'The Hairold' parody amuses columnist
Column by Jeff
Chastain, Herald Staff
"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery."
-- I don't know who said that.
Let me be the first to congratulate the anonymous person who
has constructed a parody site of our very own student newspaper.
Even though the site lacks a firm foundation of design principles
and ease of navigation, the point is well taken. The best part
of this is that it's funny. I like it. I laughed hysterically
when I first saw it.
The current version, whose banner reads:"Parodying the
student newspaper of Arkansas State since last week," basically
uses the Oct. 22 online version of The Herald to establish news
and opinion content.
The parody site, named The Hairold, takes news stories, letters
to the editor and cartoons that have run in The Herald and puts
its own twist to make light of the content.
The concept here very roughly follows the style of The Onion,
a satirical online newspaper. The rewrites are first class, in
my opinion. The comics, however, weren't that impressive. (Note
to comedian: If you're going to do something, at least do it
right.)
Some of the more funny aspects of the parody site include:
- using Chez Gueverra's face for a Voicing Your Views picture
- changing the "Former tree dweller to speak" story
about an activist that lived in a tree for several years to "Tree
dweller to speak" about Tarzan
- The Onion-style rewrite of the dangers of Anthrax story.
My only problem with this site is that the comedian or webmaster,
failed to sign his/her work. I don't think that it has taken
away from the hilarity of the site, but I would simple like to
know whose handiwork this is.
I also would have liked to see some sports parody or even
a different take on the campus crime report. The possibilities
are endless.
So, my anonymous friends, keep up the good work. I hope I
provide some birdcage fodder for your site in the near future.
View the site at http://TheHairold.tripod.com
Jeff Chastain is a senior journalism major of Stuttgart.
