Preparing the Presidential Roast

[babylonsister]

Preparing the Presidential Roast
Wanda Sykes tests Obama jokes for biggest gig yet, the correspondents dinner

By AMY CHOZICK


It's become the most prestigious and feared gig in comedy: a stand-up act in front of the president.
{Wanda Sykes} Roger Erickson/JBG Photo


Comedian Wanda Sykes will take the stage at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on May 9, the first public event designed to roast President Barack Obama. The dinner has showcased luminaries like Bob Hope, propelled careers like Stephen Colbert's, and, as often, left entertainers defending their jokes afterward.

In recent appearances, Ms. Sykes has been trying out Obama jokes. "With a black president, we've got to come up with a new excuse," Ms. Sykes told the audience at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, N.J., one recent Friday night. "Can't blame the Man, when you are the Man."

Ms. Sykes isn't known for political satire. Her jokes tend to take aim at relationships, aging, race and current events, and are often raunchy. She currently plays Barb, the sarcastic best friend on the CBS sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and is best-known for appearances on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" as well as a stint on HBO's "The Chris Rock Show" in the 1990s. She recently signed with Fox to host a Saturday late-night talk show in the fall.

Jennifer Loven, president of the White House Correspondents' Association and an Associated Press reporter, says she selected Ms. Sykes because she "wanted something different" after a string of white male comedians. The only requirements are that Ms. Sykes -- who publicly supported Mr. Obama during the campaign -- is funny without being vulgar and is not afraid to throw jabs at Mr. Obama, Ms. Loven says. The White House has no say in Ms. Sykes's selection or monologue, Ms. Loven says.

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[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I'm surprised that an entertainer who publicly backed Obama

would be given a talk show on Fox.

[Tarheel_Dem]

2. If I'm not mistaken, it's the entertainment channel (American Idol), not

the news channel. I also hear that Spike Feresten is on the way out. The two networks couldn't be more different. The Sunday night lineup, which is hugely popular, regularly lambastes the rightwing idiots. Seth McFarlane was a huge Obama supporter, and obviously a big Keith Olbermann fan.

[Top Cat]

4. I agree

[rvablue]

3. Wanda Sykes is hysterical. And yes, it will be nice to finally see a woman up there

I wonder if a woman has ever been the roaster before?