Did the Onion go too far?

I thought it was well done. I applaud their guts! Some of us need to whistle in the dark otherwise we'd blow our brains out.
I was glad that Jon Stewart can start to laugh again, but I'm dissapointed that SNL won't be doing any political humor during this "crisis."
I can't wait for George Carlin's HBO special in November. I wonder what he'll say.
And I hope people get off Bill Maher's back.
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These chicks know how to party! - MoJo JoJo

 

I thought it was extremely well done. not just because it was funny but because it was relevant. The best humor illuminates issues as well as mocking them. The story about "Life Turns Into Bad Bruckheimer Film" was fantastic and also was driving home a point. Then the little blurb about the little kids being ahrrassed because they were Muslim, spot on. I thought it was one of the best issues ever.

 

Wow, one of the best, well-written, intelligent commentary I've ever read....
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[Edited last by Yoshi Sugawara on September 26, 2001 at 04:30 PM]

 

No, they did not go too far. This is some of the best and most poignant reporting (even though it's fake) about the attack I've seen in any medium.
This article almost brought me to tears, and not from laughing: Not knowing what else to do, woman bakes american-flag cake .
This bit from the "American life turns into bad Bruckheimer movie" is both funny, sad and truthful:

 

I thought it was right on target, the victims and there family were not treated disrespectfully. The terrorists, fundamental Christians and the politicians were the butt of the jokes and deservedly so. A few of the items were more ironic than satirical and struck just the right nerve.
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Andrew in Austin
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Sometimes, putting social issues in the context of humor has an enlightening aspect to give the recipient. I use George Carlin as the prime example. He puts social issues in this type of context which makes his fans really think about what he is saying. It's not a matter of being in bad taste because it's not intended to demean or belittle.
No, the Onion did not go too far. They did a commendable job.
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As for the bad rap about the characters--hey, I've seen space operas that put their emphasis on human personalities and relationships. They're called "Star Trek" movies. Give me transparent underwater cities and vast hollow senatorial spheres any day. --Roger Ebert on The Phantom Menace

 

I agree with you all. I applaud the Onion for writing such intelligent humor. This isn't the first time they've pushed the envelope (anyone remember these headlines: "Area 6 yr. old becomes youngest ever to crash plane" or "Prisoners retire McVeigh's uniform.")
They didn't publish new material last week, but I am glad they stuck to what they do best - write damn funny material.

 

I think it was intelligent humor indeed. from me.
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Scott
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There are some truly touching parts in several of the articles, regardless of the "HOLY FUCKING SHIT - Attack on America" banner (which had me laughing hysterically when I first saw it). My favorite is the last paragraph of the story about American life turning into a bad Bruckheimer film:

 

Yes it was fantastic. Did any of you read the "On TV Tonight" schedule? LOL I was laughing my ass off!
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After reading the Ebert answer man section (devoted this week to the death of irony- since NO ONE could possibly find anything funny about this) I'm glad to see he's way off base. I went to the Onion site and found that irony is alive and well. Hell, my roomates and I were cracking a lot of similar jokes while watching the coverage. Of course it is tragic- the event itself is not funny but some of the over-the-top reactions to it are ripe for parody. I'm glad The Onion had the guts to go for it. If everyone simply shuts down, then the terrorists have won a victory.

 

Long live the Onion!
We need this sort of shot in the arm right now. Thanks for the link/thread.
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How could you not laugh at the situation. The reactions in the states are going way overboard, I've even heard of East Indians being targeted up in BC because they kinda look like Arabs. The thought of that is just crazy.
You also have Bush saying things like "Wanted Dead or Alive". I thing this totally reflects the feeling in the states right now. There is a large number of people who want blood to retaliate for these acts of terrorism and I think the Onion was just latching onto that sentiment and trying to make light of it.
BY the way, what was it that Bill Maher said that was annoying people?
Aaron

 

This is part of it, anyway. I am slightly annoyed by this particular comment, although I think the advertisers (among others) are overreacting.
http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/5059.htm
He obviously misinterpreted what it means to "be bullish."

 

Go to Carlin's website and look under Timeline to see the title of his upcoming HBO special. I'm sure he'll have to change the title.
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These chicks know how to party! - MoJo JoJo

 

I've been reading The Onion for quite a while now and, for me, the recent issue was a disappointment. I don't think they went far enough. One, it was a week too late. Two, it was extremely restrained for The Onion. I'm sure no one here agrees with me and I'll probably get flamed, but that's my opinion. If they had put out this issue in the week after the attacks (it would have been posted 8 days after the day), it would have been different. But they waited two weeks to post a watered-down issue. As far as The Onion goes, it shows little of the usual irreverancy.
It *is* funny. Just not as good as it could have been.

 

I'm leaning towards Greg's side here. It was surprisingly sensitive, especially the cake article. (I was very disappointed by the Bruckheimer one though.)
[Edited last by Steve Felix on September 28, 2001 at 11:07 PM]