Satire and parody are intermixed entities that serve as both a social tonic and sly lesson on the culture when delivered effectively. They are also a much needed respite from events that can dominate the psyche in a dark fashion. But these are tools that trend on a very fine line. As they address socio-political issues it can become unwieldy when applied without a deft touch. Satire is most effective when employed with a scalpel’s precision and ironically lose impact if deployed with the subtlety of a snow shovel dropped on your head.
One of the country’s established satire sources has been The Onion, a comedic outlet that for years has been a solid source of mirth and has grown into a multimedia realm. So entrenched has the site become that when a bizarre real life story emerges a common refrain describes the news as “Not The Onion” (or, the conservative competitor “Not The Babylon Bee”). But of late there have been examples coming from the outlet that shows a departure of sorts from the foundation of the outlet, which was to make commentary on the activities in our culture. Instead we are seeing items that are more lecturing in nature, while couched in the form of humor.
This is not to be seen as a reaction to the site choosing a disapproved target; The Onion has usually had a left-leaning approach, while still willing to address matters on either side of the political spectrum. It is not a suggestion that certain items are off limits but that the delivery seen of late has taken a more direct approach that trends more towards a lecture than bursting holes in the inflated sense of a topic or person(s).
The site recently offered a slideshow that displayed what it described as all of the things author J.K. Rowling “would be willing to do to protect her anti-trans views.” The entries were more hostile than humorous and this tends to underscore the issues with The Onion of late. Instead of mockery or insightful japery, this was an aggressive approach that displayed Rowling as hostile and hateful (One entry: Use Cruel, Vitriolic Language To Publicly Bully An Oppressed Minority Group Of People.)
The other flaw in this delivery was describing the writer as “one of the biggest victims of persecution in her own mind.” Say what you like about Rowling, but in her defenses of womanhood over the years one of the last things you could honestly say is that she plays the victim during any of the socuial conflicts that arose. She has always stood firm and defended her positions confidently.
Another recent piece also shows not only how the leftist approach has consumed the site but how the slanted foundation corrupts the humor. Think first of what we have seen on college campuses, both over the years as well as in recent weeks. The places have been coddling collegians over challenging viewpoints, setting up safe spaces for those who cannot handle opposing views, declaring “words are violence”, and other means of babying the leftist mindset. Then look at how anti-Jewish sentiment has been permitted since the outbreak of the current Middle East war. Because it is those same leftists who are now aggressive.
These are features ripe for ridicule, and The Onion has all of the humor all but teed up for it to swat with satire. But instead, the writers opted to go after conservatives on this issue, and not only that they end up accusing those on the right of engagoing in the very victimhood behavior we have seen. It has always been the college leftists demanding they be protected and made to feel safe from the opinions of others. The site literally turned its back on the target in order to take aim at the group not guilty of what is being alleged.
University Installs Red-Light Phones For Conservative Students Being Assaulted By Progressive Beliefs https://t.co/2Q29IDVp2W
— The Onion (@TheOnion) October 12, 2023
Perhaps the examples that typify the shift seen over time is that in its Israel items. On the items focused on this conflict The Onion does not grasp it has been delivering actual position points, not humor. It is telling that almost all of the critical commentary is delivered towards Israel; there is no mockery over the actions or messaging by Hamas, and any mention of Palestine only involves reactions or a tangential involvement. One entry in particular after violence erupted this month stands out.
Among the critical entries involving Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu was this attempt at scathing commentary, alleging he benefitted from the initial attacks.
Netanyahu: ‘I Don't Know About You, But The Timing Of This Tragic Attack On Israelis Could Not Have Come At A Better Time For Me' https://t.co/pkRR5fBG0o
— The Onion (@TheOnion) October 10, 2023
The issue here is not in their approach, it is that there is no humor to be had. This is said not because we find the entry to be unfunny, it is because this post follows the mainstream press having already said the exact same thing about Netanyahu. You are no longer delivering humor when all you are managing to do is repeat what has already been delivered by the news complex.
MSNBC's @MattMcBradley on Hamas terror attack: "I couldn’t think of a better gift for Benjamin Netanyahu right now than this kind of incursion ... This is a very big gift for Benjamin Netanyahu." pic.twitter.com/9E8NeUdAJV
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) October 7, 2023
The once sharp outlet has descended to a pedantic position in the culture. The Onion used to be a source of biting satire and genuine humor as it jabbed at the powerful and ridiculed the culture as needed. But these days the decidedly slanted approach and diluted humor that results places it down to the level of the late-night talk show hosts. Their delivery is not meant to generate laughter but elicit muted chuckles followed by the approving seal-like applause.
The uniform topic approaches and matching monologues are indistinguishable on late-night shows, as they deliver moderately mirthful comments in a “you all know what I mean!” style delivery. The collective focus of mocking Republicans, despite fertile material from Democrats, has only ramped up since returning from the writers’ strike. The Onion has lapsed into this same territory, stooping rather than reaching, and delivering the predictable pandering content while appealing to the same common denominator of readership.
The only thing funny is that they do not see the effect this has on the quality of its content.