Apologies Are in Order

I would imagine that at least some of you saw (at least) clips of the White House Correspondents Association dinner over the weekend.  I didn't watch it live or taped, preferring to see a baseball game or a seven-year-old binge-watch of Big Brother, or a blank screen, to watching the dinner.

I did, however, read through the full transcript of the words spoken by the guest "comedian", in this case Michelle Wolf.  I can't really say anything about her personally, as I had never heard of her before, and personal comments probably aren't worthwhile in this piece.

The first I heard of what she had said was on the news, which was in clips that were noteworthy for the audible gasps of shock by attendees, and the notable lack of laughter in the large and crowded venue.  The gasps were a bit surprising in and of themselves, since the overwhelming majority of the audience were between left-leaning and left-fallen-completely-over.  But they were clearly reacting to what we would call "way over the top", personal, sexual and excretory references when trying to make fun of the president and his press secretary.

I heard, the next morning, a good description of how the "comedian" gets the gig.  The president of the Association selects the comic for the dinner and, we'd like to think, gives the guest comedian at least a rundown on the boundaries for the evening.  Ed Henry, then the Fox correspondent and president of the WHCA a couple three years back, invited Conan O'Brien, wanting someone professional enough to understand those limits.

"Professional" would not have applied to Miss Wolf, certainly not given the reaction to her words -- clearly she managed to offend liberals, which is normally easy to do, fragile people that they are, but who are not usually offended when it is one of their own doing the offending.

In this case, the embarrassing words were directed at Sarah Sanders, the press secretary, who it should be pointed out was an invited guest, actually up on the dais.  Mrs. Sanders was not invited to a roast of Sarah Sanders, if you get my point.  But the words from Miss Wolf were personal, incredibly bullying, and unpleasant, particularly when directed at the one person the White House press corps needs to work with to gain access.

Mrs. Sanders, it should also be noted, has actually facilitated access to President Trump that the correspondents never got with Barack Obama, as this president is actually willing to communicate with the press, as exemplified by the informal Q&A sessions he has on the White House lawn shortly before leaving on trips.

To her eternal credit, Mrs. Sanders showed far more grace in gritting her teeth at her dais seat and saying nothing -- and, of course, not being given an opportunity to -- than Miss Wolf may in her entire life.

I only heard excerpts, censored for television, on the news yesterday morning.  When I read the full transcript, I was truly shocked at the profanity and use of words that we don't use in public if we have a shred of dignity.  Here it is, if you need to read it.  I certainly do not need to, a second time.

Is this humor today?  Is this what comedians are paid to do anymore?

I think that the WHCA president needs, particularly in light of the reaction by the disgusted audience, to issue a public apology to Mrs. Sanders, and perhaps anyone else equally attacked.  I also hope that Mrs. Sanders, in her press briefing today, finds the most classy way to respond in her introduction before taking questions.

I'm not holding my breath, but it sure would be a positive gesture by the Association, both for themselves, for professional women everywhere, and for lovers of cleaner comedy.

Copyright 2018 by Robert Sutton
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