National Lampoon Radio Hour relaunching as podcast led by Cole Escola, Jo Firestone

The National Lampoon Radio Hour, whose initial run in 1973-74 included writing and performances from the likes of John Belushi, Christopher Guest, Anne Beatts, Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and more, is coming back as a podcast.

This time, it’ll be produced by the Forever Dog podcast network, which has partnered with the Lampoon, and announced the first two writers/cast/producers: Cole Escola, whom you’ve seen on truTV’s At Home with Amy Sedaris, and Jo Firestone, from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

“The National Lampoon brand was built on the grass roots discovery of fresh and innovative comedic voices,” said National Lampoon President Evan Shapiro in a statement. “Our commitment to this legacy is bolstered by our partnership with Forever Dog – which works with the smartest, most irreverent and offbeat comedians on the planet. Cole is at the vanguard of sketch, personifying the twisted, witty and subversive voice that National Lampoon has always aspired to. I can’t think of anyone more suited to helm the new iteration of Radio Hour. Meanwhile, Jo’s comedy is a perfect parody and expression of millennial rage and neurosis that simply makes her a must-have for any current ‘zeitgeisty’ sketch show.”

More cast, plus a premiere date for the half-hour podcast series, will be announced soon.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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