WHCD may implode all on its own.
Is it time to end the annual tradition of the White House Correspondents Dinner? That question is certainly being asked after Saturday night’s disastrous performance by comedienne Michelle Wolf, cheered on by journalists and guests in the audience. My bigger question is this – what is wrong with the organization? Represented by White House Correspondents Association President Margaret Talev, the buck stops with her. Talev is a White House correspondent for Bloomberg News and a contributor on CNN.
I hold both Talev and Wolf responsible for this year’s train wreck. I may even hold Talev more responsible because her decision to hire Wolf set the train down the tracks. Why in the world did Talev hire Wolf in the first place? Is the talent pool so shallow that she was the best available? I admit I had not heard of her. She’s young at 32 years of age but she has an interesting resume. She has worked in the financial sector with Bear-Stearns and JPMorgan Chase. From there she went into comedy. Her comedy is vicious, though, and not in the viciously funny kind of way. She’s just mean-spirited and vulgar. I think Talev liked her and wanted this.
I’ve watched this annual gathering on C-SPAN for many years. I used to look forward to tuning in and hearing the jokes. I remember back in the Clinton days laughing along with everyone (except Bill and Hillary) during Don Imus’ comic takedown of Bill Clinton. It was scandalous back in the day but it kept a humorous tone.
