The Onion to end print edition; nation tears up just a little
The joke, at long last, is on the Onion. The nation’s preeminent fake news source, not invulnerable to the economic insecurity that has brought cutbacks and layoffs to newspapers nationwide, announced Friday it would end its print edition by the end of the year.
At its peak, the print publication of the news-satire organization was distributed free in 17 cities nationwide. But years of hard times led the publication gradually to cut back on its distribution, with the Los Angeles edition ending in 2009. Last year, the company consolidated its editorial operations in Chicago, shutting down its operations in New York City in a controversial move among employees.
The final issue will be out Dec. 12 in Chicago; Providence, R.I.; and Milwaukee, the last cities in which the paper is still being distributed, ending its 25-year run.
The last gasp for the Onion in print comes just a few months after its own obituary for newspapers, lampooning the state of the print industry. “Print Dead at 1,803,” read the headline.
The Onion was launched in 1988 with two University of Wisconsin students who started the paper as an excuse to skip class, Entertainment Weekly reported in 1999.
To honor the storied publication, here are a few favorite Onion headlines from Los Angeles Times staffers that showcase the satire:
“Wealthy Teen Nearly Experiences Consequence”
“Loved Ones Recall Local Man’s Cowardly Battle With Cancer”
“God Answers Prayers of Paralyzed Little Boy: ‘No,’ Says God”
This one isn’t technically a headline, but you can credit the Onion with the entire existence of Vice President ‘Diamond’ Joe Biden
Add your own favorites in the comments below, or tweet them to @latimes.
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