Rugged Land has just published Belushi: A Biography by Judith Belushi Pisano and Tanner Colby. This is a very big book filled with photos, many never published before, and page after page of reminiscences and anecdotes by the people who knew and worked with John Belushi during his brief but brilliant career. His excesses are not left out, but this book is a tribute, not an exposé. The book is organized chronologically, starting with his childhood in Chicago, through college, Second City, National Lampoon’s Lemmings, the Radio Hour, Saturday Night Live, Animal House, the Blues Brothers, and other movies, up to his death in 1982. Most people know him for Saturday Night Live, but he was a central figure in most of National Lampoon’s non-magazine ventures, and not only as a performer.

It’s rather surprising that it’s taken so long for a book like this to be published. Other books have been written about Belushi, but they tend to focus on what went wrong. This one is about what went right and what made him such a unique talent. If you’re a fan, there’s no question: Ya gotta get it.

The Society of Magazine Editors has selected the top magazine covers of the last 40 years and the cover of the January 1973 (Death) issue (“If You Don’t Buy This Magazine, We’ll Kill This Dog”) made the top ten. For such a memorable and oft parodied cover, this does not surprise me. Michael C. Gross, who art directed the cover, commented, “No shit!…wow.” Congrats to Mike, Ed Bluestone (whose idea it was), and photographer Ronald G. Harris. To those who did not buy the issue, how can you sleep knowing that an innocent dog’s life could have been saved but for your selfish indifference?

When I heard the title of Jessica Hendra’s book, “How to Cook Your Daughter,” I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it. The title is taken from the title of a story by her father, Tony Hendra, that appeared in the July 1971 (Kids) issue. I had heard about, but not followed, the story that broke this last summer in The New York Times in which she revealed that her father’s bestselling and critically praised book, “Father Joe,” which purports to be a confessional of a lifetime of sins, neglected to include his sexual abuse of her as a child.

Could it be true? I didn’t really want to know. It’s not the kind of thing I enjoy reading or hearing about. When I first read the “How to” story in National Lampoon many years ago, it read like a sexual fantasy. That in itself was disturbing, but surely that was the intended effect; “nothing sacred,” and all that. It’s so sick, it’s funny, right? Yet, it made me wonder what kind of relationship this guy had with his daughter.

So, when I got a “heads up” email about the book and I saw the title, I realized my worst suspicions would probably be confirmed. With a considerable amount of apprehension, I got hold of a copy and read it.

I don’t think “enjoyable” is the appropriate word to use for a book like this, but I found her story very compelling and well-written. The undercurrent of sexual abuse is always present, sometimes far in the background, sometimes front and center, but the book also expresses Jessica’s love and admiration for her father, as contradictory as that sounds. Tony comes off as a talented genius with some rather tragic flaws. She portrays him not as a monster, but as a human being.

There are many stories in the book about Lampoon staffers’ frequent visits to the Hendras’ house in New Jersey. I don’t think I’ve ever read another account that made them such flesh and blood creatures as this book. Much of the book reads like a child’s account of growing up with the National Lampoon, with fascinating behind-the-scenes stories (such as the fact that she and her sister Kathy used to sing songs from “Lemmings” the way other kids sang songs from “The Little Mermaid”).

In spite of my admiration for many of the things Tony Hendra has done and written over the years, particularly his book “Going Too Far,” I have to sadly admit that, after reading the book, I find Jessica’s story believable. It’s a bit extreme to go public with such a story of private shame and abuse, but it appears that it was her father’s own actions—and inactions—that ultimately led her to do it.

If you are a fan of National Lampoon‘s “golden age,” I would definitely recommend this book, in spite of the horrible story that precipitated and permeates it.

Some years ago, National Lampoon sold art prints signed by Sam Gross of his famous “Frog” cartoon. (You know the one—a woman looking at a menu in a French restaurant turns to see a forlorn, legless frog wheeling itself out of the kitchen on a cart below a sign that reads “Try Our Frogs Legs.”) Inquiring minds want to know: What’s it worth?

For those who care, I have re-written my answer to the question about the 1979 HBO special “Disco Beaver From Outer Space” which was produced by National Lampoon. I hadn’t seen this until recently. I must admit that it has its funny moments, but the overall impression was that it was a little short of the mark. It’s quite possible that the production quality, which is a bit crude by today’s standards, made it more difficult to appreciate. Those who viewed it when first aired probably had a more favorable impression (especially judging from the frequent emails I receive regarding the show). I was surprised to see Michael Simmons (son of former NatLamp publisher Matty Simmons) crooning country western in several of the bits. (Thanks to Michael as well for providing some details about the show.)

One of the things you won’t find at Mark’s Very Large National Lampoon Site is every cover of National Lampoon. It’s not my intent to chronicle the entire history of the magazine, just the first five years. But have no fear: Robert Winters has posted scans of every single National Lampoon cover from the promising April 1970 (Sex) issue to the appropriately-themed November 1998 (Failure) issue, the magazine’s last.

The New York Times today has published a pretty succinct summing up by Jake Tapper of the history of National Lampoon—how it started, where it’s been and where it is now. A sad but true story. (I admit to being one of those fortysomethings mentioned in the article who is rather dismayed at what it’s become.) Read it before it gets moved to the NYT pay-per-view archive. (Thanks to Joe and everyone else for bringing this to my attention.)

Update: Or it may be a sad but not so true story. Read what Matty Simmons has to say about the article.

Further Update: It should be noted that there are some factual errors in Mr. Simmons’ letter, such as the the part about Hendra and Kelly not being among the contributors to early issues (which would be true only if you count the first three as early issues). So, a sad but (as far as I know) true story which some people take issue with. Sometimes I wonder if this site is worth the trouble…

And a Clarification: When I called the NYT article “A sad but true story” above, I was not commenting one way or the other about the factual accuracy of the story (heck, a lot of it was news to me), but rather on the main point of it—that National Lampoon isn’t what it once was.

I have no doubt the NYT did their homework, but I also know that peoples’ memories are not the most reliable things. I only know what I read, and much of what I have read about National Lampoon has turned out later not to be perfectly accurate. I was not there, except as a reader of the magazine. I’m just this guy, you know? In any case, I don’t want my site to turn into a forum for debate about the article. Have a nice day.

A new 4-CD collection of classic (and not-so-classic) National Lampoon audio humor has been released called “The Classic National Lampoon Box Set”. The set contains bits going back to the 1973 album Radio Dinner, up through 1982. These are available on other albums and collections (see listing below), but if you don’t already own those, this may be a good way to get the favorite bits you remember from your ill-spent youth.

Here is a listing of the tracks: Disc 1 (previously released as “That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick”): Squalor Show; Confession; Dick Ballentine Phone in #1; Disco Hotline; Dick Ballentine Phone in #2; Love Birds/Flashnova; Listener Sponsored Radio; For $25,000; Gymnasty; Dick Ballentine Phone in #3; Yiddishco; Listener Sponsored Radio #2; Pulp; For $15,000; Rapeline; Mr. Roberts #1; Stereos and Such; Listener Sponsored Radio #3; Height Report Disco; Mr. Roberts #2; Dial-A-Curse; Humpback Whales; Listener Sponsored Radio #4; 2,015 Year Old Man; Fasten Your Seatbelts; Listener Sponsored Radio #5; Monolithic Oil. Disc 2 (previously released as “National Lampoon White Album”): Perrier Junkie; At the Bar; What Is God?; Fartman; Discoleptic; Steak; Sounds of Physical Love; Gay Alliance; Robert Caucasian vs. Squab; What About Reupholsterers?; Shakespeare Knock Knocks; Nude Figure Model; Couple at the Door; Christopher Street; California Hot Tub; What Turns Women On; What Were You Expecting—Rock and Roll? Disc 3 (previously released as “Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the End of the World”): Introduction; Annie; Firing Line; Cocaine; Jane Fonda Speaks Out; Firing Line 2; Sushi Riot/Godspeak Suite; Porkbucket Place; Born Against Bob; Godspeak; My Bod Is for God; South Bronx Is Burning; Byz Talk; Abe Shenkle’s Rock Show; Sidewinders; Byz Talk 2; Walk in the Park; Best Friends; Mr. Reagen’s Neighborhood; Apocalyspo Now! Disc 4 (previously released as “The Greatest Hits of the National Lampoon”): Deteriorata; Save the Whales; Colorado; I’m a Woman; Well-Intentioned Blues; Mission: Impeachable; Kung Fu Christmas; Mister Roberts; Gymnasty; Pizza Man; The Immigrants; Those Fabulous Sixties; Magical Misery Tour.

Michael Gross recently put up an online portfolio of his work. As expected, it includes covers he designed during his years as art director of National Lampoon, his work at Esquire, in the movies (including his famous Ghostbusters logo design), and as an illustrator. Less well known are his paintings and photographs (note: some of the photos are not “work safe”). I was particularly taken with his “places” photographs. Just amazing. Update: Michael died in 2015 and his portfolio site is gone now. But I’ve replaced all the links thanks to the Wayback Machine archives so you can still access his site that way. His Facebook page still exists, and has more of his work.

National Lampoon‘s original art director Peter Bramley has died at the age of 60. Peter and fellow Massachusetts College of Art graduate Bill Skurski co-founded Cloud Studio in 1967. Cloud Studio was hired by National Lampoon to produce the magazine during its first year. He created the “duck” mascot that debuted on the cover of the first issue and was used for a while in the magazine, and did a perfect Peter Max parody on the cover of the second issue. After Michael Gross replaced him as art director with issue number 8, Bramley continued to contribute illustrations and cartoons to the magazine through the mid-seventies. Among his classic pieces were “Sextraterrestrials” and “Toilets of the Extraterrestrials” (both written by Henry Beard), and the recurring comic strip “Vinny Shinblind, The Invisible Sex Maniac.” (Some of these can be seen on the official NatLamp website here.)

Just last summer I received a brief email from Peter which he closed with, “…give my regards to all the little Lampoonatics. Vaya con carne, Pete.” R.I.P.

Peter’s Obituary in The Boston Globe

Profile of Peter by Steven Heller in the New York Times (from the archives–fee required to view. Alternate link.)

Tribute on the official National Lampoon site

Update: Sadly, except for the NYT obit, most of these links have died as well.