Seth Meyers, “Saturday Night Live” head writer and anchor of “Weekend Update," will be the host of the 2011 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Politico reported on Wednesday.
Meyers will serve as master of ceremonies at the annual event — scheduled for April 30, 2011 in Washington — joining a long list of legendary comedians (like Bob Hope, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Al Franken and Stephen Colbert) that have hosted it.
Last year, Jay Leno served as host — though the association’s selection was made before NBC’s late night debacle.
In Meyers, the WHCA gets a solid, relatively non-partisan comedian. And Meyers has hosted big events before — including ESPN's ESPY Awards and the Webbys.
The annual tradition — which has become part celebration, part presidential roast — began in 1920. It's become very much a see-and-be-seen affair, with a big Hollywood presence invading the clubby D.C. media scene. (A few years ago, political blogger and pundit Ana Marie Cox aptly referred to the evening as "nerd prom," a phrase that's stuck.)
This year could be a little different, however, as the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton is scheduled for the same weekend — April 29 at Westminster Abbey.
