For the past five decades, National Lampoon has pushed boundaries in the comedy universe. At the heart of this iconic comedy brand is Radio Hour which in the 1970’s first introduced the world to John Belushi, Christopher Guest, Harold Ramis, Gilda Radner, Anne Beatts and more. Now, the “National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Podcast,” brings the twisted mainstream sketch comedy to contemporary audiences via Spotify and other podcasting platforms. The reinvention of the historic show stars an all-new cast of emerging comedic savants: Meg Stalter, Aaron Jackson, Alex English, Brett Davis, Lorelei Ramirez, and more.
National Lampoon had planned to celebrate the golden anniversary at SXSW with the iconic comedy brand presenting “National Lampoon Radio Hour: The Live Show” at Sunday at The Hideout and Monday at Esther’s Follies both in front of live audiences. Though we haven’t received an official cancellation, we assume this event is no longer taking place.
Part of the all-new National Lampoon’s cast is Texas native Aaron Jackson.
Jackson is a writer and a comedian most well known for Broad City, Crashing, and Comedy Central’s The Opposition with Jordan Klepper. He also co-wrote Funny or Die’s Jared and Ivanka series and his debut novel The Astonishing Life of August March will be released on April 7, 2020.
We sat down with Jackson to ask him a few questions about returning to Texas and the upcoming live shows at SXSW.
Tell us about your upbringing in Texas and how that impacts your comedy…
“I was raised in a sports-centric/ religious area of Texas and that has never really been my scene, so I had a ‘fish out of water’ experience growing up which I suppose has contributed to my comedy. Wait, do I need therapy?”
How does it feel to be taking part in such an iconic well-known brand (National Lampoon)?
“It’s exciting! I looked up to lots of those comedians involved in the Radio Hour when I was young so to even be tangentially connected to them is a thrill.”
Have you been to Austin and/or SXSW before?
“My aunt lives in Austin so I’ve been a bunch of times.”
What’s one thing you think makes Austin unique or, as we say, weird?
“Once I went to a bar where you could play Chicken-shit bingo. That’s when a chicken walks across a bingo board and wherever it shits is how the numbers are decided. I would call that unique.”
Do you have any favorite places in Austin?
“The chicken-shit bingo bar* springs to mind again…”
*Editor’s note: we assume he’s talking about The Little Longhorn Saloon though we prefer to partake in bingo at C-Boys on South Congress.
What Texas food are you most looking forward to eating in Austin?
“I love barbecue, but most looking forward to the Tex-Mex.”
What actor would you call totally Texan?
“Sissy Spacek”
Who is your fave Texas band/ musician:
“Gayest answer of all time: Betty Buckley.”
Here’s where National Lampoon Radio Hour : The Live Show was scheduled to take place at SXSW
Sunday, March 15 | The Hideout, 617 Congress Avenue | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 16 | Esther’s Follies, 525 East 6th Street | 8 to 9:30 p.m.
Want to know more about celebrities that were scheduled to attend SXSW 2020, check out our massive list.
