Dr. Demento Retires After 55 Years of Broadcasting Novelty Music

Radio personality Barret "Dr. Demento" Hansen announced his retirement this week, ending a 55-year career dedicated to comedy and novelty music. His show, which began in 1970, will conclude in October with retrospective episodes culminating in a final broadcast of the program's top 40 songs. Dr. Demento's show, initially a freeform rock program, evolved into a platform for comedic songs and musical oddities, introducing audiences to artists like "Weird Al" Yankovic, whom he's largely credited with discovering. The show's long run spanned various mediums, from reel-to-reel tapes to online streaming, showcasing Hansen's enduring influence on radio and comedy.