"The White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) Dinner is an annual, tradition-rich gala held in Washington, D.C.that brings together journalists, politicians, and celebrities to celebrate the First Amendment. Founded in 1921, the event raises funds for journalism scholarships, often featuring a comedic entertainer and a address from the President."

Its a high profile event, and this year Oz Pearlman is the entertainer rather than getting a comedian like usual.

What material can he perform that won't 1)upset the administration? 2)translate to a televised dinner celebrating the first amendment?
Is this gig a slam dunk for him, or has he painted himself into a corner?

One of his more famous tricks involves a questionable phone app that essentially hacks someone's phone, so do you think matters of national security will impair his performance? He obviously can't use that trick on anyone in the administration.

The Comedians traditionally lightly roast the administration, do you think Oz will perform any tongue in cheek material or will he do a straight up "think of something, this is what you thought of" routine?

I'm sure he was chosen because he's a pretty milktoast material mentalist, do you think he'll push the envelope AT ALL, or will he just play ball?

How's that?

Why would he push the envelope? He will do EXACTLY what he has been hired to do like any other professional performer. He will have guidelines that he agrees to and will stay well within them just like any professional performer. I don't even see why this is a question of any sort?

He is going to do things that 100% work 100% of the time. He was chosen because he is a professional. It is that simple.

Why do magicians look for controversy where none exists? He has landed one of the most high profile gigs on the planet. He will do exactly what is asked of him because he didn't get where he is by not doing so.

And by the way he is working for and catering to the tastes of the most powerful people on the planet. What a bunch of magician/mentalist wannabes posting about it on a magic message board during their break at work probably doesn't really come into his thinking much, if at all.

Was going to respond, but Danny nailed it much better than I would have.

Reagan seemed to love getting roasted by Don Rickles.

Might have. But I guarantee every word was cleared.

All my point is was that it humanized Reagan seeing him laugh at himself. Speaking only of that interaction- it was a good show and his reactions made Reagan look good. I don't have anything else to say on it.

I'm trying to keep it succinct and apolitical.

I thought Dick Cheney had one of the most memorable lines at one of these sorts of event.

He told the story of asking his wife if it bothered her when people referred to him as Darth Vader. She responded “no, it humanizes you”. Gawd that was funny.

Getting roasted by Rickles was a badge of honor!