National Lampoon is ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary by bringing back the “National Lampoon Radio Hour” as a podcast, with the iconic comedy magazine also teaming up with Spotify to stream exclusive show content, TheWrap has learned.
The new show, aptly dubbed “National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast,” will premiere its first two episodes on Thursday, Dec. 19, including a special Christmas-themed show featuring ex-“Saturday Night Live” star Rachel Dratch.
Amy Sedaris, Chris Gethard, Julie Klausner and Jordan Klepper will also guest star, while a smorgasbord of new comedians will be featured on the podcast, including: Cole Escola, Jo Firestone, Brett Davis, Alex English, Maeve Higgins, Aaron Jackson, Rachel Pegram, Lorlei Ramirez, Meg Stalter and Martin Ubrano.
Starting on Dec. 26 with the podcast’s third episode, Spotify users will have exclusive early access to new and uncensored episodes — three weeks before the half-hour show is available on other podcast platforms. Spotify listeners will also have exclusive access to original content from the original “National Lampoon Radio Hour,” which ran from 1973 to 1974 and introduced the world to comedy legends like John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner.
“The original ‘NationalLampoon Radio Hour’ was on the radio. Spotify is radio to this generation. What better place than Spotify to debut ‘NationalLampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast’?” said National Lampoon President Evan Shapiro.
You can check out a preview of “National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast” below:
“National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast” is executive produced by Joe Cilio, Alex Ramsey, and National Lampoon’s Kevin Frakes, Raj Singh and Evan Shapiro. Cole Escola serves as head writer and executive producer. Jo Firestone is senior writer and producer.
“National Lampoon is one of the most iconic and hilarious comedy brands of all time,” Lauren Jarvis, Spotify’s head of content partnerships in North America, added. “Spotify is thrilled to be partnering to bring its revered Radio Hour to new audiences around the world.”
Cameras will be rolling on the podcast, too, capturing the comedians while recording. Each episode will be available on National Lampoon’s website and its YouTube channel, with Brandon Tamburri and Tracy Soren directing the video.
Linking up with National Lampoon comes as Spotify has continued to double down on podcasts in 2019.
The company , during its Q3 earnings report, said 14% of monthly active users now listen to podcasts, or about 35 million people. While that number may seem modest compared to podcast competitors, when you look at it in terms of growth — the key metric investors watch for at tech companies — it becomes much more impressive. Spotify, in its letter to shareholders, said it had seen “exponential growth” in the amount of time users interacted with podcasts, with a 39% quarter-over-quarter spike in hours spent listening to podcasts.
Matt Dysart, Head of Studio Content Licensing at Spotify, structured and negotiated the deal with National Lampoon President Evan Shapiro.
10 Celebrities Who Started Podcasts in the Last Year, From Dax Shepard to Rami Malek (Photos)
An estimated 144 million people in the U.S. have at one point or another listened to a podcast. That number, provided by Edison Research's latest study Infinite Dial, is 20 million more than in 2018. The growing popularity of on-demand audio this decade has led Hollywood stars like Will Ferrell to Amy Schumer to take notice.
To get you connected with the latest conversations featuring your favorite personalities, TheWrap has put together a list of stars that have gone into podcasting since the start of 2018.
Will Ferrell
The comedian is giving you more of the "Anchorman" character in 2019. Spotify announced that Will Ferrell would be joining the podcasting ranks in character as the famed Ron Burgundy.
Take a listen here.
Dax Shepard
In less than a year, the "Parenthood" and "Without a Paddle" star built the No. 1 new podcast on the Apple charts in 2018, "Armchair Expert." Shepard did so alongside co-host Monica Padman by using intimate conversations with stars like Seth Rogen and in-depth discussions with experts like Dr. Drew.
Listen to "Armchair Expert" here.
Rami Malek
The Oscar-winning actor is executive producing and starring in "Blackout," a new fictional podcast in which a small-town New Hampshire radio DJ "fights to protect his family and community after the power grid goes down nationwide, upending modern civilization."
Listen to the trailer here.
Amy Schumer
The stand-up comic and "Trainwreck" actress started the podcast "3 Girls, 1 Keith" on Spotify last summer. Schumer is joined by fellow comedians Rachel Feinstein, Bridget Everett, and Keith Robinson.
Listen here.
Topher Grace
Debuting in late March, "Minor Adventures with Topher Grace" will bring on stars like Nina Dobrev and Whitney Cummings to do a challenge with the "BlacKkKlansman" actor as they also try to answer interview questions.
Listen to the preview here.
Gwenyth Paltrow
The "Shakespeare in Love" and "Avengers" actress started a podcast last year where she talks to a variety of lifestyle experts. "The goop Podcast" is a part of her Goop health and wellness company.
Listen here.
Macaulay Culkin
The "Home Alone" star's "Bunny Ears" podcast features Q&As, conversations about his Velvet Underground cover band and celebrity guests like Freddie Prinze Jr. and Anna Faris.
Listen here.
Conan O'Brien
After his late-night show shortened to 30 minutes, the former "SNL" writer decided to give his fans more content with his own podcast. O'Brien's guest list has included Jeff Goldblum, Adam Sandler, Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally.
Listen here.
Alan Alda
The "M*A*S*H" actor started his own podcast in July of last year "Clear+Vivid." The podcast aims to help listeners "connect better with others in every area of your life. Immerse yourself in spirited conversations with people who know how hard it is, and yet how good it feels, to really connect with other people – whether it’s one person, an audience or a whole country." Episodes have included conversations with comedian Sarah Silverman and author and activist Letty Cottin Pogrebin on feminism and the #MeToo movement.
Listen here.
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The growing popularity of podcasts this decade has led Hollywood stars like Amy Schumer and Will Ferrell to take notice.
An estimated 144 million people in the U.S. have at one point or another listened to a podcast. That number, provided by Edison Research's latest study Infinite Dial, is 20 million more than in 2018. The growing popularity of on-demand audio this decade has led Hollywood stars like Will Ferrell to Amy Schumer to take notice.
To get you connected with the latest conversations featuring your favorite personalities, TheWrap has put together a list of stars that have gone into podcasting since the start of 2018.
