What National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins Is About
National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins arrives as a three-part comedy special that takes America's leisure-time obsessions and turns them into separate, interconnected stories. Rather than a traditional narrative arc, the film works as an anthology—each segment explores one of the titular deadly sins through the lens of what the filmmakers saw as entertainment staples. You get Greed, Anger, and Lust, each one a self-contained comedy riff on human weakness. The 99-minute runtime keeps things brisk, which matters when you're juggling three different plots, three different comedic voices, and three different takes on what makes people tick. It's the kind of project that only works if the individual pieces land, and that's where the casting becomes crucial.
Behind the Making of National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins
Produced by Republic Pictures and Showtime Networks, National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins hit screens in 1995 as a TV movie with genuine star power attached. The film marked Denis Leary's directorial debut—a significant milestone for a comedian who'd already built a reputation for sharp, observational comedy. Leary didn't just direct; he also starred in the Lust segment, which was written by his wife, Ann Lembeck. That personal investment shows in the specificity of the material. Joe Mantegna, known for his dramatic work and his role in Criminal Minds, took on the Greed storyline, while Andrew Clay—the controversial stand-up comedian and actor—handled Anger. The casting itself was precise enough to earn a nomination for Best Casting for TV Nighttime Special at the Casting Society of America's Artios Awards. Leary's directorial work was strong enough to win Best Directing in Comedy at the CableACE Awards, which recognized excellence in cable television at the time. The production shot across two major cities—Los Angeles and New York—giving each segment its own geographic flavor and grounding the comedy in real locations rather than studio artificiality.
Why National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins Stands Out
What's striking about this film is how it refuses to play it safe. The National Lampoon brand had already proven itself as a comedy powerhouse through Animal House and Vacation, but this anthology approach was riskier—you're betting that audiences will stick with you through three different stories with three different comedic sensibilities. The film works because each segment taps into something genuinely funny about how people behave when they're chasing money, nursing grudges, or pursuing desire. Denis Leary's direction keeps things moving; there's no sagging middle act because the whole thing's designed to feel like three short punches rather than one long monologue. I keep coming back to the fact that this was made for cable television in 1995, when that format was still finding its footing for comedy specials. The casting of Clay and Leary especially—both controversial figures in stand-up comedy—suggested the filmmakers weren't interested in playing to the broadest possible audience. They wanted edge, and they got it. The performances anchor the material in a way that prevents the concept from becoming too conceptual. These aren't just comedians riffing; they're actors inhabiting characters and situations.
Where to Stream National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins Online
Finding National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins isn't difficult these days. The film's available on major OTT services, and if you're trying to track down exactly where it's streaming right now, Movie OTT maintains a current list of every platform carrying it—so you don't have to hunt across five different apps. Showtime, naturally, has carried this title since it's a Showtime Networks production, though availability shifts over time. The 99-minute runtime makes it easy to fit into an evening, which is part of what made it work as a TV special in the first place. Whether you're catching it for the first time or revisiting it, the anthology format means you can dip in and out without losing the thread of a complex narrative.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who directed National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins?
Denis Leary made his directorial debut with this film, and his work was strong enough to earn him a CableACE Award for Best Directing in Comedy. He also starred in the Lust segment, which was written by his wife, Ann Lembeck.
Q: Is National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins based on a true story?
No, it's an original comedy anthology created specifically for Showtime. The three segments are fictional stories exploring the themes of Greed, Anger, and Lust through comedic scenarios rather than real events.
Q: What's the IMDb rating for National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins?
The film holds a 5.059/10 rating on IMDb, which reflects mixed audience reception—typical for experimental anthology projects that don't always land every segment equally.
Q: How long is National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins?
The film runs 99 minutes, making it a tight package of three separate stories that moves quickly without overstaying its welcome.
Q: Can I watch National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins with my family?
The film's rated as a comedy TV movie, but it features mature comedians like Denis Leary and Andrew Clay, so content may be edgier than typical network television. Check the specific platform's content warnings before watching with younger viewers.
Final Thoughts on National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins
National Lampoon's Favorite Deadly Sins is a period piece now—a snapshot of 1995 comedy sensibilities and cable television ambition. It's not perfect. Some segments land harder than others, and the anthology format means you're never quite settling into one world. But that's also what makes it worth revisiting. The film swings for something beyond safe, comfortable comedy, and even when it doesn't quite connect, there's something refreshing about the attempt. If you're interested in how cable comedy evolved or how comedians like Leary, Clay, and Mantegna worked in the mid-'90s, this is essential viewing. For casual viewers, it's a curious, occasionally brilliant time capsule worth exploring.
