National Lampoon Radio Hour The Podcast reveals launch date

New York NY, USA—When National Lampoon first released the ‘National Lampoon Radio Hour’ in 1973, it broke ground in audio sketch and introduced a cast of fresh young talent that lit the world on fire: John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, and many more. Today it was announced that the iconic comedy franchise that took American pop culture for a wild and laugh out loud ride will return almost half a century later on Thursday, December 19!

The new, 11-episode podcast, in partnership with Forever Dog Podcast Network and available on iTunes, Spotify and other podcasting platforms (subscribe now!), will feature a collection of hilarious National Lampoon comedy sketches, characters, music and more, who will find their funny through the prose of lead writers Cole Escola (Emmy-nominated At Home with Amy Sedaris, Difficult People) and Jo Firestone (Adult Swim, The Tonight Show).

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National Lampoon will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, and ‘National Lampoon Radio Hour’ is at the heart of the renowned brand’s legacy. Bringing humor, satire and irreverence to this scripted refresh are some of the industry’s emerging comics whose stars are on the rise. They include: Brett Davis (Andy Kaufman Comedy winner, Podcast For Laundry), Alex English (The Rundown, Night Train), Maeve Higgins (Maeve in America: Immigration IRL, 2 Dope Queens), Aaron Jackson (UCB, The Opposition), Rachel Pegram (The Week Of, Don’t Think Twice), Lorelei Ramirez (Comedy Central: Up Next, Pervert Everything), Meg Stalter (Vulture: Up-and-coming Comedian of the Week, The Meg Stalter Show) and Martin Urbano (Jimmy Kimmel, Comedy Central). Joining the ensemble in guest starring roles throughout the run are some of today’s biggest names in sketch comedy, Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Chris Gethard, Julie Klausner and Jordan Klepper.

In addition to the podcast, which like its zeitgeist predecessor brings storytelling to your ears, the new ‘National Lampoon Radio Hour’ also pulls back the curtain and invites fans into the studio. For the first-time ever, cameras captured the performances and antics of the dynamic comedians while taping. Each episode will be available via www.nationallampoon.com and YouTube.

Evan Shapiro, President, National Lampoon adds: “The National Lampoon Radio Hour is an institution. These inmates do it proud.”

“National Lampoon Radio Hour” is executive produced by Forever Dog’s Joe Cilio, Alex Ramsey and Brett Boham, and National Lampoon’s Evan Shapiro. Cole Escola serves as head writer and executive producer. Jo Firestone is senior writer and producer. Video series directed by Brandon Tamburri and Tracy Soren.

For more information, visit National Lampoon’s social media pages:

Instagram: @nationallampoon

Twitter: @nationallampoon

Facebook: National Lampoon

About National Lampoon

National Lampoon is a comedy studio for all platforms - audio, live, digital, TV, and film. Led by President Evan Shapiro and Co-CEOs Raj Singh and Kevin Frakes, the studio is leveraging its legacy to create the next generation of comedy and talent.

About Forever Dog

Forever Dog is a media company and leading producer of original, offbeat and boundary-pushing comedy podcasts, including 30+ weekly shows that garner millions of downloads a month. Founded in 2016 by creatives and entrepreneurs Brett Boham, Joe Cilio and Alex Ramsey, Forever Dog’s popular and critically acclaimed podcasts feature a diverse roster of respected comedians, including James Adomian, Bowen Yang, Alaska, Abby Elliott, Sabrina Jalees, Patti Harrison, Charles Rogers, Sarah-Violet Bliss, Kevin McDonald, Catherine Cohen, Brett Davis, Jamie Lee, Mitra Jouhari and Rhea Butcher, among many others. Forever Dog shows span myriad genres and topics, and include Las Culturistas, The Underculture, Race Chaser, Conference Call, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, Seek Treatment, A Woman’s Smile, Teen Creeps, Food 4 THOT, The Goodie Goodie, The Unofficial Expert, Black Men Can’t Jump in Hollywood, Dark Tank and more.