Dr. Demento, the cult comedy DJ whose radio show became a landmark for novelty music and underground satire, will retire this fall after more than five decades behind the mic.
His final program will air in October, exactly 55 years after his debut on Pasadena’s KPPC-FM.
Born Barret Hansen, the host first adopted the Dr. Demento moniker in 1970 while spinning oddball records, comedy cuts, and forgotten vinyl deep cuts. The show quickly evolved into a nationally known staple, running on rock stations like KROQ and KMET and introducing generations of listeners to offbeat musical curiosities.
In 2010, the weekly broadcast ended its radio run and transitioned to a digital-only format, where Hansen continued to produce new episodes with the help of longtime collaborators. Now 84, he recently announced the program’s final chapter, stating, “It’s been a blast—but I have come to the decision that I need to hang up my top hat soon,” Demento shared on air.
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The show will conclude with a special series of bi-weekly episodes leading up to its finale, revisiting classic segments and key moments from the archive. The final broadcast, scheduled for Oct. 11, will feature a comprehensive Top 40 countdown, highlighting the most beloved novelty tracks ever played on the show.
Over the years, Dr. Demento became a trusted curator of the bizarre, offering an alternative musical universe filled with talking dogs, parody songs, punk rock satire, and college radio oddities. He was often the only national platform where artists like Tom Lehrer, Barnes & Barnes, and Spike Jones received regular play.
Although the format and frequency have changed in recent years, the program has remained a constant source of archival humor and outsider artistry. His departure marks the end of one of the longest-running and most distinctive programs in American radio history.
Dr. Demento’s full archive will continue to be available for streaming on his website, allowing fans to revisit decades of musical mayhem long after the show signs off. Fans can listen to the latest programming here at drdemento.com.
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