thank you for the kind words! The most rewarding part of doing my newsletter is that anyone curious about something random from The Onion's past can find what they're looking for, whether through The Onion itself or through what I've found and documented. The 2056 issue, of course, is a big one!
My favorite headlines from this one are probably “Lunar Olympic Officials Continue Search For Missing Pole Vaulter” and “Tokyo Police Quell Dance Dance Revolution."
January 2020. I wanted to start the decade with writing that wasn't work-related, and somehow the idea of looking back at something from a generation later -- 20 years -- entered my mind. I'd written this piece in 2013 on The Onion (https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/how-the-onion-has-changed-over-15-years-4ab3e1a151c1), so that became the idea. Plus, I thought it'd be cool to revisit 9/11, the Iraq war, etc., on that timetable.
After asking some friends about it and getting good feedback, I got started! Obviously, had no clue it would last this long or, frankly, be this much exploration! But it's been a lot of fun.
The best surprise is how supportive Onion folks have been, including you, Stephen Thompson, Christine Wenc and Ben Collins. I'm sure I don't capture everything 100% about The Onion's thinking, but I do what I can.
Congrats on 5 years, James! It's been great to see. So cool to read this earlier piece that inspired it. I'm glad you're getting support from former and current Onion people. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you want trivia or details. Glad you liked that Smoove B article from 97! (I created the character and wrote the columns (except one that Rob Siegel wrote, capably filling in for me). Then I killed him off and the staff brought him back to life in the 2000s and Chris Karwowski took him over for like 10-15 years. Chris has written the most Smoove columns of anybody, by far.)
Really cool look back. My favorite headline was "Lunar Olympic Officials Continue Search For Missing Pole Vaulter"
I just pre-ordered your book from Amazon. I'm getting quite a collection of your books! :D
haha - thanks so much, Kathy! I need to slow down, I know.
thank you for the kind words! The most rewarding part of doing my newsletter is that anyone curious about something random from The Onion's past can find what they're looking for, whether through The Onion itself or through what I've found and documented. The 2056 issue, of course, is a big one!
My favorite headlines from this one are probably “Lunar Olympic Officials Continue Search For Missing Pole Vaulter” and “Tokyo Police Quell Dance Dance Revolution."
You’re most welcome, James — your work deserves more attention! When did you start doing the newsletter?
January 2020. I wanted to start the decade with writing that wasn't work-related, and somehow the idea of looking back at something from a generation later -- 20 years -- entered my mind. I'd written this piece in 2013 on The Onion (https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/how-the-onion-has-changed-over-15-years-4ab3e1a151c1), so that became the idea. Plus, I thought it'd be cool to revisit 9/11, the Iraq war, etc., on that timetable.
After asking some friends about it and getting good feedback, I got started! Obviously, had no clue it would last this long or, frankly, be this much exploration! But it's been a lot of fun.
The best surprise is how supportive Onion folks have been, including you, Stephen Thompson, Christine Wenc and Ben Collins. I'm sure I don't capture everything 100% about The Onion's thinking, but I do what I can.
Congrats on 5 years, James! It's been great to see. So cool to read this earlier piece that inspired it. I'm glad you're getting support from former and current Onion people. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you want trivia or details. Glad you liked that Smoove B article from 97! (I created the character and wrote the columns (except one that Rob Siegel wrote, capably filling in for me). Then I killed him off and the staff brought him back to life in the 2000s and Chris Karwowski took him over for like 10-15 years. Chris has written the most Smoove columns of anybody, by far.)
I have two favorites:
"We Need a Fourth Law of Robotics: Stop Fingering My Wife"
"Abraham Lincoln's DNA Now Available Over The Counter"
Yes, those are great!
Ordered mine on March 31. Can't wait.
Thanks Helen! Did you ever make it through the other book?
Yes, I did. The second half was a slog but I made it through.
To be clear, I'm talking about the other Onion book.
I’m at your service should you want or need any fact checks.
Cool! I consider you a more reliable source.
Kind of you to say, Helen!