In 1997, a world was created that changed the lives of the Nerd Nation forever. J.K. Rowling first had the idea for Harry Potter while delayed on a train traveling from Manchester to London's King Cross in 1990. Over the next 5 years, she began to plan out the 7 books of the series. She wrote mostly in longhand and amassed a mountain of notes, many of which were scraps of paper.
She arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1993 with three chapters of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone in her suitcase. By now, she had a baby daughter, but she continued to write in her spare time. There was a cemetery in Edinburgh, that she would take a stroll through to get names for characters in the book. While she was training to be a teacher, Harry Potter was accepted for publication by Bloomsbury. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became a bestseller in 1997. As the book was translated into other languages and sold all around the world. It became a global sensation.
We enjoyed talking about Harry Potter and The Potterverse in this episode. Truth be told, we could spend days talking about the impact it made on our lives. Between helping us cope with being "different" or how we handle depression, Harry Potter made an impact in our lives that we and The World will NEVER forget! Below are some facts that we talked about in the episode, but this is just a splinter of details. Listen to the episode for more!
How old is Harry? Harry would be 39 years old.
Books
Sorcerer's Stone - 1997
Chamber of Secrets - 1998
The Prisoner of Azkaban - 1999
The Goblet of Fire - 2000
The Order of the Phoenix - 2003
The Half Blood Prince - 2005
The Deathly Hallows - 2007
Movies
Sorcerer's Stone - 2001
Chamber of Secrets - 2002
The Prisoner of Azkaban - 2004
The Goblet of Fire - 2005
The Order of the Phoenix - 2007
The Half Blood Prince - 2009
The Deathly Hallows:
Part 1 - 2010
Part 2 - 2011
Pottermore: the official entertainment and new channel for the Wizarding World. It offers the latest magical news and features, the authentic Sorting Hat and Patronus experiences, and original archive content from J.K. Rowling
We just redid our Sorting Hat live on the show. We got sorted years ago, but we apparently have changed.
Josh - Was a Gryffindor and now he's a Ravenclaw
Tyler - Was a Slytherin and now he's a Gryffindor
Play - The Cursed Child
I loved it
I read it in different voices
Loved the different moments of time the characters jump to.
Loved the use of new characters and old.
Currently running on Broadway in 2 Parts
Theme Park
Tyler has never been, but Josh has been tons of times. It is now in two parts.
Mobile game
I don’t like it.
Way too much to it.
Tyler's Europe stories of HP
Diagon Alley in Edenborough,Scotland
Nocturne Alley - just a small creepy side alley in Edenboroug
Weasley Wizards Wheezes - The two combined buildings to make it are still there.
The store "The Boy Wizard is made out of Olivander's
Voldemort's Wand - Is signed by the actor and in a shadow box at The Boy Wizard
The Cemetery she use to walk through for name ideas.
8 Unknown Facts
Dumbledore is an Old English word for bumblebee.
Snape’s Patronus didn’t turn into a doe until after Lilly died.
Rowling came close to killing Ron a few times halfway through the series because she was in a “bad place” in her words.
One of Rowling’s biggest regrets in the book series is Ron and Hermione’s relationship.
The first 5 years spent writing Harry Potter, JK created the rules and regulations of the characters and the boundaries they wouldn’t cross.
Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy, originally auditioned for Harry and Ron.
While filming the Horcrux kissing scene between Harry and Hermione, Ron had to be removed from set because he wouldn’t stop laughing.
Rowling stated that the Dementors are the physical embodiment of her depression.