"This is going to be a very interesting project. 

When you first look at it, it does sound a little bit strange... you know, an entire radio show dedicated to roller coasters and theme parks.  

 But there are shows dedicated to all types of things, like sports.  People talk for hours and hours about sports... why not talk for hours and hours about theme parks?"

This is what I said on the very first episode of our show to explain what CoasterRadio.com set out to be.

 We wanted to create a fun, accessible show about theme parks and thrill rides that was for the average fan... but could also be enjoyed by even the most hardcore enthusiast.

Back in 2005, I don't think anyone (including us) expected the show to go past 20 episodes.

Now, here we are seven years later celebrating the 200th!

On this week's show, we take a look back at favorite moments from the past 199 episodes and hear from each of the "Joint Chiefs" who were a part of the show back in 2005.  Mario, Flava and Greg K. return to talk about their thoughts on this milestone.

Also, since our listeners are the heart and soul of CoasterRadio.com... it's fitting that we celebrate by  having our annual "Listener Question Show" this week.

As per tradition, the questions are all over the map!  Some are about theme parks and thrill rides, others are about pop culture and some are about Mike, EB and the podcast itself.

We also unveil some big news about the upcoming West Coast trip and count down the days to the entry deadline for the "Reel" Design Contest!

Thanks to each of you for listening and participating in the show. We say it several time this week, because it's the truth - you guys are the show... and we're thankful that you're here.

CoasterRadio.com is a show about theme parks and thrill rides... but we also try to be a lot more.

Whenever possible, we try to enrich the lives our our listeners, by providing them with information essential to living "the good life."

Since this week's show is so dangerously close to Valentine's Day, we've decided to dedicate this episode to enhancing your love life.

Buckle your seatbelts!

To help you become a better catch out there in the world of relationships, we've enlisted the help of an expert.

Joining us on this week's show is Dating Expert and Relationship Coach DeAnna Lorraine.

Besides being devastatingly beautiful, DeAnna is an expert on the art of romance.  She has helped men all over the world have more success on the dating scene by teaching them how to be cool, confident and most importantly, BOLD!

This week, CoasterRadio.com listeners have sent in their questions for DeAnna and she is going to offer her valuable advice to make sure your Valentine's Day is a successful one.

Keeping with the spirit of love, we're going to have the World Premiere of the song written specifically for the winner of the CoasterRadio.com Valentine's Day Charity Song Auction!

Nick Hutson has been working with auction winner Kerri from Florida on her special song.  But who has it been written for and what does it sound like?  You'll find out this week!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Last summer, we sponsored a contest here at CoasterRadio.com where we would give the lucky winner a chance to produce an entire episode of the show.

We were so excited about everyone's ideas... we chose four winners!

This week, the first of those winners is stepping up to the plate to see if he has what it takes to live up to the pressure of producing a crazy podcast like this.

Tom from Louisville, KY has come up with the "Live Trip Report Show!"

He's gone though the dozens and dozens of backlogged trip reports that visitors have called in and has picked some of the most interesting ones to share with you.

Plus, to make things even more compelling... he has enlisted the services of the infamous CoasterRadio.com characters to introduce each one.

As EB says this week... "this is a show you're either gonna love or gonna hate!"

There were some crazy stories in the press this week... and a lot of them had to do with theme parks.

For instance...

Disney decided to drop a decades old rule that Walt Disney himself instated.  Starting next month, workers will be allowed to sport beards and goatees. Hipsters rejoice!

Thorpe Park in England said that their new coaster "The Swarm" was apparently having some trouble making its height clearances during testing.  Apparantly, some of the test mannequins came back without their limbs.

I like this story for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it gave the the opportunity to post a still from one of my favorite 80's movies ever - mannequin.  Emmy was one hot Egyptian, man.

The guys also take an opportunity to preview upcoming shows and contests!  You won't believe what is in store for February!

Imagine if you had a chance to sit down and talk with Walt Disney when he started to brainstorm about an idea called "Mickey Mouse Park."

What if you could go back to 1959 and have lunch with Angus Wynne Jr. to hear his ideas about a park that would eventually become "Six Flags Over Texas."

Building a theme park from scratch is no easy accomplishment.  It takes hard work, a solid business plan and most importantly... a vision.

On this week's show, we welcome a man with a unique vision of his own.

He wants to see a theme park built in his home town of Nashville, Tennessee.

This week, David Webb joins us to talk about his plans for "Ole South USA".

It would be a theme park celebrating everything that is vibrant and special about the southern region of the United States.

David gives us a "virtual tour" of the different themed lands, including descriptions of some of their innovative rides and attractions.  He also talks about the steps being taken to make this dream a reality.

Most importantly, he fills us in on the Pioneer Club, which gives 3,500 people a chance to take part in the birth of this theme park.

We also have an update on the Valentine's Day Charity Song Auction and we announce the first CoasterRadio.com Listener Meet-up of 2012.

California, HERE WE COME!

Among theme park fans, one of the most talked about locations over the past several years has been Universal Orlando.

Year after year, they blow people away with their incredibly detailed and truly scary (and fun) "Halloween Horror Nights."

They really turned people's heads when they unleashed the incredibly awesome "Spiderman" attraction on the world.  Some people claim that ride hasn't been topped yet.

Then, they shocked the world when they announced plans to build "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter."  What was even more amazing is that the new land and it's attractions actually lived up to the anticipation and the hype.

Most recently, they closed "Jaws", one of their original opening day rides and perhaps their most iconic attraction.  That lead to speculation and some controversial reporting on what might possibly replace the gigantic Amity area.

To make sense of all of this, we welcome Seth Kubersky back to the show. He is the author of "Universal Studios 2012: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park."

We'll talk about the recent closure of "Jaws" and what the attraction has meant to the park's history.  We'll also talk about what it was like to be at the attraction on it's closing night.

We'll also discuss its rumored replacement.

Seth will give us a breakdown about the possibility of a new Harry Potter themed area in Universal Studios Florida and a new thrill attraction that would be unlike anything we have ever seen at a park before.

Fascinating stuff! 

Plus, EB and Mike announce a fun new project for all you romantics out there.

The Valentine's Day Charity Song Auction gives listeners an opportunity to bid on an original love song that will be written especially for that special someone in your life.

And, the best part is that all of the money raised will go to the winner's favorite charity.

Check out our link on the CoasterRadio.com Blog for more info on how to bid!

Check out our link on the CoasterRadio.com Blog for more info on how to bid!

The crowd in Times Square has gathered...

The giant crystal ball is hovering above the masses, ready to drop...

The New Year is just minutes away!

And, there is only one host who has the charisma, sparkling personality and giant red claws to bring it all to you...

Bob The Lobster.

This week, the Original Theme Park Podcast rings in the new year with a "live" broadcast from Times Square in New York City, where our own "Bob The Lobster" is standing by to count us down Dick Clark style!

We also will review all of the new attractions that made their debuts in 2011 at theme parks across America.

Which ones worked?  Which ones didn't?  Which ones made an impact and which ones were bombs?

After the clock strikes midnight, Mike and EB will give away the "CoasterRadio.com Award for Best New Attraction of 2011!"

Plus, we'll go live to Universal Studios Hollywood to meet our exclusive correspondent who will give us the inside scoop on what's happening with their version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Happy New Year from Bob The Lobster and everyone here at CoasterRadio.com!