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Billy Eichneris happy to be back at the “strange intersection of Hollywood and politics” that theWhite House Correspondents' Dinnerinspires in Washington, D.C., where journalists, celebrities, and politicians mix during a weekend of parties, laughs and formal wear.
“It’s all bizarre and absurd,” Eichner says of the typically annual event, which took a two-year hiatus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic but returns to the Washington Hilton Saturday.
Eichner, 43, arrived Friday in the nation’s capital from Las Vegas, where he debuted the trailer for hisupcoming movieBrosat CinemaCon.
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“The goal was just to make a funny, heartwarming movie,” he says. “Yet something we couldn’t have predicted is now happening, which is that we’re seeing this whole new wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation. It’s not just Florida. It’s happening all over and it’s targeting kids and teenagers and trans kids and trans teenagers.”
“These are the most vulnerable people in my community and some of the most vulnerable people in our country,” Eichner said, calling Gov. DeSantis and others “dangerous” for their support of the legislation.
Though some conservative lawmakers have positioned themselves in opposition to the liberal elements of Hollywood, Eichner praised the entertainment industry for embracing progressive values.
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“It’s taken people in Hollywood and people who work in culture to push our country forward when our politics were a step behind,” he said, though he acknowledged that “Hollywood is incredibly hypocritical.”
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“For better or worse,” he continued, “that’s just how it’s been especially when it comes to an issue that’s very close to my heart, LGBTQ issues, right? Hollywood and the culture have always been a step ahead of what the politics were. And that’s been very, very helpful for people like me.”
The way entertainment can shape politics — and reach audiences who might not be interested in, say, health care policy — was a popular topic at the party Friday, which Funny or Die owner Henry Muñoz III and CEO Mike Farah also attended along with stars likeGayle King,Brooke Shields,Harry Hamlinand his daughterAmelia Gray Hamlin.
“WhenPresident Obamaneeded to explain the Affordable Care Act, he enlisted Funny or Die and satBetween Two FernswithZach Galifianakis,” said Muñoz, an activist and former finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who acquired the comedy brand last year.
“Comedy as escapism is so important right now,” Farah told PEOPLE of how humorous content can soothe during a time of divisive politics. “Comedy always wants to speak truth to power so if you can find a way to entertain people, let them forget about what’s going on but also never forget the power of great comedy and a great show and the visibility — I think that’s what most comedians are working to balance right now.”
They aren’t the only ones. President Biden’s attendance at the Correspondents' Dinner is meant to “showcase his support for the free press,” the White House said earlier this week. However, he’s also expected to make the journalists, celebrities, and comedians in the audience laugh with a few jokes of his own.
“Joe Biden is funny,” he said. “I don’t know exactly what he’s going to say. I went to the White House today and got a little bit of a sneak peek but I’m not going to tell you.”
source: people.com
