The Daily Show’s Aasif Mandvi gave fellow comedian Conan O’Brien a big thumbs up today, insisting he had the best joke of the night.

“Yeah, I thought he was good,” said Mandvi. “It’s a tough gig talking to people while they’re eating and following President Obama. I thought he was very funny and had the best joke of the night — the Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow joke.”

The joke involved comparing Obama and House Speaker John Boehner getting together to CNN’s Anderson Cooper and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. “Nothin’s gonna happen,” he cracked.

The highlight of Mandvi’s weekend? “I guess meeting Michelle from Downton Abbey. I’m a huge Downton Abbey fan.”

Mandvi’s impromptu review of O’Brien’s performance was told to FishbowlDC today at the Thomson-Reuters/Yahoo! News post prom night brunch at Hay Adams, where a variety of journalists were buzzing around the room.

Spotted in the mix: BuzzFeed‘s Evan McMorris-Santoro and publicist Ashley McCollum, who, while making fun of her own boat shoes, said it made her feel so good being at such a posh party. Also dotting the room was WaPo‘s Erik Wemple (from the ERIK WEMPLE BLOG) and Jack Shafer (where does he work again, Reuters?) as well as The Hill‘s Emily Goodin and Judy Kurtz (Howiella!) and Washingtonian‘s Carol Joynt. A journo who shall remain nameless and genderless somehow sneaked his or her way into the party without being on the list (yes, crashing a party, even at the opulent Hay Adams, can happen.)

Quotable: “If this wasn’t here I’d be shitting my pants.” — FBDC’s Eddie Scarry standing on the balcony of the Hay Adams, safely inside the wrought-iron railing.

Emily Miller, senior opinion editor for TWT, appeared on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360″ Thursday to debate the need for more federal regulations on guns. Miller is a gun enthusiast and TWT‘s resident expert on all things gun related.

Her segment with Cooper and Democratic Strategist Cornell Belcher was relatively tame, save for a few interruptions and exasperated sighs here and there.

During one of the livelier moments, Cooper, who argued at length for gun control, explained his impartiality. “The thing I don’t understand– and I asked the NRA this and I don’t take a position on this,” he said, “I’m not– it’s not my job. I’m not Piers Morgan here…” Miller jumped in here to say “Thank God.”

Morgan, whose own CNN program airs after Cooper’s (a re-run of 360 airs again after Morgan’s show), has been one of the most outspoken and aggressive TV personalities to call for more gun control since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary school.

Full video of Miller on “360″ here.

Just as we were flipping around the cable news networks last night looking for a fresh take on the Oscar Pistorious murder case, a new look at those blades at least, we realized no one was on it. So we settled for the next best thing: CNN’s Anderson Cooper and one hair clip short of a ponytaled Nancy Grace in full discussion about the Jodi Arias trial. Back and forth they went, marveling over Jody’s drastic dye job and how she couldn’t remember stabbing her boyfriend some 30 times.

And then who comes vaulting out of the Twitter peanut gallery and ruins it for us? Read more

CNN’s Anderson Cooper may not have the combativeness of Piers Morgan on the subject, but come Thursday he’ll be in Washington to host a town hall from George Washington University.

The topic: Gun control.

More details to follow.

AC360′s Town Hall: Guns Under Fire airs at 8 p.m.

Plump the pillows and freshen the fine linens. This one’s a real incestuous mess.

Sure, Wes Pruden, TWT‘s newly rehired opinion editor owes a fair amount of good will to TWT‘s newly reinstalled “Chief Digital Officer” John Solomon for supporting his syndicated column and helping to secure his return to the publication.

But at the expense of TWT?

In a move that boggles the mind and perplexes the soul, Pruden is promoting Solomon’s other journalistic venture, The Washington Guardian, while both men are working full-time at TWT. Although TWT and the Washington Guardian are presumably separate entities,  TWT occasionally prints Guardian stories. Guardian reporters have even worked out of TWT‘s snaky office building off New York Avenue. In a letter sent by email on January 10, Pruden urged friends to support The Guardian, describing it as “A news outlet keeping them honest in Washington.” Where’s CNN’s Anderson Cooper when we need him? It’s not as if  The Guardian is new, but Pruden presents it as if it is.

Our favorite incestuous line: Pruden writes, “As a bonus, I’ve arranged for Pruden & Politics followers to get a daily newsletter from the Washington Guardian with its top stories.” Whoa! What? What about TWT‘s top stories? Has he forgotten he works there now?

We reached out to Pruden on the matter and received no response.

See the letter…

Read more

It’s an award that might be best held at arms length, but Metro Weekly was named D.C.’s “best local gay news outlet” by the smartphone application Grindr yesterday.

Grindr is a type of GPS for gay and bisexual men, notoriously known as a tool for those who want sex at the drop of a leather hat.

“If Grindr members in the D.C. area think Metro Weekly is the best local source for gay news, I’m perfectly happy to say ‘Thanks!’ in return,” Metro Weekly publisher Sean Bugg told FishbowlDC. “Having my magazine read by sexually active gay men who look for boyfriends and hookups — and chats! sometimes we’re on just for chat! — is a plus, not a negative.”

Positive news to be proud of, for sure.

“I also enjoy being read by sexually active lesbians,” Bugg added. “Should they give us an award, too, I’d be happy to accept it.”

A few other notable awards from Grindr… Read more

WaPo‘s Jonathan Capehart addresses the delicate role journalists sometimes play in the course of their day jobs.

In his column, he praises CNN’s Anderson Cooper for helping a small boy in Haiti, who got hit in the head with a concrete block. “Cooper did what I would have done,” Capehart wrote. “At least, I hope I would have had that much courage.”

Capehart delves into the New York subway incident this week in which a freelance photographer shot a picture of a man who had been pushed from the platform and was about to die. His column indicates he thinks the photographer had time to help and didn’t take it… Read more

Today we have another installment of: “Ask Piranhamous Anything.” And we do mean anything. Send your queries to FishbowlDC@mediabistro.com. This isn’t an advice column — Piranhamous doesn’t know what the hell you should do with your life any more than you do — and worse, he doesn’t care. Try to keep your questions short — we want to keep this fun, simple and insightful.

1. So there is some discrepancy over whether the Daily Caller hooker story is a sex scandal or a reporting scandal. What do you think? 

When there’s a sex scandal I always error on the side of the media. Politicians are, for the most part, not good people. That’s not to say they’re all hooker-banging scum, or cheating scum, or even scum, but most of them are, um, “off.” There is a love of self only rivaled by media personalities and Hollywood-types. That they would feel entitled to do whatever they want to do isn’t news. Did Menendez sleep with hookers? If I were forced to bet I’d bet on yes. Do I know he did? Thankfully, no. But I can’t imagine anyone, not even Dominican hookers, claiming they slept with him if they didn’t. Brad Pitt, George Clooney, sure. Senator Menendez? Nope.

2. Are there any pundits on TV worth watching? If so, who? 

Every time FNC’s Charles Krauthammer opens his mouth people should listen. That said, I don’t know if that’s in keeping with the spirit of the question. My guess is you’re talking about physical looks. And since you used “pundit” I’m assuming you don’t mean hosts, so there goes the entire Fox line-up. There is no one on MSNBC who doesn’t look like they’ve seen better days when bell-bottoms were in style, so they’re off the list. Hmmm. To keep it androgynous I’ll name one of each gender. Anderson Cooper always looks well put together, which I realize is a gay stereotype but one they probably don’t mind. As for women, Imogen Lloyd Webber is easy on the eyes. Not always the brightest bulb on the tree, but listening wasn’t part of the question.

3. What do you think of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’ hair? How do you prefer it — straight or curly or the occasional corkscrew curls? 

Trick question. I don’t prefer her at all. But, since I’m paid to make the tough decisions, I have to step-up to the plate and make it. I have to go with straight. The less she looks like herself the better. If that sounds mean it’s only because I meant it to sound that way.

Quotes of the Day: Hurricane-Cyclone Sandy Edition

“DC, take it from Coco Pebbles Chanel: it never hurts to be prepared.” — The Hill’s Howlma Kurtz, a.k.a. Judy Kurtz with accompanying picture.

Mixed feelings: “TWIITTER, I HATE YOU…. OK, I LOVE YOU” — HuffPost‘s Sam Stein. NYT‘s Jonathan Weisman was less confused: “TV seems dull compared to Twitter. Reading my feed I eagerly turned on cable and … Meh.” And Assoc. Editor of The Atlantic Brian Fung slammed the medium: “Glad to know that even in the midst of a hurricane, the Internet is still capable of kicking up monstrously dumb debates. Whew.”

Dork in the Storm

“My wife just remembered we had a bunch of small airline-style bottles of booze squirreled away. #yesplease.” — MSNBC host Chris Hayes.

Morally outraged.

“Protip: Tweets that make political jokes about storm that’s killed at least five people are maybe not worth sending.” — Politico‘s Maggie Haberman.

“Twitter is great and all but it’s proving tonight why journalism with real reporting and sourcing is essential.” — The Hill‘s White House Correspondent and resident Michelle Obama Fan Club Prez Amie Parnes.

“My wife gave birth to our three children at NYU. Horrifying to think of what’s going on there now. Horrifying.” — Conservative writer and professional Twitter fighter John Podhoretz, affectionately known as PodWhore.

“Has the storm past DC and we are through the worst of it? Swear I can’t tell from the coverage.” — CNN Democratic Analyst Hilary Rosen.

“Sandy has taken down Buzzfeed AND Huffington Post! The horror!” — The Times of London‘s Matt Spence. Reacting to the news, Breitbart.com‘s John Nolte remarked sarcastically, “That’s a shame.”

Powerless.

“Lights out here in McLean, Virginia” — The Daily Mail’s Toby Harnden, who will join the UK Sunday Times in January. He posted the accompanying photo.

“NoVa storm update: Power out. Water in basement. Reading Cat in the Hat to 3-year-old by flashlight.” — The Atlantic‘s Molly Ball.

“Feeling stir crazy so went to neighborhood Izakaya place. Returned home to find cable + Internet down.” — The Atlantic‘s Garance Franke-Ruta.

“First electricity flicker. 4:32 p.m.” — HotAir‘s Mary Katharine Ham.

“Afraid for your power? Both the Gtown and West End Ritzs are offering $229 ‘Sandy’ rates for locals. Beats a night in the cold dark!” — Washingtonian Editor Garrett Graff, who likes to appreciate the finer things in life such as Scotch and beautiful hotels.

“And my power just went out here in North Bethesda Maryland. It was a good run folks.” — The Daily Caller‘s Matthew Boyle.

Journo upset about stew and other random complainers

“Sandy is whistling here in my neighborhood. Not as loud as a train coming through the alley or dump truck moving down the street. But loud!” — Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile.

“Afraid the storm-related low pressure is causing my stew to tenderize freakishly slowly.” — Slate economics reporter Matt Yglesias.

“Suddenly, insisting on having a top floor apartment seems like a bad idea. Sounds like debris is hitting my roof!” — The Daily Caller‘s Publicist Nicole Roeberg.

Storm Chasers

“The wind outside my window has very quickly gone from interesting to extremely troubling.” — MetroWeekly‘s Randy Shulman.

“Flying debris now showing like a fast-motion movie through my back window.” — WaPo‘s Erik Wemple.

Comic relief

“El Chucko de Schumer esta hoggingo el microphoño! Que learno to shareo!” — Miguel Bloombito, expressing the media whore tendencies of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).  If you’re not following him, you must: @ElBloombito.

“Anderson Cooper is doing a phoner on CNN so I have no idea how tight his shirt is. Therefore I have no idea how bad things are.” — NBC News’ Shawna Thomas, who later claimed to borrow a variation of a joke from SNL’s Seth Meyers.

“Sexual CNN Headlines.” — NYT comm asst. Jordan Cohen with accompanying picture.

“Oh thank God, David Corn is about to give us his perspective on Sandy on Hardball. Storm coverage is complete now.” — TownHall‘s Derek Hunter.

“Watching CNN coverage of Sandy giving me PTSD. Just put on my CNN windbreaker and started interviewing neighbors w/a plastic microphone.” — former CNN anchor Miles O’Brien.

See which blogger feared the storm might make her pregnant and what advice could MSNBC Contributor Meghan McCain possibly have?

Read more

Get ready for another installment of: “Ask Piranhamous Anything.” And we do mean anything. Send your queries to FishbowlDC@mediabistro.com. This isn’t an advice column — Piranhamous doesn’t know what the hell you should do with your life any more than you do — and worse, he doesn’t care. Try to keep your questions short — we want to keep this fun, funny and insightful.

1. Who do you find more physically and otherwise attractive: FNC’s Ed Henry or Bret Baier? (Just be glad I didn’t ask which one you’d rather spend eternity with on a deserted island.)

Bret. He’s solid, whereas Ed comes across as soft, like Jell-O. On a deserted island I get the feeling Ed would spend most of his time looking for a still pool of water to check his hair in, while Bret would get to work building a Gilligan’s Island style series of huts.

2. What do you think of CNN Anderson Cooper‘s continued and persistent talk about coming out of the closet?

Anderson being gay was the worst kept secret since McDonald’s “secret sauce” being thousand island dressing. That he feels the need to keep telling the world says more about him than the world. I don’t think he was prepared for everyone already knowing or not caring and it’s freaking him out. It’s also got to be a little liberating for him. Too bad it hasn’t translated into ratings.

3. Having gone to both conventions, who threw the better parties? Who was better organized? Which one was more fun?

They were both horrible in their own special way. Lots of old people at both, but the young people at the RNC seemed to be more willing to let their shortly cropped hair down and have fun than at the DNC. The parties themselves were just parties, people standing around drinking, but the RNC soirées seemed to embrace vices more. More smoking, more cigars, etc. The DNC parties, while there was plenty of booze, seemed to be more uptight. I realize this defies stereotypes, but the RNC were fun drunks and the DNC were angry drunks. So despite the weather being shit at both, worse at the RNC, I’d take Tampa over Charlotte any day.

4. Is it ever acceptable for journalists to coordinate on questions before a press conference takes place?

It’s not illegal or anything, but it sure shows a lack of creativity and thought. That Romney presser open-mic thing was embarrassing in that it exposed how drone-like journalists are. All but one of the questions were about process. Was there nothing else happening in the world? Those journalists don’t seem to realize we’re on to them. You’d think, or at least hope, a few of them might want to not play into the liberal bias stereotype. But no, they don’t. There’s nothing technically wrong with it, but if I was their boss I’d be pissed that they couldn’t come up with any substantive question instead of badgering Romney over timing. Last I checked, credibility is important in the news business. If your only question is what Ben LaBolt would ask, and you ask it after three others have asked it, you might be doing your job wrong.