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Celebrating 20 Years: 2012 Garden Brunch

April 27, 2013 By WHC Insider

Special Guests Tweet for a Cause

The 20th Annual Garden Brunch will kick off White House Correspondents Association’s weekend today. So we figured to honor our age–and wish the WHCA a happy 99th birthday–we’d look back at the last three years that lead up to where we are today.

Last year the gathering was once again held at the historic Beall-Washington House in Georgetown, graciously provided by Mark Ein. The brunch provided a bright spot to an otherwise cloudy day made better with the glittering collection of celebrities from Hollywood and Washington.

Lindsay Lohan’s arrival garnered special attention, as well as Elle Macpherson and Kerry Washington of the newly premiered show “Scandal.” Other special guests included Rosario Dawson, Kris Jenner, Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory”),
Chace Crawford and Matthew Morrison.

There was also a special appearance from Woody Harrelson, fresh off the HBO political drama “Game Change.” See below for video highlights:

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD, 2013 WHCD, Correspondents, DC Tagged With: 2012, Garden Brunch, Lindsay Lohan, Photos, Video, White House Correspondents Association

Did Greta Start a Trend? The Hill Declares Less Glitz at White House Correspondents Dinner

April 18, 2013 By WHC Insider

Special guests tweet "Let's find a Cure!"

First Greta Van Susteren announces she will not attend the 99th Annual White House Correspondents Dinner and now The Hill reports it will not be as star-driven. Here is Judy Kurtz report: “The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner — considered the glitziest and most buzzworthy event of Washington’s party season — appears to be a bit more low-key this year. Between the guest list absences of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars and a more subdued party scene, many folks working behind the scenes agree this year’s dinner will be decidedly more subdued. One shindig noticeably void from the soiree circuit this year is Funny or Die’s annual First Amendment Party. Last year’s high-caliber bash on the eve of the dinner had partygoers bumping and grinding at the event’s huge downtown space well into the wee hours of the morning.
The Hollywood Reporter, which last year held star-studded affair with Google at the W Hotel, is also ducking out of the Correspondents’ dinner limelight this time around. A publicist tells us “we aren’t doing anything this year.”

“I don’t know if it’s toned down or not,” Hollywood on the Potomac editor Janet Donovan said of the mood in town, “but it feels that way.” Donovan pointed to the lack of Anthony Weiner-sized headlines as a possible reason for the drop-off, saying that “perhaps because Hollywood celebrities are now more frequently in town, and we don’t really have a huge ‘five minutes of fame’ scandal-type this year.”

One veteran party planner, who wanted to remain anonymous so as not to upset clients, tells ITK that the nation’s capital could be suffering from presidential inauguration fatigue: “You know, we just had a major event in Washington. And then to have this, three months later almost to the day, and to do all the wrangling and all the huge productions again, it’s just kind of like — I think people will do it again big next year.” Fox News Channel’s Greta Van Susteren, who has brought head-turning guests such as Lindsay Lohan and Kim Kardashian to prior dinners, says she’s “taking a pass” on attending the fete this year. In a recent blog post, Van Susteren said she made another commitment out of town the weekend of the April 27 dinner. “I am sure everyone will have fun,” Susteren wrote, “it is the one day of the year that the media, politicians, entertainers etc. socialize together — but it can also be a bit exhausting as it is a 2½ day affair.” Donovan says Susteren’s tabloid-worthy guests always made for a colorful weekend, calling the time the “On the Record” host brought Ozzy Osbourne to the swanky dinner “one of the biggest celebrity gawking years.” Others tell ITK that political conventions and inaugural coverage broke the bank for many news organizations around town, allowing for fewer resources for the glam event. While big names such as Nicole Kidman, Jessica Alba and George Lucas are confirmed to attend as guests of various media companies — and there’s still time for more A-listers to be announced as VIP guests — the party planner tells ITK many celebs feel they’ve “done” the whole D.C. thing already: “If you look at the list of celebrities that have been here or attended since [President Obama has] been president, it’s like looking at an Academy Awards event. When they’ve been here once, they think they’ve checked the box.”

What about Kevin Spacey and the House of Cards cast? That’s glitz! Follow all the White House Correspondents Dinner action at WHCinsider.com

Filed Under: 2013 WHCD, Correspondents, News, WHCA Dinner Tagged With: George Lucas, Greta Van Susteren, House of Cards, Judy Kurtz, Kevin Spacey, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Kidman, The Hill, White House Correspondents Dinner

2nd Annual White House Correspondents’ Awards

May 7, 2012 By Tammy Haddad

WHCInsider.com presents the second annual WHC Weekend Insider Awards to highlight the great deeds of the famous and infamous who came to Washington to party, schmooze, and most importantly – be seen – at the events surrounding the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner.

It’s the biggest weekend in Washington, second only perhaps to Inauguration, which you clever kids know from civics class only comes once every four years (and without as many brunches).

Best Magician: Woody Harrelson who entertained young and old with his magical card tricks in Mark Ein’s backyard during the WH Correspondents’ Garden Brunch.

Greatest Act of Kindness: Lindsay Lohan delighting 10 year-old David Greenberg by telling him that she has Herbie (a Volkswagen Beetle aka “the Love Bug”) in her garage and he could drive it.

Not Represented by Bob Barnett: To the most successful and famous celebrity who is not on Bob Barnett’s client list, yet.  Elle Macpherson, entrepreneur, supermodel, and host of NBC’s Fashion Star.


Triple Threat: All the Emanuels – Mayor Rahm, Ari and Zeke at the Bloomberg Vanity Fair After Party.

Biggest IMDb Coincidence Award: Lindsay Lohan and Ali Wentworth, who both starred in Herbie the magical Volkswagen Bug movies (Herbie Fully Loaded and Disney’s The Love Bug, respectively), on opposite sides of the lawn at the Garden Brunch.

Best Unplanned Introduction: Comedy hit-maker Judd Apatow told the New York Times that meeting Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, “It was like meeting the person who created fire.”

WHCA DINNER Alicia Keys, Harvey Weinstein

Most Gracious: Alicia Keys happily posed with admiring fans who told her that her music touched their lives.  She even snapped her own fan photo with Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

Most Popular Human Rights Advocate: Rhodes scholar and WH advisor Ronan Farrow (son of Mia Farrow & Woody Allen). Ronan, don’t leave town!

Best Partier: George Clooney, who not only talked to everyone who approached him during all the festivities, but lasted until after 4:00 AM at the Bloomberg/ Vanity Fair After Party.

George Clooney Award: for the guy having the best time: Creative Artists Agency Executive Michael Kives because not only does he know everyone, he was also rolling with the beautiful and entertaining Kates – Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton and silver screen star, Kate Hudson.

Biggest Sports Mash-Up: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo talking XXXs and OOOs with Giants fan actor Daniel Radcliffe.

Favorite new WHCD Posse: Techies – Dick Costolo and Jack Dorsey from Twitter, Chamath Palihapitiya of Social +Capital Partnership, Hosain Rahman of Jawbone, Dennis Crowley of Foursquare, Mark Pincus of Zynga, Ali Pincus of One Kings Lane, and Brad Keywell, co-founder of Groupon.

Toughest job: Willie Geist having to work closely with Elle Macpherson and Rosario Dawson presenting super-hot Jamboxes to CURE Epilepsy & The White Ribbon Alliance donors.

Most Excited To Have Back In Town: Savannah Guthrie – is there anyone more respected or liked than this TODAY show co-host?

Best Repeat outfit: Politico’s Patrick Gavin who didn’t disappoint fans of his pink Argyle pants.

Best Liked Siblings: Georgetown Cupcakes’ Katherine Kallinis & Sophie LaMontagne for donating 1,800 delicious mini-cupcakes in support of CURE and the White Ribbon Alliance. Their generosity is endless and inspiring – have you heard of Operation Cupcake? They airlift cupcakes to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan every year!


Most Missed: Christopher Hitchens

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD Tagged With: DIck Costolo, Elle Macpherson, George Clooney, Lindsay Lohan, White House Correspondents Dinner

VIDEO: Greta Van Susteren Brings Lindsay Lohan to WHC Garden Brunch

April 28, 2012 By WHC Insider

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD Tagged With: 2012, Lindsay Lohan, WHC Garden Brunch

Celebrities Heat Up the Red Carpet at the WHCD Garden Brunch

April 28, 2012 By WHC Insider

The Red Carpet was red-hot at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Garden Party.  Wowing the crowd was supermodel Elle Macpherson, the beautiful actress Kate Hudson, fan favorite Kyle MacLachlan and his fabulous wife producer Desiree Gruber and “The Big Bang Theory” star Johnny Galecki.

Former Obama aide Reggie Love was seen chatting with Lindsay Lohan, while ExperiMentalist Gerard Senehi amazed guests with his jaw-dropping feats including bending quarters and levitating objects.

And guests from both coasts were loving the famous Georgetown Cupcakes, generously donated by sisters Katherine Kallinis and Sophie LaMontagne,  in support of The White Ribbon Alliance and CURE Epilepsy.

The Huffington Post captured the action here

Filed Under: 2012 WHC Garden Brunch Tagged With: Desiree Gruber, Elle Macpherson, Gerard Senehi, Johnny Galecki, Kate Hudson, Katherine Kallinis, Kyle MacLachlan, Lindsay Lohan, Reggie Love, Sophie LaMontagne., White House Correspondents’ Dinner Garden Party

The Starts Align at WH Correspondents' Dinner Garden Brunch

April 28, 2012 By WHC Insider

Georgetown was the center of the action today as Hollywood stars Lindsay Lohan, Matthew Morrison, and Chase Crawford joined political stars Valerie Jarrett, Gov. Jerry Brown and Haley Barbour and media hot shots Willie Geist, Greta van Susteren, and Arianna Huffington to support the White Ribbon Alliance and CURE Epilepsy at the 19th annual White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch.

Lindsay Lohan arrived with Greta van Susteren & John Coale, Kris Jenner and lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley and guests lined up to meet her and shake hands.  After listening to the speeches, Lohan wowed the young volunteers who lined up for photos.

Hosted by Tammy Haddad, Kevin Sheekey, Hilary Rosen, Clarke Camper, Mark Ein, Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, David Adler, Steve McMahon and Franco Nuschese, guests strolled through Ein’s home and marveled at all the star power.

Spotted in the crowd were Bob Barnett and Elle Macpherson, Kris Jenner, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington, Tim Daly and Woody Harrelson.

Hosain Rahman from Jawbone donated super-hot Jamboxes to anyone who made a significant donation to White Ribbon Alliance or CURE.  Elle Macpherson used her supermodel moxy to quiet the crowd as she, Rosario Dawson and Willie Geist presented the Jamboxes to the lucky donors including Bret Baier, Steve Schmidt and Steve Clemons.

Also honored at the event were Steve and Jean Case for their innovation and philanthropy and Susan Axelrod for her tireless work to find a cure for epilepsy.  GOP power house Alex Castellanos moved the crowd with his speech about Lauren Axelrod’s struggle with relentless seizures.  Both Susan and David Axelrod had tears in their eyes as Alex recounted the family’s battle with their daughter’s illness.

Steve and Jean Case accepted their award from NYSE Euronext’s Clarke Camper with a beautiful reminder that everyone has the power to help people in need.

You can watch the program from the Garden Brunch tonight on C-SPAN prior to the live broadcast of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Arianna Huffington, Bill Knapp, Bob Barnett, Bret Baier, Chase Crawford, Clarke Camper, David Adler, David Axelrod, Elle Macpherson, Franco Nuschese, Gov. Jerry Brown, Greta Van Susteren, Haley Barbour, Hilary Rosen, Jean Case, John Coale, Kate Hudson, Kerry Washington, Kevin Sheekey, Kris Jenner, Lindsay Lohan, Mark Ein, Matthew Morrison, Rosario Dawson, Steve Case, Steve Clemons, Steve McMahon, Steve Schmidt, Susan Axelrod, Tammy Haddad, Tim Daly, Valerie Jarrett, Willie Geist, Woody Harrelson. Hosain Rahman

Lindsay Lohan joins Susan Axelrod at White House Correspondents' Brunch

April 28, 2012 By WHC Insider

Shawn Chapman Holley, Kris Jenner, Greta Van Susteren, Lindsay Lohan, Susan Axelrod, John Coale

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD, Causes Tagged With: Brunch, CURE Epilepsy, Lindsay Lohan, Susan Axelrod, WHCD

Greta and John bring LiLo to WHCD

April 24, 2012 By WHC Insider

Another Van Susteren WHCD first: Kim Kardashian in 2010

Greta Van Susteren and her husband, attorney John Coale have won the booking sweepstakes this year by scoring Lindsay Lohan as their guest for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.   Since her move to Fox 10 years ago, Greta has been wowing Washington insiders and making headlines by snagging the hottest guests.

It was a scene like none other when President George W. Bush, at his first dinner mentioned Greta and John’s guest, Ozzy Osbourne, who was at the height of his reality show fame.  Last year, Van Susteren surprised everyone by bringing Sarah Palin to the WH Correspondents’ Dinner to mingle with the “gang of 600”, the top politicos and policymakers, something no one ever thought would happen.

Van Susteren has had the number 1  show on Fox for 10 years, and  never shies away from a controversy or a question.

Here is how FishbowlDC broke the big story.

Filed Under: 2012 WHCD, Entertainment Tagged With: George W. Bush, Greta Van Susteren, John Coale, Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan, Ozzy Osbourne, Sarah Palin, WH Correspondents' Dinner

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About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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