National Lampoon (magazine)

1876

The Harvard Lampoon was established in 1876 as a long-standing tradition of the campus, influencing the later National Lampoon Brand in its evolution from illustration-heavy publications to satirical wit, ranging from short fiction to comic strips.

1952

Art Direction by Peter Kleinman National Lampoon Goodbye Pop 1952–1976, 1975, creative director Sean Kelly National Lampoon That's Not Funny, That's Sick, 1977.

1960

The spoof was listed in the contents page as "Doyle Dane Bernbach," the name of the advertising agency that had produced the iconic 1960s ad campaign for Volkswagen.

1964

5, 1974, an anthology, art directed by Gross and Kaestle National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody, 1974, Edited by P.J.

1969

The 50th anniversary of the magazine is in 2020 and to celebrate they are being issued digitally for the first time by Solaris Entertainment Studio. ==About the magazine== National Lampoon was started by Harvard graduates and Harvard Lampoon alumni Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman in 1969, when they first licensed the "Lampoon" name for a monthly national publication.

1970

National Lampoon was an American humor magazine that ran from 1970 to 1998.

National Lampoon magazine reached its height of popularity and critical acclaim during the 1970s, when it had a far-reaching effect on American humor and comedy.

The magazine's first issue was dated April 1970.

He was followed by Michael Grossman, who changed the logo and style of the magazine. In 1984, Kleinman returned as creative director and went back to the 1970s logo and style, bringing back many of the artists and writers from the magazine's heyday.

The Funny Pages logo header art, which was positioned above Gahan Wilson's "Nuts" in each issue, and showed a comfortable, old-fashioned family reading newspaper-sized funny papers, was drawn by Mike Kaluta. ====Other merchandise==== From time to time, the magazine advertised Lampoon-related merchandise for sale, including T-shirts that had been specially designed. ==Chronology== The magazine existed from 1970 to 1998.

Some consider its finest period was from 1971 to 1975, although it continued to be produced on a monthly schedule throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, and did well during that time. However, during the late 1980s, a much more serious decline set in.

1998 saw the last issue. ===1970=== The first issue was April 1970; by November of that year, Michael C.

Designed and Art Directed by Peter Kleinman National Lampoon Tenth Anniversary Anthology 1970–1980 1979 Edited by P.J.

None of the series were successful.) National Lampoon's Comedy Playoffs, 1990, Showtime Networks ===Films=== Considerable ambiguity exists about what actually constitutes a National Lampoon film. During the 1970s and early 1980s, a few films were made as spin-offs from the original National Lampoon magazine, using its creative staff.

1971

Neuman, complete with the parody catchphrase 'What, My Lai?" (August 1971) The iconic Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara being splattered with a cream pie (January 1972) A dog looking worriedly at a revolver pressed to its head, with what became a famous caption: "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog" (January 1973): The cover was conceived by writer Ed Bluestone.

Some consider its finest period was from 1971 to 1975, although it continued to be produced on a monthly schedule throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, and did well during that time. However, during the late 1980s, a much more serious decline set in.

1, 1971, an anthology The Breast of National Lampoon (a "Best of" No.

Illustrated by Sam Gross National Lampoon's Animal House (album), 1978, soundtrack album from the movie Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon, 1978 National Lampoon White Album, 1979 National Lampoon Sex, Drugs, Rock 'N' Roll & the End of the World, 1982 Vinyl singles A snide parody of Les Crane's 1971 hit "Desiderata", written by Tony Hendra, was recorded and released as "Deteriorata", and stayed on the lower reaches of the Billboard magazine charts for a month in late 1972.

1972

Neuman, complete with the parody catchphrase 'What, My Lai?" (August 1971) The iconic Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara being splattered with a cream pie (January 1972) A dog looking worriedly at a revolver pressed to its head, with what became a famous caption: "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog" (January 1973): The cover was conceived by writer Ed Bluestone.

2), 1972, an anthology The Best of National Lampoon No.

Illustrated by Sam Gross National Lampoon's Animal House (album), 1978, soundtrack album from the movie Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon, 1978 National Lampoon White Album, 1979 National Lampoon Sex, Drugs, Rock 'N' Roll & the End of the World, 1982 Vinyl singles A snide parody of Les Crane's 1971 hit "Desiderata", written by Tony Hendra, was recorded and released as "Deteriorata", and stayed on the lower reaches of the Billboard magazine charts for a month in late 1972.

1973

Neuman, complete with the parody catchphrase 'What, My Lai?" (August 1971) The iconic Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevara being splattered with a cream pie (January 1972) A dog looking worriedly at a revolver pressed to its head, with what became a famous caption: "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog" (January 1973): The cover was conceived by writer Ed Bluestone.

He achieved a unified, sophisticated, and integrated look for the magazine, which enhanced its humorous appeal. ===1973–1975=== National Lampoon's most successful sales period was 1973–75.

The cover of the DVD box featured a remake of the January 1973 "Death" issue, with the caption altered to read "If You Don”t Buy This DVD-ROM, We’ll Kill This Dog".

3, 1973, an anthology, art directed by Michael Gross National Lampoon The Best of #4, 1973, an anthology, art directed by Gross The National Lampoon Encyclopedia of Humor, 1973, edited by Michael O'Donoghue and art directed by Gross.This publication featured the fake Volkswagen ad seen above, which was written by Anne Beatts.

1974

Gross, who directed the look of the magazine until 1974.

This issue is among the most coveted and collectible of all the National Lampoon's issues. A replica of the starving child from the cover of George Harrison's charity album The Concert for Bangladesh, rendered in chocolate and with a large bite taken out of its head (July 1974) Michael Gross and Doug Kenney chose a young designer from Esquire named Peter Kleinman to succeed the team of Gross and David Kaestle.

Its national circulation peaked at 1,000,096 copies sold of the October 1974 "Pubescence" issue.

The 1974 monthly average was 830,000, which was also a peak.

As a result of a lawsuit by VW over the ad for unauthorized use of their trademark, NatLamp was forced to remove the page (with razor blades!) from any copies they still had in inventory (which, from what I gather, was about half the first printing of 250,000 copies) and all subsequent reprints." National Lampoon Comics, an anthology, 1974, art directed by Gross and David Kaestle National Lampoon The Best of No.

5, 1974, an anthology, art directed by Gross and Kaestle National Lampoon 1964 High School Yearbook Parody, 1974, Edited by P.J.

1975

Some consider its finest period was from 1971 to 1975, although it continued to be produced on a monthly schedule throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, and did well during that time. However, during the late 1980s, a much more serious decline set in.

It should however be noted that the publishing industry's newsstand sales were excellent for many other titles during that time: there were sales peaks for Mad (more than 2 million), Playboy (more than 7 million), and TV Guide (more than 19 million). ===1975=== Some fans consider the glory days of National Lampoon to have ended in 1975, although the magazine remained popular and profitable long after that point.

During 1975, the three founders (Kenney, Beard, and Hoffman) took advantage of a buyout clause in their contracts for $7.5 million.

Art Direction by Peter Kleinman National Lampoon Goodbye Pop 1952–1976, 1975, creative director Sean Kelly National Lampoon That's Not Funny, That's Sick, 1977.

1976

6, 1976, an anthology National Lampoon The Iron On Book 1976, Original T-shirt designs, edited by Tony Hendra, art directed by Peter Kleinman. National Lampoon Songbook, 1976, edited by Sean Kelly, musical parodies in sheet music form National Lampoon The Naked and the Nude: Hollywood and Beyond, 1977, written by Brian McConnachie The Best of National Lampoon No.

1977

6, 1976, an anthology National Lampoon The Iron On Book 1976, Original T-shirt designs, edited by Tony Hendra, art directed by Peter Kleinman. National Lampoon Songbook, 1976, edited by Sean Kelly, musical parodies in sheet music form National Lampoon The Naked and the Nude: Hollywood and Beyond, 1977, written by Brian McConnachie The Best of National Lampoon No.

7, 1977, an anthology National Lampoon Presents French Comics, 1977, edited by Peter Kaminsky, translators Sophie Balcoff, Sean Kelly, and Valerie Marchant National Lampoon The Up Yourself Book, 1977, Gerry Sussman National Lampoon Gentleman's Bathroom Companion 2, 1977, art directed by Peter Kleinman. National Lampoon The Book of Books, 1977 edited by Jeff Greenfield, art directed by Peter Kleinman The Best of National Lampoon No.

Art Direction by Peter Kleinman National Lampoon Goodbye Pop 1952–1976, 1975, creative director Sean Kelly National Lampoon That's Not Funny, That's Sick, 1977.

in 2015. True Facts, 1977–1978, written by and starring Peter Kaminsky, Ellis Weiner, Danny Abelson, Sylvia Grant ===Theater=== Lemmings (1973) was National Lampoon most successful theatrical venture.

1978

The magazine was on an increasingly shaky financial footing, and beginning in November 1986, the magazine was published six times a year instead of every month. ===1989=== In 1989, the magazine was acquired in a [takeover] by a business partnership of producer Daniel Grodnik and actor Tim Matheson (who played "Otter" in the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal House).

Illustrated by Sam Gross National Lampoon's Animal House (album), 1978, soundtrack album from the movie Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon, 1978 National Lampoon White Album, 1979 National Lampoon Sex, Drugs, Rock 'N' Roll & the End of the World, 1982 Vinyl singles A snide parody of Les Crane's 1971 hit "Desiderata", written by Tony Hendra, was recorded and released as "Deteriorata", and stayed on the lower reaches of the Billboard magazine charts for a month in late 1972.

1979

Kleinman designed the logos for Animal House and Heavy Metal. Kleinman left in 1979 to open an ad agency. He was succeeded by Skip Johnson, the designer responsible for the Sunday Newspaper Parody and the "Arab Getting Punched in the Face" cover of the Revenge issue.

Sean Kelly and Ted Mann (Editors) Cartoons Even We Won't Dare Print, 1979, Sean Kelly and John Weidman (Editors), Simon and Schuster National Lampoon The Book of Books, 1979, Edited by Jeff Greenfield.

Designed and Art Directed by Peter Kleinman National Lampoon Tenth Anniversary Anthology 1970–1980 1979 Edited by P.J.

Illustrated by Sam Gross National Lampoon's Animal House (album), 1978, soundtrack album from the movie Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon, 1978 National Lampoon White Album, 1979 National Lampoon Sex, Drugs, Rock 'N' Roll & the End of the World, 1982 Vinyl singles A snide parody of Les Crane's 1971 hit "Desiderata", written by Tony Hendra, was recorded and released as "Deteriorata", and stayed on the lower reaches of the Billboard magazine charts for a month in late 1972.

1980

As co-founder Henry Beard described the experience years later: "There was this big door that said, 'Thou shalt not.' We touched it, and it fell off its hinges." The magazine declined during the late 1980s, and ceased publication in 1998. Projects under the "National Lampoon" brand name continue to this day, under its production company successor, National Lampoon Inc.

Several "True Facts" compilation books were published in the 1980s and early 90s, and several all-True-Facts issues of the magazine were published during the 1980s. ===Foto Funnies=== Most issues of the magazine featured one or more "Foto Funny" or fumetti, comic strips that use photographs instead of drawings as illustrations.

In 1980, a paperback compilation book, National Lampoon Foto Funnies which appeared as a part of National Lampoon Comics, was published. ===Funny Pages=== The "Funny Pages" was a large section at the back of the magazine that was composed entirely of comic strips of various kinds.

Some consider its finest period was from 1971 to 1975, although it continued to be produced on a monthly schedule throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, and did well during that time. However, during the late 1980s, a much more serious decline set in.

None of the series were successful.) National Lampoon's Comedy Playoffs, 1990, Showtime Networks ===Films=== Considerable ambiguity exists about what actually constitutes a National Lampoon film. During the 1970s and early 1980s, a few films were made as spin-offs from the original National Lampoon magazine, using its creative staff.

It was not a success. Following the success of Animal House, MAD magazine lent its name to a 1980 comedy titled Up the Academy.

1982

Illustrated by Sam Gross National Lampoon's Animal House (album), 1978, soundtrack album from the movie Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon, 1978 National Lampoon White Album, 1979 National Lampoon Sex, Drugs, Rock 'N' Roll & the End of the World, 1982 Vinyl singles A snide parody of Les Crane's 1971 hit "Desiderata", written by Tony Hendra, was recorded and released as "Deteriorata", and stayed on the lower reaches of the Billboard magazine charts for a month in late 1972.

and Stiggs (1987) was based on two characters who had been featured in several written pieces in National Lampoon magazine, including an issue-long story from October 1982 entitled "The Utterly Monstrous, Mind-Roasting Summer of O.C.

1983

National Lampoon's Class Reunion was not successful, however. ====National Lampoon's Vacation==== Released in 1983, the movie National Lampoon's Vacation was based upon John Hughes's National Lampoon story "Vacation '58".

1984

He was followed by Michael Grossman, who changed the logo and style of the magazine. In 1984, Kleinman returned as creative director and went back to the 1970s logo and style, bringing back many of the artists and writers from the magazine's heyday.

and Stiggs." Completed in 1984, the film was not released until 1987, when it was shown in a small number of theaters and without the "National Lampoon" name.

1985

O'Rourke, along with artists and writers such as Gerry Sussman, Ellis Weiner, Tony Hendra, Ted Mann, Peter Kleinman, Chris Cluess, Stu Kreisman, John Weidman, Jeff Greenfield, Bruce McCall, and Rick Meyerowitz. ===1985=== In 1985, Matty Simmons (who had been working only on the business end of the Lampoon up to that point) took over as editor-in-chief.

1986

The magazine was on an increasingly shaky financial footing, and beginning in November 1986, the magazine was published six times a year instead of every month. ===1989=== In 1989, the magazine was acquired in a [takeover] by a business partnership of producer Daniel Grodnik and actor Tim Matheson (who played "Otter" in the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal House).

1987

and Stiggs." Completed in 1984, the film was not released until 1987, when it was shown in a small number of theaters and without the "National Lampoon" name.

The film was described by a 2018 New York Times article as a "snapshot of a moment where comedy's freshest counter-culture impulse was gleefully crass and willfully offensive." In the same article, Kenney was said to "spot a comical hollowness and rot in the society he and his peers were trained to join." ==Notes== ==References== ==Further reading== Going Too Far, Tony Hendra, 1987, Doubleday, New York.

1989

In 1989, the company that controlled the magazine and its related projects (which was part of "Twenty First Century Communications") was the subject of a [takeover] by Daniel Grodnik, a Hollywood producer, and Tim Matheson, an actor who starred in the Lampoon's first big hit, Animal House.

The magazine was on an increasingly shaky financial footing, and beginning in November 1986, the magazine was published six times a year instead of every month. ===1989=== In 1989, the magazine was acquired in a [takeover] by a business partnership of producer Daniel Grodnik and actor Tim Matheson (who played "Otter" in the 1978 film National Lampoon's Animal House).

1990

Grodnik and Matheson sold the company in the 1990s. ===1991=== In 1991, the magazine (and more importantly, the rights to the brand name "National Lampoon") were bought by a company called J2 Communications (a company previously known for marketing Tim Conway's Dorf videos), headed by James P.

However, the company had very little interest in the magazine itself; throughout the 1990s, the number of issues per year declined precipitously and erratically.

None of the series were successful.) National Lampoon's Comedy Playoffs, 1990, Showtime Networks ===Films=== Considerable ambiguity exists about what actually constitutes a National Lampoon film. During the 1970s and early 1980s, a few films were made as spin-offs from the original National Lampoon magazine, using its creative staff.

1991

In 1991 it was sold outright to another company, "J2 Communications". At that point "National Lampoon" was considered valuable only as a brand name that could be licensed out to other companies.

The magazine was issued erratically and rarely from 1991 onwards.

Grodnik and Matheson sold the company in the 1990s. ===1991=== In 1991, the magazine (and more importantly, the rights to the brand name "National Lampoon") were bought by a company called J2 Communications (a company previously known for marketing Tim Conway's Dorf videos), headed by James P.

In 1991, an attempt at monthly publication was made; nine issues were produced that year.

1992

Only two issues were released in 1992.

1993

This was followed by one issue in 1993, five in 1994, and three in 1995.

1994

This was followed by one issue in 1993, five in 1994, and three in 1995.

If You Don't Buy This Book, We'll Kill This Dog! Life, Laughs, Love, & Death at National Lampoon 1994, Matty Simmons, Barricade Books, New York.

1995

This was followed by one issue in 1993, five in 1994, and three in 1995.

1998

National Lampoon was an American humor magazine that ran from 1970 to 1998.

As co-founder Henry Beard described the experience years later: "There was this big door that said, 'Thou shalt not.' We touched it, and it fell off its hinges." The magazine declined during the late 1980s, and ceased publication in 1998. Projects under the "National Lampoon" brand name continue to this day, under its production company successor, National Lampoon Inc.

The Funny Pages logo header art, which was positioned above Gahan Wilson's "Nuts" in each issue, and showed a comfortable, old-fashioned family reading newspaper-sized funny papers, was drawn by Mike Kaluta. ====Other merchandise==== From time to time, the magazine advertised Lampoon-related merchandise for sale, including T-shirts that had been specially designed. ==Chronology== The magazine existed from 1970 to 1998.

For the last three years of its existence, the magazine was published only once a year. ===1998, last issue=== The magazine's final print publication was November 1998, after which the contract was renegotiated, and in a sharp reversal, J2 Communications was then prohibited from publishing issues of the magazine.

The Life and Work of Michael O'Donoghue, Dennis Perrin, 1998, AvonBooks, New York.

2000

The pages are viewable on both Windows (starting with Windows 2000) and Macintosh (starting with OSX) systems. ==Related media== During its most active period, the magazine spun off numerous productions in a wide variety of media. National Lampoon released books, special issues, anthologies, and other print pieces, including: ===Special editions=== The Best of National Lampoon No.

2001

In 2001, the United States Library of Congress considered the film "culturally significant", and preserved it in the National Film Registry. The script had its origins in a series of short stories that had been previously published in the magazine.

2002

In 2002, the use of the brand name and the rights to republish old material were sold to a new, and otherwise unrelated, company which chose to call itself National Lampoon, Incorporated. ===2007, DVD-ROM=== In 2007, in association with Graphic Imaging Technology, Inc.

2006

A Futile and Stupid Gesture: How Doug Kenney and National Lampoon Changed Comedy Forever, Josh Karp, 2006.

2007

In 2002, the use of the brand name and the rights to republish old material were sold to a new, and otherwise unrelated, company which chose to call itself National Lampoon, Incorporated. ===2007, DVD-ROM=== In 2007, in association with Graphic Imaging Technology, Inc.

2011

A compilation of Gahan Wilson's "Nuts" strip was published in 2011.

2012

Former Lampoon editor Tony Hendra later revived this format in 2012 for The Final Edition Radio Hour, which became a podcast for National Lampoon, Inc.

2013

That's Not Funny, That's Sick: The National Lampoon and the Comedy Insurgents Who Captured the Mainstream, Ellin Stein, 2013, W.

2015

in 2015. True Facts, 1977–1978, written by and starring Peter Kaminsky, Ellis Weiner, Danny Abelson, Sylvia Grant ===Theater=== Lemmings (1973) was National Lampoon most successful theatrical venture.

It was a critical and commercial failure. ==Film about the magazine== In 2015, a documentary film was released called Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead.

2018

The film featured a great deal of content from the magazine, as well as interviews with staff members and fans, and it explains how the magazine changed the course of humor. The 2018 film A Futile and Stupid Gesture, a biography of co-founder Douglas Kenney, also depicts the magazine's early years.

The film was described by a 2018 New York Times article as a "snapshot of a moment where comedy's freshest counter-culture impulse was gleefully crass and willfully offensive." In the same article, Kenney was said to "spot a comical hollowness and rot in the society he and his peers were trained to join." ==Notes== ==References== ==Further reading== Going Too Far, Tony Hendra, 1987, Doubleday, New York.

2020

The 50th anniversary of the magazine is in 2020 and to celebrate they are being issued digitally for the first time by Solaris Entertainment Studio. ==About the magazine== National Lampoon was started by Harvard graduates and Harvard Lampoon alumni Doug Kenney, Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman in 1969, when they first licensed the "Lampoon" name for a monthly national publication.




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