It’s the Return of the National Lampoon Radio Hour!

It’s been almost half a century since the National Lampoon Radio show introduced us to talents like John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray – and now it is returning, in podcast form, to showcase new talent and special guests like Amy Sedaris and Rachel Dratch.

Hosted by Cole Escola and Jo Firestone, the 11-episode National Lampoon Radio Hour premieres on iTunesSpotify and other podcasting platforms on Thursday, December 19th.

IT’S TIME FOR A GOOD LAUGH…AGAIN!

BEGINNING DECEMBER 19, ‘NATIONAL LAMPOON RADIO HOUR,’ THE ICONIC COMEDY SHOW THAT BROUGHT US BELUSHI, MURRAY AND RADNER RETURNS TO CELEBRATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG, DIVERSE COMEDIC SUPERSTARS

New, Original 11-Episode Scripted Podcast, Featuring Special Guests Including Rachel Dratch, Amy Sedaris, Chris Gethard, Also Available as First-Ever Video Series; First Promo & Clip For The Podcast Released 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYacfZ9f1Lk&feature=youtu.be

New York, November 12, 2019 – 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 iTunesSpotify 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 SedarisDifficult People) and Jo Firestone (Adult Swim, The Tonight Show).

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 DratchAmy SedarisChris GethardJulie 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