White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

[elenoire]

thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/295795-gerard-butler-kevin-ware-and-newt-gingrich-together-at-last


Gerard Butler, Kevin Ware and Newt Gingrich: Together at last?

By Judy Kurtz - 04/24/13 10:45 AM ET


Gerard Butler and Kevin Ware, meet … Newt Gingrich?


The unlikely trio will be tablemates and guests of CNN at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.


CNN confirmed to ITK that in addition to the “Olympus Has Fallen” star, the injured Louisville Cardinals basketball player, and the former GOP presidential candidate and his wife, Callista, guests of the network will include actor Paul Rudd, “Pitch Perfect’s” Elizabeth Banks, “Homeland” actor Navid Negahba and “The New Normal” star Justin Bartha.


In addition to the celebrity contingency, CNN will also host a slew of Obama administration officials, including National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.


More info:

whca.net/dinner.htm

2013 WHCA℠ DINNER NEWS

Late night star Conan O'Brien to headline 2013 White House Correspondents' Dinner

WASHINGTON -- Team Coco is coming back to Washington.

Conan O'Brien, the Emmy award-winning comedian and late night talk show host, will headline the annual White House Correspondents' Association’s annual dinner on April 27, 2013, it was revealed Wednesday by association president Ed Henry.

"Conan is one of television's most innovative and influential talents and I am absolutely thrilled that he has agreed to be this year's featured act," said Henry. "As social media has changed all aspects of the media business, Conan has embraced this shifting landscape to become a creative force both online as well as in the traditional television model. We are grateful that Conan will be also be using that creativity to bring more attention to the WHCA's commitment to helping needy journalism students."

Proceeds from the dinner, which is well known for being the hottest ticket in Washington year in and year out, help fund over $100,000 in scholarships. First Lady Michelle Obama, who attends the dinner with President Obama, has once again agreed this year to help hand out the scholarships to the high school students attending the dinner.

The President traditionally delivers his own set of jokes, poking fun at himself as well as his political opponents, before the comedian gets the podium. It's all in good fun and for a good cause.

The dinner is affectionately known as the "nerd prom" because it is a hit on C-SPAN. It draws a wide cross section of movers and shakers from the worlds of journalism, politics, as well as Hollywood all coming together for one night to help shine the spotlight on the next generation of journalists.

The event is also known for featuring some of the hottest names in comedy over the years, including when a boyish, 32-year-old O'Brien turned in a brilliant performance at the 1995 dinner. That was when O'Brien was starting his 16 year run as the host of "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" on NBC.

O'Brien is now having a very successful run as host of "Conan" on TBS, yet another milestone in a career that started humbly when he served as a writer for shows like "The Simpsons" and "Saturday Night Live."

[Dianne]

Thanks Elenoire for posting this. How exciting. This is quite an honor for Gerry. A lot of people are slamming Newt but I am sure he has many interesting tales to tell and who knows he could be a very fun guy....LOL!!!! I know Gerry is.Woooot!!!

[Auntie D]

Oh this is awesome! These dinners are a scream and really a big deal. I love that Gerry's been invited...any chance to see the boy cleaned up and in a tux ^_^ I think this is a tux to-do? Anyway, maybe he'll get a chance to ask Obama what he thought of OHF.

TTFN,
Auntie D

[elenoire]

variety.com/2013/tv/news/correspondents-dinner-promises-mix-of-pop-and-policy-1200417740/

Conan O'Brien headlines black tie event on Saturday


WASHINGTON — Conan O’Brien headlines this year’s White House Correspondents Assn. dinner on Saturday, which is probably fitting because his brand of sometimes off-the-wall humor reflects the occasional tone of the weekend in Washington itself.

The WHCA dinner and the events surrounding it are often a surreal mixture of the superficial and the serious, where the chances are great that the Kardashians will meet Donald Rumsfeld (in show biz phrasing). As he has in the previous four years of his presidency, President Obama also will appear with riffs, with his comedic remarks carried live on CNN and C-Span.

The reason that many stars are here is that many of them are invited, as media outlets compete to fill their tables with A-listers, cabinet secretaries and tabloid figures. It is a tradition that extends at least to the late-1980s, when journalist Michael Kelly invited Iran-Contra figure Fawn Hall to sit at his table and she accepted.

The practice is no longer to get the most notorious, but to also feature celebrities who happen to be part of a media entity’s lineup, or soon to be. Cast members of “Modern Family,” “Nashville” and “Scandal” are sitting at ABC News’ table, for example. Others expected: Gerard Butler, Paul Rudd and Elizabeth Banks as guests of CNN, along with Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Newt Gingrich, the latter of whom is rumored to be talking to the network about signing up for a relaunch of “Crossfire.” Also expected: Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright from “House of Cards,” Claire Danes, Nicole Kidman, Ashley Judd, Michael Douglas, Michael J. Fox and Barbra Streisand, the latter which the Washington Post reported would be at the Bloomberg table.

Of course, the dinner is now just one aspect of a weekend of cocktail parties, dinners and branding opportunities, as media outlets and high-end consumer products firms take advantage of the attention. It may have reached its limits with plans by one marketing firm to introduce a gifting suite, offering celebrities all sorts of high end merchandise. The Correspondents Association, worried enough that the purpose of the dinner, to raise money for scholarships, has been overshadowed in the hoopla, sent a threatening legal letter asking the suite not to make it appear their event is sanctioned by the journalists’ org.

On Friday, Microsoft, Time and the MPAA are teaming up for a half-day Creativity Conference, with former President Bill Clinton the keynote speaker, and other participants scheduled to include Harvey Weinstein, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, director Benh Zeitlin and HBO’s Richard Plepler.

Early Friday evening, Time and People are hosting their annual gig at the St. Regis Hotel, a warm up act for a handful of events later in the evening. That includes the Atlantic-National Journal-OurTime Making News Party, being held at the nightspot The Powerhouse.

As they have in years past, The Creative Coalition has a presence with a Celebrate the Arts in America Dinner at Neyla, and Sharon Stone, Tracy Morgan, Kevin McHale, Tim Daly and Patricia Arquette among those expected.

In one of the few policy focused events of the weekend, on Saturday morning The Atlantic and National Journal are hosting a breakfast conversation with Rachel Maddow and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.), on the state of American military power, with the Atlantic’s Steve Clemons moderating.

Twenty years ago, producer Tammy Haddad and her husband Ted Greenberg started a pre-dinner garden brunch at their home, and the tradition has grown to the point where it has outgrown its surroundings and is now at the Beall Washington House in Georgetown. The event is one of the few places where Fox News personas mix with MSNBC stars, and in recent years saw Rupert Murdoch sharing the stage with David Axelrod, as they promoted support for charity. This year, the fete benefits CURE Epilepsy and the Miss America Foundation.

The dinner itself, held in the Washington Hilton, is black tie and evening gown attire, and, even with the injection of Hollywood glitter, still rooted in Beltway establishment. So this year, Buzzfeed, the upstart news site, is having an alternative party, to be held at the Jack Rose Dining Saloon.

After that are a slew of after-parties, including the very exclusive Vanity Fair-Bloomberg event at the French Ambassador’s residence. As they did last year, MSNBC has a late night event at the Italian Embassy, where tradition has had host Rachel Maddow serve cocktails. Capitol File and the Bipartisan Policy Center are hosting an event at the equally impressive venue the Carnegie Library.

The events don’t end in the early hours of Sunday morning, but later in the afternoon, as press entities host brunches. Politico and Allbritton Communications host a brunch at the home of the site’s publisher, and Thomson Reuters and Yahoo have teamed for a brunch on the rooftop of the Hay-Adams Hotel. The latter has the added draw of food from some of Bravo’s Top Chef.

[Deleted]

E just did a segment on the White House Correspondent's Dinner and showed most of the "stars" who were going to be there. Even the Duck Dynasty guys have been invited. They must have shown 25-30 celebrities but Gerry was not shown or mentioned. I sat there and waited but nothing on him at all.

The red carpet starts around 6:15 EDT tomorrow night, but the main dinner is from 9-11 EDT, I think. Both CNN and C-SPAN as well as MSNBC are covering it. Even the Kardashians are going to be there. Should be a wild and interesting night.

Patty

[fifiserafino]

"Gerard Butler looks less than pleased to see me and @nikkischwab at the People/Time #WHCD party"



"Gerard Butler looking good at his first White House Correspondents' Dinner weekend"


twitter.com/POPSUGAR

[fifiserafino]

Lily

/photo/1"With the legendary @gerardbutler at the #peopletimeparty!"











www.zimbio.com/pictures/_QdKwgIgjcW/New+Yorker+David+Remnick+Hosts+White+House/nbrjcvFPCGT/Gerard+Butler







Gerry's latest Bromance - he and Piers are each others' 'Plus 1'

[sienari]

Does Freddie go every where with Gerard? I see him floating there in the background. He's definitely a good friend!

[fifiserafino]

Thanks Christy40 www.zimbio.com/pictures/_QdKwgIgjcW/New+Yorker+David+Remnick+Hosts+White+House/iBJdIHF5IG3/Gerard+Butler



That beard grows in fast doesn't it?

[scottishdreamer]

I hate his hair that short but hey, he looks good. Freddie does too. Kind of made me think of them as Secret Service agents!

More photos Gerry!!!

[fifiserafino]

Well ... I'm going to go out on a limb here - don't like the shirt (wrong tone for his colouring) or suit (although it would look better with a white shirt) or haircut or hair colour and I think he looks tired which he probably is given a few late nights plus flight. There. Done now.

PS he is standing in front of a white background and the harsh light probably doesn't help. Poor Gerry ... Fifi is being very picky

[catty]

We have been spoilt over the past few weeks with Gerry in beautiful suits at all the premieres. My favourite is always a dark suit on Gerry.

He looks tired, but still amazingly sexy and handsome. I actually love his hair this short.

What an honour for Gerry to be invited to this event, well deserved .......... after all he did save the president in OHF.

I like his friend, and that he is always with him. I think he looks out for Gerry

so cool

P.S : Piers Morgan looks drunk in the picture with Gerry.

[scottishdreamer]

Apr 26, 2013 23:06:48 GMT -5 fifiserafino said:

Well ... I'm going to go out on a limb here - don't like the shirt (wrong tone for his colouring) or suit (although it would look better with a white shirt) or haircut or hair colour and I think he looks tired which he probably is given a few late nights plus flight. There. Done now.

PS he is standing in front of a white background and the harsh light probably doesn't help. Poor Gerry ... Fifi is being very picky

I agree with you Fifi! I was in a nice mood when I commented but I really was disappointed in his suit/shirt and hair and the lighting doesn't help. He needs us to come dress him properly. He needs to quit paying his hair stylist to trim his hair every month. I swear the stylist is just doing it to get paid big bucks and Gerry apparently doesn't care.

Maybe he'll do better tomorrow night!

[fifiserafino]

/photo/1

Nice to meet you, Gerard Butler- at NewYorker party

[catty]

Harsh words, poor Gerry .......the pressure of always having to look superb

Its only the pre-dinner, I'm sure he will be looking his very best tomorrow night.

Harsh lighting, probably doesn't help.