Cheney’s Comedy Challenge
Posted by Arnold Shultz | Posted in Bush Administration, Political comedy | Posted on 30-03-2006
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At last year’s Radio-TV Correspondents Dinner, VP Cheney had killer material. Subbing for President Bush, who was in Rome for the papal funeral, Cheney said: “I’m not into funny.” He described ”a strange sensation in my chest. Lynne told me, ‘Dick, that’s called laughing.’”
At last night’s dinner, filling in for the President a second straight year, Cheney was far less funny, and far more predictable. He went back to that comedy crutch that President Bush has used at these dinners — slide shows. That easy-way out gimmick has run its course — and is hardly funny anymore. Perhaps the Radio-TV Correspondents Dinner is diving toward B-level status, leaving the “A” material and “A” talent to the April White House Correspondents Dinner. Next month Stephen Colbert performs. I can’t even remember the name of the guy who did it last night.
Recommendation for the White House gagsters — shake up your joke-writing operation, just like you’re currently shaking up the front office. Bring in new talent, new blood. If all the good jokers are headed for cushy comedy gigs on K Street, find new ones. Enough with the slide shows. In fact, take the slide shows — please. We want 15 minutes of brilliant stand-up — no audio/visual assistance anywhere.
Perhaps the GOP’s top comedy writers are hiding in a secret undisclosed location. Anyone checked the comedy caves?
(By the way, the name of last night’s comedian is Frank Caliendo. To see a clip of him in action, go to the great website politicalhumor.about.com.)