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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern


Jen Spyra is featured on the right side of the image wearing a white and blue polka dot top and yellow floral skirt. To her left is a copy of her debut novel, “Big Time.” The novel’s cover features a small girl with the words “Big Time” in bright red and yellow fonts respectively.

NU alumna and comedic writer Jen Spyra talks comedy writing career, debut book

April 11, 2021

In the eyes of Jen Spyra (Communication MFA '12), successful comedic writing boils down to two key elements: confidence and perseverance.  “Confidence in your comedy is what keeps you going,”...

Podculture: What Happens When Your Virtual Event Gets ‘Zoom-bombed’?

Podculture: What Happens When Your Virtual Event Gets ‘Zoom-bombed’?

May 6, 2020

Northwestern students perform comedy virtually through Flipside’s Zoom event, rolling with the punches — including an unexpected “Zoom-bombing.” The Daily Northwestern · Podculture: What Happens...

Comedian Jen Spyra (Communication M.F.A. ‘12) speaks at an event. Spyra is a writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and said she feels her power as a writer comes from having unique ideas in an industry dominated by men.

Northwestern alum and comedian Jen Spyra on standing out among the laughs

April 17, 2019

Jen Spyra (Communication M.F.A. ’12) is in a pitch meeting for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The talk show hasn’t aired yet, but Spyra already has an idea: a parody of Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle...

Jen Jackson, a writer for The Onion, speaks during an event hosted by The Northwestern Flipside. Jackson and her colleague Louisa Kellogg discussed The Onion’s process of writing satirical articles.

The Onion staffers discuss publication, give tips about writing satire

April 14, 2017

Two writers from The Onion discussed the process behind producing satirical content and the importance of distinguishing between satire and fake news during an event Thursday. Writers Louisa Kellogg...

Mike Gillis, a writer for The Onion, speaks about freedom of speech at a panel hosted by Northwestern Community Development Corps and Northwestern Political Union. Gillis, Steve Etheridge from The Onion and former Obama administration official Hannah Rosenthal visited NU to discuss the Charlie Hebdo shootings.

Onion writers, former White House official discuss free speech after Charlie Hebdo

February 26, 2015

Speakers from The Onion and the White House visited Northwestern and spoke about freedom of speech Wednesday in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings that left 12 people dead in January. Mike Gillis and...

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
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