My People,

This announcement marks the absolute height of my comedy career and one of the true milestones in my life. On November 12, I will join the staff of America's Finest News Source a/k/a The Onion. I'll be working full time as Web Editor, a new position combining all of my favorite things.

  • I'm responsible for web strategy which might include theonion.com, partnerships, new ways of integrating all the pieces of the Onion online (newspaper, radio, video news network, books), etc.
  • I'll help determine political coverage online.
  • I will initiate special pieces for the web.
  • I'll be part of the editorial team, helping write headlines and otherwise being funny
Eleven years ago, I started an email newsletter known as NewsPhlash: All the news that's fit to twist. I pushed fake news as a way of communicating the real news before I even knew The Onion existed. Now I'm getting paid to do it in the defining medium of our time with creative people I respect and admire. This is a dream come true.

Thank all of you for all the support over all these years. I will continue to rely on you in this new adventure and beyond.

And now for the obligatory, FAQ.

WHERE WILL YOU BE WORKING?
At the Onion's offices in SoHo, NYC

WAIT, IS THIS WHY YOU MOVED TO NEW YORK?
No. I had no idea about this job when I moved to NYC. Sometime this past July in Boston, I had a dream that I met my spirit animal. It was a rat. It was a clear sign that I should move to the Big Apple

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE ONE MAN MEDIA EMPIRE YOU'VE BEEN BUILDING AS A COMEDIAN, AUTHOR AND VIGILANTE PUNDIT?
I plan to continue using my own voice to maintain the Baratunde enterprise. This means I'll keep doing standup and blogging for Jack & Jill Politics, my own site and occasionally Huffington Post, plus writing for The Weekly Dig. I also plan to continue contributing actively to The Black Comedy Project. In the interest of me and the Onion, my own comedy will actually stay very independent of whatever the Onion does.

WHERE AND WHEN CAN WE BUY YOU A DRINK?
In the next two days, I'm going to the New York and Boston CD release parties for singer/songwriter Mieka Pauley. I accept congratulations in the form of caipirinhas, white wine and Lindeman's Framboise belgian beer. Handshakes and hugs will be accepted from those without the financial resources to supply spirits.

Thursday November 1, 2007 @ 8PM
Living Room
154 Ludlow St
212-533-7235
w/ Harriet Street and Dwight & Nicole
$5 // 21+

Friday November 2, 2007 @ 10PM
Johnny D's
17 Holland St (Davis Sq)
617-776-2004
w/ Bronze Radio Return & Emilia Dahlin
$10 // 21+

WHO SHOT TUPAC?
Dick Cheney

WHEN WILL YOU FINISH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT?
Now

Baratunde Thurston
comedian, author, vigilante pundit
www.baratunde.com

Web Editor Elect, The Onion
www.theonion.com

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