Pictures of him with Michelle-style bangs, quips about Jay-Z and sideswipes at the media and his political foes helped Barack Obama win laughs at this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The traditional send-up speech saw the President earn some laughter at his own expense but also land some funny blows against the media and the Republican Party.
The President opened with a soft joke about his time in office but increasingly moved onto more controversial territory – even joking about ‘burning books with Michelle Bachmann’.
Funny guy: The President entertained with jokes on a range of subjects from Jay-Z, his wife’s haircut and his political foes
He bangs: President Obama got one of the biggest laughs of the night with this photo-shopped picture of him with his wife’s bangs
Looking good? Images showed off a possible new look for the President to provide some ‘energy and change’ for his second term
Joke: Obama presented a couple of funny pictures during this speech including this take on the Bush library opened this week
Laughter: US first lady Michelle Obama enjoyed her husband’s speech and game-fully took the jokes at her expense
He said his advisers said he should stick to the traditional format and make jokes knocking himself down a peg or two.
He added: ‘After four and a half years how many pegs are there left.’
‘I still make rookie mistakes,’ he told the 3,000 strong audience. ‘Like, I’m out in California, we’re at a fundraiser, we’re having a nice time and I happened to mention that Kamala Harris is the best looking attorney general in the country. As you might imagine, I got trouble when I got back home. Who knew Eric Holder was so sensitive?’
‘And then there’s the Easter Egg Roll, which is just supposed to be a nice event with the kids. I got out on the basketball court, took 22 shots, made 2 of them. That’s right, 2 hits, 20 misses. The executives at NBC asked, ‘What’s your secret?’’
Swipes at the media’s expense are traditional fare at the event and Obama seemed to have plenty of material – knocking CNN for mistakes and poking fun at the revolving door between politics and the media.
Referencing campaign adviser David Axelrod and the fact he is now working for MSNBC, he added: ‘It’s a nice change of pace because MSNBC used to work for David Axelrod’.
He referenced his likeness to the Satan actor in The History Channel’s show ‘The Bible’ saying that maybe the channel didn’t attend because they were too embarrassed for associating him with evil.
He then joked: ‘That never stops Fox News from turning up. They thought that comparison was not fair … to Satan.’
In another media joke, he added: ‘I remember when Buzzfeed was something I did in college around 2am.’
The President wasn’t going to spare the chance to throw in a few barbs about the Republicans and their election campaign either.
Confident: President Barack Obama looked comfortable in his role as comic in chief
No nerves? Comedian Conan O’Brien poses with U.S. first lady Michelle Obama during the White House Correspondents Association Dinner
Handover: Obama warmed up the crowd before handing over to comedian Conan O’Brien
Patriotic ladies: Constance Zimmer wore red, Kate Mara donned white and Connie Britton dazzled in blue at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington D.C. on Saturday
LOL: Comedians and actors were all in the mood for laughs at last night’s White House Correspondents Dinner
Heavy hitters: Singer and actress Barbra Streisand, left, and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg attend the dinner
‘One thing [the Republican Party] agrees on is the need to do a better job of reaching out to minorities. And look, call me self-centered, but I can think of one minority they can start with. [Raises his hand] Think of me as a trial run, see how it goes.’
He spoke about reaching out to Republicans, quipping: ‘Some folks still don’t think I spend enough time with Congress. ‘Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?’ they ask. Really? Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?’
Obama vowed to take his ‘charm offensive’ on the road to ‘a Texas BBQ with Ted Cruz, a Kentucky bluegrass concert with Rand Paul, and a book burning with Michele Bachmann.’
Addressing his re-election campaign, the President joked about his rivals attempts to discredit him.
‘Did you know that Sheldon Adelson spent $100 million of his own money last year on negative ads? You’ve got to really dislike me to spend that kind of money. I mean, that’s Oprah money. … Sheldon would have been better off offering me $100 million to drop out of the race. I wouldn’t have taken it but I would have thought about it. Michelle would have taken it – you think I’m joking?’
He made fun about conspiracy theories about his past, joking: ‘I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be.’
Funniest among equals: Obama’s 5 best (and most cutting) quips
On CNN he said: ‘I admire the commitment to cover all sides of the story, just in case one of them happens to be accurate,”
On conspiracy theories about his past: ‘I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be.’
On his rap star pal’s trip to Cuba: ‘I’ve got 99 problems and now Jay Z is one’.
On working with the Republicans: ‘Some folks still don’t think I spend enough time with Congress. ‘Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?’ they ask. Really? Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell?’
On his comments that Kamala Harris was the best looking Attorney General: ‘As you can imagine, I got in trouble when I got back home, Obama said. ‘Who knew (Attorney General) Eric Holder was so sensitive?’
On his appearance, the President noted his graying hair and also presented a picture of himself photo-shopped with Michelle Obama style bangs.
He said he wanted ‘a little energy’ and a ‘bit of change’ for his second term with the new look.
Another photograph mocked the Bush library, opened earlier this week, and featured the new building alongside a giant ‘It’s His Fault’ sign’.
In the multimedia routine, Steven Spielberg was on-hand to appear in a video mocking a movie on Obama’s legacy.
The director said he called on Daniel Day Lewis to encapsulate the ‘lame duck, aloof’ president.
President Obama then appeared on screen pretending to be the method actor in the role.
In the event which was attacked in recent days for being too celebrity-focused, Obama acknowledged his own controversial celebrity relationships.
He joked: ‘I’ve got 99 problems and now Jay Z is one’.
The President’s edgier material eased the way for host Conan O’Brien.
As you all know, the president is hard at work creating jobs,’ he joked. ‘Since he was first elected, the number of popes has doubled. The number of ‘Tonight Show’ hosts has tripled.’
He also leveled a few jokes at the media.
“If HuffPost is here, who’s covering 7 mistakes you’re making with bacon?’ he asked.
In a popular topic for ridicule he also mocked CNN, joking: “Tonight’s dinner was halibut and filet, or as John King reported it: Lasagna and couscous.’
Who’s who: Tanning mom, left, and House Speaker, John Boehner, left, or at least that’s what Conan O’Brien thinks
Family Guy: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel would be played by Stewie from the popular animated series
Secretary of slate? John Kerry was re-imagined as an Easter Island stone head
Hello Possums! Mitch McConnell would be played by Dame Edna Everage
Yes, a lot of online stars are in the room but, unfortunately, Matt Drudge couldn’t make it,” O’Brien said. ‘He had a prior commitment to teach a web design class in 1997.’
‘Some people say print media is dying, but I don’t believe it,” O’Brien added. “And neither does my blacksmith.’
It’s no surprise that Speaker John Boehner isn’t here tonight,’ O’Brien said. ‘President Obama and John Boehner are kind of like a blind date between Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow. In theory, they understand each other’s positions but, deep down, you know nothing’s ever going to happen.’
NBC veteran Tom Brokaw turned down his invite this year claiming the event had become too tabloid.
One of America’s most respected journalists, he said it was last year’s appearance of Lindsay Lohan which was the final straw for him.
‘The breaking point for me was Lindsay Lohan,’ he told Politico on Friday. ‘She became a big star at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Give me a break.’
The red carpet didn’t seem to disprove his point with dozens of celebrities from a-list to z-list lining up in their finest.
However, O’Brien used the small screen attendees to his benefit.
Imagining the casting of a miniseries on Washington, the comedian ran through a series of potential lookalikes from Bob Barker as Vice President Joe Biden; an Easter Island Head as John Kerry; a Furby as Wolf Blitzer and – with one of the biggest laughs of the night – ‘tan mom’ as Boehner.
She’s got it: Kerry Washington wore a dramatic black-and-white patterned gown
All grown up: Pop star Katy Perry looked elegant in a floor-length green strapless gown
From simple to elaborate: Emily Mortimer looked ethereal in a floaty red number while Kate Walsh wore a loud black-and-white patterned frock
It is the White House: Amy Poehler wore a glittering floor-length white gown that featured cap sleeves
Dark and brooding: Olivia Munn and Sharon Stone opted for black frocks and high updos, following in the footsteps of the First Lady
The tradition of news outlets bringing stars to join their tables began when the cast of Saturday Night Live was brought down from New York to D.C. in the mid-1970s.
This year, celebrities had an Oscars-worthy parade of glamorous designer dresses and stylish suits on show – making it is as much an event for the fashion pack as the usual politicos.
Leading the perfect combination of the two, Michelle Obama arrived in a sequined black gown while Obama supporter and Vogue editor Anna Wintour opted for a white fur shawl.
Constance Zimmer and Kate Mara, who co-star as reporters in the political series House Of Cards, and Connie Britton, who plays an all-American country singer in Nashville, were some of the stars attending.
The women opted to show their patriotic colors with Constance, 42, donning a red floaty frock, Kate, 30, in a white floor-length gown, and Connie, 46, in a blue mermaid-style creation.
It wasn’t only female celebrities invited along for the ride, Piers Morgan brought Gerald Butler along as his plus 1.
Kerry Washington, 36, star of the political drama Scandal, donned a dramatic black-and-white patterned gown.
‘Just had my fitting with @Stephendatailor – my awesome go to tailor in DC! – getting EXCITED about tonight. #whcd,’ tweeted Kerry earlier in the day.
However, excited celebrities weren’t the only ones taking to Twitter to make their feelings known about the events.
Sarah Palin tweeted: ‘That WHCD was pathetic. The rest of America is out there working our asses off while these DC assclowns throw themselves a nerd prom.’
Longtime couple: Tracy Pollan and husband Michael J. Fox made a handsome pair as they stood hand-in-hand together on the red carpet
Lady in lace: Irina Shayk showed off her slender frame in a figure-hugging long lace dress
No time to shave? Matthew Perry looked a little disheveled for the smart occasion
Dapper lads: Piers Morgan and Gerard Butler posed together on the red carpet
Gangham style: South Korean rapper Psy wore a quirky striped bowtie as he waved to photographers
Power players: Producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg looked dashing in black suits and glasses at the event
Read more: Mail Online
