Disniversity Podcast

DON’T PANIC! No, the sky isn’t falling – it really is a brand new episode of Disniversity, as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers step boldly into a whole new dimension in 2005’s Chicken Little. And they’re joined by steadfast podfriend Tom Nicholson to talk this most pivotal (and, spoiler, terrible) of Walt Disney Animation Studios movies. Together, the intrepid trio tackles all the big questions: What happens when Disney goes full-Shrek? Are burps ever funnier than farts? And what the hell is ‘Chicken Little’? Plus, Tom queries Turkey Lurkey’s rise to power; Ben declares war on Morkubine Porcupine; and Sam reveals why Chicken Little might just be the most important Disney film of all time. Next up: The Wild bonus episode (and maybe a festive treat) Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Moana 2. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

Cowboy hats on, people – the Wilderness Years is taking film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers back to the Wild West, in 2004’s Home On The Range. And it marks a major milestone in Disney (and Disniversity) history: the end of 2D animation. Well… for a bit, anyway. As they rock up to the saloon, the duo talk the legacy of ‘Yeehaw Disney’, break down how genres are constructed, and discuss Michael Eisner’s dramatic exit from his Disney tenure. Plus, Sam reveals his mission to witness every cast member from Cats (2019) in the flesh; Ben becomes desperate for a film titled ‘Cowboy Ghosts’; and Sam signs up for OnlyCows. Hopefully this episode is an udder delight. Next up: Chicken Little Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.

As the winding road of the Wilderness Years stretches on, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers take a quick pit-stop to mark a major point in the timeline: the end of Disney’s straight-to-video sequel era. Together they look back on the best, worst, and most egregious entries in the non-canonical canon, from the time-twisting Cinderella saga, to the deeply meta Lion King-verse, and beyond. RIP, home-entertainment exclusives – we hardly knew ye, (or, maybe knew ye better than ye deserved). Next up: Home On The Range Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney.

The trail through the Wilderness Years continues into the American wilds, as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers discover the true meaning of brotherhood – and bears – in 2003’s Brother Bear. Along the way, they discuss a lesser batch of Phil Collins songs; unpick the odd morality at play in the film’s depiction of nature; and discover what happens when brothers become bears, bears kill brothers, bears become brothers, brothers kill bears, and every other possible combination of that you could possibly imagine. Plus, there’s much talk of those ‘hilarious’ moose, Sam gets into the deeply unsavoury questions of animal attraction posed by Brother Bear 2, and we wave goodbye to the straight-to-DVD era. Next up: Bonus special on the straight-to-DVD sequels. Then, Home On The Range! Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Wish. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.