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Tag: White House Correspondents’ Dinner

  • Tara Lipinski Joins Other Big Names In This Year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    Olympic figure skater Tara Lipinski was back in the spotlight for a bit as she showed up at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

    Lipinski calmly answered reporters’ questions about being invited to the WHCD, the events she’ll be attending that week as well as her fashion options for these types of gatherings.

    The NBC sports commentator talked about how she got ready, fashion wise.

    “So I packed a lot. I came fully prepared. I came with three suitcases,” the 32-year-old said, before adding that “I have some outfits because I’m doing the [Kentucky] Derby with Johnny [Weir] next week,”

    Lipinski did seem well-prepared as she hit the red carpet with her cohort Johnny Weir.

    The blonde figure skating analyst wore a Rubin Singer gown in black and nude mesh, with gold sandals and a curled updo completing her look.

    Fellow figure skater turned figure skating analyst Johnny Weir, on the other hand, wore a tight black tux with cropped pants. He accented his look with a furry bow tie and a sparkly circlet.

    This was the two Olympian’s first time at the WHCD and the duo seemed excited to attend. Lipinski calmly said she was “honored to attend” while Weir was more enthusiastic.

    “We’re just so excited to be here to celebrate being one with our media brothers and sisters and really celebrating the spirit of the night and the spirit of what we all do in entertaining and educating the world,” the 30-year-old Weir said.

    Lipinski and Weir will then head off to the Kentucky Derby to take up their roles as fashion experts and commentators.

    This year’s White House Correspondents Dinner was certainly an eclectic mix of the movers and shakers in media and politics. There was even a sizeable contingent of actors who’re part of TV programs set in and about the nation’s capital, like Veep, Homeland and Scandal.

  • Keegan-Michael Key Brings The White House Down As Obama’s Anger Translator

    All eyes were understandably on President Obama during the White House Correspondents Dinner, but it was Keegan-Michael Key who stole the show.

    Before the president started his speech, he announced that he hired an “anger translator” and out came Key.

    The Michigan native is known for the Comedy Central show Key & Peele. The 30-minute show is popular for its comedy sketches, particularly Jordan Peele’s impersonation of President Obama and Key’s role of “anger translator” Luther.

    The comedian brought his character to life during the WHCD and promptly brought the house down.

    For those who’re still in dark to what Luther does, he translates everything the reportedly cool as a cucumber president wants to say, only with more yelling and swearing.

    The president started his speech by acknowledging that “In our fast-changing world, traditions like the White House correspondents’ dinner are important.”

    Luther promptly translated this as “I MEAN REALLY, WHAT IS THIS DINNER AND WHY AM I REQUIRED TO COME TO IT?!”

    President Obama also talked about next year’s presidential elections and the Koch brothers’ donation of a billion dollars for the conservative candidate.

    “Hillary will have to raise huge sums of money too,” the President admitted.

    Key gave a rousing translation, as well as a magnificent shout-out to Games of Thrones fans when he exclaimed- “She’s gonna get all that money, ooooh,” Key as Luther translated. “Khaleesi is coming to Westeros.”

    The short sketch ended in a fun twist when the two switched roles and Obama touched on climate change and started to become loud and belligerent.

    Acting surprised, Key/Luther tried to pacify him, before saying “Woah, sir. You don’t need an anger translator. You need counseling.”

    It goes without saying that Obama’s anger translator was all people could talk about after the event, with everyone wondering how the WHCD can top that memorable performance next year.

  • Cecily Strong, Of ‘SNL’ Fame, Will Host White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    She has held her own against her peers at Saturday Night Live, but Cecily Strong will soon face her toughest challenge yet when she hosts this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

    The 31-year-old is a surprising choice to host the annual dinner. She’s not a stand-up comedian like her SNL co-host Seth Meyer, nor is she a known host like Jon Stewart.

    But what she is is a veteran at improvisation who has honed her skills at Chicago’s Second City and iO comedy theaters, a skill that should come in handy at the White House roast.

    She’s also, as the WHCA’s president Christi Parsons describes – “the nice girl who’s cutting in a way that you don’t really notice until later.” – making her perfect for delivering those zingers to the politicians and journalists in attendance.

    Among those who’ll be in attendance is Strong’s father, a former journalist who was the one the Correspondents’ Association got in touch with first. Parsons emailed him to get in touch with Cecily.

    “I thought he was saying he had been invited. So I said, “Uh, great, Dad…have fun?” the SNL mainstay said before realizing the invitation was for her.

    Despite joking that she was hoping to find an excuse to turn down the offer, Cecily admits that “it’s too exciting to say no to.”

    “I would kick myself. How many times will I get to do this again? Never—he’s not going to have anymore! He’s done being president now! I’m giving him his last hurrah,” she added.

    And giving President Obama a fitting sendoff worries the funny lady, especially since she believes he’s the “funniest president” America has ever had.

    “He’s known as an amazingly funny guy,” she admits in an interview. “You know, his timing is great. He had that moment at the State of the Union where he said, ‘Well, I should know because I won two of them.’ I’ve never said anything that cool on the spot. And so, it’s tough to follow that guy.”

  • Jessica Simpson Shows Off Some Leg At White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    Jessica Simpson isn’t the first person you’d expect to see at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. In fact, you might think the singer/actress wouldn’t show up to the event at all. Show up she did though and she even managed to show off some leg to the world.

    It was reported earlier that Simpson and fiance Eric Johnson attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to hear the president talk, enjoy some jokes and possibly even enjoy the food. The event might not have been that important, however, as Simpson’s mind was obviously elsewhere – the after party.

    Over on Instagram, Simpson shared a pic of herself and friends posing as they were preparing to head to the after party. She doesn’t provide many details regarding the dinner or the after party, but the caption on the photo at least proves that she categorize events in chronological order – “After the prez it’s the after party.”

    You can check out Simpson’s figure and a bit of leg in the photo below:

    She obviously looks great, but what’s her secret? The celebrity says her success in weight management comes from Weight Watchers. You may be the cynical type who disregards Simpson merely for the fact that she’s a paid spokesperson for Weight Watchers, but you may just change your tune after watching her testimony. After all, it’s not like wealthy celebrities can afford personal trainers and the healthy food needed to effectively lose weight.

    Anyway, we don’t have any details of what happened at the after party, but it was surely epic. I can only imagine Barack Obama laying down some hot tunes while Secretary of State John Kerry improved diplomatic relations with the dance floor. Either way, we can be sure that Simpson and her fiance had a fine time.

    Image via jessicasimpson/Instagram

  • Jessica Simpson Shows Slim Figure, Down 50 Pounds

    Jessica Simpson showed off a toned, sleek figure at the White House Correspondents’ dinner last night in Washington D.C. With her fiancé Eric Johnson on her arm, Jessica, 33, wowed as she breezed by in a strapless floor-length, flower-patterned dress. Jessica is famously known as the face of Weight Watchers, a program she dedicated herself to after the birth of her two-year-old daughter, Maxwell.

    About her working transformation, Jessica says, “I love this body and what it’s capable of, no matter what size, but this version feels really good. My body, like my life, is a work in progress, but I’m getting there, with Weight Watchers.” Jessica recently celebrated a milestone of 50 pounds of weight loss after the birth of her son, Ace, and has been seen around Los Angeles and D.C. flaunting her new figure.

    After the White House dinner, Jessica changed into a sleek black dress with a deep neckline for the Vanity Fair cocktail reception. Looks like Jess is proud of her new body, and simply wants to celebrate it!

    Jessica’s secret to success? Her two kids, Maxwell and Ace. Playing with her family, going on walks, and gardening have kept her active and healthy. “I really do feel this need to be the best role model for my children,” Jessica said back in January. Jessica also admitted she wanted to slim down for her upcoming wedding to fiancé and former NFL player Eric Johnson. The date hasn’t been finalized, but Jess said they’re looking to tie the knot sometime this year. “We need to get married,” Jessica says. “I already feel like we’re like an old married couple. If he wanted to run, he could have run when I was hormonal and pregnant.” Looks like she has a keeper!

    And lastly – could Jessica’s slimed-down figure mean she’s ready for a comeback? Hollywood Reporter revealed last month that Jessica has signed back on with UTA for representation, a signal that she’s ready to come back as a singer and actress. Jessica decidedly took the last three years off to build her family with Eric; however, her designer line ‘The Jessica Simpson Collection’ still brings in $750 million annually. Jessica’s line, which launched in 2005, includes clothing, shoes, jewelry, and household items, and still going strong. Even with all the accomplishments, we still can’t wait to see a Jessica Simpson comeback!

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jessica Simpson Sizzles at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    Jessica Simpson exuded class at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, and she added some sizzle to that class with her newly define waistline and stunning figure. She and fiance Eric Johnson attended the gala together, but all eyes were on Jess and her strapless floor-length Carolina Herrera flowered gown. She accessorized her look with a bracelet and earrings designed by Neil Lane.

    A spokesperson for Weight Watchers, Simpson looks fabulous after having two children in the past few years.

    “I love this body and what it’s capable of—no matter what size,” Simpson says in a Weight Watchers commercial. “But this version, feels really good. My body, like my life, is a work in progress, but I’m getting there, with Weight Watchers.”

    This isn’t Jessica’s first reveal, however, since her weight loss. She and Johnson were spotted at a Mexican restaurant called Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas just a few days ago. She wore snug jeans and a sexy black top that revealed her black bra underneath.

    Even though she has kept up her Weight Watchers eating plan, Jessica Simpson has lost a good portion of her weight chasing her two small children around. She also loves taking walks–with or without the kids–and sometimes works up a sweat gardening her her own back yard, too.

    During an interview with Good Morning America, Simpson said she wants to set a good example for others–especially for her children.

    “I really do feel this need to be the best role model for my children,” she said. “I want [Maxwell] to look up to me and want to be like me…I don’t want to give her any false perception of what is real and what’s important.”

    Jessica Simpson has certainly met her post-pregnancy weight loss goals and showed it off in style at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this weekend. Her family activities alone will no doubt help her keep the weight off.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Joel McHale Addresses Hosting Rumors

    Who knew that stepping down from hosting a late night show could become trendy?

    First it was Jay Leno, then Dave Letterman and now Craig Ferguson has decided to quit his gig as a talk show host. Obviously the role has to be filled and Joel McHale is one of the names that keeps popping up as replacement. McHale, however, doesn’t think it will happen.

    “No one’s called,” said McHale during an interview. “I don’t think I could even do it with Community. I’m under contract. I don’t think legally I could.”

    McHale is referring to the clause that many television contracts include, stating that talent is prohibited from performing on a rival network’s shows, and McHale taking on Ferguson’s role would violate such a clause.

    If Community is not renewed and McHale is considered, CBS would likely receive flak for hiring another white male to serve as host. It was already under fire for hiring Steven Colbert to replace Letterman, instead of someone who would add cultural diversity to the late night lineup.

    “I thought he was so damn good at it,” McHale stated about Ferguson. “He makes gobs of money, he doesn’t have to do anything anymore. His stand-up [career] is huge. He’s world famous when it comes to his stand-up.”

    One role McHale is definitely taking on is host of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, although he recently joked about turning the opportunity down.

    Also called “Nerdprom,” the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is an event in which the journalists who cover the White House and President Obama get together.

    McHale poked fun at the event and its attendees on Twitter.

    Of course McHale isn’t backing out of this amazing opportunity. He even visited Letterman’s show Monday night to talk about his new gig.

    The annual event will take place on May 3 at the Washington Hilton.

    Image via Joel McHale, Twitter

  • Jimmy Kimmel and Wife Molly Expecting a Baby

    Jimmy Kimmel revealed that he and new wife Molly McNearney are expecting their first child on a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show set to air Wednesday..

    “I’m having a baby…wait I want to finish…with Ellen,” he joked. “No, I decided to have the first one with my wife.”

    The couple — who got engaged in 2012 in South Africa — married last summer in Ojai, Calif. with a multitude of stars on hand for the ceremony.

    Kimmel, 46, already has two children with his ex-wife, Gina: 20-year-old son Kevin and 22-year-old daughter Katherine.

    McNearney is co-head writer on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    The couple started dating in 2009.

    On Tuesday, Kimmel offered some advice to Joel McHale who is going to Washington to host the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on May 3.

    “Did you know that the President Barack Obama will be there?” asked McHale, “Of the United States.”

    “Should I go blue? What do you suggest? Just curse it up?” McHale asked.

    “Cursing is not a great idea. I don’t think cursing is a good idea,” Kimmel said.

    Kimmel admitted to McHale that he had never been “more nervous in his life” and actually started cleaning his hotel room “like a lunatic.”

    “Like you were on cocaine or something?” McHale joked.

    “You know I went and got a huge coffee beforehand and that was a mistake,” Kimmel said. “And I was already nervous to start with and I turned into a member of the housekeeping staff.”

    Watch the Kimmel/McHale interview where they talk babies and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner:

    Image via YouTube

  • Palin: ‘Nerd Prom’ Hashtag Aimed at Correspondents Dinner

    Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin continued her bid for attention this week by attempting to insult the press via Twitter.

    The former vice presidential candidate Tweeted that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was “pathetic” and stated that those attending are “assclowns.” She also referred to the event using the ‘nerd prom’ hashtag. She also expounded upon her tweet on Facebook, saying, “Yuk it up media and pols. While America is buried in taxes and a fight for our rights, the permanent political class in DC dresses up and has a prom to make fun of themselves. No need for that, we get the real joke.”

    Palin is currently “working hard” in the media herself after quitting her job as the governor of Alaska. She provides political commentary on cable TV news channel Fox News.

    Presumably, Palin considers the word ‘nerd’ an insult. Though the White House Press Corps is unlikely to take Palin’s insult to heart, real nerds may take offense at having the word ‘nerd’ expanded to include White House journalists.

    Earlier this month, Palin had taken a poorly-informed jab at car company Tesla, and got called on it by Tesla’s CEO.

  • ‘House of Cards’ Spoof Kicks Off White House Correspondents’ Dinner

    If you missed the annual White House Correspondents Dinner this weekend, here’s what you need to know: Conan O’Brien hosted, and he was pretty good. As was the President, who had some good jokes about Michele Bachmann, birthers, and Michelle Obama’s bangs. He even made a joke about BuzzFeed.

    The whole thing was kicked off by a House of Cards spoof – a 5-minute skit from the set of the popular Netflix original series starring Kevin Spacey. Watch below as members of Congress and the press jockey for seating positions at the dinner:

    Oh, and while you’re at it, here’s the President:

    And here’s Conan:

  • Barbara Walters Really Does Struggle With The Word “Treat”

    Last weekend, the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner went off without a hitch, as celebrities, politicians, and members of the mainstream media gathered to be roasted by the likes of Jimmy Kimmel and even President Obama himself.

    As always, after the event was over, some people felt the need to dissect the comedy routines and discuss which jokes were appropriate and which ones crossed some made-up line. This really shouldn’t surprise anyone – it oftentimes feels like some people can be offended by a knock-knock joke. There was debate about the appropriateness of Obama’s various jokes about eating dogs (a popular news item as of late), and whether or not the recent Secret Service prostitution scandal should have been the topic of so much jest.

    By most accounts, featured speaker Jimmy Kimmel’s speech was a success. I, for one, thought it was definitely the best roast since Stephen Colbert made some GOP enemies by unleashing on then-President Bush and his administration in 2006.

    Kimmel went after Romney, Obama, the Secret Service, Chris Christie, the Kardashians, and many, many more. One particular joke about long-time 20/20 reporter and current co-host of The View Barbara Walters drew the ire of some. And by some I mean Barbara Walters herself. He joked that at one point, a “tweet” was simply something that Barbara Walters gave her dog. Kimmel took some time on his late night show Monday night to address some of the criticisms of his WHCD routine. He said he was “vewy, vewy sorry” if the joke offended her, once again making light of one of the legendary newswoman’s phonetic abnormalities.

    Plus, the women of The View have Walters prove that she doesn’t say the word “treat” as “tweet.” She doesn’t quite past the test. Check out the funny below:

    “Everyone loves a good insult, as long as it isn’t them being insulted.” True story.

  • Jimmy Kimmel’s Correspondents’ Dinner Speech Is Absolute Gold

    On Saturday, distinguished members of the media, politicians, celebrities, and the first family gathered for one of the more interesting nights on the political calendar each year. The White House Correspondent’s Dinner has (traditionally) been held on the last Saturday in April since 1920, and fifteen different presidents have attended the dinner since its inception.

    In recent years, the dinner has been “hosted” by a string of comedians. Last year, SNL’s Seth Meyers was the featured speaker and in years past we’ve been treated to the comedic stylings of Stephen Colbert, Wanda Sykes, and Craig Ferguson.

    While Stephen Colbert’s roast of then-President Bush in 2006 is nearly unbeatable in terms of bringin’ the funny (and the controversy), Jimmy Kimmel absolutely killed it this year.

    His monologue hit all the pressing issues – the recent Secret Service prostitution debacle, Michelle Obama’s healthy eating initiative, New Jersey Governor Chris Christies weight, and even President Obama’s ears. And that’s just the first 10 minutes.

    If you remember, last year’s Correspondents’ Dinner came at very interesting time in recent American history – the killing of Osama bin Laden. This year, Jimmy Kimmel wonders who it will be this year, and even imagines how Seal Team Six could infiltrate the home of a particular celebrity family.

    Check it out below – it’s long, but well worth your time.

    It’s also customary for the President to give their own speech, and they usually take the opportunity to take a few shots at the featured speaker. President Obama didn’t disappoint. Check it out below:

    Like many Correspondents’ Dinners of the past, some of this year’s jokes sparked some controversy. What do you think? Was anything out of line? What were your favorite jokes from Kimmel and the President? Let us know in the comments.