Obama, Sykes Bring Down the House

With Hollywood heavyweights strolling down the red carpet, paparazzi, and a bevy of screaming 'tweens, you'd think this year's White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night was a summer blockbuster movie première. As the fans ogled the likes of Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Robert DeNiro, and Glenn Close, the stars were there in hopes of catching a glimpse of or mingling with President Obama, the true A-lister of the evening. He did not disappoint.

Obama, with spot-on comedic timing, delivered an after-dinner speech laced with one-line zingers poking fun at Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Fox News, and Vice President Joe Biden. Here are a couple of the president's noteworthy quips, which had many people banging their tables, teary with laughter, and falling out of their seats:

"During the second 100 days, we will design, build, and open a library dedicated to my first 100 days. My next 100 days will be so successful, I will complete them in 72 days. And on the 73rd day, I will rest."

"Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight because they are grounded. You can't just take Air Force One on a joy ride around Manhattan. I don't care whose kids you are. And that reminds me: Tomorrow is Mother's Day. This is a tough holiday for Rahm. He's not used to saying the word day after mother."

The annual fete, cheekily dubbed "the nerd prom," packed 2,500 journalists, Washington elite, and celebrities into the Washington Hilton ballroom. It's the one night during the year when journalists toast the president and, in turn, when the president gets roasted. As the mistress of ceremonies, comedienne Wanda Sykes skewered the first couple and also took shots at Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh. Two jokes that may have gone too far, eliciting "oooohhhhs" from the crowd:

"I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker [on 9/11], but he was just so strung out on OxyContin he missed his flight. He needs a good waterboarding—that's what he needs."

Sykes also took a jab at Sarah Palin, saying she was scheduled to attend the dinner but then "pulled out at the last minute." "Somebody should tell her that's not really how you practice abstinence."

Special shout-out to an adorable Rashida Jones, a "big fan" of U.S. News!