Word on the street has it that The New Yorker has entered the pre-party, post-party sweepstakes, with a bash before the White House Correspondents Dinner on Friday, April 30. Gawker reports the event, “to which you’re not invited,” will be on the rooftop of the W Hotel.

Washington media members cheered the news of new competition for high profile guests on a night traditionally “owned” by Time and People magazines. Bloomberg is the undisputed king of the after party on Saturday (and hosts a private dinner at Café Milano pre-WHCD). Will Time Warner challenge Conde Nast? We’ll investigate, but in the meantime, give us your tips on party plans and guest lists as they develop.

In the meantime, check out some photos from last year’s pre-dinner receptions.

lrozett DC, Washington Events Cafe Milano, Conde Nast, People, The New Yorker, TIme, W Hotel, White House Correspondents Dinner

How They Did It

NBC News VP Mark Lukasiewicz briefs camera crews during a pre-production meeting in the Old Executive Office Building on Thursday, May 28.

Mark Lukasiewicz (a.k.a. “Luk”) was the Executive Producer behind one of NBC’s most revealing portraits: “Inside the Obama White House, Brian Williams Reports.” WHC Insider reported Luk’s production plan to create the most personal look yet at the White House and this President. Today, we go behind the scenes with Luk as he tells us how they got the “get of the year.”

Linda Rozett:  How long did it take to get the administration to agree to appear under this sort of microscope? How did you convince them to cooperate?

Mark Lukasiewicz:  We began that conversation very early with Robert Gibbs and other Obama advisers. The conversations got more serious in February, and then got even more serious after the White House Correspondents Dinner in May. NBC has done this kind of show with virtually every administration since Nixon; it’s a very long tradition. President Ford was the only exception, since he wasn’t in office long enough. It’s been our practice to approach each new administration to participate, because it’s an opportunity to introduce the nation to them and how they work.

After that, we had a number of meetings on the details: the number of people involved, equipment to be moved in, where we would have cameras, and work space. We had a space in the Old Executive Office Building. Finally it became a matter of finding a date that worked.

From the outset I had the strong impression it really was only a matter of when, not if. The White House understood the value of this project in terms of introducing this administration to the country, to their key players. I didn’t sense any hesitation on their part.

Were there any restrictions on what you could shoot (rooms off limits, security, etc.)?

There were conversations with the Secret Service to make sure we weren’t doing anything inadvertently to compromise the President’s protection. And there were definitely areas we would have been happy to shoot, but were told no. Not the residence floors of the White House where the Obamas live. Not the Situation Room, for example, and limited opportunity to shoot in the areas occupied by the National Security people.

But the restrictions were really minimal in terms of where we could shoot; and almost all of them had to do with security.

How about the staff — any restrictions there?

No.  But there were some logistical issues — making sure we could carve time out of the day to have access to the key players.  Once we had agreement, we needed to make sure Brian Williams could stop in on certain people, that they’d have a free 15 to 20 minutes on their calendar.

Read more…

lrozett News Media, White House Staff Brian WIlliams, Jim Gaines, JoAnne Fyanes, Leonard Venezia, Mark Lukasiewicz, Phil Griffin, President Ford, President Nixon, President Obama, Robert Gibbs, Steve Capus, White House Correspondents Dinner

The White House Correspondents Dinner is now “a Hollywood night,” so says David Letterman friend and comedian Jim Gaffigan.  “Having known Wanda for 15 years, it was like, ‘She’s holding back a little bit.’ It’s really interesting to see how that Correspondents’ Dinner has changed since the Colbert thing.”

Read the rest of Gaffigan’s interview with the WSJ here.

lrozett Event Coverage, Wanda Sykes David Letterman, Jim Gaffigan, Stephen Colbert, Wall Street Journal, Wanda Sykes, White House Correspondents Dinner

Some of the politicos zinged by President Obama’s remarks at the White House Correspondents Dinner took it in stride on the Sunday talk shows.

Check out Lynn Sweet’s column on PoliticsDaily.com.

lrozett Event Coverage President Obama, White House Correspondents Dinner

Who is happier: Former Speaker Newt Gingrich or former Governor Mitt Romney?

The White House Correspondents Dinner has dominated the headlines over the years with celebrity sightings, presidential roasts, and comedy routines.

This year President Obama used the cover of the dinner to have a private meeting with one of the top GOP contenders for the 2012 nomination, Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. Obama asked Huntsman to be Ambassador to China and Huntsman said yes. That is another blow to the GOP and another notch on the President’s 2012 belt.

Click here for Marc Ambinder’s analysis.

thaddad Washington Events, White House Staff Governor Jon Huntsman, President Obama, White House Correspondents Dinner

D.C. Comedy Pro Richard Siegel Reviewed Sykes Performance for WHCInsider

What is the hardest job in the country? It’s to follow President Obama.  Wanda Sykes, grabbed the microphone, commanded the stage; she was bold, not over the top, brash  not X-rated, cool, calm, collected and yes, very funny. She stunned the audience numerous times, as people would look around, dressed in their black tie attire, wondering if it was okay to laugh.  No subject was out of bounds.  Wanda knew how far to go, knew her boundaries, attacked every target, but did not get too racy nor leave any subject alone.   Sykes talked about Obama’s nipples when he appears without a shirt, and of course, discussed the “legacy” of Bush, the guest who stayed in your house and got out of town before you noticed that he broke everything.
 
As I watched Wanda confidently address the country and the journalists, I felt like a proud parent. I have watched Wanda grow from an open mike comedienne and comedy contestant in the 80s to what she is today, a major force in comedy.  Her style has changed, as in the early days her sarcasm was one of her most powerful weapons. Tonight, it was her charm, confidence and charisma that stood out.

Read more…

lrozett Event Coverage, Wanda Sykes Dick Cheney, George Bush, President Obama, Rush Limbaugh, Wanda Sykes, White House Correspondents Dinner

President Obama rocked the Hilton at the 2009 White House Correspondents Dinner, with jokes that poked fun at Republicans, as well as his own administration, and his popularity. Watch and judge for yourself.

Part 1

Part 2

lrozett Uncategorized, Washington Events President Obama, White House Correspondents Dinner

Early estimates for the turnout at the Pre-WHCD Garden Brunch exceed 500, probably more, as a capacity crowd mingled and mixed in anticipation of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner tonight. The weather — always an issue in D.C. — cooperated, serving up a sunny, if slightly humid afternoon.

Guests included actors Val Kilmer, Christian Slater, Matthew Modine and Dana Delaney; Capt. Richard Phillips of the Alabama Maersk and his wife Andrea; Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; former Clinton administration official Donna Shalala; David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell and Ann Curry of NBC News, and many others.

The party ran from Noon until 3:00 p.m., when guests started leaving to prepare for tonight’s big event.

Val Kilmer

Shelby Coffey and Ann Curry

BTriplett Uncategorized, Washington Events Christian Slater, Dana Delaney Richard Phillips, David Gregory, Matthew Modine, Val Kilmer, White House Correspondents Dinner

Captain Richard Phillips and his wife Andrea

One of the most sought after guests for this year’s WHC Dinner, Captain Richard Phillips and his wife Andrea, made their way to Washington, D.C. on Friday. They received many invitations, but chose to attend with Bloomberg. The Phillips say they are “honored to be Bloomberg’s guests.”

jdonofrio WHCD 2009 Guests Bloomberg, Captain Richard Phillips, White House Correspondents Dinner

Many previous presidents have turned to outside comedy pros to help liven up their speech to the White House Correspondents Dinner, but Newsweek is reporting that Barack Obama is relying as usual on his closest aides and staff.

BTriplett Washington Events Barack Obama, Newsweek, White House Correspondents Dinner

Ali Wentworth from whcinsider on Vimeo.

Ali Wentworth, actress, comedienne, Oprah regular, and wife of George Stephanopoulos gave WHCInsider the exclusive insight on her e-rules for the Information Super Highway. WHCInsider has learned that George Stephanopoulos is not permitted to tweet when Ali Wentworth is talking. Ali also doesn’t permit BlackBerrys in the bedroom and says tweeting should be something you do when you’re alone.

And she predicts her former boss, Jay Leno, will be a hit in his new 10:00 p.m. time slot, and thinks Wanda Sykes was told to tone down her blue humor for the WHCD. We picked up these scoops at the raucous party Ali and George hosted Monday night for the fun and fabulous Lee Woodruff’s second book: Perfectly Imperfect.

Check out our interview with Ali and you’ll know why she’s got her own show, “Head Case,” why she has a regular seat on Oprah, and why George is always smiling!

thaddad Washington Events Ali Wentworth, George Stephanopoulos, Jay Leno, Lee Woodruff, Oprah, Wanda Sykes, White House Correspondents Dinner

Us magazine reports “Gossip Girl” star Chace Crawford will be at Fox News Channel’s table for the White House Correspondents Dinner. Other Fox News guests include Sarah and Todd Palin, actor Matthew Modine, and anchors Greta Van Sustern, Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, Bret Baier and Chris Wallace.

lrozett WHCD 2009 Guests Bill O'Reilly, Bret Baier, Chace Crawford, Chris Wallace, Fox News, Glenn Beck, Greta Van Sustern, Matthew Modine, Sarah Palin, Todd Palin, White House Correspondents Dinner

Bill Scheft Hails Wanda Sykes as Great Choice for WHCD Entertainment

If the elite gathering of A-list journos, politicos and celebrities that make up the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Bill Scheft, right, on the "Late Show" set with Dave, left.

can’t loosen up when Sykes starts her monologue, it’s likely to get what it deserves, says Scheft, a veteran scribe for “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

“If they take Wanda too seriously, she’s going to let ‘em have it,” Scheft tells WHCInsider. “I’ve know Wanda a long time. She’ll really give it to ‘em, and I think that’s what they need — somebody to yell at ‘em.”

Scheft says that Sykes was a great choice to book for the entertainment, noting that Stephen Colbert — who raised as many hackles as he did laughs with his controversial routine at the 2006 dinner — is altogether different. “Colbert was a character playing a character playing a character at that dinner. He’s very character-oriented. Wanda is much more joke-oriented.” Read more…

BTriplett Wanda Sykes, Washington Events Bill Scheft, David Letterman, Stephen Colbert, Wanda Sykes, White House Correspondents Dinner

Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer, who moonlights as a musician, is bringing country music recording artist Brad Paisley. TV Newser reports Schieffer and Paisley met each other “at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, where they both performed.” If the conversation’s dull, maybe Schieffer and Paisley could perform his hit “Celebrity.”

‘Cause when you’re a celebrity, it’s adios reality.
You can act just like a fool;
People think you’re cool just ’cause you’re on TV.

Other celebrities at CBS tables: Hollywood spouses Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, Julia Louis-Dreyfus — who plays Wanda Sykes’ “wife” on TV — and Julia’s husband, director Brad Hall. The list is full of political heavy weights too: Mayor Adrian Fenty, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Gov. Jon Corzine, Amb. Hector Timerman, and Colin Powell. White House names at the CBS tables include Stephanie Cutter, Tom Donilon, Arne Duncan, Michele Flournoy, Lisa Jackson, David Jacobson, and Katie Johnson.

lrozett WHCD 2009 Guests Ben Afflect, Bob Schieffer, Brad Paisley, Jennifer Garner, Wanda Sykes, White House Correspondents Dinner

As hot as the Bloomberg After-Party is, the pre-party action has always belonged to Lally Graham Weymouth and her Newsweek bash celebrating the WHC dinner.

Attorney General Eric Holder

Every year, she is the eye of the media storm because of her remarkable guest list, specializing in the irresistible from Richard Gere to George Clooney.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner

Last year’s Lally-palooza was all politics, as top advisers of each campaign gently schmoozed each other from Obama’s Valerie Jarrett, Greg Craig and Joel Benenson, to McCain’s main men Rick Davis, Mark Salter and Karl Rove, to HR Clinton’s Mark Penn and Melanne Verveer.

Who will be seen sipping cocktails at the Newsweek reception this year? Lally, along with co-hosts Donald Graham and newly Pulitzered Jon Meacham, scored Obama heavyweights again: Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Attorney General Eric Holder.

Here’s the Newsweek list, hot off the press:

R. Todd Bradley, Executive Vice President, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett Packard
David Brennan, CEO, AstraZeneca
Representative Eric and Diana Cantor (R-VA)
Fmr. Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig
Amb. Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner
Amb. Richard Holbrooke, Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Ms. Kati Marton
Attorney General Eric Holder
Representative Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post
Jeffrey Kindler, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer, Inc., and Ms. Sharon Sullivan
Michael Kives, Creative Artists Agency
Martin Nesbitt, President and CEO, PRG Parking Management
Natalie Portman
Sir Nigel and Lady Julia Sheinwald, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the US
Puneet Talwar, National Security Council, Iraq and Afghanistan Affairs
Dr. Eric Whitaker, University of Chicago Medical Center
Owen Wilson
James Berkus, United Talent Agency

jdonofrio Uncategorized Donald Graham, George Clooney, Jon Meacham, Lally Weymouth, Newsweek, White House Correspondents Dinner