The Onion

The Onion is a newspaper of parody and satire, published weekly in print and on the Internet. As of May 2005, its print editions are distributed in Madison, Milwaukee, New York City, Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver/Boulder, and San Francisco.

Related Topics:
Newspaper - Parody - Satire - As of May 2005 - Madison - Milwaukee - New York City - Chicago - Minneapolis-St. Paul - Denver - Boulder - San Francisco

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Its articles comment on current events, both real and imagined (an example of the latter: "All Americans Issued Life Jackets for Some Reason"). It parodies traditional newspaper features and styles. The paper often reports on everyday events in a sensationalistic manner ("Area Man Confounded by Buffet Procedure"). Obsession with fame and celebrity are frequently satirized.

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Regular features include:

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• The Onion A.V. Club, a straightforward but like-minded entertainment section;
• "STATshot", an illustrated statistical snapshot which parodies "USA Today Snapshots";
• The "Infograph" (a.k.a. "Infographic"), with a bulleted list of items on a theme;
• Point-Counterpoint;
• Random and bizarre editorials;
• Cynical horoscopes;
• "The ONION in History": a front page produced in the look of newspapers of an earlier era, satirizing that earlier style and content (these are all taken from the book "Our Dumb Century");
• "In the News" photograph and caption with no accompanying story (such as "Frederick's of Anchorage Debuts Crotchless Long Underwear", National Association Advances Colored Person"); and
• "What Do You Think?", a survey showing photos of the same six people, although their names and professions change every week. One of them is always a "systems analyst."

The newspaper was revamped on August 31, 2005, which changed the layout of the website homepage. As well:

Related Topics:
August 31 - 2005

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• "What Do You Think?" became "American Voices", with the question updated daily, and only three responders each day
• "In the News" was retitled "From the Print Edition"
• A daily fictional stock market analysis titled "Stock Watch", a web poll titled "QuickPoll", and "National News Highlights" of three regional stories, were added
• Jackie Harvey was given his own blog

The staff of the Onion have also produced numerous books, including Our Dumb Century and Dispatches from the Tenth Circle.

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