On Saturday in Washington, journalists and Hollywood escaped the sweltering heat to talk politics and toast sweating flukes of champagne. But the mingling occurred hours before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was set to begin. The likes of Jake Tapper, Van Jones, and Alysia Reiner (Orange is the New Black) descended upon DAR Constitution Hall for Samantha Bee’s shadow version of the annual gala.
“Not the White House Correspondents’ Dinner”— hosted by Bee and her team at TBS — was billed as a tribute to the first amendment. Event staff were stuffed into “Free Press” t-shirts and seats were removed from the orchestra section of the hall, replaced with the same circular tables that would be used later that evening down the street at the official event.
Bee, energized by the vibe from the 2,600 attendees, worked the concert stage and took biting shots at both President Trump and the press throughout her hour and a half pre-taped show.
The highlight of the afternoon was special guest Will Ferrell, who reprised his role as former President George W. Bush from his Saturday Night Live days and walked out onstage smoking a lit cigarette.
“How you like me now?,” he asked the crowd, his voice tinged with a thick twang. “Quick presidential update: I’m doing quite well, thank you. History’s proven to be kinder to me than many of you thought.”
Check out the highlights from Samantha Bee’s anti-correspondent dinner below.
Comedians Make Cameos to Roast Trump
Jake Tapper Grills Samantha Bee
Will Ferrell Reprises Role As George W. Bush
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