Funny Because It's True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire
Anthony's Recommendation
"This book starts slow, but really picks up as The Onion becomes undeniably great. Especially enjoyed the stories behind the famous 9/11 issue, endless complaints about management, and one writer's hilariously misguided attempt to get revenge on Weird Al Yankovich. The final chapters serve as a eulogy the for best years of the internet, before it became an advertising hellscape. Enjoy! Excited to pick this up for #NewBookTuesday. I used to love The Onion back in the day but I don't know anything about its creation or the people behind the scenes. This will go from good to great if it turns a critical eye on what The Onion has become. Will report back on Monday."
— Anthony Jeselnik, #NewBookTuesday
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About this book
This book chronicles the history of The Onion, a satirical news organization, detailing its rise to prominence and the behind-the-scenes stories of its operations. It covers notable events like the famous 9/11 issue, internal management conflicts, and humorous anecdotes, including a writer's attempt to prank Weird Al Yankovich. The book also reflects on the evolution of the internet and its impact on satire and media.
Anthony Jeselnik recommended this book on his Instagram story as part of his weekly #NewBookTuesday series on March 18, 2025.
"Every Tuesday, I share a book recommendation. Not sponsored, just books I think are worth reading."— Anthony Jeselnik