Sunday, September 16, 2007

TheOnion.com, vol. 2

The author of TheOnion.com’s Nation Sickened by Sight of Happy Young Couple may best be described as jealous, but hilarious comes in a close second. The pseudo-article takes on the impartial tone of a description of presidential approval rates, but instead describes a poll drop to below 40 percent approval for the relationship of Dave Petrun and Julie DeSimone.

Dislike of their relationship, which was in its fourth month at the time, is a rallying point for not only local residents, but citizens across America. The entire country is ablaze with contempt for the couple; in fact, “millions of people who say they want to shoot themselves in the face after observing the tender relationship.” Something as outlandish being articulated in such an informative manner simply adds to the humor of the article.

However, the whole piece is based on one simple truth: Couples can be really, really annoying. You know that pair that seems to be perpetually giggling at some inside joke, whispering in each others’ ears and exchanging goofy smiles? This story is about them. It’s no wonder 80 percent of the fictitious people polled “wished the couple would die, preferably in a fiery automobile accident.” While it may be humorous on an official news site, the article basically describes what anyone familiar with new couples feels.

With this Young Couple article, TheOnion.com yet again uses a satirical “news” article to describe the frivolities of society and, hopefully, make those couples understand just how obnoxious they really are.

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