Videos of Wanda Sykes’ Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner
May 9th, 2009 | 15 responses
Actress comedian Wanda Sykes’ comedy routine at the White House Correspondent’s dinner is sure to generate a slew of controversy — as have other comedians’ monologues there in recent years.
In her comedy routine, she spiced up a mix of jokes anyone could laugh at with some jokes aimed at Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and former Vice President Dick Cheney that led to some conservative commentators such as Pat Buchanan immediately labeling her as having gone “over the line.” Expect her routine to become the subject of (what else?) angry blog posts and (what else?) angry talk shows. Most assuredly: it’ll be a (heated) subject over conservative Republicans’ water coolers on Monday…
The gig is not an easy one. In the past two decades, comedians have been accused of going way over the line and bombing (Don Imus’ routine in front of a red-faced Bill and Hillary Clinton), over the line and a success with Democrats and a huge flop with Republicans (Stephen Colbert in front of George Bush), or a downright bland fizzle (Rich Little in front of George Bush).
Comedy is in the eye of the beholder — as is “over the line.” As the late comedian Jackie Gleason once said of a gig: “I wouldn’t give this spot to a leopard.” Here’s her routine:
*Part One:
*Part Two:
UPDATE: Here’s Entertainment Weekly’s report on Sykes’ routine (and Obama’s).
To watch videos of President Barack Obama’s comedy routine at the dinner GO HERE.
15 Responses to “Videos of Wanda Sykes’ Comedy Routine At White House Correspondents’ Dinner”
I love Wanda. And so what if she associated Rush Limbaugh with terrorists…. Many Republicans, including Rush and Palin associated (and still do) Obama with terrorists. So which is worse? As part of a comedy routine to associate an entertainer with terrorists? Or an entertainer, or politician associating the president with terrorists for political gain and to divide the country?
I just can't see the controversy here. Wanda was spot on. “So strung out on oxy he missed his flight?” Well, if truth has become controversial, sign me up as a fan of that kind of turmoil. And after all, she didn't even link the flight to that infamously private all-male return from the Dominican Republic with a 6-month supply of Viagra prescribed to someone else. That's comedy gold! Wanda Sykes is obviously a cautious moderate.
I don't like Rush Limbaugh but those were cheap shots. I thought the joke about torturing Sean Hannity by putting him in the middle seat was funny, but “Rush Limbaugh was strung out on Oxycontin” and “I hope his kidneys fail” really don't show much effort or originality.
Traditionally what works at these dinners is self-deprecating humor which there appeared to be plenty of, but what gets reported is the partisan stuff.
It's called a Joke if those ignorant ranters, who say and do whatever they want to say and do, cannot take a joke maybe they should get their cry baby self out of the public eye Bunch of Nazi Loser. You go Wanda.. I personally enjoy your humor. And that what humor is about; it creates laughter.
Of course, the lefties thought buzzing lower Manhattan with Air Force 1 was a kewl thing as well.
It matters not a whit what the TMV crowd thinks….those votes will never change.
Only time will tell if one or more of the lines gets some negative legs outside the Beltway. It will take until Thursday or Friday to determine.
Make Hannity live up to his promise by making a pledge for the troops:
http://www.waterboardhannityforcharity.com
She should be careful what she hopes for, it'll come back on her.
President mocks press at dinner: 'All of you voted for me'…
how true
If you have the press covering for you, you can get away with anything. Who needs checks and balances. Wanda, Olberman, Chrissy Mathews, Maddow and others of their ilk are Obamas personal fluffer. Liberals and their media brethren can now be identified has hate-mongers.
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”.
Just like the brilliant idea to let Rosanne Barr sing the National Anthem at a MLB game. WOW!
I don't like Rush Limbaugh but those were cheap shots. ~ DaGoat
That's an attempt at wry humor right? Cuz we all know that RL will never, ever get in return the number of cheap shots he's dished out over the years.
The objects of Sykes humor got off pretty easy I'd say, despite the predictable, forthcoming faux (partisan) outrage.
That's an attempt at wry humor right? Cuz we all know that RL will never, ever get in return the number of cheap shots he's dished out over the years.
As I have said many times, Limbaugh is an out-of-touch partisan blowhard. I don't think that Sykes' joke was funny though. If your point is that both of them are entertainers who sometimes cross the line, I'll agree with that.
T_Steel makes a good point – Sykes is who she is and whoever invited her knew what they were getting. The conclusion has to be she was invited to appeal to what they felt their audience was, namely the left.
From where I sit (on the patio, viewing the whole thing on YouTube — LOL!), I thought her jokes were very funny for the most part. The only Limbaugh joke that fell flat for me was “I hope his kidneys fail”. But I can understand how others' mileage will very on the RL hits.
Frankly, I coulda done without the Sojourner Truth bust ending up in the kitchen when the white guy comes into office, too.
But aside from those, I thought the entire thing was pretty darned funny. And T_Steel's right: it's not as if the comedian's at these events are unknowns.
I gotta say that DaGoat's point is true, no? Does anyone really think a joke about Limbaugh's oxycontin addiction is fresh or funny anymore?
But the nonpartisan stuff she did was much funnier- like joking about not needing to see Obama's nipples and the one about how she's proud of him for being the first black president for now but if he screws up she'll be blaming that half white guy and asking who voted for that mulatto.
Overall, pretty funny, but I have to agree with some of ther other commenters above with regards to the “I hope [Limbaugh's] kidney's fail” being over the line. Professing hope that someone's health deteriorates is rarely funny and is always mean spirited.
Most of her routine was Hillarious. On a scale of 1-10, she has to be at least an 8! Now vocalizing, and wishing harm to anyone makes me nervous. By the same token when Rush spews out his rheoteric, it can cause insurmountable damage to a vast majority of folks, and our country.
I loved Wanda and All of her jokes. There were things that were touched on that made some people (Rep) a bit nervious and a lot of truth in other Jokes, that perhaps made some people a bit uneasey to hear, due to times past, along with what still exist today. The truth of the matter Wanda is a real entertainer and was able to speak perhaps her true thoughts in a joking format. I call that “realism”. Great Job Wanda for not biting your tongue minus any foul language of course.