HISTORY(R) TO PREMIERE "DRUNK, STONED, BRILLIANT, DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON" ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 AT 9PM ET/PT

Film Chronicles the National Lampoon - Its Founding, Demise and Everything in Between

NEW YORK, NY - January 20, 2016 - HISTORY(R) will premiere the documentary feature film, "Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon" on Friday, January 22 at 9pm ET/PT. Directed by Douglas Tirola (Hey Bartender), the film gives a unique inside look at the magazine, its key players and what made it so outrageously successful.

From the 1970s through the 1990s, there was no hipper or more outrageous comedy in print than The National Lampoon. The groundbreaking humor magazine pushed the limits of taste and acceptability, and then pushed them even harder. The National Lampoon parodied everything - from politics, religion, entertainment and more, and eventually branched into successful radio shows, record albums, live stage revues and movies, including Animal House and National Lampoon's Vacation. Dozens of comic legends launched their careers through the publication, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, Christopher Guest, and Gilda Radner, all of whom went on to star on Saturday Night Live.

"Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon" chronicles the magazine's founding, demise and everything in between. Told through fresh, candid interviews with key staff, and illustrated with outrageous images from the magazine and never-before-seen interview footage, the film gives an inside look at what made the magazine tick and how it revolutionized comedy. Among the interview subjects in "Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon" are Judd Apatow, Kevin Bacon, Chevy Chase, John Goodman, Christopher Guest, Henry Beard, Al Jean, John Landis, Tim Matheson, and P.J. O'Rourke.

"Drunk, Stoned, Brilliant, Dead: The Story of the National Lampoon" was produced by Douglas Tirola and partner Susan Bedusa of 4th Row Films, and written by Mark Monroe and Douglas Tirola. The film was financed and produced by HISTORY Films in association with Sky. Executive Producers of the film are John Battsek, Molly Thompson and Celia Taylor.

About HISTORY Films

HISTORY Films seeks to bring cinematic stories by outstanding independent filmmakers to the widest possible audience. Through HISTORY Films, the network produces dramatic non-fiction films about extraordinary people and singular moments in our past, present and future. The HISTORY Films roster currently includes: the Sundance 2015 hit film: Being Evel; the award-winning Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010) (National Critics; LA Critics; NY Critics awards) and Errol Morris' 2013 film The Unknown Known; Alex Gibney's Magic Bus; Page One directed by Andrew Rossi; and Countdown to Zero (2010).

About HISTORY(R)

HISTORY(R), now reaching more than 96 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network's all-original programming slate features a roster of signature series including "Pawn Stars," "American Pickers," "Swamp People," "Alone" as well as the hit drama series "Vikings." The HISTORY website is located at history.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/history and Facebook at facebook.com/history.