Hunger Games Fireside Chat Podcast

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 27 of Fireside Chat, we weigh in on the recent CNN article that caused a large portion of the fandom to groan in frustration. We also share some exciting Buttercup-related news, introduce a new segment called Survival Tips, and do another round of Pick a Page and Cave, Marry, Kill. Additionally, we discuss this weekend's Panem October launch and the latest phases of TheCapitol.PN.

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.

In Episode 23 of Fireside Chat, we weigh in on the three director commentary videos that were posted online this week, thanks to a Skype interview that MTV had with Gary Ross. We also analyze the Mockingjay Call with the help of musician Patrick Wells (Sound Called Music) and compare it to three other well-known movie themes. We also briefly chat about TheCapitol.PN and Steven Soderbergh (who recently explained why exactly he served as second unit director for The Hunger Games). We spend the rest of the episode speaking with educator Tracee Orman about her Hunger Games lessons and also discussing Panem's education system (of which we obviously know very little).

What better way to mark the day after the MTV Video Music Awards than with a SECOND-BY-SECOND analysis of the FIRST Hunger Games teaser trailer and a full discussion of the Gary Ross video? Get your magnifying glasses and pause buttons ready and join us as we dissect every frame of footage... We'll also chat with Amie Marie, who attended the VMAs, and Jenn, who will give us a Hunger Games Collab update and share some of the week's top Hunger Games Confessions.

In Episode 21 of Fireside Chat, Sara Gundell (The Hunger Games Examiner) joins us to share some incredibly exciting news that no Hunger Games fan will want to miss! We also chat with the creator of The Hunger Games Collab on YouTube, discuss the latest filming-related news, get overly excited about Jennifer Lawrence's recording of "Rue's Lullaby" ("coming out soon," according to T. Bone Burnett!), and comment on the Peacekeeper uniforms (as seen in the still of Gale at the Reaping). Lastly -- but perhaps most importantly -- we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the release of Mockingjay by revealing some of our pre-Mockingjay theories, sharing our favorite Mockingjay moments, and more (a special round of CMK might be involved).

To celebrate our 20th episode of Fireside Chat (and Jennifer Lawrence's birthday), we bring you Round 2 in our Ultimate "Team Peeta vs. Team Gale vs. Team Katniss" Showdown. This time, we take a close look at the concept of "teams" and why it's okay to acknowledge the presence of a love triangle in The Hunger Games. Supporters of Peeta and Gale go head to head and explain why their preferred District 12 boy is the best fit for Katniss. We also ask a question that not many people dare to ask: Is Katniss what's best for Peeta? Additionally, proponents of Team Katniss join the fray and argue that this is one heroine who doesn't need a hero. (Before the debate, we discuss Tyra Banks' new novel, Modelland, which seems to share a lot of similarities with The Hunger Games...)

In Episode 19 of Fireside Chat, we discuss the latest Hunger Games movie-related news from the past week: the announcement that Steven Soderbergh will be second unit director on the film, Billboard's news about the score and soundtrack albums, our first glimpse of Capitol extras in costume, and the latest stills of Jennifer and Josh as Katniss and Peeta! We also obsess over the color of Katniss's backpack, FINALLY address the "Prim's name was plated in the Reaping by rebels" Crackpot Theory and give away one more mini-poster!

In Episode 18 of Fireside Chat, hosts Adam and Savanna are joined by fan site representatives and other Hunger Games experts to analyze the "men of The Hunger Games" edition of Entertainment Weekly. The 8/5/11 issue, which hit newstands this Friday, features the first official in-character photos of Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. We also discuss the rest of the latest book- and movie-related news, including Slate's article naming Suzanne Collins one of the "Most Innovative and Practical Thinkers of 2011." We end by exploring the Crackpot Theories that we didn't get to last week and embarrassing ourselves yet again with another round of Cave, Marry, Kill. Oh yeah, and three more lucky listeners have a chance to win mini-posters!