National Lampoon — May 1985 “Celebrity Roast” (Sealed)

January 27, 1984: Michael Jackson’s hair caught fire on the set of a Pepsi commercial in Los Angeles. Sixteen months later, National Lampoon put him on the cover of their Celebrity Roast issue with his Jheri curl in flames, a marshmallow toasting on a skewer above his head, and a look of pure horror on his face.

National Lampoon, May 1985 — “Celebrity Roast.” A monthly issue in sealed condition, still in its original poly bag. Cover price: $2.00. Unread, unhandled, exactly as it left the newsstand.

The Cover

A painted caricature of Michael Jackson — green jacket, wide eyes, mouth open in shock — with his Jheri curl hair rendered as a blazing fireball. A skewer with a toasting marshmallow extends from the flames. It is a direct, unflinching reference to the Pepsi accident that was still fresh in the public consciousness. The illustration is technically accomplished and conceptually ruthless — exactly what National Lampoon did best.

The Roastee List

Printed on the cover in two columns — first names only, because in 1985 you only needed one name for any of these people:

Frank · Bob · Mick · Bette · Liza · Bo · Hulk · Cyndi · Ron · Orson · Marlene · Kareem · Diane · Mia · Woody · Liz · Barbra · Errol · Morgan · Katharine · Jerry · Julio · Joan · Bernie · Carly · Arnold · Brooke · Chubby · Tina · Boy · Michael · Eddie · Dan · Tom · Elvis · Mae · Adolf · Eva · Sal

Sinatra. Hope. Jagger. Midler. Minnelli. Derek. Hogan. Lauper. Reagan. Welles. Dietrich. Abdul-Jabbar. Keaton. Farrow. Allen. Taylor. Streisand. Flynn. Freeman. Hepburn. Lewis. Iglesias. Rivers. Mac. Simon. Schwarzenegger. Shields. Checker. Turner. George. Jackson. Murphy. Aykroyd. Selleck. Presley. West. Hitler. Braun. Mineo. That list is a document of 1985.

Condition

• Sealed in original poly bag — never opened
• Cover: Near Mint — bright, vivid color, no visible damage through the bag
• One copy available

About National Lampoon

National Lampoon (1970–1998) was the most influential American humor magazine of the 20th century. This cover — referencing one of the most-watched celebrity accidents of the decade, published while Jackson was at the absolute peak of his fame — is among the most culturally significant Lampoon covers of the 1980s.

Available in-store at The Foundry, 35 W. Huron Street, Pontiac MI, and online while this copy lasts.