China buys The Onion
The Onion just rolled out this morning with an elaborate “Chinese edition.” They were apparently bought out by the Chinese Yu Wan Mei company, which before entering the newspaper business was a salvage fishery, whatever that means. (The title literally translates to “Fish are perfect.”)
Some choice headlines from this edition:
- “Police Still Searching For Missing Productive, Obedient Woman”
- “Ping-Pong Champion Credits Victory To Diet Of Nutritious Fish By-Products”
- “Clear American Sky A Constant Reminder Of Industrial Inferiority”
and my favorite: “China Strong,” complete with big picture of the People’s Liberation Army marching in formation.
Not everyone finds this so hilarious. The bloggers over at the Shanghaiist, jaded by years of laughing (and/or crying) at China’s state-run-media gaffs, have already “found enough unintentional black comedy to render this attempt perhaps unintentionally depressing.”
For example? They might be referring to the Homer Simpson X-ray incident at Xinhuanet two years ago. Funny, and yes, a little depressing. But still funny.