« A Breakthrough at the New York Times
Videos of Wanda Sykes’ Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner »
Videos Of Barack Obama’s Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner
The annual White House Correspondents’ dinner is over — an event that in recent years has been marked by controversy. And this year it most likely won’t be any different: the laugh-generating but pointed routine by actress Wanda Sykes is likely to be the subject of conservative blogs and conservative talk radio due to peppery comments about talk show hosts Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Each year the issue has become: has X, Y or Z (the comedian or comedienne) gone over the top? And some (depending on their party) think so. But the other question becomes: how did the President do? By most accounts, Obama showed a genuine flair for comedic timing and seemed to be really enjoying himself in a speech peppered with some great jokes:
Here’s Obama’s speech:
*Part One:
*Part Two:
UPDATE: Here’s the Washington Post report on Obama’s speech.
To watch videos of Wanda Sykes’ comedy routine at the dinner GO HERE.
NOTE: We’ve changed the embeds here so they are consistent, removing the MSNBC one for anther CSPAN one.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
11 Responses to “Videos Of Barack Obama’s Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner”
Peppery jokes? Wishing death upon someone is “peppery”? If Limbaugh went on the air and wished lung cancer upon our smoker President, would you describe that as “peppery”?
[...] Excerpt from: Videos Of Barack Obama’s Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner [...]
Those were great jokes! I loved them, thanks for the links!
In the second half Obama thanked the media for their hard work, saying that their jobs and reporting were essential, even if what they wrote was only an “approximation” of the truth…. That got a laugh…. However I can't help but wonder if it was actually meant to be a serious statement. Everything the media reports is only an approximation based on what they know. The media doesn't always know the full story and secret details, especially with regards to national security stories.
Bush choose to hate, demonize and suppress the media because he didn't like what they reported, even going so far as to pay shills for stories with the Bush administration's own spin.
Whereas this seems to be an admission by Obama that even though the press doesn't always get it right, they are still essential for a transparent government and keeping the people informed. Obama seemed to sympathize with the difficult position he knew the press was in.
To be fair Stockboy, Bush was just as good of a sport at the Correspondents Dinner.
Well if anyone wants to hear Wanda's comment, you can access the video at Huffpo since the one above just brings you back to this page.
The only reason Wanda had to hope Limbaugh's kidneys fail is because he set it up. Kidney failure and lung cancer are not necessarily death. As an RN, I can assure you, a lot of people survive a long time with dialysis, chemo and radiation, and surgery. There are moments when I am also sure some wish they could die.
Having carried pepper spray in Alaska on moose hunts in case a grisly got too close, I also know it is extremely painful and can disable a huge, strong angry animal. I think the term is very appropriate.
Especially because she was up there doing stand up comedy, telling jokes. Unlike Limbaugh, who said what he meant and has been very clear since that he meant what he said.
I thought Obama's comments to the media were very truthful, and funny. Actually the best humor is that the comment is true if you think or look at it the way the comedienne has directed your attention. After the intro joke about the approximation of truth (which StockBoySF analyzed very well) he went on to some excellent comments that were appropriate and supportive of the media's role in our government and society. We do need them to be able to make this country work.
I will have to watch for “How to Shoot Friends and Interrogate People” at the library. Just in case Cheney comes to Colorado and I run into him.
Patrick, yeah- I know Bush was a good sport at the Correspondents' Dinner (and thanks for pointing that out, I should have, but failed to do so). I just think Bush had a different view of the media than Obama and that's what I was pointing out.
Ginny, thanks for the compliment!
Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup…
Happy Sunday! Double shot today, includes America’s original Mom. The first is by Harry Ekman, with a wee bit of help.
What is happening in ye olde blogosphere?
Mark your calendars for Islam Day! They already have the advertising ready, via No…
I thought Obama's comments about the press were a little self-serving. The press has not really served as a counter-balance and watchdog with respect to his presidency and campaign. If anything they have acted as a facilitator. It's easy to bemoan the decline of newspapers when most of them have traditionally supported you.
I constantly laugh at the “controversy” comedians and comediennes cause at some events. NEWS FLASH! You see their stand-up routines; why invite them if you don't expect the “low blows”. Wanda Sykes whole persona is peppery (I've seen her several times live and she is funny and acidic). Bring someone safe in if you don't want the “acid”.
You're missing about six minutes in the middle. Here are all three parts:
1/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhZq7kdFgo&feat…
2/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww0EPKAZy-c&feat…
3/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTaXa-9mu1Y&feat…