The Onion Visits OU

By Nicholas Masopust, student journalist 

Two writers from the Onion visited the University of Oklahoma Wednesday night to provide laughs and allow audience members an inside look at their creative process. 

The Onion is a satirical news website that has been writing fake news in print and online for over 25 years. Hosted by the CAC, the event took place in the Molly Shi Boren ballroom with two of The Onion’s staff writers, Jen Spyra and Seena Vali. 

Vali and Spyra explained things like how The Onion’s stories emanate from humorous headlines submitted anonymously by the writing staff, and then grow into news briefs and full stories on the web site. 

Those in attendance, such as student Ryan Bird, took notice. 

“Their honesty was really surprising,” said Bird, “comedy always seems so organic so it was really interesting to see the formula behind it all” 

 Vali and Spyra answered plenty of questions from the audience after their presentation, explaining some of the inner machinations of The Onion as well as delving into their own backgrounds. 

“I was always a fan” said Spyra, “it used to irritate me that people had that job. “

Vali’s path to The Onion was uncommon, first majoring in Mathematics before getting into writing. 

“We’re not actual journalists” said Vali, “you can say whatever you want as a writer here, it’s great.”

Since the majority of The Onion’s readers are in the 18-44 age group, a college-aged crowd was an appropriate audience. 

“We’re kind of growing more cynical as a nation, so it’s good to have someone poke fun at the news giants and show they’re not infallible. “ said student Katie Taylor. 

In keeping with the satirical and humorous tone of the website, the presentation’s opener was filled with classic Onion headlines and fake information about the Onion presented as real. 

“The Onion is the greatest invention in human history” said Vali, “better than polio, the wheel, television, ALL OF IT.”

Their opening included The Onion’s “coverage” of events such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake or the Titanic disaster with the headline, “World’s Largest Metaphor Hits Ice-Berg”. 

The presentation continued on with other pieces of fake news and reporting told by Vali and Spyra with deadpan straightforwardness. 

The opening had the entire auditorium laughing, with the speakers often being unable to even be heard above the laughter of the audience inside. 

Vali and Spyra stayed after the presentation and Q&A to talk with fans one on one, sign autographs, and take pictures. 

With a Peabody award to their credit and an estimated 7.5 million unique web visitors a month, The Onion shows no signs of slowing down. 

While ventures into the television and film industries didn’t pan out as well as expected, those at the Onion say there is still new ground for them to cover in the future. 

“As news evolves, we evolve..” said Vali, “with the world of journalism changing there will always be something new to satirize.” 

Lead-in: Chair of the Speakers Bureau for the Campus Activities Council Katie Taylor introduces the Onion and speakers Jen Spyra and Seena Vali to those in attendance at the Molly Shi Boren Ballroom Wednesday night. VIDEO: Nick Masopust, runs 14 seconds.