The Onion Origin Story You Haven't Heard
Everyone knows the satirical news outlet The Onion. But did you know that The Onion’s roots are in Madison? The online behemoth was started in 1988 by a group of UW-Madison students and their friends simply as a way to earn some extra cash. But little did they know it would grow to be something so much bigger than they could have ever imagined. To get the details on the origins of The Onion and why it still strikes a nerve with folks, we sat down with Christine Wenc, author of “Funny Because It's True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire” and one of the original Onion staffers.
Catch Christine in conversation with Steve Paulson, executive producer of To the Best of Our Knowledge, March 18 at the Art Lit Lab.
Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
Learn more about the sponsors of this March 18th episode:
Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
City Threatens Police Monitor’s Independence, Beagles Stay at Ridglan, and Delays at Public Market
Tuesday, Madison’s City Council heard hours of public comment and debate before ultimately punting a proposal to tighten regulations for...
Your Guide to Madison Coffee Shops
Here in Madison, we’re blessed with dozens of great coffee shops. Whether you’re looking for a quick jolt of caffeine or a spot to hang o...
How Happy is Madison, Really?
Last month, WalletHub released a study that ranked Madison the 12th happiest city in the US. Is Madison actually that happy? We asked YOU...
Miss Wisconsin and BGC’s Michael Johnson on Leading the Next Gen
What does it take to lead young people through anxious, high-stakes times? City Cast Madison host Bianca Martin talks with Miss Wisconsin...
Charlie Berens on Wisconsin Grandpas, Data Centers, and Running for Office
Oh hey der. Did you know that comedian and Wisconsin legend Charlie Berens will be performing on May 7 and 8 at the Overture? He is known...
'Your City Could Be Better': Why Seattle Gives Every Voter $100 — Presented By City Cast Madison
Could public financing get more Madisonians involved in local elections? For the last decade, the City of Seattle has issued $100 in vouc...
Extreme Weather, UW Athletics Shakeup, and Olbrich's Expansion Contested
Madison was just hammered by extreme weather — flooding, high winds, hail the size of baseballs, and possibly (maybe) even a tornado?! Ho...
The Neighborhood Bars That Hold Madison Together
Madison has no shortage of cocktail bars and dives to satisfy your need to imbibe. But there’s something extra special about those neighb...
How Isthmus Keeps It Real, 50 Years In
Longevity in the media industry is hard to come by. Longevity for a local alternative weekly is an even tougher task. But Isthmus has man...
How Safe Are Our Streets?
How safe are Madison’s streets? After several high profile crashes this year, including one that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old h...