The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air)

{{Short description|Radio drama podcast}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{italic title|all=yes}}

{{Infobox podcast

| title = Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air)

| italic title = no

| image = Orbiting_human_circus.jpg

| caption =

| format = surrealism, paranormal

| starring = Julian Koster

| opentheme =

| language = English

| first_aired = October 4, 2016

| last_aired = June 17, 2020

| num_seasons = 2

| num_episodes = 24

| list_episodes =

| website = [http://orbitinghumancircus.com/ Official website]

}}

The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) is a fictional radio drama podcast written and created by Julian Koster, and published by Night Vale Presents.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/oct/20/orbiting-human-circus-air-carousel-weirdness-welcome-night-vale|title=The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air): for those who like their podcasts strange|last=Verdier|first=Hannah|date=2016-10-20|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2017-03-15|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://orbitinghumancircus.com/credits.html|title=Credits {{!}} The Orbiting Human Circus|website=Orbitinghumancircus.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-03-15}} One of the most prominent themes of the podcast is the pain of loneliness.{{Cite magazine |last=Wacek |first=Michele Pariza |date=July 2020 |editor-last=Olsher |editor-first=Steve |title=The Orbiting Human Circus: A Tale of Loneliness and Desire |url=https://podcastmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Podcast-Magazine-JULY-2020-Dave-Ramsey.pdf#page=43 |access-date=October 4, 2022 |magazine=Podcast Magazine |volume=1 |issue=6 |page= |pages=43–46|language=en-US |location=San Diego, CA |issn=2690-4608 |oclc=1140254648}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn4kfn3Kh3Q|title=An Orbiting Human Circus Special: The 2nd Imaginary Symphony, Trailer|access-date=10 November 2021|publisher=YouTube}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Mike |title=Julian Koster (The Music Tapes, Neutral Milk Hotel) preps second season of The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air) |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/julian-koster-preps-season-2-orbiting-human-circus-air-podcast |website=Tinymixtapes.com |access-date=6 November 2019}}, and the podcast concluded with a finale on June 17, 2020.

A series of live shows were made through international tours in 2023 and 2024. This began with a US tour in fall 2023, a Japanese tour in spring 2024, and finally a tour across the US and Europe in the summer of 2024. This last tour was conducted jointly with The Music Tapes, and concluded with a final performance at Egersund Visefestival from July 4-6, 2024. Koster was accused of sexual assault later that month; the group has not toured or performed live since.{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Alyssa |title=Neutral Milk Hotel's Julian Koster denies grooming, sexual assault accusations |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/07/11/neutral-milk-hotel-julian-koster-grooming-sexual-assault/74372198007/ |website=USA TODAY}}