The Gonzo

"The Gonzo" Raz, Shlomi (1993-1996). [http://www.shlomiraz.com/Site/The_Gonzo/The_Gonzo.html "The Gonzo"] ] is an undergraduate satire/humor publication founded in 1993 at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Published on an irregular basis between 1993 and 1998, "The Gonzo" was inspired by both the philosophy and writing of Hunter S. Thompson and on other college humor publications like The Onion and the Harvard Lampoon. The first issue of "The Gonzo" was sent to Hunter S. Thompson wrapped in a bottle of Chivas Regal. The barely legible reply faxed back read "Ye Fucking Gods, Those Jesuit Bastards Will Eat You Alive." The editorial staff of "The Gonzo" interpreted this as an endorsement of the publication.

The first editor-in-chief of "The Gonzo" and its founder is Richard Diefenbeck, a continuing education student at Georgetown University "who is rumored to have fled the country and potentially be shacked up with his Aunt Kelly formerly known as his Uncle Kenny". His successor, Shlomi Raz, ran the publication between 1994-1996 and is "rumored to have also fled the country", and was seen last employed at an investment bank. Dan Alamariu co-ran the paper with John Mathiesen during 1996. Finally, John Mathiesen co-ran the publication with Micah Sachs until its final issue in 1998.

In the late 90s, Gonzo editors published a lampoon edition of The Hoya, Georgetown's school newspaper, with the headline "Father O'Donovan Found Dead," referring to the then President of the University. The fake edition was so similar in appearance to the actual paper that it convinced many on campus that the President had actually died. Closer inspection of the edition -- the weather report indicated "hellfire," -- showed it to clearly be a lampoon.

Cultural Impact

"Every time you masturbate… God kills a kitten" originally appeared as the cover of "The Gonzo" in 1996 and has been used extensively since its rediscovery in 2002 "Every Time You Masturbate...God Kills a Kitten" ] .

References