Episode #77: A Dramatization; and, Patterns in Potter, Book 5
In what will go down in history as being HPProgs’ finest hour *or* our worst episode yet, we bring to you Episode #77. We decided to go a slightly different route for part of this episode and after our very short news discussion we re-enacted part of the J.K. Rowling vs. Steve Vander Ark/RDR Books trial. All we can say is that those of you who called Greg’s accent rubbish are going to wish you had saved your insults. On a side note, when I was editing the episode I realized that we botched the name of SVA’s lawyer. It is David Hammer, not Barry. Apologies to Mr. Hammer.
Speaking of accents, we played a voicemail from Potter’s Number One Fan in which he picked up Greg’s gauntlet and gave us a multi-character Harry Potter narration. Excellent job, in my opinion.
We finished off the episode with the introduction to Patterns In Potter for “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”. You’ll have to trust that we are telling the truth when we say that Book 5 has a good theme.
As promised the links to the court transcripts are here. Thanks to Cris for the tip:
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Tags: barry hammer, book 5, copyright, david hammer, dramatic reenactment, epistemology, ootp, rdr books, Steve Vander Ark, truth
May 1st, 2008 at 9:12 pm
I’m a little bit late on this, however, i just re-read Goblet of Fire in my off time when i’m not doing homework and noticed something that really goes along with the theme of this being the somewhat turning point when the series changes from a child’s novel to a more dark series. The fourth book starts with Harry at the Dursley’s, as do the first three, but in books 1-3 it is before Harry’s birthday and his birthday is specifically acknowledged. However, the fourth begins after Harry’s birthday and only makes a very short mention of it. This makes it seem much less of a big deal then in the first three. When you’re young, in elementary and middle school, birthday parties are a huge deal for everybody. But after you turn thirteen they are not really very important anymore. Harry is right at that age in the fourth book, and I just thought that was another less obvious reason that the fourth book seems to be the switch from his childhood to his growth into adulthood.
Thanks,
Milt
May 1st, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Segway? Pretty close to Subway and I could use a sandwich. Are they triangular? Darth Maul had more than two lines Greg. I always wondered why he had those weird tattoos but since Penny explained he was Tunisian it makes sense now. So thanks. As far as the court reinactment/ dramatization I am afraid I will have to exercise my 5th amendment rights and fight the urge to use my second amendment rights. I think Penny did swell on the Tolken trivia. Maybe next episode you can quiz her on Indiana Jones? Complex subjects are truth and trust. I will meditate on this.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 am
did you know Harry Potter was jewish?
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1735681,00.html
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 am
This is hysterical. I know Rabbi Pollak. I studied at Michlalah. Small world!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:48 am
Shimon: interesting article; I think someone spiked Adam’s butterbeer.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 am
I’m confused – what’s the current status of the Rowling/Vander Ark trial? There were three days of testimony, and then… what? Are they trying to settle out of court?
[I confess: I haven't listened to episode 77 yet, so you probably cover this in the episode, which will make me look very stupid. No change there, then.]
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:38 am
I think he’ll tell you it was Eve…
I must add that the during Bill and Fleur wedding invasion I was quite reminded of fiddler on the roof
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Andrew- still no decision. It is crazy, it has been a few weeks already!
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I am so excited I can follow @hpprogs on Twitter now!
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Greg, I agree with you. I personally have read all the books at least three times… except the fifth book, because it’s so hard to get through. I’ve tried to re-read it a couple times and i still can not get through it.
anywho… great episode. i’m a new listener (just for the past couple episodes) and i can’t wait for new episodes each week.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Welcome, Anna! Thanks for saying Hi!
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Hi guys. Fun show – loved the accents.
So, re: the LOTR, Penny, I know you mentioned that you recently picked up a copy and tried to start it, and I have to say, “Keep going!” I just started reading them aloud to my 9 year old. She reads well on her own now, but was getting jealous of the quantity of time I was spending reading to her sister, so we’re reading aloud. I had totally forgotten how SLOW the Fellowship of the Ring starts out. It’s really an awful beginning. So skip the first five pages or so and jump in when Bilbo starts the birthday party, or even after ward when he has his first conversation with Gandalf. Anyway, that’s my recommendation. Read them and Greg will no longer be able to taunt you with his superior knowledge!
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
This was a really comedic episode! It was hilarious when you added the piano in the background of Steve Vander Ark breaking down part of the re-enactments. I was actually laughing, not just “lol.” Potter’s Number One Fan was really good, and then Penny’s imitation of Darth Maul and Greg’s “Patterns In Potter” song were also funny.
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
This is such a funny episodes. I love the use of the Law and Order music before the trial starts. I love you guys………well I love Penny more then Greg but still………keep going!!!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Awesome episode guy. it was so funny
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
i do not get that thats what she said joke with the mac it did not make sence
May 4th, 2008 at 2:35 am
I agree a little that the theme for book 5 is about not trusting Harry but I think that everyone holding back information is more about protecting Harry because he is not old enough. At the end of the book after Sirius dies and Harry tears up Dumbledore’s office, Dumbledore admits he was wrong from trying to protect him from growing up and dealing with such grown up things. Book 5 is not my favorite but it has more to do with how mean Umbrige is and treats Harry. I have read all books at least 5 times. The beginning ones more because I would reread when a new movie and book come out.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:03 am
I loved the show. Nice re-enactment !!! Just a sidenote… the role of “Barry Shalowitz” in ” City Slickers” was played by Josh Mostel. Ok, I am back to listening to the Audio Book Version of book 5, so I am ready for the next episode.
Have a good one !!
Clarissa
May 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Hilarious episode guys! Loved it.
Must reread book five, even if it is my least favorite. Don’t know why though.
May 5th, 2008 at 8:24 am
how is jesus’s name the equivalent to voldemort’s in the jewish community? jews believe that jesus existed and was a prophet, just not the son of god. he didn’t persecute jews and isn’t seen as a ‘bad guy’ the way that voldemort is.
and that episode was hysterical. i was listening to it at work and had to stop myself numerous times from laughing really hard.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
The He-who-must-not-be-named reference was not meant to compare jesus and voldemort as far as ‘bad guy’ status.
it relates to the amusing fact that many jews are very hesitant to call jesus by name.
I may be mistaken but I would guess that it originated due to censorship of the Talmud which led to the fact that many times he is alluded to through certain ‘code’ names.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Where is the download link for Episode 77? I prefer to download and listen on my MP3 player, but can’t find the link.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Pamela: sorry ’bout that, forgot to link it. Should be there now.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Thank you Greg.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:09 am
Sorry this comment was late, but this episode was lots of fun–I needed a good laugh after all the tension surrounding the Lexicon case, and I totally cracked up when the Law & Order music started playing!
I’m a new subscriber, so I’m slowly going through all the old episodes, and am really enjoying the character and theme discussions. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
July 21st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
[...] May 2008: Fans see copies of the JKR/SVA trial transcript. Some decide to re-enact the case. [...]