WHCD: Have Camera, Will Make New Best Friends

Normally, I am one of those people who would rather eat glass than approach a celebrity. But put a notebook or a camera in my hands and poof, I have no shame at all.

I second Walter's take on comedian Wanda Sykes, who was a little beyondo for me as well when she said, "Rush Limbaugh says, "I hope the country fails.' I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?" (Not that El Rushbo isn't a tempting target, but can't they find somebody who's funny without crossing the line? And does that mean next year we'll have to do penance for her excesses by sitting through the comedy stylings of someone ultra-safe?)

In the top news of my night:

I spent 3.4 quality seconds with the president, and noted that he has surprisingly soft hands.

Told Samuel L. Jackson all about my kid who wants to direct and he was really nice about it – even offering absolution for my permissive standards on what movies a 13-year-old can watch. "I was the same way,'' he said. Whew!

Saw TomKat, but even with pen in hand had no desire to go there.

Can now say for certain that Kathleen Sebelius is not only super well-exfoliated but plain old gorgeous.

Sometimes, comedians are so much like the characters they play that you realize they're not playing at all. (Think Sarah Silverman.) But Amy Poehler was not in wacky mode last night.

N.Y. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter politely pretended to remember that I used to cover her when I was in my first job in Washington back in 1995, and said how after all these years, she still hates and despises dialing for dollars. (And I couldn't help wondering if all pols secretly live for the day they can say, "Heavens no, I don't remember you!")
Earlier in the day, I was so excited to meet Susan Eisenhower again. First, because she's a lovely person. And also because the day I interviewed her, also in 1995, was a big day in my life, the day I found out I was pregnant with twins. I guess if her grandfather were alive today, they'd be trying to kick him out of his party, too.

More From the White House Correspondents Dinner:
A History by Walter Shapiro
Stars Speak to Ordinary Humans by Lynn Sweet
Snark after Dark by Jill Lawrence
Amber Who? by Patricia Murphy