TIL there's this big charity dinner thing in NYC, the Al Smith dinner (that's not the full formal name).
TIL there's this big charity dinner thing in NYC, the Al Smith dinner (that's not the full formal name). Yes, it is named for that Al Smith (see: American political history). It is a major fundraiser for Catholic Charities, and specifically helping moms and kids in need. It comes complete with its own Cardinal. It's also a big political event during presidential election years. I did not know this * shrug *.
It seems it is traditional to invite the presidential candidates and they speak and it's all a light-hearted, self-deprecating bonhomie sort of event. Until tonight. I don't know what the joke writers tried to write, but what the candidates ended up with had some moments of not so light-hearted, not so bon, homie. Apparently, this was considered tres gauche.
Not as precedent breaking as the booing, however. A room full of wealthy (not rich, wealthy) people in white tie and tails simply does not boo. Unless, it seems, Trump's writers let him be a polite version of him. They (the guests) seemed ... displeased. Per the commentatoria, in 71 years no one has ever booed at this event. Another achievement unlocked in election 2016.
Other things of note:
- One joke that landed well and seemed pretty good was when Sec'y Clinton was talking about how the Cardinal should be recognized for having gotten two rivals who really didn't like each other to attend the same dinner - Mario Cuomo and Bill de Blasio. Ba-dum-ching!
- Rudy Giuliani is the evil, dark mirror side of Waldorf and Statler, particularly Statler. Of course, that could be because the event was held at the Waldorf. Huh, huh? Swidt? Funny! Anyway, you could see him when they panned during one point when Mme. Nasty was speaking saying 'what? idgi'. Which was nothing compared to when she actually made a joke at his expense and, oy, that was not a happy face. Evil Statler, totally.
- Omg, Maria Bartiromo looks so much like Sophia Loren. It doesn't hurt that she was dressed like old Hollywood, but, sheesh! Also, whoever did the seating had her right behind the speaker's podium where you could see her in every shot. Of course, because of how that got angled when they did a tighter focus on the speaker you got to see the lovely draping of her neckline. Ahem. Yep, still looks like Sophia Loren. What? Don't line up the speaker's podium with her pectoralis!
- Somebody is going to screen grab that unfortunate moment when Hillary had her hands up, for the briefest of seconds, like Evita. Swear to god. I don't think she realized she did that, but I will be shocked, shocked, I tell you, if no one makes hay out of that.
- That was a gorgeous iridescent apple green taffeta gown Gayle King was wearing. At least it looked like taffeta, she didn't get any close-ups.
- Donald and Hillary shook hands at the end of the dinner. Rumor has it that was orchestrated by the Cardinal.
- Hillary got a noticeable lot more applause both before and after she spoke.
- Donald shook lots of hands and left within minutes of the end of the dinner. Hillary was there forever with people trying to talk to her, take pictures, shake her hand. Man, what a Secret Service nightmare.
So, yeah. This was not the traditional light-hearted fancy dress party of years past, but you can't have everything. I mean, at least they raised six million dollars for charity.
It seems it is traditional to invite the presidential candidates and they speak and it's all a light-hearted, self-deprecating bonhomie sort of event. Until tonight. I don't know what the joke writers tried to write, but what the candidates ended up with had some moments of not so light-hearted, not so bon, homie. Apparently, this was considered tres gauche.
Not as precedent breaking as the booing, however. A room full of wealthy (not rich, wealthy) people in white tie and tails simply does not boo. Unless, it seems, Trump's writers let him be a polite version of him. They (the guests) seemed ... displeased. Per the commentatoria, in 71 years no one has ever booed at this event. Another achievement unlocked in election 2016.
Other things of note:
- One joke that landed well and seemed pretty good was when Sec'y Clinton was talking about how the Cardinal should be recognized for having gotten two rivals who really didn't like each other to attend the same dinner - Mario Cuomo and Bill de Blasio. Ba-dum-ching!
- Rudy Giuliani is the evil, dark mirror side of Waldorf and Statler, particularly Statler. Of course, that could be because the event was held at the Waldorf. Huh, huh? Swidt? Funny! Anyway, you could see him when they panned during one point when Mme. Nasty was speaking saying 'what? idgi'. Which was nothing compared to when she actually made a joke at his expense and, oy, that was not a happy face. Evil Statler, totally.
- Omg, Maria Bartiromo looks so much like Sophia Loren. It doesn't hurt that she was dressed like old Hollywood, but, sheesh! Also, whoever did the seating had her right behind the speaker's podium where you could see her in every shot. Of course, because of how that got angled when they did a tighter focus on the speaker you got to see the lovely draping of her neckline. Ahem. Yep, still looks like Sophia Loren. What? Don't line up the speaker's podium with her pectoralis!
- Somebody is going to screen grab that unfortunate moment when Hillary had her hands up, for the briefest of seconds, like Evita. Swear to god. I don't think she realized she did that, but I will be shocked, shocked, I tell you, if no one makes hay out of that.
- That was a gorgeous iridescent apple green taffeta gown Gayle King was wearing. At least it looked like taffeta, she didn't get any close-ups.
- Donald and Hillary shook hands at the end of the dinner. Rumor has it that was orchestrated by the Cardinal.
- Hillary got a noticeable lot more applause both before and after she spoke.
- Donald shook lots of hands and left within minutes of the end of the dinner. Hillary was there forever with people trying to talk to her, take pictures, shake her hand. Man, what a Secret Service nightmare.
So, yeah. This was not the traditional light-hearted fancy dress party of years past, but you can't have everything. I mean, at least they raised six million dollars for charity.
Pete says: Since 1980, this custom has been affected by friction between the Democratic Party and the Catholic Church over abortion.[5] During the 1980 dinner, Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter was booed.[5]
ReplyDeleteHow weird is it that they're now booing the Republican?
Also: During the 2000 dinner, George W. Bush joked, "This is an impressive crowd. The haves and the have-mores. Some people call you the elite. I call you my base."[9]
So I guess the "Trump is for the 1%" meme also doesn't quite work.
Also also, there's a West Wing episode titled The Al Smith Dinner.
Shows how much I was paying attention. They did mention the abortion disinvitation thing, and made a similar comment about how this is usually a friendly place to Republicans. And I completely don't remember the Al Smith episode of West Wing. Of course, I'm old and bitter about politics, now, so that may have something to do with it.
ReplyDelete