Onion News Network

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For the related Internet site, see The Onion.

Onion News Network
IFC
ReleaseJanuary 21 (2011-01-21) –
December 9, 2011 (2011-12-09)

Onion News Network is a parody

Independent Film Channel.[1][2][3]

History

In March 2007, The Onion launched The Onion News Network, a daily web video broadcast that had been in production since mid-2006 under the direction of executive producer Scott Dikkers, the Onion's then editor-in-chief, with co-executive producer Will Graham. The Onion invested about $1 million in production and hired 15 staffers to focus on the venture.[4] Carol Kolb, former Editor-in-Chief of The Onion, was the ONN's head writer, and Will Graham and Julie Smith were the executive producers of an ONN TV show project developed by IFC .[5] Season 1 aired on Friday nights at 10 pm.[6] It was implied on-air that the ONN show "FactZone with Brooke Alvarez" is "simulcasted" on IFC Friday nights at 10 pm ET.

For Season 1, the series was the only scripted live-action comedy series in the US to employ non-union writers. However, the writers unionized between Seasons 1 and 2 in the midst of a strike threat.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

IFC renewed Onion News Network for a second season, which was sponsored by Acura.

Amazon.com, which presented a fictitious "behind-the-scenes look" of The Onion's "newsroom". It was not successfully picked up for a full series.[16][17][18]

Cast

Oberg was the only actor to appear on two different television shows produced by The Onion. Oberg portrayed Mark Shepard in Onion SportsDome, which aired on Comedy Central until its cancellation in June 2011, and portrayed the "tenth" Tucker Hope on Onion News Network.

Guests

PBS Frontline documentary about Brooke Alvarez's checkered past which in part may explain her on-air icy demeanor. Beck stated that while auditioning for the part of anchor of FactZone, he implied that Alvarez cut off his brakes and his car ended up in a ditch.[22] Ted Allen appeared on the "Today Now!" special, showing how to cook a dish from his "new book" Pretentious Foodie Bullshit.[23]

Recurring segments

To further invoke the atmosphere of a 24-hour network, The Onion produces the following video series:

Episodes

Season 1 (2011)

No. Title Original air date
1"Enter The FactZone"January 21, 2011 (2011-01-21)
Teenage white girl to be tried as a black adult,
Suri Cruise, and this day in history the handjob
was invented.
2"Snowlocaust"January 28, 2011 (2011-01-28)
Snow storm causing major problems for the nation's idiots, and leaving thousands without access to pornography, forecast of possible light snow triggers emergency response from the entire government,
Muslims to make people think they're peaceful, those 7 asshole snowmobilers still not lost or hurt, Snowstorm killer still at large, people are sad about dead woman, time travelers interrupt report on protest, and the Memphis murderer needs to try harder if he wants Brooke Alvarez
to pay attention.
3"Man-Horse Marriage"February 4, 2011 (2011-02-04)
Anti-gay Congressman allegedly spending time romantically with a horse,
Mac
fans cutting off hands for release of iHand tomorrow, 'higher' support legalization of marijuana, autopsy of pilot in plane wreckage determines pilot too charred to fly, citizens of Pennington, Illinois anticipating major brawl between Carl and Jerry over Megan, today in history the Civil Rights Act mandated racism be made less obvious, Los Angeles residents join to obey instructions from vibrating obelisk to protect Suri Cruise, and the Memphis murderer is still unimpressive.
4"Fifth Anniversary"February 11, 2011 (2011-02-11)
Heroic student killed potentially harmful outcasts, regular human Zorla Gorgalon gave birth to 352 children, crying woman making people uncomfortable, female escort claims to have slept with some famous, handsome Hollywood actor whose last name starts with 'B', first openly drunk senator elected, one in five teens illegally enriching
U.S. constitution
is expired.
5"The Trial of TR-425"February 18, 2011 (2011-02-18)
Oscar lifetime achievement award for "giving divorced dads something to do with their kids", PETA demands an end to using chickens to randomly select Oscar winners, sources within Howie Mandel's imagination report that he will be hosting the Oscars, the Democratic Party
is seeking counseling to resolve their issues, train is okay after hitting a man, and teenage pregnancy rates in Pennington, Illinois are up thirty percent due to Cody.
6"Cyber Attack"February 25, 2011 (2011-02-25)
al-Qaeda launches crippling cyber-attack beginning with an image of a pig in boots, legislators should use illegal immigrants to write immigration reform bill to save money, missing teens found drowned in dangerous bathtub, first openly drunk senator to spend more time drinking, everyone would be safer if they had their own justice shed, seven-hour-long audio sex tape featuring celebrity Garrison Keillor leaked, FDA Commissioner urges Americans to wash hands after using restroom following E. coli outbreak, genetically engineered food safety questioned after corn begs for death, undercover investigation into the intentions of a waitress inconclusive, man who shit in pants in elementary school receives Purple Heart, and this day in history The Lindy Hop was a popular anti-semitic dance.
7"The Real Obama"March 4, 2011 (2011-03-04)
Congress passes bill making incomprehensible shouting the official language of the United States, GoldenMade factory explosion results in flood of corn syrup, Federal Dating Agency adjusts datings standards to a record low, child who witnessed the murder of his parents is on the path to becoming a real-life Batman, real Obama found after revelations that a lookalike took his place two years ago, fifty-two injured in attack on
public indecency, entire town attends parade for the town's only gay man, Oklahoma state legislature passes bill allowing doctors to perform fake abortions, and this day in 1929 doctors eliminated the slide whistle
sound that accompanied falling pants.
8"Stock Market Crash"March 11, 2011 (2011-03-11)
Stock markets crash as traders realize humans are capable of error,
Fox News
misinformed viewers about Clyde the Cat.
9"Real America"March 18, 2011 (2011-03-18)
Congress renewed funding for
high fructose corn syrup spill hit with BBQ flavoring cloud, Shaken Manchild Syndrome on the rise, and this day in 600 BC Japan was founded by tentacle porn
enthusiasts.
10"American Dream"March 25, 2011 (2011-03-25)
Last U.S. citizen gives up on American Dream, Damaged Women's Coalition demand attention from Congress, protestors concerned adopted children of gay couples harmed by their protests, future National American Dream Memorial to dissolve and collapse, Americans celebrate no longer having to pretend they had not given up their dreams, NASA launched mission to explore New Mexico, Jeff Gordon donated $2 million to charity focused on ending his illiteracy, Biden replaces Secret Service with sexy female bodyguards, no one will ever invent something better than the American-invented zipper, victim count continues to increase after accidental release of 34 Katherine Heigl films, and Obama declares the new American Dream to be motorcycle ownership.

Season 2 (2011)

It was announced on March 22, 2011, that IFC had picked up the show for a second season due to premiere on October 4, 2011.[14][25]

No. Title[26] Original air date[27]
11"Asteroid Heads to Earth"October 4, 2011 (2011-10-04)
Asteroid set to destroy Earth in 30 minutes, screenwriter's plan to stop asteroid with attractive
bill
prevents the friend-less from purchasing guns (only to decay into a rant how they want to punch Brooke in her "goddamn, hitch face"), today NOW! interviews boy about his "totally awesome" encounter with a shark, sluts and muscle-bound douchebags gathered in military bunker to repopulate the earth, this day in 1982 the first boom-box carrying rollerskater was elected to congress, guy born with goddamn stupid-looking face finds solace in Association of Americans with Hateful Faces, and Mayor who counterfeited coupons to save $14.81 has resigned.
12"Missing Baby Kate"October 11, 2011 (2011-10-11)
Brooke Alvarez is now single, government warning country of impending release of rap ballads about fatherhood by
X-Factor attempts to compete with quietly sitting in the dark, HBO's Boardwalk Empire being retooled to take place in modern day New Jersey, Sci-fi fans debating how producers will eventually ruin FOX's Terra Nova, ONN's O'Brady Shaw over-emotionally reports death of teen he didn't know, First Responders ponder how best to kill random civilians with robots, and Biden proudly announces shit he took on the NY Stock Exchange
.
13"Fantasy Brainwall"October 18, 2011 (2011-10-18)
Brooke Alvarez will always be the face of cable news, comatose former congressman running for president, potentially dangerous self-defense instructors know all your moves, First Responders totally watched the GOP debate, O'Brady Shaw is a compassionate dog-slayer tomorrow night on Gut Check, soldiers in Afghanistan sad about some men dying but happy about other men dying, Kanye West and Syria in conflict, defective Hot plates won't be recalled since people who buy them are obviously pathetic, Biden launches fitness program aimed at making youthful American women more attractive, comatose presidential candidate quits after caught receiving oral sex from nurse, and O'Brady Shaw rudely leaves during his report.
14"Dead Reporter"October 25, 2011 (2011-10-25)
Onion reporter died in brothel fire while recording part 412 of his report on the Eastern European sex trade, Shelby Cross recommends keeping kids safe from pedophiles on Halloween by sedating and keeping them in your basement until morning, corporate tax cut deal struck allows Republicans to kick Obama in the balls, Republicans accused of slowing things down due to moving in slow motion, search and rescue efforts for missing hikers continue even though they are probably dead, high unemployment rate found to be caused by Illinois man who has 42,000 jobs, small town spitefully welcomes back failed aspiring musician who had left to the big city, hackers responsible for malfunction of actress January Jones, and the eccentric billionaire who single-handedly funds Chuck ends the series due to loneliness of being its only viewer.
15"Exposed, Brooke Alvarez"November 1, 2011 (2011-11-01)
Brooke Alvarez's cold personality is a result of her childhood trauma in the Russian space program, Obama puts CEO of highly profitable and terrible tasting beverage in charge of U.S. economy, Tea Party activist running for seat in Supreme Court, Gavin Fisher goes undercover as stereotypical Chinese personas to investigate counterfeit goods, O'Brady Shaw rushes to the scene of a shooting that may or may not have happened, crazy woman Michele Bachmann claims to be treated differently than crazy men, environmentalist claims that bogs and marshes aren't just dead body landfills, opinion polls up for Mitt Romney after prostitute admits to paying him for sex, and the plan for stimulating the economy is coconuts.
16"Today Now! Special"November 11, 2011 (2011-11-11)
In a rebroadcast of today NOW!: Search for missing fat black man continues, medical expert Dr. Kareem Mazari talks about children who refuse to take off their costume after Halloween, Applebee's new advertising campaign suggests hipsters dine there ironically, Jim and Tracy investigate discrimination against obese people by going undercover, attractive blonde woman questioned in case of missing fat black man, high school girls run clothing charity drive for their peers, chef demonstrates how to prepare needlessly expensive and time-wasting food, local weather conditions are vulgar, award-winning country artist's new album inspired by true stories of rural life and meth, and a man claiming to be the missing fat black man complains the news coverage is ruining the sick call he made to his employer.
17"Sex in America"November 18, 2011 (2011-11-18)
Mystery candidate leading GOP presidential polls, new robot warns masturbators of people approaching, government officials sick of dealing with Afghanistan, Russia asked by NASA to stop filming porn on International Space Station, the First Responders debate whether it's fair for employers to check out applicants' personal Internet sex videos, imprisoned millionaire not appreciative of rigid jail routine, Shelby Cross suggests changing your identity every three years to avoid identity theft, Obama reelection campaign asks voters not to make his daughters change schools, and Tucker Hope interviews pole-dancing stripper about fire in strip club.
18"Artificial Intelligence"December 2, 2011 (2011-12-02)
Thousands trapped on couch by Confessions: Animal Hoarding marathon, people with facial tattoos face discrimination from potential employers, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces criticism for admirative comments toward Jews, older Hispanic men assemble at theaters in anticipation of new Twilight film, Beyond The Facts investigates basement spouse arguments, O'Brady Shaw comforts the wife and children of a missing soldier, this day in 1969 Apollo 12 crew-members cleaned up Apollo 11's trash on the moon, smell in local library identified as weed, and the First Responders discuss the studio's new-found sentience.
19"Brooke vs. O'Brady"December 9, 2011 (2011-12-09)
O'Brady Shaw co-hosts as a woman's loud voice disturbs the nation, new weight-loss drug causes nightmarish hallucinations around food, parents tribute dead son by continuing to update his Tumblr with insults, SIURT investigates whether SIURT reporter is responsible for ruining his family's Thanksgiving, situation worsens as loud woman has private conversation, black part of town moves across local river, Congress suggests Obama ask loud woman to quiet down, this year's hottest holiday present is Chinese Paint, and the nation is relieved as Brooke Alvarez confronts the loud woman.
20"Year in Review"December 9, 2011 (2011-12-09)
In a review of the year's top headlines: Obese
Fukushima mutants reassure public that claims of radiation danger are baseless, nation shocked as someone shot in 1 of 30 daily shootings, something either good or bad to happen as result of Cairo uprising, pop music industry continues assault on good taste with latest star K'Ronikka, renewable sustainable energy source encoded in Charlie Sheen
's rants, and O'Brady Shaw wins ONN person of the year.

Critical reception

Onion News Network received generally positive reviews from television critics. Michael Deacon of The Daily Telegraph described it as one "glorious blizzard of absurdity and bathos",[28] while Jack Seale from Radio Times called it a "densely packed, highly intelligent comedy you’ll want to watch for a second or third time".[29] Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times wrote that Onion News Network makes other satirical news programs "sluggish by comparison", before going on to say: "If the longstanding SNL segment is a sort of introductory course in wringing humor from headlines, and Mr. Stewart's Daily Show is the advance-level class, Onion News Network is graduate school, requiring much quicker thinking and a greater tolerance for comfort-zone invasion".

Zoe Williams of The Guardian gave a mixed review of the first episode, stating that, "even by the opening credits I was smiling so much I had a sore face". However, she was critical of the content. "Persistently, where the programme could rip into one thing, it instead chooses something more peripheral, more candyflossy," Williams wrote. Williams criticized a sketch relating to racism in the US judicial system, saying: "This is the kind of thing Jon Stewart could say with one eyebrow or the judicious rolling back of his wheelie presenter's chair. It's true, racism in the American judicial system is certainly worth lambasting, but there just isn't the complexity in the issue to warrant a satirical news story that goes on for four minutes."[30]

International airdates

References

  1. ^ Itzkoff, Dave (March 22, 2010). "Fake Area Newspaper Gets Real Television Show". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  2. ^ Luippold, Ross (December 4, 2010). "IFC Picks Up 'Onion News Network,' 90s Cult Comedy Series". HuffPost. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  3. ^ Whipp, Glenn (January 15, 2011). "The Onion makes big TV push". Variety. Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  4. ^ "Press 'Play' for Satire: March 23, 2007 The Wall Street Journal Article". March 23, 2007. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. ^ "The Onion launches two new television news shows". Newsday. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  6. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived
    from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  7. ^ Luippold, Ross (July 29, 2011). "'The Onion' Strike Possible: TV Show Embattled In Writers Guild Of America Standoff". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Luippold, Ross (August 2, 2011). "'Onion' Strike Averted: 'Onion News Network' TV Writers Join Writers Guild Of America". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  9. ^ "Onion News Network Writers Join Writers Guild Of America, East". Writers Guild of America East. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  10. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 2, 2011). "This Just In: WGA East Unionizes Onion News Network". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 24, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  11. ^ "Onion News Network Writers Join WGA East Fold". Reuters. August 2, 2011. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  12. ^ Hall, Mike (August 2, 2011). "Onion News Network Writers Join WGAE". AFL-CIO. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  13. ^ Seidman, Robert (March 22, 2011). "IFC Renews "Onion News Network," Greenlights Four New Original Series". TVbythenumbers.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2011. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  14. ^ a b "The Onion News Network on IFC - Series - On Air - IFC.com". www.ifc.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2010.
  15. The Huffington Post. Archived
    from the original on March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  16. ^ Luippold, Ross (March 21, 2012). "Onion News Network Canceled: IFC Spokesperson". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  17. ^ Evans, Bradford (May 29, 2013). "Amazon Officially Picks Up 'Beta House' and 'Alphas' and Not 'Onion News Empire' and 'Those Who Can't'". Splitsider. Retrieved June 20, 2015.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ McGlynn, Katla (April 24, 2013). "'Onion News Empire' Trailer: Amazon Video Pilot Stars Jeffrey Tambor(VIDEO)". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on April 27, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  19. ^ "George Riddle is "Joad Cressbeckler"". George Riddle on Vimeo. May 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  20. ^ [1] Archived February 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  21. YouTube
  22. ^ "Glenn Beck on Brooke Alvarez". The Onion. Archived from the original on November 3, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  23. ^ Celebrity Chef Ted Allen Cooks His Favorite Pretentious Foodie Bullshit Meal Archived November 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine The Onion
  24. ^ "Chef Cooks 'Dream Omelet' From Recipe That Came To Him In A Dream". The Onion. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  25. ^ Reevers, China (March 23, 2010). "IFC Renews Onion News Network, Announces New Shows". Paste. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  26. Independent Film Channel
    . Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  27. Independent Film Channel. Archived
    from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  28. ^ Deacon, Michael (November 26, 2011). "'The Onion' comes to TV". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  29. ^ Seale, Jack (November 26, 2011). "Video preview: Onion News Network". Radio Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2011.
  30. ^ a b Williams, Zoe (November 26, 2011). "TV review: Onion News Network; The Killing". The Guardian. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2011.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Onion_News_Network&oldid=1213939724"