Behind the scenes of The Onion

The Onion does all of its web video in house because they didn't want to lose creative control. They wanted to have high quality production to rival the evening news. The majority of anchors are actual reporters with news experience because actors couldn't successfully reproduce the blandness of news anchors. One Onion anchor actually ended up leaving and working for CNN. They often recruit people off the street to be actors in their sketches.

The panelists are delighted by user comments on their online video offerings. The panel shared many of their clever stories including

Child Bankrupts Make-A-Wish Foundation With Wish For Unlimited Wishes

Another clever video covered a ninja parade.

Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again

The Onion wants to be about what's on people's minds.

The Onion has to compete with the bizarre programming of "legit" shows such as Nancy Grace, and they sometimes find it difficult to take the comedy further. They get much of there inspiration from Fox News and CNN.

Some of The Onions videos actually come true such as op-ed by Gillette in which a Gillette executive announced a five blade razor. Some time later, Gillette actually created such a product.