Comeuppance. Yeah, that’s the word we’ve been trying to think of.
CEOs and Hollywood stars got their comeuppance last weekend at the annual Kennedy Center Honors. Much to their chagrin, they discovered that George Bush was much warmer and more hospitable than Barack Obama.
Here’s how Variety, show so-called show biz bible, explains the comeuppance:
The show itself honoring Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro and Mel Brooks, among others, was a resounding hit, but the White House seemed to be still traumatized by the incursions of the social-climbing, state dinner-crashing Salahis.
While President Bush in past years shook every celebrity hand and posed for photos with visitors at the White House reception, the Obamas remained aloof, fleeing to their box at the Kennedy Center.
Stunned by recent security breaches, the White House kept guests shivering outside in 30-degree weather, opening the reception 10 minutes late and shuttling guests through 25 minutes of repeated screenings and pat-downs, all of which took place outside.
Several stars grumbled; one suggested to a social secretary that the Obama staff study the Academy Awards for lessons in celebrity management.
The story reaches a sad Hollywood dénouement:
White House staffers maintained a stony distance during this weekend’s events. Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff, sat with his wife for 20 minutes before Obama’s brief presentation Sunday, and hardly anyone approached him with a greeting, nor did he circulate.
“I never thought I’d miss the Bushes,” said one prominent Hollywood actor, “but this place seemed a lot warmer when they were here.”
It was probably just global warming, but don’t you worry, Hollywood. Barack Obama is over there in Hopenchangen fixing that little problem, too.
Source: Variety
