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White House Correspondents' dinner live: Obama welcomes celebrities, reporters White House Correspondents' dinner live: Obama welcomes celebrities, reporters
(35 minutes later)
1.52am BST
01:52
Patrick Gavin
And as C-Span cuts away from Wolf Blitzer chewing and toasting with Reince Priebus – they were drinking the Franciscan Estate chardonnay, according to C-Span, which got a not-bad review from Cheap Wine Ratings, though decide for yourself whether that’s a good thing or not – Patrick Gavin weighs in on what jokes he’s waiting for from the president and host Larry Wilmore.
Things I’ll be looking for:
1.37am BST
01:37
Patrick Gavin
I’m excited to be joined by journalist and documentary filmmaker Patrick Gavin, who is an expert on what the dinner was, is and could be.
Hi! Excited to hop on board. I covered this dinner/weekend for 10 years at such places as Politico, Washington Examiner and FishbowlDC. I probably held the distinction of turning in some the dumbest coverage of anyone. (Sorry!)
After a bit of a catharsis, I took a more critical look in 2015 with my first documentary, Nerd Prom: Inside Washington’s Wildest Week, and, ever since, I’ve become like the least popular in town all weekend thanks to some of my critical coverage.
Anyway! So what should you know going into this thing? Here are the things about this event that depress me:
You could be forgiven for wondering the obvious: Why is the biggest event in a town with low approval ratings for everyone (reporters, politicians alike) a big self-celebration?
Yeah, you’re telling me.
Okay, let’s drink!
Read Patrick’s OpEd for The Guardian today:
Related: The White House Correspondents' Association preaches transparency — but doesn't practice it
1.30am BST
01:30
The president arrives at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
After this, they’ll sit down and eat a fancy dinner prepared and served for 2,700 people and served by hourly wage employees.
Catering staff at the Washington Hilton, where the event is held, are by and large people of color represented by United Here! Local 25.
In other catering news, Trump’s SoHo property in New York has been accused by a former catering staffer of stiffing its catering staff on tips in violation of New York law. The catering, though, is handled by a subcontractor.
1.24am BST
01:24
If you’re watching the live feed above, and getting bored watching a bunch of people you don’t know get slowly drunk and schmooze with other people you don’t know, interspersed with their efforts to talk to celebrities without seeming like utter fan-boys and -girls, might I recommend checking out some quality journalism from The Guardian?
The first American has died of complications the Zika virus.
Related: Zika virus: first American dies of complications linked to disease
Law enforcement in Lebanon broke up a sex trafficking ring that had enslaved dozens of female Syrian refugees who had gone there to escape the war in their home country.
Related: Dozens of Syrians forced into sexual slavery in derelict Lebanese house
1.17am BST1.17am BST
01:1701:17
And if you’re wondering why people call it “nerd prom”, they cribbed it from now-MTV news correspondent (and former Guardian columnist) Ana Marie Cox, who wasn’t being exactly kind when she coined it.And if you’re wondering why people call it “nerd prom”, they cribbed it from now-MTV news correspondent (and former Guardian columnist) Ana Marie Cox, who wasn’t being exactly kind when she coined it.
Now, it’s used as a humble-brag, like “Oh, ho, aren’t I nerdy, here’s my selfie with Will Smith”; then, it was a way of mocking the annual desperation to get included on the guest list.Now, it’s used as a humble-brag, like “Oh, ho, aren’t I nerdy, here’s my selfie with Will Smith”; then, it was a way of mocking the annual desperation to get included on the guest list.
Cox reportedly regrets having coined the term.Cox reportedly regrets having coined the term.
Sigh. True. https://t.co/urY0Rl7QhuSigh. True. https://t.co/urY0Rl7Qhu
Here is Will Smith taking a selfie of himself with the photographers taking pictures of him.Here is Will Smith taking a selfie of himself with the photographers taking pictures of him.
1.07am BST1.07am BST
01:0701:07
If you’re curious about how the White House Correspondents’ Dinner went from being a self-congratulatory scholarship-awarding dinner to a self-congratulatory, celebrity-spotting spectacle, some more information on that can be found here.If you’re curious about how the White House Correspondents’ Dinner went from being a self-congratulatory scholarship-awarding dinner to a self-congratulatory, celebrity-spotting spectacle, some more information on that can be found here.
Related: White House correspondents' dinner: star power, but according to who?Related: White House correspondents' dinner: star power, but according to who?
12.48am BST12.48am BST
00:4800:48
Gary the Dog steals the show at the White House Correspondents' DinnerGary the Dog steals the show at the White House Correspondents' Dinner
Carrie Fisher, attending the dinner as a guest of The Guardian, created the biggest red carpet stir by bringing her dog, Gary.Carrie Fisher, attending the dinner as a guest of The Guardian, created the biggest red carpet stir by bringing her dog, Gary.
.@twhiddleston, @carrieffisher's & @Gary_TheDog on #WHCD Red Carpet https://t.co/HrRHIJ8Jn1 #NerdProm #WHCD2016https://t.co/98lhCgSem2.@twhiddleston, @carrieffisher's & @Gary_TheDog on #WHCD Red Carpet https://t.co/HrRHIJ8Jn1 #NerdProm #WHCD2016https://t.co/98lhCgSem2
As you may have heard, dogs don’t really like to be hugged by their owners, according to “science” but, since this is America and, in the current political climate, only uncontroversial science is accepted as fact (as demonstrated by climate denialism), it’s unclear how much of a difference any scientific findings will make to dog-owners.As you may have heard, dogs don’t really like to be hugged by their owners, according to “science” but, since this is America and, in the current political climate, only uncontroversial science is accepted as fact (as demonstrated by climate denialism), it’s unclear how much of a difference any scientific findings will make to dog-owners.
12.39am BST12.39am BST
00:3900:39
The red carpet is wrapping up as the stragglers head into the dinner, but we’ll continue to find something to cover (I hear there are other things happening in the world?) as the 2,700 guests tuck into their diver scallops, steak, shrimp, dessert and – according to C-Span – Napa Valley wines.The red carpet is wrapping up as the stragglers head into the dinner, but we’ll continue to find something to cover (I hear there are other things happening in the world?) as the 2,700 guests tuck into their diver scallops, steak, shrimp, dessert and – according to C-Span – Napa Valley wines.
Meanwhile, here are The Guardian’s guests, Tom Hiddleston, Carrie Fisher and Gary the dog, posing on the red carpet. (C-Span assures us that Gary was very popular on Twitter.)Meanwhile, here are The Guardian’s guests, Tom Hiddleston, Carrie Fisher and Gary the dog, posing on the red carpet. (C-Span assures us that Gary was very popular on Twitter.)
12.29am BST12.29am BST
00:2900:29
Just now on C-Span, People editor JD Heyman on celebrities and their causes.Just now on C-Span, People editor JD Heyman on celebrities and their causes.
And I think it’s a natural impulse on the part of very wealthy people and powerful people to want to be engaged in that way [with a cause]. So I think it’s both for public image reasons and financial management reasons and just human reasons that people become involved in either political or environmental or other work related to causes. I know that most Americans may raise an eyebrow about the causes of some celebrities, but many of them feel the causes quite profoundly and do want to engage and feel like, you know, noblesse does not come without oblige and they should do something with their celebrity and their resources.And I think it’s a natural impulse on the part of very wealthy people and powerful people to want to be engaged in that way [with a cause]. So I think it’s both for public image reasons and financial management reasons and just human reasons that people become involved in either political or environmental or other work related to causes. I know that most Americans may raise an eyebrow about the causes of some celebrities, but many of them feel the causes quite profoundly and do want to engage and feel like, you know, noblesse does not come without oblige and they should do something with their celebrity and their resources.
Here is a picture of Kendall Jenner, of the Kardashian Jenners, arriving at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which is dedicated to the important role the fourth estate plays in holding the executive branch of the US government to account.Here is a picture of Kendall Jenner, of the Kardashian Jenners, arriving at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which is dedicated to the important role the fourth estate plays in holding the executive branch of the US government to account.
12.17am BST12.17am BST
00:1700:17
The dinner is, as you can imagine, not without its critics.The dinner is, as you can imagine, not without its critics.
New York City-based photographer Clayton Cubitt, a Bernie Sanders supporter, is among them.New York City-based photographer Clayton Cubitt, a Bernie Sanders supporter, is among them.
The White House Correspondents Dinner is the grossest spectacle of oligarchic incest since the Borgia papacy.The White House Correspondents Dinner is the grossest spectacle of oligarchic incest since the Borgia papacy.
You can see some of hits Vets4Bernie portraits here:You can see some of hits Vets4Bernie portraits here:
Related: #Vets4Bernie: veterans speak out in support of Bernie Sanders – in picturesRelated: #Vets4Bernie: veterans speak out in support of Bernie Sanders – in pictures
So is Tressie McMillan Cottom, an assistant professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University.So is Tressie McMillan Cottom, an assistant professor of sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
The WHCD is a very strange world with very strange bedfellows.The WHCD is a very strange world with very strange bedfellows.
(Her essay on Prince after his death is a must-read.)(Her essay on Prince after his death is a must-read.)
And here’s a picture of prominent Sanders supporter and Clinton critic, Rosario Dawson.And here’s a picture of prominent Sanders supporter and Clinton critic, Rosario Dawson.
12.05am BST12.05am BST
00:0500:05
Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s middle son, says that he’s prepared to hear jokes about his dad.Eric Trump, Donald Trump’s middle son, says that he’s prepared to hear jokes about his dad.
@EricTrump's ready for possible @realDonaldTrump-related jokes from @POTUS at the #WHCD: https://t.co/WX9oKi6vcF https://t.co/WSsHXU1YDS@EricTrump's ready for possible @realDonaldTrump-related jokes from @POTUS at the #WHCD: https://t.co/WX9oKi6vcF https://t.co/WSsHXU1YDS
The Donald is boycotting because of how dishonest the media is, and not because he got made fun of a lot last year and has a thin skin.The Donald is boycotting because of how dishonest the media is, and not because he got made fun of a lot last year and has a thin skin.
Read more about how he got zinged by the sitting president last year.Read more about how he got zinged by the sitting president last year.
Related: White House correspondents' dinner: will Obama deliver a Trump roast?Related: White House correspondents' dinner: will Obama deliver a Trump roast?
12.01am BST
00:01
C-Span reports that the dinner tonight will consist of “Petite filet au poivre paired with honey and orange infused shrimp, dunk confit, souffle potato, asparugus, zucchini, carrot and roasted peppers.”
Americans in 2016, by the way, waste 50% more food than they did in the 1970s.
Anyway, here’s Lady Mary from Downton Abbey.
11.54pm BST
23:54
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders is also a guest of the media tonight.
And, if you’re a long-time Trump watcher, it’s perhaps no surprise to see Omarosa Manigault, who told The Hollywood Reporter at a pre-party that she’s “a Trumplican”.
She added:
This is a reality TV generation, right? They’re used to characters on TV saying whatever, doing whatever. Doing crazy things. Changing the game. That’s what we’ve done. We did that on The Apprentice in 2003. We’re doing that with the presidency in 2016.
She currently appears on the trail as a Trump surrogate. Trump has not revealed if he plans to nominate her to a position within his administration.
11.45pm BST
23:45
Aretha Franklin is in the house.
If you didn’t see her perform at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, why not take a moment and check it out.
11.36pm BST
23:36
Emma Watson, who helped launched the women’s equality effort #HeForShe is also in attendance and looking pretty cool.
If you’re interested in her work on women’s issues, perhaps you should read this piece about how rape survivors at the Mormon Brigham Young University are fighting back against honor code violations when they report their sexual assaults.
Related: 'You're a sinner': how a Mormon university shames rape victims
11.33pm BST
23:33
Apparently, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is a Scandal fan.
Helen Mirren is, like all of us, a Prince fan – but she wears it more than on her sleeve.
11.23pm BST
23:23
Bill Nye is hanging out with Steve Aoki:
via @BillNye: Found @steveaoki at the #WHCD. pic.twitter.com/kd05SpDv4H
There’s also Tony Goldwyn (the president on Scandal) with Shonda Rhimes.
President Fitz! @tonygoldwyn and @shondarhimes arrive at the #WHCD: https://t.co/nec8WgmdwN #Scandal pic.twitter.com/TyZijomrpX
And Guardian US writer Steven W Thrasher is hanging out with Carrie Fisher and her dog, Gary.
Welcome to the Guardian @carrieffisher & @Gary_TheDog #whcd pic.twitter.com/xZl4jPreO5
11.19pm BST
23:19
Currently on C-Span, two men are discussing the propensity for some women to wear something other than high heels under their gowns at the White House Correspondents Dinner
C-Span host: Is it becoming more and more common for women to wear comfortable shoes rather than...
JD Heyman, deputy editor for entertainment at People: I actually don’t think it’s ever... Women like to wear high heels for this event, but they will often try to tuck a pair, if they’re coming with a team of people, there may be a pair of more comfortable shoes in a bag. People tough it out, pretty much.
There is a bunch of science about how terrible high heels are for your health.
11.04pm BST
23:04
The red carpet has begun: on C-SPAN, all you can hear is photographers shouting at the top of their lungs, as celebrities are led one-by-one in front of photographers. Jeff Goldblum is speaking to Extra, Emma Watson has been spotted and Assad has ended the ceasefire in Syria.
Related: ‘We’ve had massacres all week’: Aleppo on fire again as Assad consigns ceasefire to history
11.00pm BST
23:00
If you are the kind of person who tunes into C-Span before even the red carpet starts, you were treated to a look-back at George W Bush’s comedy stylings, which included jokes about Dick Cheney shooting people, Dick Cheney riding a segway, Dick Cheney being curious if the plot of Brokeback Mountain meant that the Lone Ranger and Tonto got it on, Bush singing off-key about how brown the grass is on his ranch and Bush conducting the Marine Corps Band playing John Phillips Sousa.
Oh, here, look: protestors supporting of the Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed the parliament building in Iraq, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency.
Related: Baghdad state of emergency declared after protesters storm parliament
Updated
at 11.01pm BST
10.14pm BST
22:14
Good evening, and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the “nerd prom”, the not-quite self-deprecating nickname for the annual White House Correspondents Dinner.
This will be Barack Obama’s final turn at telling jokes behind the podium – and the current election cycle has given him plenty of fodder for his routine, which generally consists of zingers at other politicians’ expense, jibes at members of his administration and newsy references that would be cut from Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update for being not funny enough.
He’ll be followed by comedian and host Larry Wilmore, host of Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show, a The Daily Show spin-off for the former TDS correspondent. Wilmore has a typically tough job: to be funny without being offensive to the assembled politicians and media types, many of whom have an inflated sense of self – a sense not reduced by being in the presence of bona fide celebrities. Guests this year include one of Obama’s would-be successor, Bernie Sanders, as well as Aretha Franklin, Ilana Goldblum, Ilana Glazer, Will Smith and Rachel McAdams.
Infamously, the last former TDS corespondent to host the dinner, Steven Colbert, bombed with the in-crowd, though he killed with viewers at home, in 2006 because he performed in character from The Colbert Report and didn’t pull his punches about then president George W Bush, the wars he’d started or his cozy relationship with the media.
Wilmore isn’t expected to be as pointed about the incumbent president, but one suspects he has more than enough material on the potential next president with which to work.
But before that, join us for coverage of the red carpet, a little commentary from Patrick Gavin, director of the documentary Nerd Prom: The Movie and a look at what else is going on in the world that is probably more important than the sight of media types back-slapping with the politicians they’ll supposedly go back to holding to account tomorrow. (And maybe some intel about Carrie Fisher’s dog, which is supposedly going to be seated with the General herself at the Guardian’s table.)
CSpan is airing the whole event live on its site, and several cable news networks plan to cover it as well.
Updated
at 10.15pm BST