Joel McHale Will Host White House Correspondents’ Dinner

by Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times

It’s still unknown if the TV show Community will reach its long-stated goal of six seasons and a movie, but Joel McHale will at least get an opportunity to plead his case to President Barack Obama. The Community star and The Soup host has been announced as the host of this year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

The annual dinner in Washington, hosted by the White House Correspondents’ Association, has had an increasingly Hollywood bent to it in recent years, with more and more celebrities appearing as guests.

McHale will sit at the head table, along with the president and first lady and will perform a comedy routine for the association’s centennial dinner. The WHCA was founded in 1914.

“We’re thrilled that Joel will headline the dinner when we celebrate our centennial,” said WHCA President Steven Thomma in a statement. “He’s sharp, funny and just the type of comic who can navigate the unique challenge of our dinner, making fun of Democrats, Republicans and especially the news media. Washington can use a little good-natured ribbing.”

Hosts in recent years have included Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Jay Leno. The president usually performs a little comedy himself, getting in digs at various members of his staff and the press.

The dinner has come under increasing criticism in recent years by people who feel the event creates the feeling of a clubby, friendly relationship between the administration and the people whose job it is to cover them.

On Twitter, McHale told fans, “My material will be equally offensive to all & over within 30 min — just like a Congressional work year.”

Photo: Gage Skidmore via Flickr