doctorfrog on 2/5/2006 at 17:31
Apparently there's this slightly whimsical dinner that the White House staff, assorted celebs, and White House journalists attend once a year, to ease the tension between the correspondents who repeat the White House line, and the staff that feeds it to them.
I don't watch Colbert's show much, though I do 'get' and appreciate his schtick, and the service it provides to left-wingers who ache for its parody of right-wing 'news' shows. This speech of his, however, inspires a new respect for Colbert in me, as it took some brass ones to continue that schtick for nigh-on half an hour, with the president and the very correspondents he mocks right in the room. As they said on NPR, by the end of the speech, you could cut the tension with a knife and serve it in little slices for dessert.
(
http://throwawayyourtv.com/2006/04/colbert-at-white-house-correspondents.html)
Apologies if link is old hat or down.
Phydeaux on 2/5/2006 at 17:45
I was looking for a link of this speach, thanks.
Steve has got the biggest pair of balls next Jon Stewart in his attacks against the absurdity in our governemnt. My hat off to him for staying in character despite his jokes falling flat on those who don't "get it". Aparently whoever booked Steve didn't understand his schtick.
Gestalt on 2/5/2006 at 19:39
I'd say the lack of laughs had more to do with the way he was berating all of them than the crowd "not getting it". My favourite line:
Quote:
But, listen, let's review the rules. Here's how it works: the president makes decisions. He's the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Just put 'em through a spell check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know - fiction!
I was impressed with the way he managed to keep on track despite a hostile audience.
Scots Taffer on 2/5/2006 at 23:05
I found the speech to be largely uninspired. Sure, it took balls to do it and there's a certain amount of humour to be found just in some of the bare-faced proxity of his mockery of Bush, but for the most part I couldn't even crack a smile. It just goes to show that a large part of stand-up comedy functions as a play-off against the crowd and it was mostly dying a death.
Random_Taffer on 2/5/2006 at 23:25
Ah! My wife told me about this. Thanks for the link. At work now so I'll watch it later.
I'm told that Bush is visibly angry during the thing though...:mad:
Must be pretty funny. Thanks again.
oudeis on 2/5/2006 at 23:42
haven't seen it yet, but the consensus seems to be he bombed. of course, the hollywood consensus was that john stewart bombed at the oscars and l've heard he was hilarious.
kingofthenet on 3/5/2006 at 00:25
I think Bush has a Pretty good sense of Humor, to bad the war in Iraq, wasn't one of his JOKES. I used to like that Joke he did just prior to his last election, when he would Congradulate some Sports TEAM, who won some championship, and He would say, " I asked them if they would be back next year?, well they said it depends sir, WILL YOU?" it was funny the first time, but he did it like 5 times. They say Gulliani has a good sence of humor.
SD on 3/5/2006 at 00:28
Quote Posted by Scots_Taffer
I found the speech to be largely uninspired.
Did you miss the part where he was STANDING TEN FEET FROM THE MOST POWERFUL MAN IN THE WORLD AND TAKING THE PISS OUT OF HIM AT THE SAME TIME then?
Even if he was merely hurling wet trout at Bush, that would deserve a round of applause; that he had the brass neck to subtly lampoon him and his government in front of the most significant players in US political and media circles displays a kind of daring that deserves some sort of medal.
kingofthenet on 3/5/2006 at 00:36
The Corrospondents Dinner is DESIGNED as a "ROAST" of the president, it is time for the president to show He can take it as well as dish it out. Although it is NOT NEARLY as BAD as a Friers Club ROAST. They can be downright BRUTAL, when they did Eddie Murphy, everone was like, "So what Eddie likes to suck Tranvestite Cock in his car, who doesn't?"
Pyrian on 3/5/2006 at 00:39
You'll find any excuse to talk about sucking cock, huh?
