Dana Taylor

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 20th, 2025. If you haven't heard of The Onion, a satirical news publication, you've no doubt come across the many memes and parodies inspired by its style. The Onion began with a group of scrappy Gen Xers who wanted to poke fun at mainstream news. It's evolved into an at times biting, oftentimes comic, cultural critic.

Hello and welcome to The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Sunday, April 20th, 2025. If you haven't heard of The Onion, a satirical news publication, you've no doubt come across the many memes and parodies inspired by its style. The Onion began with a group of scrappy Gen Xers who wanted to poke fun at mainstream news. It's evolved into an at times biting, oftentimes comic, cultural critic.

What role does humor play in making the world make sense? I'm joined now by Christine Wentz, a member of The Onion's original staff and author of the new book, Funny Because It's True, How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire, which is available now. Thanks for joining me, Christine. Thanks for having me, Deanna. This is great.

What role does humor play in making the world make sense? I'm joined now by Christine Wentz, a member of The Onion's original staff and author of the new book, Funny Because It's True, How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire, which is available now. Thanks for joining me, Christine. Thanks for having me, Deanna. This is great.

In your book, you talk about good fake news versus bad fake news. How does The Onion walk the line between satire and misinformation?

In your book, you talk about good fake news versus bad fake news. How does The Onion walk the line between satire and misinformation?

Satire is, of course, a powerful tool to hold those in positions of authority accountable. One of The Onion's most famous headlines is one that's often seen after a mass shooting in America. And it says, no way to prevent this, says only nation where this regularly happens. Do you think The Onion has successfully influenced public opinion with its brand of satire?

Satire is, of course, a powerful tool to hold those in positions of authority accountable. One of The Onion's most famous headlines is one that's often seen after a mass shooting in America. And it says, no way to prevent this, says only nation where this regularly happens. Do you think The Onion has successfully influenced public opinion with its brand of satire?

And then looking back at the ethical standards for The Onion when they're riffing on sensitive topics back in your day when you were there, the way you view it today, what are those standards?

And then looking back at the ethical standards for The Onion when they're riffing on sensitive topics back in your day when you were there, the way you view it today, what are those standards?

Christine, I'm sure you know that there is a popular subreddit, it's called Not The Onion, and they highlight real stories and headlines that something could have been written by The Onion. The Onion was originally circulated in print. Do you think it would have become as well known as it is if it had been launched during the age of social media?

Christine, I'm sure you know that there is a popular subreddit, it's called Not The Onion, and they highlight real stories and headlines that something could have been written by The Onion. The Onion was originally circulated in print. Do you think it would have become as well known as it is if it had been launched during the age of social media?

And I think you've answered this, but do you think that it still cuts through the noise?

And I think you've answered this, but do you think that it still cuts through the noise?

In 2001, a few weeks after 9-11, The Onion published an issue with a satirical take on the tragedy. There was an article titled, quote, not knowing what else to do, woman bakes American flag cake, unquote. The reception was mixed. What was your take on that publication and what kinds of things were you hearing at the time about that?

In 2001, a few weeks after 9-11, The Onion published an issue with a satirical take on the tragedy. There was an article titled, quote, not knowing what else to do, woman bakes American flag cake, unquote. The reception was mixed. What was your take on that publication and what kinds of things were you hearing at the time about that?

Satire can make us think. It can also make us laugh. Do you have a favorite Onion story or headline?

Satire can make us think. It can also make us laugh. Do you have a favorite Onion story or headline?

You were there at the beginning. Can you describe the energy and some of the minds that created The Onion, who you've said are the creators of modern American news satire?

You were there at the beginning. Can you describe the energy and some of the minds that created The Onion, who you've said are the creators of modern American news satire?