As we have noted before, Onion News Network lead anchor “Brooke Alvarez” is played by Suzanne Sena, who knows a thing or two about the actual cable news business. Sena worked for Fox News Channel as a news anchor, handling news updates and breaking news, primarily on overnights.

She spoke to New York‘s Vulture about making the jump from cable news to fake cable news:

Do you think a “normal” actress could’ve played Brooke Alvarez, or is being a cable anchor too specialized a skill?

I do feel that I’m very fortunate in that this particular role requires a mix of abilities you don’t find in most actresses. There is some TelePrompTer involved. If you just have a news anchor doing it, you’re not adding a character. And most actors don’t have that news-anchor thing down. I had to say “Ahmadinejad” a few thousand times at Fox, and that sort of thing is a particular skill.

Whom are you channeling most as Brooke Alvarez?
I think Brooke is a combination of people. When I first auditioned, I read this “In My Sights” segment where Brooke took apart this poor woman with a handicapped son, and I was giving it my best Bill O’Reilly. I’d say she’s mostly a combination of Megyn Kelly and Bill O’Reilly.