From Chevy Chase and Ryan Reynolds to Sold-Out Arenas: National Lampoon Launches Its Next Chapter With ‘Wild ‘N Out Live!’ Tour Creator and Producer Rip Micheals and 5120 Entertainment
A new film starring Alec Baldwin and Nick Cannon. A December comedy series featuring Na’im Lynn and guest-starring Kevin Hart. A Barclays Center event followed by a tour slated for late spring 2027. And Rip Micheals’ first stand-up special: no stage—all crowd.
NEW YORK, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From Chevy Chase’s Vacation to Ryan Reynolds’ Van Wilder, National Lampoon has helped define American comedy for generations. Now, the iconic brand is partnering with Rip Micheals Entertainment and Eugene Parker’s 5120 Entertainment for an expansion spanning arena events, films, original series and a new comedy channel, alongside a revenue platform designed to help comedians keep earning from their work.
The announced slate includes National Lampoon’s Hollywood Hustle, starring Alec Baldwin and Nick Cannon, planned for early 2027, and a comedy vertical series featuring Na’im Lynn, with Kevin Hart guest-starring alongside an ensemble cast, slated for December 2026.
The live entertainment expansion arrives at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on December 17, while Rip Micheals’ In the Crowd Work premieres November 26, putting Micheals directly among the audience with a distinctive premise: no stage—all crowd.
These projects introduce the ambitions behind National Lampoon Presents, the new banner launching December 2, 2026.
FROM TELEVISION TO SOLD-OUT ARENAS
The partnership pairs more than five decades of National Lampoon comedy heritage with the live entertainment experience of Rip Micheals, creator and producer of the Wild ‘N Out Live! tour, April Fools Comedy Jam and other large-scale comedy productions.
Micheals took Wild ‘N Out from television to sold-out venues nationwide across four tours, reaching more than 1.5 million fans in over 100 cities. Its touring achievements include a Pollstar record for staging two shows in two different markets on the same night.
The partners’ strategy connects live events that build audiences with original programming that extends their reach, while the new channel and album revenue platform create additional earning opportunities for performers.
BARCLAYS CENTER: COMEDY’S LEGACY MEETS ITS NEXT GENERATION
On December 17, 2026, Barclays Center in Brooklyn will bring together comedy legends associated with National Lampoon’s legacy and some of the hottest performers from Rip Micheals’s sold-out arena tours.
Celebrating National Lampoon’s decades-long contribution to comedy, the event will connect generations of performers and audiences on one arena stage. Participating performers and additional event details will be announced separately, with a tour slated to launch in late spring 2027.
NO STAGE. ALL CROWD.
Premiering November 26, 2026, In the Crowd Work is Rip Micheals’ first stand-up special, placing him directly among the audience rather than on a stage.
The audience becomes the center of the performance, with Micheals building the special around his interactions with the people surrounding him. The format brings viewers into the exchange between comedian and crowd.
STAR-DRIVEN FILMS AND ORIGINAL COMEDY
The planned early-2027 film slate includes Hollywood Hustle, starring Alec Baldwin and Nick Cannon, alongside new films from 5120 Entertainment, with additional movie content expected as early as January.
Slated for December 2026, the new comedy vertical series featuring Na’im Lynn and guest-starring Kevin Hart adds short-form storytelling to the lineup, alongside an ensemble cast. Additional programming includes Na’im Lynn’s My Stand-Up Series.
The slate connects established names and emerging voices across live performance, stand-up, film and digital series.
A NEW HOME FOR COMEDY—AND ONGOING INCOME FOR COMEDIANS
The partners are also launching a new comedy channel that will produce comedy specials, creating a destination for original stand-up and comedian-led programming.
A companion revenue platform is designed to give comedians opportunities to earn ongoing residual income from their comedy albums, extending the earning potential of their work beyond a single performance.
Short sets, roast sessions, digital radio and podcasts are also part of the broader programming plans. Together, the live events, channel and revenue platform are intended to help performers develop material, reach audiences and build lasting value from their work.
“Comedians need a home where they can put their material out, reach audiences, and earn from their work,” said Rip Micheals, founder of Rip Micheals. “We took Wild ‘N Out from the screen to sold-out arenas.”
Beyond Wild ‘N Out Live!, Micheals’ production portfolio includes April Fools Comedy Jam, featuring Marlon Wayans; Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam; and Urban Eats and Treats. His international production credits include UK comedy performances featuring Marlon Wayans and Eddie Griffin.
“National Lampoon has always stood for bold, original comedy that pushes boundaries and brings people together,” said National Lampoon representative Jerry Daigle. “With this partnership, we’re building on that legacy while creating new opportunities for comedians and introducing the brand to a new generation of audiences. Rip Micheals and 5120 Entertainment bring a strong track record in live entertainment and a shared vision for creating fresh, exciting comedy experiences. We’re looking forward to what we can build together.”
National Lampoon’s history spans publishing, film, stage and radio. Its Radio Hour and stage production Lemmings helped launch performers including Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and Harold Ramis.
The partnership connects that legacy with Micheals’ arena touring experience and 5120 Entertainment’s film and television capabilities.
“At 5120 Entertainment, we’re focused on building projects that connect talent with audiences,” said Eugene Parker, CEO of 5120 Entertainment. “Our partnership with National Lampoon gives us the opportunity to bring an iconic comedy brand to new audiences and develop experiences across live events, and ultimately television, film, and digital projects. We’re excited to build alongside National Lampoon and Rip Micheals Entertainment.”
Further announcements will include viewing information, Barclays Center event details, tour dates, additional programming dates and information about the new channel and comedian revenue platform.
ABOUT NATIONAL LAMPOON
National Lampoon is an American comedy brand spanning film, stage, radio and publishing. Its cultural touchstones include Animal House, the Vacation franchise, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Van Wilder.
ABOUT RIP MICHEALS
Founded by comedian, creator and producer Rip Micheals, Rip Micheals produces large-scale comedy, music and entertainment experiences. Micheals is the creator and producer of the Wild ‘N Out Live! tour, April Fools Comedy Jam, Fall Back in Love Comedy & Music Jam and Urban Eats and Treats.
ABOUT 5120 ENTERTAINMENT
Led by CEO Eugene Parker, 5120 Entertainment develops and produces film, television and live entertainment projects. Its credits include Back on the Strip, starring Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart.
MEDIA CONTACT
Thorough Consulting
Parnell Gervais