Here are some frequently asked questions about the series, compiled from Reddit, Twitter, etc.
The Show
- Is [magictavern@puppies.supplies] a real email [address]?
Yes
Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Every Episode where they ask you to email seilppus.seippup|nrevatcigam#seilppus.seippup|nrevatcigam
- Is the show scripted?
No, the show is not scripted. They have really good editors that put ambient sounds/sound effects after the initial recording and utilize Long Form Improv.
- How do the host decide what the guest does?
Most of the time, the guest can choose what they do, giving two or three simple sentence ideas. Ultimately, the host decides what to go with to make sure it doesn't conflict with anything they have done in the past/recently. Some episodes would have ideal endpoint or items to hit, but it is all about the journey.
- Does the guest have prior knowledge to the canon of the show?
It varies between guests. At the end of the day, they are told to not worry about breaking the show too much and they could always cut it if something goes way out of the way.
- How does the host keep track of continuity?
There are some things they can remember on their own, but the wiki helps.
Source: 1 (also see previous question's sources)
- How did the host get the idea/how did they first meet?
See Behind the Tavern: Season 1, Ep 1. The episode has been released outside of the paywall as of April 7, 2019.
- Can you mail fan letters and gifts?
You used to. Early on, the hosts set up a way for fans to send physical mail and packages to the hosts and they could open it during an episode. However, after some time and may packages later, it became more and more difficult to open the packages in a timely manor. Eventually, the gave a send off and made it a plot point in Season 2. They no longer have the same location to send packages too and encourage people more to send their support digitally or through the ads.
Source: 1
- Are there live shows?
Yes, there have been live shows in the past. Usually they will announce it in the main feed, but following the main social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) might be the most effective way to find out. The Lives shows have become part of the main feed of Season 1 and 2, and the ones done during Season 3 were given their own spin-off series, as it did not effect the canon.
Source: 1, 2
- Where can you by Merchandise for the show?
The official site list Topatoco. As of September 23, 2021 Podswag is being cleared out of Official Magic Tavern Merch and as of October 19, 2021, there are still items available. Early on, they also got shirts from Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company.
- How to listen to the spin offs?
Currently, all the spinoffs are available via Stitcher Premium. There have been episodes that have been made available outside of the paywall during anniversaries and promos.
As of September 16th, 2021, it has been announce that the series is going independent via Patreon and the spin-offs are in a period of exclusivity with Stitcher Premium. The goal is to shift everything to the Patreon.
- Why did the producers of the show changed?
It has been long overdue as Matt Young and Adal Rifai stepped in more as Ryan DiGiorgi and Evan Jacover have stepped back a little. Every one is still, more or less, involved, just in different degrees.
Source: 1
- What is the Special Assistance that Ryan DiGiorgi provide?
Mostly snacks, but in reality, there are odds and ends done in the background of the show that he does help out with. It also covers his credits as Craig during the spinoffs.
Source: 1 (See Above)
- Where can I chat with other fans of the show?
You can interreact with other fans via Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and many other social media outlets.
As of September 16th, 2021, you can participate in the official discord by supporting the show via Patreon.
- Does Offices and Bosses uses real D&D rules?
Not Really. They'll say numbers to get more interesting improv scenes. However in Season 3, they played a more simplified RPG.
Source: 1
- Have [the hosts] seen this video of pizza skulls?
Have the host seen the pizza videos.... Pizza Skull is one of the most common repost on r/magictavern. And Tweeted to the group, specifically Usidore
- Has the group ever reached out to Burger King for a sponsorship?
Unfortunately, that ship has sailed as they give free advertising to Burger King Each week with the intro.
Source: 1
- Where to start listening?
The Beginning is always nice. Although if 300+ episodes are too daunting, the hosts mention the departure of some "traditional formatting" for the start of Season 3 and welcomes a jumping off point from the start of Season 4. Either way, you can start anywhere since there is only a handful of episodes that particularly plot heavy.
- What are the essential episodes?
Although there is no official list, there is a wiki page for The Story so Far and a redditor has made a Floodlist for Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3.
- I'm caught up, what's next?
Other Podcasts
Movies
TV
Books
Music
Other
The Canon
- Is Foon of Country or continent?
- Does the plot move forward?
Yes. It's slow, but yes.
- Who is the Mysterious Man?
In short, he is the voice at the intro/outro of the podcast to remind the audience that the show is not real. He also gives plugs for advertisements and give the real life acting credits to the performers. He does get a little involved in the main feed and his "team" does expand, so keep an ear open.1
- Who is the Dark Lord?
The Dark Lord is the big bad for the series and the main evil for Usidore's Quest. Although the show focuses on the interviews of, seemingly, random characters, information about the Dark Lord is shared, whether its from the guest or Usidore himself.
- How Long has Arnie been in Foon?
A fan made https://whendidarniefall.netlify.app/ to count the days. Based on Season 3, Ep 32 – Five Years, Arnie fell through the dimensional portal on March 6th, 2015.
Source: 1
- Cat or Doctor?
Cat, then doctor, finally some variation of the two together.
- Is there more Book Club episodes?
There's only two official Book Club episodes and there has not been any announcements about doing any more, yet. There had been some talks during an episode, and the hosts are open to it.
- What is a snub-nosed motorboat?
There is no hard definition, but this is a response from twitter.
- What is Craig?
Craig is similar to the Mysterious Man where he is able to give out intros and outros when the Mysterious Man cannot
- Are the Twitter accounts canon?
Short answer: Kinda? Long answer: At least Spintax's is. Usidore and Chunt's twitter are definitely in character. In previously posts, the @magictavern handle was posed as Arnie's voice, but on July 17th, 2019, it has been a general news feed. Just think of them as B canon, where it is canon until it isn't.
- What type of flower is Flower?
Standard Flower
Source: 1
- What are the list of the approve human names?
According to the hosts, the approved human names are as follows:
- Scalafath Bingbang Wazooti
- Amelia Smelting-Foxerie
- Henrietta Robot Chomps
- Oliver Boliver Butt
- Ten Lincoln Cannon Mopmop
- Mr. Fuentes
- Dudley Franklin
- Teddy Freddie Eddie Farnsworth
- Bucky Conklin
- Billy Yumyum Twobytwo
- Cornelius Pendergrass
- Pringle Fitzgerald
- Freddy Melon
- Longmumps
- Eugenia Tinklepaw
- and, of course, Hank
The Episodes
Most questions about "When does [this thing] happen?" can be answered in Plot.
- As a shapeshifter, what form was Chunt born as?
Although Chunt has joked many times that, when he was born, he was adorable, Chunt was born "manticore-ish" : a lion with a human(his father's) head, as asked in an email in season 1.
Source: 1
- What are some plot developments that we completely unplanned, even as an improv podcast?
- Are there any moments the hosts hope they could take back?
There are some instances here and there, but most of the time, the joy is trying to fix the world when someone breaks it.
- What happen to Lincoln/Tricia-8049?
Neither storyline is "technically" finished. Bring characters like Lincoln or that particular Tricia will depend on scheduling and what they need for the show at the time. It is not out of the realm of possibilities for the audience to return to their story.
- Will there be more Mirror World Episodes
Another instance that is not outside of what can be done. Although it give a fresh restart of the structured world that the audience is familiar with and the performers can start anew, it does involve more work to give them meaning within the show property. The hosts do find the alternative worlds fun.
Source: 1