Hunger Games Fireside Chat Podcast

In Episode 44 of Fireside Chat, after briefly chatting about the March 2012 issue of Empire magazine that's chock full of Hunger Games awesomeness, we speak with Dr. Jen Scott Curwood of the University of Sydney about the role that The Hunger Games has played in her research on literature, literacy, and online spaces. We then discuss Capitol Couture and The Hunger Games' chances at next year's Oscars. To conclude, we react to the strangest Crackpot Theory we've ever heard (hint: it's Madge-related).

In Episode 43 of Fireside Chat -- a special 43-minute, Saturday night edition of the show -- we weigh in on the "new new" still of Katniss and Peeta in their chariot outfits, discuss the final poster featuring Katniss aiming an arrow, and chat about WizKids' upcoming line of collectible figurines/action figures and new games (the District 12 strategy game and Jabberjay trading card game). We also play one round of "The Sound of Hunger" and challenge our panelists to "guess the district" based on the sounds they hear.

The storm is here! In Episode 42 of Fireside Chat, we kick off the show by recapping/discussing ALL of the amazing news from this past week: the new still of Effie, Haymitch, and Katniss that was released by The Daily Blam on Sunday, Lionsgate's $412.5 million purchase of Summit, Suzanne Collins' executive producer status, and the unveiling of CapitolCouture.pn (what do we think about Lionsgate's beauty-centric marketing tactics?). We then do an interview round-up and share our favorite moments from the MANY cast interviews that have been popping up online. On a similar note, we also talk about Gary Ross's INCREDIBLE interview with the L.A. Times Hero Complex, in which he explains the lengths he went to in order to direct The Hunger Games. 

In Episode 41 of Fireside Chat, we kick off the show with a few brief announcements, some quick Lionsgate/Summit merger updates, and a short discussion of AFM's picketing of Lionsgate. We then do one round of Pick a Page (since it's been awhile) and -- because this has been such a slow news week -- spend the rest of the evening digging into our infamous topic cornucopia, which is absolutely overflowing with all sorts of conversation topics, Crackpot Theories, Cave/Marry/Kill line-ups, and more! (Here are the topics we drew during the live show: (1) Crackpot Theory: Foxface and Thresh were in an alliance (2) Question: If you all were in the Hunger Games, who do you think would win? (3) Cave, Marry, Kill: Beetee, Darius, Seneca Crane)

In Episode 40 of Fireside Chat -- our first episode of 2012 -- we celebrate the new year by taking a look back: In addition to discussing our Top 5 Hunger Games Moments from 2011, we play short clips from old episodes that correspond to the memorable events on our list. We also share the Top 5 Most Ridiculous Hunger Games Moments of 2011 (as chosen by us) and look ahead to what many have already dubbed "The Year of The Hunger Games." Happy New Year!

In Episode 39 of Fireside Chat, we begin by discussing "Safe & Sound," a song that country singer Taylor Swift wrote and recorded with The Civil Wars that will be appearing on one of the Hunger Games soundtrack albums. We also briefly address the news that indie bands Arcade Fire and The Decemberists will also be contributing songs to this "companion album." We spend the latter half of the show talking to some VERY special guests: the mayors that YOU elected to represent you and your districts on TheCapitol.PN. In addition to answering fan-submitted questions in a fun Q&A session, the mayors go head-to-head in an epic "Battle of the Mayors." You won't want to miss this!

In Episode 37 of Fireside Chat, we talk about the line of Capitol-inspired nail polish that China Glaze will be releasing in conjunction with the film and discuss TheFABlife.com's recent interview with Scholastic editor David Levithan about the dystopian trend in YA literature. Why is this dark genre so popular right now and what does that say about our society? We also chat about Mainstay Pro's first Finnick and Annie short with the help of Shylah Addante, who wrote the screenplays for the series.

In Episode 36 of Fireside Chat, we share our thoughts on what was probably the biggest news story of the week: the potential merger of Lionsgate and Summit. If it happens, how will this merger affect the future of the Hunger Games film franchise? In light of tonight's BREAKING NEWS, we talk about James Newton Howard, who will be replacing Danny Elfman as the film's composer. At 10:30 or so, we interview the brilliant creators of The Katniss Chronicles, an unofficial audio drama based on The Hunger Games. We conclude with a couple of Crackpot Theories: The Hunger Games actually happened in the 1800s but the government today is covering it up; Mags was actually speaking Spanish when she was "babbling" in Catching Fire.

In Episode 35 of Fireside Chat, in addition to our regular line-up of fan site representatives and other Hunger Games experts, we're joined by four amazing guest panelists: the Schmoes Know guys (noted film critics who cater their reviews to us "regular folk"), Sarah Brannen (children's author and illustrator) and Tim Koleto (up and coming figure skater and passionate Hunger Games fan). We kick off the show by discussing the new still of Haymitch, Cinna, and Peeta that was released in the latest issue of People magazine (and announce the winners of Down with the Capitol's caption contest). We also weigh in on the news that Lionsgate is courting Simon Beaufoy (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire) to write the screenplay for Catching Fire. We spend the rest of the show "grab bagging" it and pulling all sorts of exciting subjects -- from Crackpot Theories and Cave, Marry, Kills to What Ifs? and listener-submitted questions -- out of our topic cornucopia. We conclude by sharing a listener-submitted poem and talking ab

In Episode 34 of Fireside Chat, we speak to someone who has NEVER read The Hunger Games and get his feedback on the new theatrical trailer. In light of the release of Breaking Dawn - Part 1 this weekend, we examine the Twilight phenomenon as it relates to The Hunger Games: Why does the public/the media constantly compare the two series, when they're so totally different? Will The Hunger Games surpass Twilight in ticket sales and popularity? Lastly, we'll interview the hilarious authors of The Hunger But Mainly Death Games and The Younger Games, two recently published parodies that beg the question: Is it appropriate to spoof something like The Hunger Games?

In Episode 33 of Fireside Chat, we celebrate a momentous event that we have spent endless months waiting for: the world premiere of the full-length Hunger Games trailer! Representatives from all of the top fan sites join us for a full discussion and second-by-second analysis of the trailer the night of its debut on Good Morning America. You won't want to miss this historic episode!

In Episode 32 of Fireside Chat, we weigh in on the cast photos and interviews in the December 2011 issue of Vanity Fair and also react to Woody Harrelson's recent interview about his "unconventional" interpretation of Haymitch. Many seem to think that he's reinventing the character and breaking canon; what do you think? We also interview Emily Ansara Baines, author of The Unofficial Hunger Games Cookbook. We conclude the show with a sneak preview of Panem World and discuss The Lottery, a short story by Shirley Jackson with some similarities to The Hunger Games.

In Episode 31 of Fireside Chat, we look at the latest movie-related news as well as bring you Panem October and TheCapitol.PN updates with the help of some special guests... We also interview Kristen Zimmer, creator of the Hunger Games Electronica Project, and talk to her about Redux: Music of Panem Remixed (a collaboration with Sam Cushion, who also joins us). The focus of the episode is a discussion of "real life" Hunger Games, from Mayan football and Roman gladiatoral games to an old Fox reality show with a pretty twisted concept. We conclude with Pick a Page.

In this special Friday night edition of Fireside Chat, we discuss, analyze, contemplate, and gush about the Hunger Games character posters that were released to the public on Thursday, October 29, 2011. What do we think about Effie's garish look? How do we feel about Haymitch's long blond hair? Listen and find out!

In Episode 30 of Fireside Chat, we discuss all the latest Hunger Games-related news (or lack thereof), including Jackie Emerson and Dayo Okeniyi's Sunday afternoon livestream with fans. We also weigh in on a recent article at Victor's Village about casting and the "race card." Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, we talk about economic disparity in Panem as compared to present-day economic inequality in the United States. We conclude with a new game called The Sound of Hunger.

In Episode 29 of Fireside Chat, we comb through the rumor mill and chat about possible trailer theories, the Josh Hutcherson interview delays, as well as Glen Hansard and his possible contribution to the Hunger Games soundtrack. We also finally have a big conversation about TheCapitol.PN and share our opinions of the seals, the DIPs, the experience so far, and the site's effectiveness as a marketing tool. After discussing transportation in Panem, we end the show with Pick a Page and an incredible surprise that you definitely won't want to miss!

In Episode 28 of Fireside Chat, we kick off the show by talking to Amie of HG Girl on Fire about her miraculous run-in with longtime crush Josh Hutcherson. Next, we discuss the latest Panem October-related news and weigh in on Woody Harrelson's self-described "comedic approach" to Haymitch. We also discuss the District 5 seal at TheCapitol.PN and the fact that it hints at the presence of nuclear power in Panem. On a similar note, we wonder why District 13 had been developing nuclear weapons before the Dark Days. We conclude with Pick a Page and Cave, Marry, Kill.

In Episode 26 of Fireside Chat, we share our Top 10 Hunger Games Pick-Up Lines, explore another Haymitch-related Crackpot Theory (was he just pretending to be drunk!?), and introduce a new segment called Pick a Page! We also speculate on what the timeline leading up to the film's premiere will look like, given that the release date is now less than six months away. Lastly, we bring you an exclusive, live interview with Rowan, the enigmatic Head Gamemaker of Panem October. While we have heard from Rowan in several written interviews, his voice and true identity have -- until now -- remained a mystery. Join us as he breaks his silence for the first time.

To commemorate our 25th episode, we bring you the first ever HUNGER GAMES FIRESIDE CHAT: UNSCRIPTED. We have absolutely no plan or agenda for Episode 25. We do, however, have a grab bag full of listener-submitted questions, discussion topics, Crackpot Theories, What Ifs?, Would You Rathers?, and even a few Cave, Marry, Kills. We choose topics from the grab bag at random and discuss, debate, and speculate!

In Episode 24 of Fireside Chat, we remember 9/11 and celebrate both the end of filming and the one-year birthdays/anniversaries of fan sites Down with the Capitol and The Hob. We also talk about some of the mysterious roles that have popped up at the IMDb listing for The Hunger Games and interview two brilliant Rockingjay artists: Blue of Hello, the Future! and Rebekah Hawker. We conclude the show with a fun fan-submitted segment combining The Hunger Games and football.