Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead takes a look at the history of Harvard's National Lampoon magazine and how it redefined what made a generation laugh by combining intellectual humor with dark satire and sex. The magazine rose to become the top American comedy publication, spawning a radio broadcast, albums, live performances and films. Every one of the Lampoon writers became celebrities themselves. With revealing interviews the film gives insight into the influence the magazine had on both their careers and the US as a whole.