Annually in Washington, politicians from both sides of the aisle and all-type of media outlets covering the President and the White House get together for an award’s ceremony sponsored by the WHCA (http://whca.net/dinner.htm ) to toast for the previous year’s achievements and challenges. This would be yet “another” ceremony (which I find terribly exciting like the State Dinners to the PM of India or the President of Mexico, etc. but that is just me), would it not be for a curious annual act that I find not only amusing and refreshing, but an exercise in stateliness – in a “confident” democracy (even if albeit temporarily – will not claim that any government is self-confident). The act is simple, the President of the United States does a stand-up comedy act, poking fun of himself, others, followed-up by a professional comedian. This year, Seth Meyers, head writer of Saturday Night Live (SNL) did the honours. To me, this showing tis akin that other great performance at the other side of the Atlantic (and tis not the Royal Wedding!!), Prime Minister’s Questions (more to come in another post).
The charade has been on-going since 1920. I am unsure of what the original intention was (now the dinner is a fundraiser for WHCA’s activities), but, I can tell you what the effect is now: the humour humanizes the President so much so, that it makes him (hopefully soon her! – hopefully2 (squared) tis not Palin!) seem even more “presidential”. An individual so comfortable with him or herself can he/she be self-deprecating. Furthermore, with the lack of scatological/sexual references (that has now become staple fodder for comedy to the point of uncomedic repetition) the two comedy acts in the Dinner, can exploit the profoundness of language. Furthemore, in the ultimate insider act, the jabs are references to individuals, global events that only an audience aware of news, doing their “homework” as citizens, can understand and follow – a laugh that alights your brain for a change.
So this year was no different than years past, surprisingly amusing and brainy (even those years hosted by Dubya – Maureen Dowd’s wonderful monicker for “W” - the most recent Bush in the WH - here is one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDPAUi3VPSo - you be the judge). Obama’s skit began parodying none other than the controversial long-form Obama birth certificate release from the week prior by the state of Hawaii. Opening to a video of “I am a Real American”, complete with flag waving, WWF allegories and other “American”-like imagery, even Rocky!, the President reaffirmed his Americanness which had come into question by none other than The Donald. And of course, the parody could not have been complete had he (The Donald) not been there, courtesy of the Washington Post (and now that we are in the The’s, wonder if The Oracle had anything to do with it – given he is on the board). There were several highlights including the release of the unedited birth video of Obama! Scenes from the Lion King’s birth and anointment flashed in the screen, while at the end the President had to clarify to Fox that this was not real – and could be independently verified at Disney.
There was more. Seth Meyers had a wonderful time with The Donald, and the fox he sports as hairdo. His comments on the President’s increasingly whitening hair and how if continued would soon enough be sponsored by the Tea Party, drew roaring laughter. I am not sure how Meyers can have any friends left after his performance, having hit almost every Washington power broker at some point or other.
But I make it no justice typing this, please watch it here and enjoy:
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