It’s finally time.  It’s been several months since Deathly Hallows came out, we’ve discussed most of what there is to discuss relating to the characters, the themes, the news that came out after the book was released.  It’s time to move on.  But don’t worry, by move on, we don’t mean stop talking about Harry Potter!  No, it’s time to go back, back to the beginning…where it all…began.  It’s time to start talking about, what I humbly have dubbed (and have been hinting at for a while): Patterns in Potter (can you hear the echo of ominousness?).  In this episode, we introduce the Patterns in Potter theory, and give some examples.  For the next few weeks we’re going to be discussing the books, in order, using the Patterns in Potter pattern.  So make sure to listen, because this stuff will be on the final exam. 

If you want to cheat (or can’t listen to the show), check out the original blog post.

And: we want your help!  For each episode, we want your thoughts, comments and ideas.  Either email them to us (harrypotterprogs AT yahoo DOT com) or record your thoughts on an mp3 and email them to us.  We’ll incorporate them into the show.

In the News:

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix nominated for 2 BAFTA awards.
• Will Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie be split into 2?
• JK Rowling and WB have filed a full injunction against RDR Publishers and Steve Vander Ark to stop the HP-Lexicon from being published.
• First set of all seven signed Harry Potter books was auctioned off in Scotland to support a rugby club.
• The Vatican is stirring up the anti-Potter waters again.

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

From the beginning, Ron has played second fiddle to Harry Potter…or has he? Perhaps Ron’s perception that he was simply there as Harry’s backup was just that: perception. Ron was, in fact, more of an individual and a complement to Harry than just a sidekick. Finally, in Book 7, Ron comes to realize this. In this week’s episode, we look back at Ron’s past and his coming-of-age/growing up in Book 7 and the Epilogue.

In the News:

• USA Today names Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows the Book of the Year for 2007.
• Richard Griffiths and Julie Walters will receive distinguished awards.
• OoTP on long lists for the BAFTAS in six categories.
• Daniel Radcliffe has donated his glasses to a Holocaust exhibit.

You can listen to the episode with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

There comes a time in a person’s life when they realize, for the first time, that the world is not actually the way they thought it was.  That the picture they had in their mind about how the world works, the rules of the game, are suddenly gone.  It is the end of innocence.  When does this end of innocence occur for Harry, and for the series?  In this week’s show, we discuss when Harry Potter first comes face to face with a picture of the wizarding world that is not what he thought he knew.

In the news:

• Amazon.com bought “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”. Awesome reviews on their website .
• As mentioned before on HP Progs, JK Rowling came in 3rd for Time’s Person of the Year. Better luck next time you finish writing the world’s most popular book series that turned a generation back on to reading and inspired millions of people, Jo.
• JK Rowling gave her Fan Site Award to the Harry Potter Alliance. Next year, HP Progs (assuming that Greg ever writes his thank-you letter).
• New actors announced for minor roles in HBP movie.  Phew. I haven’t been sleeping at night wondering about who would play Marcus Belby.
• Stephen Colbert bested JK Rowling in the AP’s “Celebrity of the Year” .  As a member of “Colbert Nation”, I am happy for Stephen but think this is ridiculous.
• JK Rowling types REALLY fast.  You can see a video of her finishing Deathly Hallows. Thanks, ITV.

We are happy to announce that we will be attending Portus 2008, the Harry Potter symposium which will be held in Dallas, TX from July 10-13, 2008.  We will also be taking part in the Portus Podcast Palooza while we are there.  You may remember what a fantastic time we had at Prophecy 2007-  we hope you can join us this year!!

You can listen to the podcast with the player below, or download it directly as an mp3.

The top bidder in the auction for the seventh handwritten copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard has been announced.  It’s Amazon.com!  Amazon has always been one of my favorite companies and web sites (I do all my online shopping there, if I can help it), but this makes them even more awesome.  Not only are they going to take the book on tour so that everyone can get a chance to see it, they are posting copious amounts of information on their web site.  It’s so amazing that Amazon has chosen to share this with so many Potter fans.  Thanks Amazon.

Check out the Amazon page for The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and make sure to check back, as Amazon is promising to post additional information, pictures and more.

J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has reinvigorated a generation and turned them on to reading. But what to read when the battle against Lord Voldemort is at an end? One of the more popular answers is Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy; the first installment, The Golden Compass, has been adapted to film and hits theaters this month. In this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Pullman’s series, and how it compares to Rowling’s novels, as well as other novels geared towards youths and placed in a fantastic setting.

Joining us on this week’s episode is Travis Prinzi, proprietor of SwordOfGryffindor.com. Travis’ background in philosophy and literature were especially enlightening in this discussion.

Here is a link to the interview that Travis mentioned on the show: Phillip Pullman and Peter Chataway, an award-winning Christian film critic.
In the news:

• JK Rowling talked about Multiple Sclerosis on “Your Total Health”.
• The Potter actors (not Chris Rankin) are on ANOTHER Forbes list.

You can listen to this podcast with the player below, or download an mp3 directly.