Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast this Earth Day, we are talking to journalist Michael Simmons, son of National Lampoon co-founder & film producer Matt Simmons. We loved talking to Michael because there is so much history in the (almost) forgotten history of American humor magazine turned pop culture juggernaut, National Lampoon.

Michael gives us behind the scenes stories about the fabled National Lampoon editorial offices in Manhattan circa 1974 which was a breeding ground for comedy and specifically Saturday Night Live writers and performers. We discuss National Lampoon stage shows with Chevy Chase, Harold Ramis, John Belushi & Gilda Radner that Michael was road manager when it hit the road. We hear about his dad’s strange history as one of the founders the first credit card company, Diner’s Club in the 1950s & how it led to National Lampoon. We even get into the history of how National Lampoon came into existence, birthed out of the Harvard Lampoon and even before that.

Michael gives us a firsthand account of what it was like being in the offices of National Lampoon before and after films like National Lampoon’s Animal House & National Lampoon’s Vacation launched the brand mainstream. What’s more we hear stories about Harold Ramis got nervous flyer Gilda Radner on a plane she didn’t want to get on, Wilt Chamberlain giving him a ride on his shoulders and how he became an award winning journalist in Los Angeles writing about vice squad busts and later, music journalism. So sit back and take a listen to a fascinating story about how National Lampoon begat everything from Second City and This is Spinal Tap to SCTV and The Credibility Gap. It’s all here on the Rarified Heir Podcast. Take a listen.

Today on another encore episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast, we are talking to musician Jon Klages, grandson of musician and Hi-Fi proponent and record label owner Enoch Light. Our conversation with Jon began with understanding just who his grandfather was. A classically trained musician, Enoch founded his first group, Enoch Light & His Orchestra & later Enoch Light and the Light Brigade before World War II. Wildly popular in upper class New York society, Light went on to found one of the most unique independent record labels, well, ever.

Vinyl collectors today will know Light’s Command Records & Project 3 firstly for its unique, minimalist artwork from renowned artist Josel Albers. From classical to pop to Space Age Bachelor Pop to popular soundtrack hits and more, Light was nothing if not proficient. From albums like Persuasive Percussion to The Private Life of a Private Eye, Lights albums were visually stunning first and foremost. But take a listen to any of his albums from composers as varied as Doc Severinson, Dick Hyman, Tommy Mottola & the landmark album from The Free Design, the albums were recorded for the best audio fidelity available. The albums sound terrific. We discuss this with Jon & loved hearing about how his own mother played a role in all these recordings too. If you love the Moog, horns, Bossa Nova and more mid-sixties exotica, you must find these albums for your collection.

We also talk to Jon about his experiences in the studio with his grandfather as well as his own recordings. Part of the fabled Hoboken indie scene of the 1980s, Jon release a new album in 2021, Fabulous Twilight and has a new album coming in 2025 as well. We discuss how Jon became a singer/songwriter, how his passion for being around music led to a career in it and much more. Plus, we hear much about Jon’s father, a seven-time Emmy winner for lighting design who worked with everyone from Muhammad Ali to Ernie Kovacs. This is one episode you do not want to miss and it’s happening right now. Take a listen to the Rarified Heir Podcast with Jon Klages, right now.

Today on another encore edition of the Rarified Heir Podcast we are talking to Sara Karloff, daughter of the great Boris Karloff. Sara sat down with us to discuss what life was like with her father, one of, if not the most famous of the actors from the golden age of Universal Pictures monster movies along with Bela Lugosi and Lon Cheyney among a few others. Sara talked to us about her father’s love of dogs, his roots in England, his favorite sport as well as his roles in films like Frankenstein, The Mummy and others that made him an icon.

Sara has been tasked with guarding her father’s legacy and keeping his name alive. When we spoke with her, that meant, working on a restoration of a silent film, King of the Kongo amongst other things. We even spoke with her about her father’s last American film Targets and how she might looks to animate some of her father’s audio recordings as well.

Sara was a terrific guest as she spoke about the past, present and future of her father and his legacy. She’s very much keeping it alive through film, a deal with Legendary comics and much more. So stick around and hear all the dastardly details of growing up with one of the most famous actors of all-time. Another child of a celebrity, interviewed by the child of a celebrity. Take a listen to this episode of the Rarified Heir Podcast. Everyone has a story.