track as well. Ready? Let’s go Skywalking into the future… WonderCon — March 27–29 (Anaheim) We’re excited to officially announce our happening Friday, March 27 from 9–10 PM in Room 209 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Come test your knowledge, hang out with fellow fans, and...
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March is here, which means The Mandalorian and Grogu is getting closer to its big May 22nd release! In this episode, we’re joined by from for some major reveals you won’t want to miss. The tradition of fans lining up for a new Star Wars film stretches back decades. In 1980, Terri Hardin camped outside the Egyptian Theatre for The Empire Strikes Back. The practice grew even bigger during the prequel era and continued through 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the sequel trilogy. Now, as The Mandalorian and Grogu prepares to hit theaters, that fan tradition is about to ignite once...
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In this episode, we’re diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #58: “Sundown.” Originally released in January 1982, Sundown is a great episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation! It’s more science than fantasy, as Princess Leia teams up with R2-D2 and C-3PO to launch a daring experiment designed to hide the Rebel fleet inside the chromosphere of a star. Yes, you heard that right. While the fleet faces potential incineration, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and Chewbacca travel to the ominously named world of Bazarre in search of a shadowy contact. Will the Rebel fleet melt?...
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It’s another HUGE week for The Mandalorian & Grogu! Did the new trailer deliver everything you were hoping for? James Burns () joins us to break down the biggest moments, including surprise character reveals, Sigourney Weaver’s role as Colonel Ward, and a “revenge” storyline that has us wondering. At the time of recording, James had just wrapped all four days at . This isn’t your typical fan convention, it’s an industry-only showcase offering an exclusive first-look (and some they were sworn to secrecy) at the year’s biggest merchandise launches. James shares insights from...
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By now you’ve probably seen the and you have an opinion. In this episode, we break down our reactions, explore what may have led Lucasfilm and Disney to make such a bold creative choice, read listener comments, and deliver a detailed deep-dive analysis. In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 60, fans expected a traditional trailer packed with story clues. Instead, we got something completely unexpected: a cinematic parody inspired by the legendary Budweiser commercials. The 36-second spot, narrated by the iconic Sam Elliott and directed by Jon Favreau, opens on a sleigh racing across a...
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This episode is a celebration of film and TV milestone anniversaries with special guest Kevin Reitzel, co-founder of the . Together, we reflect on the films, TV shows, and music that shaped our fandoms and continue to inspire audiences decades later. Sarah reflects on classics like West Side Story (65 years), An American Tail (40 years), and Hook (35 years), sharing personal memories surrounding each film. Kevin reveals how Aliens (40 years) and Highlander (40 years) brought him and his wife together! He also shares his love of Independence Day (30 years) and The Muppet Show (50 years). ...
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Are you wondering whether Wonder Man is worth your time? In this episode, we break down Marvel’s latest Disney+ series, give you the essential background on the character, and explain what you actually need to know before diving in. From Simon Williams’ comic book origins to his surprising connections with Vision, Scarlet Witch, and the Avengers, we cover the fun facts, controversies, and powers that shaped Wonder Man long before his MCU debut. We also dig into how Wonder Man fits into the MCU under the Marvel Spotlight banner—designed to be more grounded, character-driven, and...
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We usually avoid covering breaking news to keep our shows evergreen—but holy purrgil, major changes are coming to the Star Wars and Lucasfilm, and we had to dive in. Tricia Barr ( / ) and BJ Priester () join us to unpack two huge developments: the evolution of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the major Lucasfilm leadership restructuring. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland is officially expanding beyond a single timeline, with all changes set to debut April 29th. New storylines on Batuu will span multiple eras—from the Galactic Civil War to the Age of the Resistance—adding Luke, Leia,...
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In this episode, we’re diving into Classic Marvel Star Wars Comic Issue #57: “Battle on Bespin” with Mark Newbold - who has a special attachment to this issue. Originally released on December 15, 1981, Battle on Bespin follows Lando Calrissian as he faaaaaaallls rapidly towards the planet Bespin, having been thrown off Cloud City by Imperial Captain Treece in the last issue. Lobot and Lando find themselves among a village of disgruntled, excitable Ugnaughts hell-bent on getting the best possible camera footage for their "Action Tidings" live news program. Later Luke Skywalker and Shira...
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It’s our annual year-end wrap-up spectacular!! We take a look back at 2025 - this year’s conversation is packed with personal fandom highlights, expectations that were met (and wildly exceeded), and a few things that didn’t quite live up to the hype. As always, the real joy of these episodes is revisiting the moments that made the year special—and it was even better doing it with friends. We were thrilled to welcome Bobby Robertson from and Jenn Diz from the to share their own 2025 standouts and pop-culture takeaways. From conventions to theme parks, 2025 was a huge year for fandom...
info_outlineThis episode is a celebration of film and TV milestone anniversaries with special guest Kevin Reitzel, co-founder of the Fandom Podcast Network. Together, we reflect on the films, TV shows, and music that shaped our fandoms and continue to inspire audiences decades later.
Sarah reflects on classics like West Side Story (65 years), An American Tail (40 years), and Hook (35 years), sharing personal memories surrounding each film.
Kevin reveals how Aliens (40 years) and Highlander (40 years) brought him and his wife together! He also shares his love of Independence Day (30 years) and The Muppet Show (50 years).
Richard rounds out the conversation with nostalgic favorites including 1976’s King Kong (50 years), The Monkees (60 years), Howard the Duck (40 years), and Big Trouble in Little China (40 years). What films and TV shows celebrating anniversaries in 2026 are your favorites?
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Never Land on Alderaan!