Premise:
"I'm not sure how many of Royko's readers understood that much of what he wrote was facetious or fictionalized."
Hypothesis: I don't think a lot of Royko's readers understood what he wrote was truthful.

no

Premise:
"(In life, Shapiro was similarly frustrated.)"
Hypothesis: In life Shapiro was frustrated likewise.

yes

Premise:
"Something was clutched around his throat, almost choking him."
Hypothesis: For the first time, he felt completely safe and comfortable.
no