A review in The Chicago Reader said "This satire of current events features players who exhibit a genuine rapport: articulate dialogue unfolds logically, swiftly, and concisely.".
[3] A review in Time Out Chicago said "The uncommonly witty and smart performers in this long-form improv show satirize current events by creating scenes based on articles that audience members literally rip from the week's papers.
Since the show's opening in September 2003, the resident cast of "Whirled News Tonight" has included: Emily Anderson, Atra Asdou, Becca Barish, Brooke Breit, Marla Caceres, John Patrick Coan, Simon Collier, Padraic Connelly, Luis Cortes, Alex Eilhauer, John P. Glynn, Sarah Haskins, Erin Keif, Jordan Klepper, Cynthia Kmak, Brett Lyons, Arnie Niekamp, Megan O'Neill, Eddie Piña, Sean Price, Alison Reese, Adal Rifai, Steve Waltien, Rob White, Shane Wilson, Sarah Wonak, and Matt Young.
The cast was also invited to perform for Saturday Night Live talent scouts and, in 2006, partnered with NBC Universal to produce the short film "Kyle's in a Coma" for the network's online subsidiary DotComedy.
In early 2008, a listing for "Whirled News Tonight" was created on Wikipedia but was soon removed following a brief discussion by site administrators who were split on the importance of such an entry.