Why Is Vegas Vacation Not National Lampoon?

By Alice Nichols

Have you ever watched the movie ‘Vegas Vacation’ and wondered why it’s not a part of the National Lampoon franchise? Well, you’re not alone.

The absence of the iconic National Lampoon logo in the opening credits is a mystery that has puzzled many fans over the years. In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons behind this omission and uncover some interesting facts about ‘Vegas Vacation.’

What is National Lampoon?

Before we get into why ‘Vegas Vacation’ is not a National Lampoon film, let’s first understand what National Lampoon is. National Lampoon is a comedy brand that started as a magazine in 1970.

It later expanded to include radio shows, television shows, and movies. Some of its most popular movies include ‘Animal House,’ ‘Vacation,’ and ‘Christmas Vacation.’ These films are known for their irreverent humor and satirical take on American culture.

The Origins of Vegas Vacation

‘Vegas Vacation’ is the fourth installment in the ‘Vacation’ movie series that began with ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ in 1983. The movie follows the Griswold family as they head to Las Vegas for a vacation filled with gambling, drinking, and wild adventures. While the movie maintains the same comedic tone as its predecessors, it does not feature the National Lampoon branding.

Why isn’t Vegas Vacation a National Lampoon Film?

The reason behind this omission is quite simple: by the time ‘Vegas Vacation’ was released in 1997, National Lampoon had already sold off its brand name to J2 Communications. As a result, any subsequent movies produced under the ‘Vacation’ banner could not be marketed as National Lampoon films.

However, it’s worth noting that there were still ties between ‘Vegas Vacation’ and National Lampoon. The movie was produced by Matty Simmons, who was one of the founders of National Lampoon and also produced the first three ‘Vacation’ movies. Additionally, the film’s director, Stephen Kessler, had previously worked on National Lampoon’s ‘Loaded Weapon 1.’

Conclusion

In conclusion, ‘Vegas Vacation’ is not a National Lampoon film because the National Lampoon brand had already been sold off by the time it was released. While this may come as a disappointment to some fans, it’s important to remember that the movie still retains the same irreverent humor and satirical take on American culture that made the previous ‘Vacation’ movies so popular.

And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll see a new National Lampoon comedy that lives up to the legacy of its predecessors.