After 55 years of delighting (and occasionally bewildering) audiences with novelty tunes, comedy sketches, and offbeat musical gems, the iconic radio personality known as Dr. Demento—real name Barret Eugene "Barry" Hansen—signed off for good with the final episode of The Dr. Demento Show Saturday.
At 84 years old, Hansen hung up his signature top hat, marking the close of a program that began in 1970 and became a cult phenomenon, syndicated nationally and eventually thriving in the digital age.
The Final Episode: A Grand Send-Off
Hansen announced his retirement on June 1, 2025, right after his last "regular" episode on May 31 (a Tom Lehrer retrospective topping out with "The Vatican Rag"). From there, the remaining months were a nostalgic victory lap: biweekly flashbacks by decade, all-request specials, and tributes to the show's wild history.
Highlights included:
#1: "Fish Heads" by Barnes & Barnes – The surreal '70s staple that defined the show's quirky ethos.
#7: "Existential Blues" by Tom "T-Bone" Stankus – A philosophical rant that's an all-time fan favorite.
#6: "King of the Cars" by Lenny & the Squigtones – A Beach Boys spoof from Laverne & Shirley stars Michael McKean and David Lander.
#5: "The Doctor and William (2025 Edition)" by The Great Luke Ski – A fresh Beastie Boys-style nod to Hansen and fellow radio oddball Whimsical Will.
Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens, in archival clips) popped up for nostalgia, and the episode wrapped with Hansen reflecting on his "blast" of a career—two-thirds of his life behind the mic. You can still stream it (and the full archive) at drdemento.com.