political satire - The Art of the Prank

March 24, 2012December 15, 2023

NY April Fools’ Day Parade To Be Largest Yet!

From Joey Skaggs:

New York City’s 27th Annual April Fools Day Parade

For three decades, New York City’s Annual April Fools’ Day Parade has offered the public an opportunity to express, in a comical way, its outrage against the foolishness of mankind. Thousands of participants in look-alike costumes with satirical floats creatively mock the thoughtless, corrupt and selfish acts of the past year.

Kicking off noon on Sunday, April 1, the parade marches down 5th Avenue from 59th Street to Washington Square Park where revelers party to demonstrate against new rules that restrict the First Amendment rights of performing artists in the park. It will end with the annual crowning of the King of Fools.

Spread the word!

Read the press release here.

May 12, 2011December 15, 2023

The New York Times Final Edition

Submitted by Erin:

The Final Edition, a New York Times Parody from Spinal Tap Star Tony Hendra
Vanity Fair
by Juli Weiner
May 10, 2011

Internet, meet The Final Edition, a nihilistic and deeply silly parody of The New York Times and the city it serves. The Final Edition is edited by Tony Hendra, the Spinal Tap actor, Vanity Fair contributor, and Spy and National Lampoon alumnus.

With articles about the cycling culture wars (“New Second Avenue Subway Will Include Bike Lanes“), section names that refer to the Times”s Manhattan-centric perspective (“World /U.S./SoHo“), and conspicuously sympathetic business coverage (a recurring feature spotlights the “story of a great American businessman who, despite his lack of ethics, has bravely stayed out of jail”), The Final Edition is like a very parochial Onion.

There are sly winks to journalism nerds, too: an article about Spider-Man was authored by R. W. Appleipad. There”s even a parody of Timescast, the Times”s endearingly purposeless daily video starring the paper”s reporters. (Actually, it reminds us of the trailer for Page One.) The Final Edition”s version of Timescast is anchored by Mike the Intern. “No one wanted to do this Timescast thing today,” he explains. “I could have a shot at a Pulitzer! Or better yet””get on Gawker!” Hendra plays Times executive editor Bill Keller.

The Last Timescast from The Final Edition on Vimeo.

May 11, 2011December 15, 2023

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Dead, Vader Says

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Dead, Vader Says
by Den Dhur and Hallis Saper
The Galactic Empire Times
May 9, 2011

CORUSCANT “” Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mastermind of some of the most devastating attacks on the Galactic Empire and the most hunted man in the galaxy, was killed in a firefight with Imperial forces near Alderaan, Darth Vader announced on Sunday.

In a late-night appearance in the East Room of the Imperial Palace, Lord Vader declared that “justice has been done” as he disclosed that agents of the Imperial Army and stormtroopers of the 501st Legion had finally cornered Kenobi, one of the leaders of the Jedi rebellion, who had eluded the Empire for nearly two decades. Imperial officials said Kenobi resisted and was cut down by Lord Vader’s own lightsaber. He was later dumped out of an airlock.

[For maps, video, photos, TimesCast, related stories & opinions, visit the original Galactic Empire Times sidebar.]

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