The Onion: 20 Years Later
@onion20.substack.com
A weekly review by @jamesdasilva.bsky.social of The Onion's print issues from 20 years ago (and the new print!)! Sign up for the Sunday newsletter http://onion20.substack.com. Love The Onion but not affiliated.
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The Onion: 20 Years Later | James daSilva | Substack
Every week, we review The Onion from exactly 20 years ago to laugh, see what holds up and revisit cultural references we forgot about. Click to read The Onion: 20 Years Later, by James daSilva, a Subs...
onion20.substack.com
I revisit The Onion's past each week in two newsletters covering the print and web-only archives.
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
Crying Sounds Coming From Inside Suit Of Armor
December 2, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Crying Sounds Coming From Inside Suit Of Armor
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
Fine vintage copies of America’s Finest News Source are hard to come by, often because treasure-hungry museums hoard them all. Now a piece of The Onion history can belong to you. VISIT THE ONION STORE.
https://store.theonion.com/products/time-capsule-newspaper-package
https://store.theonion.com/products/time-capsule-newspaper-package
December 2, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Fine vintage copies of America’s Finest News Source are hard to come by, often because treasure-hungry museums hoard them all. Now a piece of The Onion history can belong to you. VISIT THE ONION STORE.
https://store.theonion.com/products/time-capsule-newspaper-package
https://store.theonion.com/products/time-capsule-newspaper-package
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
Whole chapter on Our Dumb Century (including how the Onion's design staff made those incredible pages! as well as how their original publisher tried to censor them) in my recent book Funny Because It's True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire (also, Our Dumb Century is a masterpiece)
As someone who used to do graphic design I tell you that each print edition of The Onion is a joy for design parody. I first noticed this with one of my favorite read again and again books, their "Our Dumb Century" - period accurate mock ups of Onion front pages since the dawn of the 20th century.
Here's a note I sent to our members about what we did with their money, and why we expect the Onion to outgrow the Washington Post.
We keep doing weird, hard shit — taunting ICE, yelling at Congress for not taunting ICE, buying bad websites — when nobody else does.
Our members keep getting papers.
We keep doing weird, hard shit — taunting ICE, yelling at Congress for not taunting ICE, buying bad websites — when nobody else does.
Our members keep getting papers.
November 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Whole chapter on Our Dumb Century (including how the Onion's design staff made those incredible pages! as well as how their original publisher tried to censor them) in my recent book Funny Because It's True: How The Onion Created Modern American News Satire (also, Our Dumb Century is a masterpiece)
I love how dramatic this suggested social sharing image is.
Anyways, I reviewed one of @theonion.com's best issues of 2005 today. Check it out!
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito...
Anyways, I reviewed one of @theonion.com's best issues of 2005 today. Check it out!
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito...
November 30, 2025 at 7:56 PM
I love how dramatic this suggested social sharing image is.
Anyways, I reviewed one of @theonion.com's best issues of 2005 today. Check it out!
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito...
Anyways, I reviewed one of @theonion.com's best issues of 2005 today. Check it out!
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito...
20 years ago, Fritolaysia cut off chiplomatic relations with Snakistan.
The CIA apologizes for black highlighters, plus jokes about plutonium, Walmart, C-sections, unnoticed irony and much more onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito... #theonion #satire
The CIA apologizes for black highlighters, plus jokes about plutonium, Walmart, C-sections, unnoticed irony and much more onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, Fritolaysia cut off chiplomatic relations with Snakistan
The CIA apologizes for black highlighters, plus jokes about plutonium, Walmart, C-sections, unnoticed irony and much more
onion20.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:24 PM
20 years ago, Fritolaysia cut off chiplomatic relations with Snakistan.
The CIA apologizes for black highlighters, plus jokes about plutonium, Walmart, C-sections, unnoticed irony and much more onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito... #theonion #satire
The CIA apologizes for black highlighters, plus jokes about plutonium, Walmart, C-sections, unnoticed irony and much more onion20.substack.com/p/2005-frito... #theonion #satire
Looking to buy one of @TheOnion.com's old books? Want to read the 2 very good histories of The Onion that published in 2025?
I’ve collected the best of the bunch here. onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy...
I’ve collected the best of the bunch here. onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy...
How to buy books by and about The Onion
Not a gift guide!
onion20.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Looking to buy one of @TheOnion.com's old books? Want to read the 2 very good histories of The Onion that published in 2025?
I’ve collected the best of the bunch here. onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy...
I’ve collected the best of the bunch here. onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy...
How to buy books by and about The Onion.
Not a gift guide! onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy... #theonion #satire
Not a gift guide! onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy... #theonion #satire
How to buy books by and about The Onion
Not a gift guide!
onion20.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM
How to buy books by and about The Onion.
Not a gift guide! onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy... #theonion #satire
Not a gift guide! onion20.substack.com/p/how-to-buy... #theonion #satire
I revisit The Onion's past each week in two newsletters covering the print and web-only archives.
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
The Onion: 20 Years Later | James daSilva | Substack
Every week, we review The Onion from exactly 20 years ago to laugh, see what holds up and revisit cultural references we forgot about. Click to read The Onion: 20 Years Later, by James daSilva, a Subs...
onion20.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:34 AM
I revisit The Onion's past each week in two newsletters covering the print and web-only archives.
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
Please support my work by subscribing at onion20.substack.com or at ko-fi: ko-fi.com/jamesdasilva. Thank you!
20 years ago, The Onion freed Johnny Depp from Tim Burton.
Plus, the new "Harry Potter" film, Bush visits China, pea farmers, State Farm, Telly Savalas, the NFL, Sheryl Swoopes and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
Plus, the new "Harry Potter" film, Bush visits China, pea farmers, State Farm, Telly Savalas, the NFL, Sheryl Swoopes and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, The Onion freed Johnny Depp from Tim Burton
Plus, the new "Harry Potter" film, Bush visits China, pea farmers, State Farm, Telly Savalas, the NFL, Sheryl Swoopes and much more.
onion20.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:59 PM
20 years ago, The Onion freed Johnny Depp from Tim Burton.
Plus, the new "Harry Potter" film, Bush visits China, pea farmers, State Farm, Telly Savalas, the NFL, Sheryl Swoopes and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
Plus, the new "Harry Potter" film, Bush visits China, pea farmers, State Farm, Telly Savalas, the NFL, Sheryl Swoopes and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
21 years ago, The Onion reported on the Bush administration's unlawful detention — of the Thanksgiving turkey 🦃
Plus, John Kerry can't escape the Swift Boaters!
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
Plus, John Kerry can't escape the Swift Boaters!
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
20 years ago, The Onion detained the White House turkey
Let's look back at the FDA, Swift Boat and John Kerry, Pabst's blue ribbon, working through your 20s, Kmart and Sears merging, and a child dominating Uno.
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:21 PM
21 years ago, The Onion reported on the Bush administration's unlawful detention — of the Thanksgiving turkey 🦃
Plus, John Kerry can't escape the Swift Boaters!
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
Plus, John Kerry can't escape the Swift Boaters!
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
20 years ago in The Onion, Satan wrote a column.
Plus, the FCC, Bush's hope-based plan, parking lot attendants, cats and mice, the Xbox 360, "glitter lung" and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Plus, the FCC, Bush's hope-based plan, parking lot attendants, cats and mice, the Xbox 360, "glitter lung" and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
20 years ago in The Onion, Satan wrote a column
Plus, the FCC, Bush's hope-based plan, parking lot attendants, cats and mice, the Xbox 360, "glitter lung" and much more.
onion20.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
20 years ago in The Onion, Satan wrote a column.
Plus, the FCC, Bush's hope-based plan, parking lot attendants, cats and mice, the Xbox 360, "glitter lung" and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Plus, the FCC, Bush's hope-based plan, parking lot attendants, cats and mice, the Xbox 360, "glitter lung" and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Last week, I reviewed a 20-year-old issue of @TheOnion.com with the article “133 Dead As Delta Cancels Flight In Midair” — as I was boarding two Delta flights.
I’m pleased to report the article is funny and my flights landed successfully.
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion...
I’m pleased to report the article is funny and my flights landed successfully.
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion...
20 years ago, an Area Baby had no friends
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more.
onion20.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Last week, I reviewed a 20-year-old issue of @TheOnion.com with the article “133 Dead As Delta Cancels Flight In Midair” — as I was boarding two Delta flights.
I’m pleased to report the article is funny and my flights landed successfully.
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion...
I’m pleased to report the article is funny and my flights landed successfully.
onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion...
Revisiting The Onion's website: Nov. 16-22, 2005.
The Onion remembers WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero and debates the world's best dictator. Plus, AOL's TV downloads service, injured athletes and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
The Onion remembers WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero and debates the world's best dictator. Plus, AOL's TV downloads service, injured athletes and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
Revisiting The Onion's website: Nov. 16-22, 2005
The Onion remembers WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero and debates the world's best dictator. Plus, AOL's TV downloads service, injured athletes and more.
onion20.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Revisiting The Onion's website: Nov. 16-22, 2005.
The Onion remembers WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero and debates the world's best dictator. Plus, AOL's TV downloads service, injured athletes and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
The Onion remembers WWE wrestler Eddie Guerrero and debates the world's best dictator. Plus, AOL's TV downloads service, injured athletes and more. onion20.substack.com/p/the-onion-... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, an Area Baby had no friends.
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion... #theonion #satire
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, an Area Baby had no friends
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more.
onion20.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:34 PM
20 years ago, an Area Baby had no friends.
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion... #theonion #satire
Plus, beers with President Bush, Delta Airlines cancels flights, Animal Planet's reality show, Navy recruiting commercials, and much more. onion20.substack.com/p/2005-onion... #theonion #satire
I haven't written about @theonion.com's new print issues much this year, but it's a good read each month. And I enjoyed the latest cover illustration.
Clearly an SNL TV Funhouse homage, right? But that's not a bad thing!
Clearly an SNL TV Funhouse homage, right? But that's not a bad thing!
November 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I haven't written about @theonion.com's new print issues much this year, but it's a good read each month. And I enjoyed the latest cover illustration.
Clearly an SNL TV Funhouse homage, right? But that's not a bad thing!
Clearly an SNL TV Funhouse homage, right? But that's not a bad thing!
20 years ago this week, @TheOnion.com mentioned Tim Duncan for the 1st time!
Plus, topical jokes you probably forgot about, like the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, White House ethics classes and more.
onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-...
Plus, topical jokes you probably forgot about, like the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, White House ethics classes and more.
onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-...
November 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
20 years ago this week, @TheOnion.com mentioned Tim Duncan for the 1st time!
Plus, topical jokes you probably forgot about, like the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, White House ethics classes and more.
onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-...
Plus, topical jokes you probably forgot about, like the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, White House ethics classes and more.
onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-...
Reviewing The Onion's website, Nov. 9-15, 2005.
Remembering Tim Duncan's 1st Onion mention, Anderson Cooper, the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, and more. onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
Remembering Tim Duncan's 1st Onion mention, Anderson Cooper, the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, and more. onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
Reviewing The Onion's website, Nov. 9-15, 2005
Remembering Tim Duncan's 1st Onion mention, Anderson Cooper, the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, and more.
onion20.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reviewing The Onion's website, Nov. 9-15, 2005.
Remembering Tim Duncan's 1st Onion mention, Anderson Cooper, the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, and more. onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
Remembering Tim Duncan's 1st Onion mention, Anderson Cooper, the 2005 NYC Marathon, the Panthers cheerleaders scandal, and more. onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
20 years ago today, The Onion anticipated a fact-free future and everyone feeling vindicated that their theories are, in fact, the good ones.
onion20.substack.com/i/178304587/...
onion20.substack.com/i/178304587/...
November 9, 2025 at 9:49 PM
20 years ago today, The Onion anticipated a fact-free future and everyone feeling vindicated that their theories are, in fact, the good ones.
onion20.substack.com/i/178304587/...
onion20.substack.com/i/178304587/...
20 years ago, The Onion buried Rosa Parks — and civil rights.
Plus, jokes about NYT reporter Judith Miller, metal legends, Iraq, Cameron Crowe, and people who love half-baked theories onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Plus, jokes about NYT reporter Judith Miller, metal legends, Iraq, Cameron Crowe, and people who love half-baked theories onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, The Onion buried Rosa Parks — and civil rights
Plus, jokes about NYT reporter Judith Miller, metal legends, Iraq, Cameron Crowe, and people who love half-baked theories
onion20.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
20 years ago, The Onion buried Rosa Parks — and civil rights.
Plus, jokes about NYT reporter Judith Miller, metal legends, Iraq, Cameron Crowe, and people who love half-baked theories onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Plus, jokes about NYT reporter Judith Miller, metal legends, Iraq, Cameron Crowe, and people who love half-baked theories onion20.substack.com/p/november-2... #theonion #satire
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
Californians Approve Measure To Redraw ‘Garfield’ https://theonion.com/californians-approve-measure-to-redraw-garfield/
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Californians Approve Measure To Redraw ‘Garfield’ https://theonion.com/californians-approve-measure-to-redraw-garfield/
20 years ago this week, @TheOnion.com recorded a faux Bush eulogy at Rosa Parks’ funeral in which he vowed to arrest anyone who aided and abedded the crime.
The twist? It never published on The Onion website, only on a long-forgotten fake White House website.
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
The twist? It never published on The Onion website, only on a long-forgotten fake White House website.
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
Revisit The Onion's TV listings from 20 years ago
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more
open.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:01 AM
20 years ago this week, @TheOnion.com recorded a faux Bush eulogy at Rosa Parks’ funeral in which he vowed to arrest anyone who aided and abedded the crime.
The twist? It never published on The Onion website, only on a long-forgotten fake White House website.
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
The twist? It never published on The Onion website, only on a long-forgotten fake White House website.
open.substack.com/pub/onion20/...
Reviewing The Onion's website for Nov. 2-8, 2005.
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
Reviewing The Onion's website for Nov. 2-8, 2005
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more
onion20.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Reviewing The Onion's website for Nov. 2-8, 2005.
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
The Onion jokes about Michael Bay, Bush eulogizing Rosa Parks, weather-related gambling, Samuel Alito's nomination and much more onion20.substack.com/p/reviewing-... #theonion #satire
21 year ago, The Onion reviewed the 2004 elections
onion20.substack.com/p/20-years-a...
onion20.substack.com/p/20-years-a...
20 years ago, The Onion mocked our elections
Rediscover The Onion's online-only election commentary, plus Spain's war on bulls, the middle class, workout routines, the Boston Red Sox, and Jean Teasdale.
onion20.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 AM
21 year ago, The Onion reviewed the 2004 elections
onion20.substack.com/p/20-years-a...
onion20.substack.com/p/20-years-a...
Reposted by The Onion: 20 Years Later
20 years ago, The Onion burned Iraq's constitution.
Plus, bird flu, TV weathermen, a nude sheriff in town, "Scooter" Libby, Howie Mandel, and a night on the town onion20.substack.com/p/2005-the-o... #theonion #satire
Plus, bird flu, TV weathermen, a nude sheriff in town, "Scooter" Libby, Howie Mandel, and a night on the town onion20.substack.com/p/2005-the-o... #theonion #satire
20 years ago, The Onion burned Iraq's constitution
Plus, bird flu, TV weathermen, a nude sheriff in town, "Scooter" Libby, Howie Mandel, and a night on the town
onion20.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 5:31 PM
20 years ago, The Onion burned Iraq's constitution.
Plus, bird flu, TV weathermen, a nude sheriff in town, "Scooter" Libby, Howie Mandel, and a night on the town onion20.substack.com/p/2005-the-o... #theonion #satire
Plus, bird flu, TV weathermen, a nude sheriff in town, "Scooter" Libby, Howie Mandel, and a night on the town onion20.substack.com/p/2005-the-o... #theonion #satire