InfoAnda - Fewer jokes in Obama White House? Comedians wonder

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Thousands of Thai protesters defy deadline to leave | 17 May 2010
Iraq eyes top spot after oil auction 'victory' | 12 December 2009
Ponting ton keeps Aussies on course for whitewash | 16 September 2009

Cloud computing needs better contracts: EC | | 19 July 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Fewer jokes in Obama White House? Comedians wonder | Entertainment |

My Profile Postcards to the President Messages from citizens around the world Watch Now You are here: Home > News > Entertainment > Article Home Business & Finance News U.S. Politics International Technology Entertainment Film Music People Television Arts Industry Sports Lifestyle Oddly Enough Environment Health Science Special Coverage Video Pictures You Witness The Great Debate Blogs Reader Feedback Do More With Reuters RSS Widgets Mobile Podcasts Newsletters You Witness News Make Reuters My Homepage Partner Services CareerBuilder Affiliate Network Professional Products Support (Customer Zone) Reuters Media Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Fewer jokes in Obama White House? Comedians wonder Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:26pm EST Email | Print | Share | Reprints | Single Page [-] Text [+] By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's historic victory does not bode well for comedians who have thrived on jokes about President George W. Bush, experts say. Obama, who was backed by many Hollywood figures, will be inaugurated on January 20 as the United States' first black president against a backdrop of a global financial crisis and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whether because he was the favorite of left-leaning comics, the historic nature of his election or that so far he has made few gaffes, comedians are finding little to joke about so far. "Obama's election is great for our country but bad for comedy," said Michael Musto, a columnist for New York City's Village Voice. "He is an earnest, intelligent person trying to rescue a country in crisis and that's not all that hilarious." "Comedy thrives when there are buffoonish targets," he said. "Traditionally shows like 'Saturday Night Live' have done best when dealing with people like President (Gerald) Ford, who couldn't stand upright all the time, or (Bush) who couldn't say nuclear, or Sarah Palin who didn't know Africa's a continent." Ratings for NBC's long-running comedy TV show "Saturday Night Live" soared during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign, fueled by actress Tina Fey's impersonation of Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. And satirical news shows such as Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" and late-night talk show hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno have had regular comedy ammunition during Bush's eight years in office. "Barack Obama so far has been a comedian's nightmare," said Robert Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University. Even Obama joked at a dinner in New York, where both he and his Republican rival John McCain made fun of themselves, that his greatest weakness was, "I'm a little too awesome." 'GIVE ME SOME MATERIAL TO WORK WITH' CBS's "The Late Show with David Letterman" has regularly featured a segment called "Great Moments in Presidential Speeches" that pokes fun at Bush's public speaking and Leno, who hosts NBC's "The Tonight Show," lamented Obama's win. "I've got to admit, as a comedian, I'm going to miss President Bush because Barack Obama is not easy to do jokes about, he doesn't give you a lot to go on," he told his audience the day after the November 4 election. "See this is why God gave us (Vice President-elect) Joe Biden." Bush also complained about the difficulty of joking about Obama, well before the senator declared himself a presidential candidate. "Senator Obama, I wanted to do a joke on you, but it's like doing a joke on the pope," Bush told a dinner in Washington in 2006. "Give me some material to work with here. You know, mispronounce something." But Liam O'Brien, a professor of media production at Quinnipiac University, said all is not lost because "progressive comedians will continue to wile away at what is left of the Republican Party" and Obama is bound to give them some material to work with at some point. Continued... View article on single page Share: Del.icio.us Digg Mixx My Web Facebook LinkedIn Next Article: Hulu, YouTube, iTunes take a walk on Sesame Street Also on Reuters Slideshow 2002 Bali blasts: From the bombing to the executions Going raw and organic sparks life change -- and a movie Video Unseen pictures released for 90th anniversary of WWI Editor's Choice Pictures Video Articles Slideshow A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow Paloma strikes robot legs Kayak to work Business: Circuit City files for bankruptcy protection Lifestyle: Hard times prompt increase in smoking Environment: Fishing threatens Atlantic sharks Most Popular on Reuters Articles Video Recommended Sarah Palin leaves door open to future campaigns Obama daughters asked to appear on "Hannah Montana" Britney Spears son released from hospital: report | Video Laura Bush shares White House tips with Michelle Obama AIG gets $150 billion government bailout; posts huge loss Obama tries being regular guy for a while longer Obama makes historic White House visit Recession fears eclipse AIG rescue, China stimulus Fed OKs American Express as bank holding company "Little House on the Prairie," adults-only version! Most Popular Articles RSS Feed Video Unseen WW1 pictures released Volcano rumbles in Ecuador. Bodies found in burnt-out bus Obama's historic White House visit Talk of the Town: Spears' son Michelle Obama as First Lady Cubans return home after hurricane. Economic Transition Obama, Bush meet at White House Choc chic - more cocoa than Chanel Most Popular Videos RSS Feed Reuters Deals The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators Knowledge to Act Reuters.com: Help and Contact Us | Advertise With Us | Mobile | Newsletters | RSS | Interactive TV | Labs | Reuters in Second Life | Archive | Site Index | Video Index Thomson Reuters Corporate: Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Professional Products | Professional Products Support | About Thomson Reuters | Careers International Editions: Africa | Arabic | Argentina | Brazil | Canada | China | France | Germany | India | Italy | Japan | Latin America | Mexico | Russia | Spain | United Kingdom | United States Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Monday, 10 November 2008
Netanyahu: Peace talks will continue if elected
Iran: Talks show US-backed peace process' failure
US authorities announce restructuring of aid to AIG
Nkunda warns Africa not to send troops against him | International |
Mugabe says to form Zimbabwe unity government soon | International |
South Africa mourns singer Makeba, 'mother' of the nation
EU moves closer to restart of EU-Russia talks | International |
Exiled Thaksin seeks new base to fight enemies | International |
Sri Lanka rejects latest Tiger truce offer | International |
Jerusalem mayoral race highlights religious rifts | International |
Woman believed abducted by North Korea alive: brother | International |
France wants emerging market nations to join G-7
HSBC profits rise despite rising US bad debts
Hong Kong stocks rise on China stimulus plan
Taiwan loosens payment conditions to help DRAM makers
Oil prices rally on China stimulus package
YouTube to post full-length MGM films | Technology |
China stimulus plan fuels hope for new investment
MP3 player headphones may hinder pacemakers | Technology |
Oil prices rally on China stimulus package
Taiwan dollar ends flat after interest rate cut
World oil prices more than two dollars higher
Pakistan c.bank suspends exchange company licence
Google CEO on Obama tech czar job: No thanks | Technology |
China completes aircraft makers' merger: report
Glenn Close honored for work in Hollywood | Entertainment |
Israel must give up land for peace: Olmert
Bombings kill 31 in Baghdad during morning commute
Baghdad triple bomb kills 28; teenage girl strikes | International |
Ubisoft buys Massive Entertainment videogame studio
2,000-year-old gold earring found in Jerusalem
US expands record bailout of insurance giant AIG
Gaza's power plant halted as Israel blocks fuel
U.S. urges Russia to talk again over missile shield | International |
Israel resuming fuel shipments to Gaza
Turkish military shells northern Iraq: guard | International |
Baghdad market blasts kill 28 in deadliest recent attack
Mexico names criminal lawyer new interior minister | International |
U.S. judge dismisses case over Egypt hotel bombing | International |
Baghdad starts paying anti-Qaeda militias
Olmert says time running out for two-state solution | International |
Holocaust survivors ask freeze on Pius XII sainthood | International |
Canada denies any Taliban exchanged for journalist | International |
US unveils Mexican consulate in busiest visa city
Nigeria militants threaten new oil war if attacked | International |
S.Korea won down 2.4 pct; econ worries drag
Dell quells rumors about new music player | Technology |
Japan's current account surplus down in September
Seoul shares open lower led by tech exporters
Microsoft strikes Web search deal with Sun | Technology |
Obama arrives at White House for first visit as president-elect
China stimulus plan fuels hopes for global growth
Iraqi spokesman says US security offer not enough
DTV ad gets mileage in race car crash: FCC chief | Technology |
Hulu, YouTube, iTunes take a walk on Sesame Street | Technology |
Global stocks get boost from Chinese stimulus package
Texting while driving is bad, doctors agree | Technology |
Ecuador to ask OPEC for exception to cutbacks
China stimulus plan fuels hopes for new investment
Pakistan's Oct trade gap narrows to $1.94 bln
Highfield leaves Kangaroo for Microsoft | Technology |
Pakistan rates to rise under any IMF deal-govt source
Virgin Mobile swings to profit, helped by Helio | Technology |
Britney Spears son hospitalized for food reaction | Entertainment |
Actress Sienna Miller wins privacy damages | Entertainment |
Superheroes will battle for People's Choice honors | Entertainment |
Danny Boyle shakes routine on Slumdog Millionaire | Entertainment |
Movie of human Ataturk stirs emotions in Turkey | Entertainment |
Hulu, YouTube, iTunes take a walk on Sesame Street | Entertainment |
Father: Cal State student bailed out of Iran jail
Britney Spears's son hospitalized: statement
Kim Jong-il had possible 2nd stroke: reports | International |
Intel dives into medical market with home health monitors
Swiss fear more pressure on bank secrecy after Obama victory
UN warns of possible violence in Iraq elections
Australian PM faces censure over Bush G20 call | International |
Obama, Bush discuss world of challenges
China police chief arrests 48 relatives | International |
China jails security officers for fatal beating | International |
Thousands flock to see Nepal's mystery Buddha boy | International |
Big global investors urge action on climate change
Chavez says consul in Houston stripped of post
Cell phone shopping makes wallets redundant in Japan | Technology |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,193
Financial crisis closes in on GM
Seoul shares fall 2 pct; tech firms and banks drop
Korea Hot Stocks- Hanjin Shipping falls on weak Q3 results
GM Daewoo mulls temporary shutdown amid sales slump
Global crisis hits over 1,300 south China firms: report
NZ dlr off lows, risk appetite dominates; debt firm
Obama daughters asked to appear on Hannah Montana | Entertainment |
Macau's chief executive expected to bid to boost economy
S.Korean won down on recession fears, trims losses
A Raisinet recession at movie theaters | Entertainment |
Britney Spears son released from hospital: report | Entertainment |
Six months after deadly China quake, jobs are key to recovery
Nepal eyes tourism boom in midst of peace and democracy
14 cartoons seek 3 Oscar berths | Entertainment |
Fewer jokes in Obama White House? Comedians wonder | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01