The White House Correspondent's Dinner
Humor and politics, my favorite combo
The White House Correspondent’s Dinner happens every year and this year it was last night. It’s a fun tradition, and has been around since 1921, hosted by the Washington Correspondent’s Association. I love to watch it because of the intersection of humor and politics—it’s right up my alley. Michael and I watched it last night, and I thought Biden was very funny and relaxed—we know he has a good sense of humor, so I don’t think it was difficult for him. And the headliner, Colin Jost from SNL Weekend Update, was really funny. The critics today in the The Washington Post and NY Times thought his 25 minute routine fell flat, and it did seem like the room was not really into it. But here’s what I think (I know you are dying to know): Jost’s humor is sarcastic and full of word play, tongue in cheek, and he uses his eyes a lot to convey another dimension to the humor. I think his humor is a bit like a New Yorker cartoon (except you can’t see our eyes); but perhaps last night, some may have wanted or expected raw, loud humor. That’s not Jost. But for the critics to say he was not successful is not fair, he was being himself! I got a lot of laughs from his routine.
Anyway, did any of you watch? Here are Jost’s remarks on Youtube. Tell me what you think.
I was lucky enough attend the dinner in 2017 for CBS. Trump did not attend (of course), the first President not to do so since Reagan, who was recovering from an assasination attempt.
Below and the one above are my drawings from that night. I was very far from the stage, at a table with a random grouping of journalists in the back of the room. It was great fun, I was thrilled to be there. Hassan Minhaj was the comedian and I thought he was great. The Washington Post journalists Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, of Watergate fame, presented awards and spoke about the importance of the First Amendment, which was on everyone’s mind, particularly at that point in time. I found it electric to hear them speak.
Have a great Sunday, what’s left of it!
Love the way you catch the folks who do the hard work at shindigs like this: bringing in the food! Everyone matters.
I thoroughly enjoyed the evening! President Biden is very much on top of his game and a great sense of humor! Great timing delivering jokes also.
Colin Jost was great ! The Democratic campaign is beginning to address “ the Donald” straight on and I think the timing is well thought out.
Wonderful drawings, thanks so much!