Prom - FishbowlDC

Tick Tock: WHCD 2013

Betsy Rothstein — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:58:22 +0000

By Betsy Rothstein, Peter Ogburn and Eddie Scarry

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner was a blur this year as stars, journalists, nerdy political types — and Psy — rubbed elbows. Well, not Psy, he was busy smoking. But the rest of ‘em fawned and frolicked around the Washington Hilton oohing and ahhing at one another’s evening wear. People watching was admittedly pretty phenomenal. As evidenced by the shrieks coming from young, female bystanders salivating at the mere sight of a star. Each time an actor or well-known journalist walked by, they screamed and barked things out at them like faux paparazzi. In a moment of hilarity, one journalist, who shall remain nameless, was heard biting a security employee’s head off as they kept constantly trying to herd and push a small smattering of people waiting by the door from one end to the other. “I have two tickets, I have a right to be here and I’m not moving,” the person snapped in a display of spectacular irritation. Security immediately backed right down and eased away. And the lesson is? Yelling wins! (By the way, pictured above: actress Kate Walsh.)

4:35 p.m. Betsy tells Eddie she need 15 more minutes. He replies, “Are you trying to squeeze in a size 8 dress again?”

5:42 p.m. Eddie is running slightly behind because he has no idea how to tie a bow-tie and he couldn’t get the Tucker Carlson consult. As usual, Carlson skipped out of town for the WHCD. We learned later in the evening that he’s in New Orleans riding Go Karts with Daily Caller Publisher Neil Patel.

6:13 p.m. Settling in at the lobby of the Washington Hilton for some major people watching. MC Hammer sighting. Girls screaming, “WOO HOO! WOO HOO!”

6:14 p.m. TIME‘s Zeke Miller enters in a wrinkly blazer.

6:15 p.m. DJ at Atlantic party may have Tourette’s. Ticking and chirping, etc…

6:16 p.m. Fox News Correspondent Peter Doocy sighting. This guy is too tall and everywhere this weekend.

6:17 p.m. Washington Examiner Nikki Schwab sighting. Her hair is in curls this evening. Very pleasant interaction.

6:18 p.m. Woman walks into the Hilton wearing a kimono.

6:19 p.m. It’s Kathleen Turner. The gaggle of girls in the lobby: “Kathleen we love you!!!”

6:20 p.m. Amy Poehler walks by. “Ahh ahh we love you Amy!”

6:21 p.m. CBS’ Gayle King has entered the hotel in a stunner of a kelly green gown by Vicky Tiel.

6:22 p.m. A rando woman who won’t stop yapping is saying to her friends, “I’m walking around the house going, does this match?”

6:23 p.m. The NPR greeter awaiting NPR party guests in the front of the hotel looks like he should be at the airport. He’s a vision of nerdy perfection.

6:24 p.m. Washington Examiner‘s Byron York walks into the hotel and promptly walks down the wrong set of stairs.

6: 25 p.m. It’s Fox News’ Geraldo Rivera! He’s all smiles for anyone who approaches. Up close his mustache is nothing short of thick and amazing.

6:27 p.m. A Jon Huntsman sighting. He walks in with a lovely blonde (presumably his wife) on his arm.

6:28 p.m. We get reprimanded for the second time for standing in the “wrong” place. Is there a right place? Who knows?

6:30 p.m. Holy shit. It’s Nicole Kidman. Bradley Cooper follows shortly thereafter.

6: 32 p.m. House Maj. Leader Eric Cantor is hanging out by the entrance.

6:35 p.m. Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis drawing major stares in the lobby. Wilde’s flowing chocolate brown dress is unbelievable beautiful.

6:37 p.m. A young woman walking with CBS “60 Minutes” correspondent Scott Pelley has ample cleavage.

6:40 p.m. Sightings: White House Press Sec. Jay Carney. Chicago Sun Times‘ Clarence Page. Kathleen Sebelius. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

6:41 p.m. Dave Weigel, a big FishbowlDC fan, has been spotted. Later he’ll watch us like a hawk even though we’re not snapping his picture tonight or bothering him whatsoever.

6:45 p.m. The kid from Glee! is here. Wasn’t he at Tammy’s?

6:50 p.m. Publicist and Hollywood on the Potomac blogger Janet Donovan spotted in the bar line at the Atlantic, CBS, NJ pre-party. Janet insists this is her last year doing this. “I’ve been doing this since 1971,” she says wearily. “Enough is enough.”

6:55 p.m. Bob Schieffer holding court at the CBS party. Worlds colliding. Glee! kid spotted talking to Mother Jones Bureau Chief David Corn. WTF?

6:59 p.m. CBS news anchor and producer Julie Chen stands out in bright pink dress that may have been the second best frock of the evening. Olivia Wilde’s gown was hard to beat.

7 p.m. Andy Cohen from Bravo is here. He has some schmutz on his blazer.

7: 05 p.m. Overheard: “He’s very brave here coming with his ugly wife.”

7:06 p.m. Reince Priebus sighting. Later he’ll be a dumb joke in Conan’s monologue.

7:16 p.m. Ed Helms telling his girlfriend that people come here “for the food.”

7:17 p.m. Psy‘s handlers are a bunch of asses. “No, we did red carpet interviews. We’re not doing any more.” Regarding Psy and pictures, guest says, “This isn’t Korea. This is America.”

7:18 p.m. Peter cuts U.S. Treasury Sec. Jack Lew in a line. Way to go Peter!

7:19 p.m. CNBC’s Jim Cramer is yelling. continued…

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Daily Caller Editor Poses With Chris Hayes

Eddie Scarry — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:20:26 +0000

As pre-White House Correspondents’ Dinner cocktail parties at the Washington Hilton came to a close Saturday, MSNBC’s Chris Hayes (a.k.a. Hazy) was spotted mingling in National Review‘s private room with other stragglers, including The Daily Caller‘s Senior Online Editor Vince Coglianese.

After introducing himself to Hayes, Coglianese asked if the two could pose for a picture together. “You’re not going to deface it or anything, are you?” asked Hayes, half joking. Coglianese assured him he would not and the photo was shot.

“We just spoke for a second,” Coglianese told FishbowlDC. “I asked him to take a picture with me so I could send it to [Daily Caller TV reporter] Jeff Poor. He obliged and asked that I extend to Poor this message: “Auburn sucks.”

Poor, an Auburn University graduate, has written critically of Hayes in the past.

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National Journal Party Has Potty Issues

Eddie Scarry — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:30:12 +0000

By Eddie Scarry and Betsy Rothstein

National Journal‘s pre-White House Correspondents’ Dinner “Making News” party Friday could easily go down as one of this year’s nicest, most well-planned parties in the coolest warehouse space we’ve seen in awhile. And maybe it will if attendees forget that for a large portion of it, the restroom for hundreds of guests was out of order.

That’s right. There was one toilet available for the entire warehouse full of partygoers, and the top floor, which contained the toilet, was for V.I.P.’s only.

“That’s hood,” one attendee waiting outside the restroom remarked about the potty problem. “Poopgate, drink slowly,” said another, explaining that one employee advised him to pace himself. When Fox News’ Peter Doocy approached the first-floor restroom area, he was told he could not enter. “How long do you think?” he asked the woman standing guard. “Alright, I’ll let it go.” (We sincerely hope he held it in, not let it go.) Another partygoer cracked, “All these people are going to have to piss on themselves. This might be the shortest party ever.”

The attendant said she had people requesting buckets and cups.

The party took place at the two-story bar in Georgetown called The Powerhouse. It was on the bottom floor where they stationed event workers in front of the hall leading to the restroom, alerting guests from about 10 p.m., when the party started, to about 11:30, that the toilets weren’t working. Only that one VIP restroom upstairs was available. But without one of the exclusive red wristbands, how were most of the guests going to relieve themselves?

“If it gets too bad we’ll have to open up the VIP area,” said NJ Communications Director Ben Fishel at the time.

At one point a team of men carrying what looked like… continued…

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Wemple, Albright Cut Lines WHCD Weekend

Eddie Scarry — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 15:55:09 +0000

It’s one thing to stand in long lines to enter any number of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend parties. It’s another when it comes to waiting at the bar for a drink or buffet for food once you’re inside. WaPo‘s media reporter Erik Wemple and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright have figured out how to bypass the latter.

At a pre-party hosted by The Atlantic, NJ and CBS on Saturday, Albright was spotted jumping to the front of a line building up at one of the event’s three fully-stocked bars. The line was eight people-deep but nobody had the heart to stand up to the 75-year-old, 5’5″ woman. After getting her drink, Albright stepped aside to engage in conversation with Howard Fineman, editorial director of AOL-HuffPost Media Group.

Fast-forward to Sunday’s brunch at the Hay Adams rooftop, hosted by Thomson-Reuters and Yahoo! News. There, Wemple was seen cutting a line stretched out for one of the food bars that featured seafood, cheeses and breads.

When alerted of his faux pas, Wemple said he was aware, that it was a mistake and that by the time he realized, it was too late. He just had to commit and finish what he started, piling on the cocktail shrimp to his plate. He told FishbowlDC that he would go to the back of the line immediately and do things right. He did. And for that, we commend him for his amended party behavior at the swanky brunch.

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Gay Republican Amps Up Yoga Routine for WHCD Weekend

Eddie Scarry — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:30:42 +0000

On again-off again Washington journalist and owner of Bikram Yoga Capitol Liz Glover says she’s seen an increase in attendance at her yoga classes ahead of White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend. “Folks have been sweating at Bikram Yoga Capitol all week in preparation for WHCD festivities,” she tweeted Thursday.

Well, those gowns and tuxes aren’t getting any looser, are they?

“We’ve had some ladies come in to get their sweat on in anticipation of donning evening dresses for the big night,” Glover told FishbowlDC. She said among her clients getting in some extra downward-dog time is Jimmy LaSalvia, co-founder of the Gay Republican group GOProud.

LaSalvia told us that as a “homocon,” (“Washington’s ultimate outsider”) he won’t be going to the actual dinner but that he has… continued…

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Bradley Cooper to Attend Allbritton Brunch?

Betsy Rothstein — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 11:00:15 +0000

For the fourth year in a row, Politico Publisher Robert Allbritton, and his wife, Dr. Elena Allbritton, are opening their Georgetown home to a list of select Politico reporters, stars and political big shots. On the list is actor Bradley Cooper. The Politico statement released this morning is careful to say “Invited guests include…” just in case one of those high maintenance stars decides not to show up.

Nonetheless, it is at least possible Cooper will attend.

Invited guests include… continued…

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Some News Orgs Skip Celebs at WHCD

Betsy Rothstein — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:55:54 +0000

In recent years the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has gotten a bad rap as the Washington event that had gone Hollywood to its own demise. Instead of White House correspondents and nerdy political types, it was Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, and Sean Penn with Scarlett Johansson in his lap. Not that popularity to attend was waning, but the cool factor had gone way down.

This year some news outlets are avoiding celebrity guests and instead taking corporate and political guests. For instance, Politico is going heavy on powerful people in business and light on people who would have any reason to turn up on TMZ (famous last words, we know).

Their list includes: Brian Moynihan, CEO, Bank of America, Wes Bush, CEO, Northrop Grumman, Eric Spiegel, CEO, Siemens, Marty Durbin, Incoming CEO, ANGA, Gary Cohn, COO, and John Rogers, Executive Vice President, Goldman Sachs, James Murren, CEO, MGM Resorts, Lorenzo Simonelli, CEO, GE Transportation, Don Baer, CEO, Burson-Marsteller. Their non-business types: San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.

The Hill is taking DCCC Chairman Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), who (no offense) most people couldn’t pick out of a lineup. Yahoo! News is refreshingly following suit with names that don’t have a particularly high wow-factor outside of Washington. Their dinner guest is Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), a big Grateful Dead fan who was born mostly blind in one eye. Guests for the weekend include Caitlin Hayward, lead spokeswoman for the National Security Council, and Edwin Donovan, Deputy Assistant Director of the U.S. Secret Service.

A spokesperson for Yahoo! News told FishbowlDC, “In the last year Yahoo! News has doubled down on original content, expanded its presence in Washington DC with its first-ever DC bureau, and made a series of notable new hires. We wanted our guests this year to reflect our on-going commitment to political coverage.”

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Allbritton Opens up $24 Million Home for Prom Weekend

Betsy Rothstein — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 09:00:12 +0000

Promgoers watch out. In addition to Politico Publisher Robert Allbritton and wife, Elena, holding court at their rarely seen $24 million Georgetown home for Sunday brunch, Politico will publish a special magazine edition of the paper devoted to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner weekend. The glossy is expected to be an exclusive guide to D.C.’s ultimate power weekend. The publication will unveil it on Friday, April 30 and distribute to attendees following the dinner and throughout the weekend.

Allbritton plans to conclude the White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend with his May 2 brunch that has not taken place in years past. The place to be on Sunday has been the McLaughlin brunch at the Hay Adams. We’ll see which one guests choose. No venue has been announced for the McLaughlin soiree.

As for Politico’s fest, a host of influential lawmakers, newsmakers and celebrities will gather at the Bowie-Sevier estate for brunch on Sunday. The 200-person guest list includes cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, top media members, politicos and CEOs, among others.

Some of Politico’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner guests — some of whom may also attend brunch — include House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, singer Mary J. Blige, American fashion designer Tory Burch, Warner Music CEO Lyor Cohen, Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz, and actor Tim Daly of ABC’s “Private Practice”.

Other A-listers invited to the brunch: White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, top Obama political advisor David Axelrod, senior Newsweek editor and daughter of the late Katherine Graham Lally Weymouth, Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner, British Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, Washington Mystics’ managing partner Sheila Johnson, Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. News & World Report’s Mort Zuckerman, PBS talk show host Charlie Rose, NBC’s Andrea Mitchell and more.

Stay tuned as more details trickle out…

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Add First Amendment Party to List of WHCA Dinner Weekend Soirees

Betsy Rothstein — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:55:46 +0000

The Impact Arts + Film Fund and The Washington Post with Funny or Die will join forces for a second annual “First Amendment Party” as part of the White House Correspondents Association Dinner weekend.

“The event celebrates the history and impact of the First Amendment which, by establishing and defending freedom of speech and of the press, has played a critical role in shaping our nation by empowering the press to tell America’s story,” stated a release.

The First Amendment Party will be held on Friday, April 30th from 10pm to 2am.

More details and names soon. Stay tuned…

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PROM: People Are Still Writing About It

Patrick — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:50:29 +0000

Our last Prom post this year? Who knows. There are more photos and videos appearing on Bloomberg’s After Party website. Above, Chris Taylor, Betsy Fischer, Pamela Stevens and Michelle Marcello (Photo Credit: Mannie Garcia).

Washingtonian.

Perez Hilton.

HuffPo’s Rachel Sklar (forgive this editor’s pink pants).

The Corner.

BizBash.

Cynic’s Party.

Joel Achenbach.

Radar.

Marc Ambinder.

Scott Stanzel, Gretchen Hamel and Sean Stizer

Kevin Sheekey, Lex Fenwick

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PROM: Straight Talk Express Expressed Straight Into Bloomberg Party

Inky — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:34:17 +0000

Via The Stump at the New Republic, John McCain’s famed “Straight Talk Express” chauffeured several supporters to the Bloomberg after-party on Saturday night and they went straight to the front of the line:

There was, however, something especially untoward about the giant bus that rumbled up S Street to the door of the Costa Rican embassy around 11:30 p.m. and unloaded a throng of passengers who were ushered directly inside the party. That bus, as you can see below, was none other than John McCain’s fabled Straight Talk Express–that chariot of the working man, stallion of the downtrodden, mighty diesel-powered scourge of the clubby special interests who warp American democracy!

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