STUDY GROUP: Goodbye To Disney’s Weirdest Era What the hell was that all about? As we leave The Wilderness Years (aka the Oddbod Era, aka the Freak Era) behind, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers reflect on the long and winding road of movies that encompass the Walt Disney Animation Studio’s biggest identity crisis. In this Study Group episode, we try and summarise what the Wilderness Years actually was, and why it’s one of the studio’s most fascinating eras (despite giant fluctuations in quality) – plus, we rank every film from this era, update our overall Disniversity rankings, and decide what the next era of the show will be. We have a title, and a list of films – listen to the episode to find out what’s coming next. Plus, we return to the Dinosaur Song Factory one last time, and Sam delivers a bonus nugget of personal lore related to Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Buckle up for incoming bangers: the future has arrived! Next episode: Mystery project, and possible mailbag episode. Then – The Princess And The Frog! 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.

This is it: the end of the Wilderness Years road. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers close out an era in Disney history with 2008’s action-packed pup adventure Bolt. Together, they discuss the ways in which the studio finally figured out their approach to making 3D CGI movies, unpick the unconventional production of the fictional ‘Bolt’ show, ponder whether it all amounts to animal cruelty, explore how the film borrows from Toy Story and The Matrix, and talk the casting of John Travolta. Plus, Sam gets into some deeply meta Nemo lore, and Ben becomes obsessed with the character the film always needed: Gidget. Next up: Study Group! (then, The Princess And The Frog) 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.

What’s up, Goobs. As the Wilderness Years draw towards an end, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers go back to the future with 2007’s time-travelling oddity Meet The Robinsons. And they’re joined by special guest Al Horner, who has his very own peculiar history with what might be *the* defining Wilderness movie. Together, they discuss the oddest Robinsons, discover the joy of ‘crogs’, and discuss Walt Disney’s vision of a ‘great big beautiful tomorrow’. Plus, Sam unpicks the insane lore of the spin-off game, there’s a spot of actual time travel, and Ben ponders the big question: who, exactly, is Pete Robinson? The future has arrived! Next up: Bolt 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.

When is a Disney movie not a Disney movie? When it’s this one! Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers stop for an important detour on the Wilderness Years path to discuss 2006’s haunting reverie, The Wild – a film released by Disney, that counts in the UK’s numbered DVD ordering of Disney movies, and yet wasn’t animated by the studio itself. Joined by friend of the pod Jon Hornbuckle (who previously helped us dig into the mystery of The Wild’s status in Disney canon), we discuss how the film came to be part of Disney’s legacy, why its plot is so similar to Madagascar, and – most importantly – why the hell it looks like that. It’s a shorter episode than usual, but a film that simply had to be acknowledged as the final stretch of Wilderness beckons. Next up: Meet The Robinsons 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.

Ho ho hello! It’s almost Christmas – so what better time to talk An Almost Christmas Story, Disney’s heart-swelling new animated short film, from acclaimed director David Lowery? Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers venture to snowy NYC for a tale of a lost owl and a lost girl, who might just find the meaning of Christmas together in the big city – with a handful of folk songs along the way. We talk the film’s cardboard-styled animation, the real story of the Rockefeller tree owl, and get down to the ultimate question: what truly makes something a Christmas story? Watch the film on Disney+, enjoy the pod, and we’ll see you in the new year for the final stretch of the Wilderness Years era. Next up: The Wild bonus episode 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.

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.

Avast, me hearties! Disniversity is back on the map – and film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are hoping to find hidden riches in 2002’s Treasure Planet. Our intrepid heroes are joined by animation (and particularly anime) lover Kambole Campbell, zord-ing up with the crew to talk the legacy of Disney pirate stories, farting slug-men, and the Anakin Skywalker-coding of Jim Hawkins. Plus, we discuss the pirate-to-sci-fi ratio of the film’s genre mashup, Sam unspools a wild Dracula-centric dream about much-desired Treasure Planet toys, and the ultimate question is pondered: exactly how long is this John Silver? Next up: Brother Bear 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.

Is this thing on? Is anybody out there? When film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers set out into the Wilderness Years of the Walt Disney Animation Studios, little did they know they’d be heading into their own wilderness year of sorts. But fear not: Disniversity is alive, and it’s back, back, back! Just before the pod proper begins again, here’s a big life update talking all the important stuff: Sam’s wedding, Ben’s baby, and – most importantly – the Beetlejuice tie-in Fanta. Thank you, sorry, and we love you all. Next up: Treasure Planet. At last. 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.

Right then, let’s do this one last time: three ghosts, one bad man – and this time, not a Muppet nor a Mickey in sight. With the festive season upon us once again, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers gather to tackle the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come of Scrooge retellings – Robert Zemeckis’ motion-capture madness-fuelled 2009 version, Disney’s A Christmas Carol. Prepare for discussions of Jim Carrey’s malleable face, the wildest variants of the three ghosts yet, front-flipping Bob Hoskins, a deeply unnerving Bob Cratchit, a brief history of Zemeckis’ ImageMovers Digital, and the terrifying presence of Ignorance and Want. It’s a wild ride of a film – Merry Christmas from Disniversity, and we’ll be back in the new year. Next up: Treasure Planet 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.

Ladies, gentlemen, Stitches and glitches – it’s finally time. At long last, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers blast off to Hawaii for 2002’s beloved Lilo & Stitch. But will it live up to the hype? (Spoiler: Absolutely yes.) For this episode, our duo are joined by very special guest Maria Lewis – author, TV writer, podcaster and more – to bask in the glory of Ohana, discussing the film’s affecting human story, its presentation of Polynesian culture, the meaning of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, terrible ’00s Elvis covers, and violent memes. Plus, Ben gets some mysterious voicemail messages from Disniversity alumni, Sam goes ultra-deep on a vast Lasting Legacy, and Maria talks the importance of the Oceanic Story Trust. It’s a big, buoyant conversation on a film we’ve been desperate to cover for years now – so go ahead, and get stuck right in. Next up: A Christmas Carol (2009, Robert Zemeckis). Then, Treasure Planet. 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.

With the journey to Hawaii taking a little longer than expected, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are passing the time with a bonus mini-episode – presenting an early reaction special on Walt Disney Animation Studio’s new feature, Wish. It’ll still be covered in full down the line – but for now, we discuss our expectations going in, our feelings on the songs and story, the end-credits characters who made us lose our minds, and how the film taps into Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Enjoy – and get ready for Experiment 626 to land in the very near future. Next up: Lilo & Stitch. We promise! 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.

After the Disney 100 miniseries, it’s time to get back on the path of the Wilderness Years as film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers plunge into the mysterious depths of 2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. And this time, they’re joined by very special guest Irenosen Okojie – author, and founder of the Black To The Future festival – to get to grips with an all-out science-fiction action-adventure movie, the first of its kind in the Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue. Together, our intrepid trio talk the Greek origins of the Atlantis myths, the instant appeal of Michael J. Fox, the impact of comic book artist Mike Mignola, and whether or not Kida is a Disney Princess. Expect lots of Indiana Jones references, discussions of the film’s colonial themes, and heartbreak over the betrayal of Mole. Et tu, Mole? Next up: Lilo & Stitch. Finally! 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 Strange World. 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.

Concluding the Disney 100 miniseries, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers venture down to London’s ExCeL centre to attend the hottest ticket in town: the Disney 100 Exhibition. Inside, they find all kinds of artifacts pertaining to the films covered on Disniversity – with original artwork, iconic props, historic pieces of music, effects models, and more. First up, they discuss the exhibition in general terms, sharing thoughts on the whole experience – before going into a (spoiler-y?) run-through of the most exciting pieces on display. Along the way, Sam reveals his surprise love of ‘90s sitcom Home Improvement, they stumble across a notable blimp, and uncover fresh evidence on the early origins of Pete himself. Next up: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (we promise, this time!) 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 Strange World. 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.

Disney 100 week continues, and film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are brought into the hallowed halls of the Roy E. Disney building for a grand reunion of the studio’s many legendary characters in brand new centenary short film Once Upon A Studio. Packed with Disniversity Legends, TDLFs, and oddbods we never saw coming, expect a flying trip through the best gags, most unexpected appearances, and the artists being celebrated for an eight-minute short that seems tailor-made to appeal to listeners of this podcast. Plus, Ben and Sam unpack that Walt and Mickey moment, talk the legacy of Burny Mattinson, and guess each other’s highlights. Warning: contains squawk-singing. Next up: Disney 100 Part 3: The Exhibition 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 Strange World. 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 Disney 100 week begins, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers pause regular class to present a miniseries exploring Disney’s centenary. First up: what actually is Disney 100, what does it mean, and what exactly are we marking 100 years of? We look into the history to talk contracts, self-mythology, and a century of cultural impact – and discuss the various ways that Disney is celebrating its own legacy this year. Then, we look back on the short that started it all – presenting a miniaturised version of our regular show format to discuss 1923’s Laugh-o-gram short Alice’s Wonderland (available on YouTube), and explore how it sowed the seeds of everything Disney would become. Roll out the Reception Committee! Next up: Disney 100 Part 2: Once Upon A Studio 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 Strange World. 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.

The years keep coming, and they don’t stop coming. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers return to the London Podcast Festival for a sold-out show that leaves Disney’s Magic Kingdom behind for the swirling swamp of 2001’s Shrek. For our 50th episode, it’s finally time to tackle the big green guy in the room – a figure who not only changed the trajectory of Walt Disney Animation Studios movies for years to come, but has played a major part in Sam’s academic pursuits. Together, Ben and Sam talk fart jokes, Farquaad, Farkle and more as they break down the film’s overt Disney parodies, its repositioning of what an animated fairytale can be, and question how subversive it really is. Plus, prepare to meet the laser-eyed non-ogre of the original story book, gear up for a Shrek In The Swamp Karaoke Dance Party, and take a trip to the most magical place of all: Shrek’s Adventure. Huge thanks to everyone who came to see us in person – and to Kings Place for hosting us! Next up: Disney 100 specials (then, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) 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 Strange World. 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.

Leaving Dinosaur (Plus Lemurs) in the past where it belongs, film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers head further into the Disney wilderness on a trip to Peru, with 2000’s The Emperor’s New Groove. It’s not only a film with an important role in Disniversity history (to be explained), but marked a new groove for the studio itself – plunging Disney further into irreverence, absurdity, and cartoon antics. Expect discussions of the film’s tumultuous making-of, the nightmarish experience Sting had on music duties, the film’s major Looney Tunes influence, and the legendary performances from Eartha Kite and Patrick Warburton. Plus, Ben recalls a Years 8 school memory and campaigns for Kronk to join the next season of The Bear, and Sam gets his Yzma on. We hope this one gets a big thumbs-up from Papi. Next up: Shrek live show (then, Atlantis: The Lost Empire) 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 Strange World. 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.