WATCH: Chris Christie and celebrities search for his golden fleece
The GOP New Jersey governor and a bunch of Democratic-leaning guest celebrities parody the idea that the clothes make the man
Politicians almost never go wrong by poking fun at themselves. Typically we see this at the national level when the press and the president gather each year for the White House Correspondents' Dinner. New Jersey's version of this annual gathering, it turns out, is more of a roast, with the press performing gently mocking song-and-dance numbers — and in the case of Gov. Chris Christie (R), poking fun at his weight.
The big topic at Tuesday night's dinner was Christie's lap-band weight-loss surgery, revealed publicly earlier in the day. "I guess Springsteen's not the band closest to the governor's heart," quipped local radio reporter Kevin McArdle, the evening's master of ceremonies. But Christie got the last laugh — and it didn't even involve any fat jokes.
In a short, seven-minute video, Christie manages to make fun of his own political aspirations, adoration of Bruce Springsteen, lovefest with MSNBC's Morning Joe, and the idea that the suit makes the man — and he does it with the help of Alec Baldwin, James Carville, Jon Bon Jovi, Saturday Night Live's Bobby Moynihan, celebrities not generally associated with Republican politics. The premise of the skit is that Christie's enviable popularity is intimately tied to the fleece he wore in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Watch Christie's humorous odyssey for his golden fleece above.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published