The Onion. You know it, you love it, you probably have a favorite headline. (Ours: “37 Record-Store Clerks Feared Dead In Yo La Tengo Concert Disaster.”) But how much do you really know about The Onion? Yes, it was founded in Madison, Wisconsin; and yes, “Christ Returns to NBA” is an all-timer. But what else?
In her new book Funny Because It’s True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire, author (and original Onion staffer) Christine Wenc peels back layer after layer of Onion history. Witness The Onion‘s earliest ’80s days as a coupon-filled newspaper for UW-Madison students! Thrill to its ’90s and ’00s triumphs and growing pains! Marvel at its ’10s and ’20s domination as an influential media giant! (There are plenty of growing pains in that era, too.) Pre-order a copy of Funny Because It’s True HERE!
Oh, and hear Wenc talk about it all in person! Yes, on Thursday, March 20, Wenc will discuss her new book at Milwaukee’s Boswell Book Company. She’ll be in conversation with Milwaukee Record‘s own Matt Wild, who, before co-founding this fine website in 2014, served as the Milwaukee City Editor for the Onion-affiliated A.V. Club from 2011 to 2013. (Talk about a tenuous connection!) The in-person shenanigans begin at 6:30 p.m. It’s a free event, though you can reserve your spot HERE.
So come on out! Funny Because It’s True is a terrific book, Boswell is a terrific bookstore, and Matt will totally spring for the first round at Henry’s around the corner after the event! No joke! (Also: “Mischievous Raccoon Wreaks Havoc On International Space Station” is another all-timer.)
Want more Milwaukee Record? Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and/or support us on Patreon.