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Are We Mainstream Yet? Satiric Newspaper The Onion Takes On Swinging
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Are We Mainstream Yet? Satiric Newspaper The Onion Takes On Swinging Good satire requires a norm – a set of circumstances so familiar to readers that when the circumstances are warped, the humor emerges without much explanation needed. Those with an interest either philosophical or personal in the mainstreaming of swinging may take heart from an article which appeared recently in the satiric newspaper The Onion: “Local Swingers Not Going To Drive Out To Goddamn Oakdale.” The piece features a fictional couple – Doug and Tiffany Finsky – who, in typical Onion inflate-it-from-the-mundane-to-the-ridiculous style grouse about a 40-mile trip to a swinger event hosted by some friends in suburban Minnesota – the “goddamn Oakdale” of the headline. Rather than focus (unfairly, in most cases) on the prurient aspects of swinging as many serious media outlets do, The Onion devotes nearly 700 words to travel distances, traffic, ill-considered event starting times, lackluster food offerings, and additional time spent “having to stop by Cub Foods to pick up margarita mix on the way.” Oh, and a lack of reciprocal visits by the hosting couple to the Finsky’s own get-togethers. The “news” article concludes with the revelation that “At press time, the [Finskys] had decided to stay in for the night and watch Criminal Minds.” My longtime take on The Onion is that too often the entirety of its jokes are found in its headlines, and that the articles rarely add comic material. For the most part this article follows that trend. But for this flaw – or perhaps it’s a trait? – it’s good to see swinging being given the gentle pokes The Onion is known for. One can only wonder what the next mainstream acknowledgement will be… listings, perhaps in USA Today? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic |
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Love your comment, made me blush! Hope you'll check out some of the other posts (there are a few on Canada and points far afield)... and, perhaps we could entice you into joining the next round of the virtual symposium? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I love The Onion, although I read it more a few years ago. The news seems to be strange enough these days without attempts at satire. I read Andy Borowitz every day though and I've noticed lately that he reads like an actual news article. And Paul Rudnick! "Shouts and Murmurs" is my favorite part of the New Yorker. Do you read "The Cursing Mommy" pieces by Ian Frazier? Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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I love The Onion, although I read it more a few years ago. The news seems to be strange enough these days without attempts at satire. I read Andy Borowitz every day though and I've noticed lately that he reads like an actual news article. And Paul Rudnick! "Shouts and Murmurs" is my favorite part of the New Yorker. Do you read "The Cursing Mommy" pieces by Ian Frazier? Don't know "The Cursing Mommy" pieces, but will absolutely have to look them up. You've been right in most of your other recommendations... What was it Tom Lehrer once said... "Satire died when Henry Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize"? And the stake was driven through its heart with the ascent of a certain individual as a potential presidential candidate... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I've not read The Onion. I suspect its UK equivalent is Private Eye, a satirical magazine poking fun at the rich, powerful, wealthy, famous and the Queen (who is called Brenda!).  
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It did, and several times! Here's a random sample: In 1972, it ran a cartoon featuring "Comic Strip Swingers" which featured Dagwood, Blondie, Li'l Abner, Daisy May, Popeye, and Olive Oyl at a key party... In 1974, it was mentioned in a parody of Carl Sandburg's "Chicago"... (I think: Haven't seen this one personally.) Something about not drinking at a swingers' party lest one go home with one's own spouse... In 1980, an article by Paul Coker which illustrated several "Are You Happy Now" scenarios offered as its second to last scenario: "...that you persuaded your Wife [sic] to join a Swinging Couples group... and she loves it... and you don't?" All this said, I'm not sure I'd count Mad magazine of the '50s through the '80s as mainstream... back then, it was more a house organ for disaffected youth! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I've not read The Onion. I suspect its UK equivalent is Private Eye, a satirical magazine poking fun at the rich, powerful, wealthy, famous and the Queen (who is called Brenda!). Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Very good and made me laugh today ty hugsssssssssssss V Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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Very good and made me laugh today ty hugsssssssssssss V Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I actually like the way they set that up. And the comedy is in the non-saliciousness of it all. Hm. Me thinks you need to have your funny bone tickled by....? Kk The observant make the best lovers, I may not do right, but I do write, I have bliss, joy, and happiness in my life, Kitkat Come check out my blog KItkat1415 check out this post by me Adventures In Body Grooming #39 April Topic Link: What Lies Beneath If April Showers Oh Bloody Hell What Kind Of Weather Turns Me On Bloggers Symposium 40
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Believe me, if you lived in the Twin Cities and were very familiar with what a pain it is to drive from Minnetonka to fucking Oakdale, you'd find it funny. I thought the point being made was that swinger parties aren't necessarily glamorous; just another suburban party (and indeed, that was MY experience at the one swinger party I attended, which was in fucking Maple Grove).   
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Believe me, if you lived in the Twin Cities and were very familiar with what a pain it is to drive from Minnetonka to fucking Oakdale, you'd find it funny. I thought the point being made was that swinger parties aren't necessarily glamorous; just another suburban party (and indeed, that was MY experience at the one swinger party I attended, which was in fucking Maple Grove). Like any party, it depends on the host and the guests... but yes, The Onion very nicely takes a lot of the slackjawed hound-and-horny gazing present in other, more serious coverage of swinging out of its "report." But like everything else there's a spectrum, and while some parties aren't necessarily glamorous, others do have their Louis XIV moments, I'd reckon... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I actually like the way they set that up. And the comedy is in the non-saliciousness of it all. Hm. Me thinks you need to have your funny bone tickled by....? Kk Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Of the big three you mentioned, I hold Paul Rudnick head and shoulders above the other two -- which is no knock on the also-rans. Don't know "The Cursing Mommy" pieces, but will absolutely have to look them up. You've been right in most of your other recommendations... What was it Tom Lehrer once said... "Satire died when Henry Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize"? And the stake was driven through its heart with the ascent of a certain individual as a potential presidential candidate...
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Good God! Someone else remembers Tom Lehrer! My sister and I got his first record after we saw his songs illustrated in MAD. FIGHT FIERCELY, HARVARD! Great, great stuff... and worth keeping out of the vault of obscurity. "Poisoning the Pigeons in the Park," anyone? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Of the big three you mentioned, I hold Paul Rudnick head and shoulders above the other two -- which is no knock on the also-rans. Don't know "The Cursing Mommy" pieces, but will absolutely have to look them up. You've been right in most of your other recommendations... What was it Tom Lehrer once said... "Satire died when Henry Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize"? And the stake was driven through its heart with the ascent of a certain individual as a potential presidential candidate...
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Speaking of Tom Lehrer, there a couple of hours of him discussing Kurt Weill on YouTube. Ah, the youth of today... do they even know "poisoning the Pigeons in the Park"? Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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