PotterCast
Encyclopedia
PotterCast is the official podcast
of the Harry Potter
fansite The Leaky Cauldron
. Its episodes are posted once per month and are typically about an hour long. In every episode, the hosts discuss particular passages, themes, and questions from the Harry Potter books and films, and they go over the Potter-related news stories reported during the previous week by The Leaky Cauldron. The podcast often includes input from everyday Potter fans, but it has also featured numerous interviews with professionals involved in making the Potter books, films, and video games. PotterCast frequently hosts contests, and it has presented a variety of themed shows, including a special wizard rock
video edition and an episode for Banned Books Week 2005, in which staff interviewed representatives from the American Library Association
. It also covers breaking news, such as the press conference hosted by Warner Brothers before the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
.
PotterCast was launched on August 22, 2005, and with episode 130 it became the first podcast to interview Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
Other staff participants include audio editors, transcription "elves," Scribbulus editors, and moderators from The Leaky Cauldron's forum, the Leaky Lounge.
bands, including Sue and the Hufflepuffs, Melissa and the Anellis, and MC Dawlish. Listeners frequently create elaborate videos and filks for PotterCast contests and fan challenges.
Podcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
of the Harry Potter
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
fansite The Leaky Cauldron
The Leaky Cauldron (website)
The Leaky Cauldron, also called Leaky, TLC, or Leaky News, is a Harry Potter fansite and blog. The site features news, image and video galleries, downloadable widgets, a chat room and discussion forum, and an essay project called Scribbulus, among other offerings...
. Its episodes are posted once per month and are typically about an hour long. In every episode, the hosts discuss particular passages, themes, and questions from the Harry Potter books and films, and they go over the Potter-related news stories reported during the previous week by The Leaky Cauldron. The podcast often includes input from everyday Potter fans, but it has also featured numerous interviews with professionals involved in making the Potter books, films, and video games. PotterCast frequently hosts contests, and it has presented a variety of themed shows, including a special wizard rock
Wizard rock
Wizard rock is a genre of rock music that developed between 2002 and 2004 in the United States. Wizard rock bands are characterized by their performances and humorous songs about the Harry Potter universe. Wizard rock initially started in Massachusetts with Harry and the Potters, though it has...
video edition and an episode for Banned Books Week 2005, in which staff interviewed representatives from the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
. It also covers breaking news, such as the press conference hosted by Warner Brothers before the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 2005 fantasy film directed by Mike Newell and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the fourth instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Steve Kloves and produced by David Heyman...
.
PotterCast was launched on August 22, 2005, and with episode 130 it became the first podcast to interview Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
Current regular segments
- Intro: A pre-recorded introduction of the show and its hosts by J. K. Rowling has been used since her appearance in episode 130. Previously, the introduction was recorded by Rupert GrintRupert GrintRupert Alexander Lloyd Grint is an English actor, who rose to prominence playing Ron Weasley, one of the three main characters in the Harry Potter film series. Grint was cast as Ron at the age of 11, having previously acted only in school plays and at his local theatre group...
(episodes 112-129) and Matthew Lewis (for a few episodes prior to the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). - News: Led by rotating hosts. Replaced the Leaky Lowdown/Newswrap in September 2007, combining them into one segment relating and discussing the past week's Potter-related news updates. Formerly hosted by Sue Upton, but had a changed title due to Sue leaving the show in late 2009 (episode 211).
- Bit by Bit: Premiered in October 2007. In this segment, the hosts discuss Deathly Hallows a small piece at a time (usually less than a chapter each week), progressing through the book.
- Wrap-up: The hosts conclude the show, tie off loose ends, announce upcoming events or issue calls to listeners to send videos, voice-mails or other responses related to a given topic. Traditionally takes place over the background music of "The Drums" (actually popular jazz tune, "Sing Sing Sing").
- Bloopers: An occasional short segment played after the close of the show, featuring an outtake from the episode's recording.
- Quick Fire Canon Concludrums: An on-and-off segment in which the hosts discuss canon related topics.
Irregular segments
- PotterCast Acting Troupe: A segment that will span multiple episodes, featuring voice actors performing a radio play written by a fanfiction author from "The Sugar Quill." The story focuses on the next generation of Hogwarts students, including Harry Potter's children in a story called, "Albus Potter and the Founder's Fountain".
- Fan Thoughts: Premiered in October 2007. Voice messages from listeners with thoughts about the current or previous week's topics of discussion.
- Fan Interview ("In the Fan Corner"): An interview with a fan who has an interesting or unusual perspective on the series, often having used the books as personal inspiration (such as for art or music) or to inspire others (such as in the classroom or in their community).
- In the Know: An interview with an individual who has not been involved in creating the Potter books or films, but has expertise in these or related industries.
- Extendable Ears: Interviews with filmmakers, editors, actors, etc. who have been directly involved with the Harry Potter franchise.
- Mailbag: A segment where the PotterCast hosts aired and responded to voicemails from listeners. This segment appeared to have been replaced with "Fan Thoughts" in October 2007, but was re-introduced in April 2008 (episode 149) to discuss the Warner Bros. and JK Rowling vs. RDR Books trial and its media coverage.
- Potter Pundits: A segment where more intellectual discussion is held. Hosted by university professors, authors, etc.
- Are YOU Smarter Than John Noe?: Premiered in episode 140. A game where listeners call in to compete with John by answering Harry Potter trivia questions, based on the TV show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a television game show format based on asking grade-school level questions to adults, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy...
. In one episode it was determined that a voicemail was in fact smarter than John. - Canon Conundrums: Premiered in April 2006. The hosts tackle an unanswered question from the Harry Potter series, such as "How does the Fidelius Charm work?". Steve Vander Ark of the Harry Potter LexiconHarry Potter LexiconThe Harry Potter Lexicon is a fan-created online encyclopedia of the Harry Potter series.-Overview:The site was created by school librarian Steve Vander Ark. It contains detailed information for all seven published Harry Potter books...
cohosted these segments until his site and The Leaky Cauldron dropped their association. Since the release of Deathly Hallows, the hosts have renamed this segment Canon Concludrums, using 'concludrums' as a portmanteau of 'conclusions' and 'conundrums'.
Retired segments
- Leaky Lowdown/Newswrap: Analysis and discussion of the latest Potter-related news. Replaced in September 2007 with "Sue's News."
- Phoenix Files: Similar to "Bit by Bit," discussion of the film Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is a 2007 fantasy film directed by David Yates and based on the novel of the same name by J. K. Rowling. It is the fifth instalment in the Harry Potter film series, written by Michael Goldenberg and produced by David Heyman and David Barron...
a few minutes at a time. Premiered in August 2007 and concluded in summer 2008. - Modcast: In-depth discussion of one character or theme from the Harry Potter books hosted by the moderators on The Leaky Cauldron's forums. Discontinued in August 2006.
- "'Princely Pieces'": In this segment, the hosts discussed the sixth movie.
- Scribby 5 - Premiered in March 2007. A five-minute discussion of a recent essay submitted to the Leaky Cauldron's essay project, Scribbulus. It was hosted by Scribbulus editors Melissa Wall, Sloan de Forest, and Nina de Boo.
Hosts
- Melissa Anelli, webmasterWebmasterA webmaster , also called a web architect, web developer, site author, or website administrator is a person responsible for maintaining one or many websites...
of The Leaky CauldronThe Leaky Cauldron (website)The Leaky Cauldron, also called Leaky, TLC, or Leaky News, is a Harry Potter fansite and blog. The site features news, image and video galleries, downloadable widgets, a chat room and discussion forum, and an essay project called Scribbulus, among other offerings...
. - John Noe, creative director for The Leaky Cauldron.
- Frankie "Frak" Franco III, artist for The Leaky Cauldron - Began as guest host while John finished school; became a permanent host in episode 144.
Other staff participants include audio editors, transcription "elves," Scribbulus editors, and moderators from The Leaky Cauldron's forum, the Leaky Lounge.
Former hosts
- Sue Upton, senior news editor for The Leaky Cauldron (left after episode 211 after Upton resigned from The Leaky Cauldron website duties)
Notable interviews/appearances
- Notable members of Harry Potter publishing
- J.K. Rowling (episodes 130 and 131)
- Arthur A. Levine - Editor of the American editions of the Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
books and the person widely credited with bringing Potter to America. (episodes 22-24) - Cheryl Klein - Continuity editor of the American editions of the Harry PotterHarry PotterHarry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
books. (episode 47)
- Cast of the Harry Potter film seriesHarry Potter (film series)The Harry Potter film series is a British-American film series based on the Harry Potter novels by the British author J. K. Rowling...
- Matthew Lewis - Actor who plays Neville Longbottom. (episode 51-53)
- Rupert GrintRupert GrintRupert Alexander Lloyd Grint is an English actor, who rose to prominence playing Ron Weasley, one of the three main characters in the Harry Potter film series. Grint was cast as Ron at the age of 11, having previously acted only in school plays and at his local theatre group...
- Actor who plays Ron WeasleyRon WeasleyRonald Bilius "Ron" Weasley is a fictional character and one of the three protagonists in the Harry Potter book series written by J. K. Rowling. His first appearance was in the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as the best friend of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger...
. Voiced the intro for episodes 112-129. - Jamie WaylettJamie WaylettJamie Michael Waylett is an English actor known for his portrayal of Vincent Crabbe in six of the Harry Potter films. Waylett was born in Kilburn, London. He has yet to appear in any other production.-Criminal Record:...
- Actor who plays Vincent Crabbe. (episode 31) - Bonnie WrightBonnie WrightBonnie Francesca Wright is a British actress and fashion model. She is best known for playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.-Early life and education:...
- Actress who plays Ginny Weasley. - Evanna LynchEvanna LynchEvanna Patricia Lynch is an Irish actress who rose to prominence playing Luna Lovegood, a supporting role in the Harry Potter film series adapted from the book series of the same name. Lynch was cast as Luna at the age of 14, having previously acted only in school plays...
- Actress who plays Luna Lovegood. (episode 69) - Chris RankinChris RankinChristopher William "Chris" Rankin is an actor who is best known for playing Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films.-Early life:...
- Actor who plays Percy Weasley.
- Crew members of the Harry Potter film series
- Chris ColumbusChris Columbus (filmmaker)Christopher Joseph "Chris" Columbus is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Columbus had his largest success with the first two films in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, along with Home Alone, the last...
- Director of the first two Potter films. - Alfonso CuarónAlfonso CuarónAlfonso Cuarón Orozco is a Mexican film director, screenwriter and film producer, best known for his films Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Y tu mamá también, and A Little Princess.- Early life :...
- Director of the third Potter film. - Mike NewellMike Newell (director)Michael Cormac "Mike" Newell is an English director and producer of motion pictures for the screen and for television. After the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in 2005, Newell became the third most commercially successful British director in recent years, behind Christopher Nolan...
- Director of the fourth Potter film. - Stuart CraigStuart CraigNorman Stuart Craig OBE is a noted British production designer.He has also designed the sets, together with his frequent collaborator set decorator Stephanie McMillan, on all of the Harry Potter film series films to date. At Potter author J. K...
- Art director on all Potter films.
- Chris Columbus
- Miscellaneous appearances
- M. Night ShyamalanM. Night ShyamalanManoj Nelliyattu Shyamalan,known professionally as M. Night Shyamalan, is an Indian-born American screenwriter, film director, and producer known for making movies with contemporary supernatural plots that climax with a twist ending. He is also known for filming his movies in and around...
(episode 48) - Matt Birch and Justin Manning - Producers for the Order of the Phoenix computer game from EA Games.
- Danny BilsonDanny BilsonDaniel "Danny" Bilson is an American writer, director, and producer of movies, television, videogames, and comic books. With his writing partner Paul DeMeo, Danny Bilson wrote the movie The Rocketeer , the video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing , the television series The Sentinel ,...
- Producer, writer, and director. Worked on the initial creation of the Harry Potter video games. - Laura Mallory - Georgia woman attempting to ban Potter books from school libraries for religious reasons. (episode 119)
- Duff GoldmanDuff GoldmanJeffrey Adam "Duff" Goldman is a pastry chef and television personality. He is the executive chef of the Baltimore-based Charm City Cakes shop which is featured in the Food Network reality television show Ace of Cakes...
- Owner of Charm City Cakes, who created a cake for the LA premiere of Order of the Phoenix. - John and Hank GreenHank GreenWilliam Henry "Hank" Green II is a professional vlogger and entrepreneur. He is the founder of VidCon and EcoGeek.org and the co-founder of DFTBA Records. He is also a singer/songwriter and has released three studio albums...
- The VlogBrothers of YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
fame - Neil CicieregaNeil CicieregaNeil Stephen Cicierega , is an American comedian, filmmaker and musician. He is the creator of a genre of Flash animation known as "Animutation". He has also released several albums as a musician under the stage name "Lemon Demon"....
- Creator of the Potter Puppet Pals - Nick Lang, Brian Holden, and Darren CrissDarren CrissDarren Everett Criss is an American actor, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and a founding member and co-owner of the theater company StarKid Productions. He currently portrays Blaine Anderson, an openly gay high school student, on the FOX television series Glee...
- Creators of A Very Potter MusicalA Very Potter MusicalA Very Potter Musical is a musical with music and lyrics by Darren Criss and A.J. Holmes, and a book by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, and Brian Holden...
.
- M. Night Shyamalan
Audience
The show has spawned several fan groups - SQUEE (Sue's Quite Unnervingly Excitable Enthusiasts), The John Noe Fan Club, MAFIA (Melissa Anelli's Fans In Action), Guru's Fans, and PCAA (PotterCast Addicts Anonymous). It has also inspired the creation of a few wizard rockWizard rock
Wizard rock is a genre of rock music that developed between 2002 and 2004 in the United States. Wizard rock bands are characterized by their performances and humorous songs about the Harry Potter universe. Wizard rock initially started in Massachusetts with Harry and the Potters, though it has...
bands, including Sue and the Hufflepuffs, Melissa and the Anellis, and MC Dawlish. Listeners frequently create elaborate videos and filks for PotterCast contests and fan challenges.
Awards
- iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
Best of 2007 Podcasts - In the "Classics: Audio" category. - 2007 Parsec AwardsParsec AwardsThe Parsec Awards are a set of annual awards created to recognize excellence in science fiction podcasts and podcast novels. The awards were created by Mur Lafferty, Tracy Hickman and Michael R. Mennenga and awarded by FarPoint Media...
- Nominee for Best (Speculative Fiction) News Podcast, Best Audio Production, and Best Fan Podcast. - 2006 Parsec AwardsParsec AwardsThe Parsec Awards are a set of annual awards created to recognize excellence in science fiction podcasts and podcast novels. The awards were created by Mur Lafferty, Tracy Hickman and Michael R. Mennenga and awarded by FarPoint Media...
- Nominee for Best Fan Podcast - 2006 Podcast Awards - Winner of Best Entertainment Podcast
- 2006 Podcast Awards - Nominee for Podcast of the Year (People's Choice)
- iTunesITunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
- Around August 24, 2005 it was ranked as iTunes #1 podcast. Ranked #13 when the interviews with J.K. Rowling were released (PotterCast episodes 130-131).