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The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) is a fictionalradio dramapodcast written and created by Julian Koster, and published by Night Vale Presents. It is the fourth podcast to be released under the Night Vale Presents name. The podcast stars Koster as Julian the janitor, a shy, sensitive employee of the Eiffel Tower who dreams of joining the fictional radio show also titled The Orbiting Human Circus of the Air, which is broadcast from a large ballroom at the top of the tower. Listeners of the podcast hear Julian the janitor's inner thoughts as he discusses his situations with The Narrator, played by Drew Callander, an imaginary voice only Julian can hear. In addition to the conversations in his head, Julian interacts with the staff and talent of The Orbiting Human Circus of the Air, notably voiced by actors such as John Cameron Mitchell, Cecil Baldwin, Tim Robbins, Charlie Day, and Mary Elizabeth Ellis. One of the most prominent themes of the podcast is the pain of loneliness. The first season of the podcasts comprised eight episodes as well as a bonus question and answer episode in which Koster answers questions submitted by fans.
From June to July 2017, the podcast released "an Orbiting Human Circus Special," titled "The 2nd Imaginary Symphony," which served as the official wide-release of Koster's 2002 album.
It was announced in January 2017 that the podcast would return for a second season. The season, titled "Naughty Till New Years," premiered on November 6, 2019.
Production
The podcast was in development for several years prior to its eventual release, based on ideas Koster had been developing. Some of Koster's dialogue was recorded in his spare time during the Neutral Milk Hotel reunion tour, while Mitchell recorded much of his during his run in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, both events having occurred over a year before the series' release. Koster cites British humor, specifically The Goon Show, as inspiration for some of the podcast's absurdism, in that jokes are delivered with little time for the audience to process the information.
To ensure authenticity, Koster employs equipment appropriate for the radio show world. All of Drew Callander's lines as the narrator are delivered through an authentic RCARibbon microphone from the 1930s.
Episodes
Season One
Title
Running Time (Min:Sec)
Release Date
Episode 1
27:01
Oct. 11, 2016
Episode 2 (The Cricket)
32:08
Oct. 25, 2016
Episode 3
26:46
Nov. 8, 2016
Episode 4 (The Janitor's Nights)
21:12
Nov 22, 2016
Episode 5
22:02
Dec 6, 2016
Episode 6
23:52
Dec 20, 2016
Episode 7
20:21
Jan 10, 2017
Episode 8
30:15
Jan 24, 2017
The 2nd Imaginary Symphony - An Orbiting Human Circus Holiday Special
67:04
November 20, 2018
Season Two
Title
Runtime
Release date
Firstly, the Janitor
40:00
November 6, 2019
Secondly, the Past
29:20
November 20, 2019
Thirdly... How to Disappear (Lessons I and II of III)
23:04
December 4, 2019
Fourthly... How to Disappear (Lesson III of III)
12:26
December 11, 2019
The Orbiting Human Circus Holiday Vacation
30:47
December 18, 2019
Fifthly, Do You Dream?
25:16
January 8, 2020
Sixthly, the Flea Talks
23:16
January 22, 2020
Seventhly, the Gift
22:21
February 5, 2020
Eighthly, a Booth by the Seaside
30:41
February 20, 2020
Ninthly, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner!
29:16
March 4, 2020
Tenthly, a Time for Dreamers
31:24
March 18, 2020
Eleventhly, It's a Scream (part 1) + Season Recap
19:24
May 6, 2020
Twelfthly, It's a Scream (part 2)
26:01
May 13, 2020
Season Finale, Part One
29:52
May 27, 2020
Season Finale, Part Two
49:30
June 17, 2020
Extras
Title
Running Time (Min:Sec)
Release Date
The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) – Teaser
2:35
Oct. 4, 2016
Bonus Episode (your questions)
30:10
Feb. 7, 2017
The Orbiting Human Circus in Naughty Till New Years: Trailer
