[laughter] host: george condon, that was 2011. we are still waiting if we are going to have that change to the white house. but what made that so effective, it wasn't just cheap jokes about his hair, which everybody else was making. was that he really cut right through to mr. trump's self-image. host: the line singed but not burned. guest: no matter who is president right now, barack obama is a hard act to follow. everyone is said, his timing is impeccable. i cannot believe i have to follow him. this is tough. host: one of the moment is when he was taking -- taken off the stage by his wife. [video clip] asked to getlicker to the nearest town -- >> >> i think you are he told that joke. [laughter] [applause] >> ladies and gentlemen, i have been attending these dinners for years. [laughter] just quietly sitting there. [laughter] i got a few things i want to say for a change. [laughter] [applause] this is going to be fun because he really doesn't have a clue about what i'm going to say next. [laughter] isrge always says he delighted t

[laughter] host: george condon, that was 2011. we're still weight to see if we have that change to the white house. what made that so effective, it asn't just cheap jokes about is hair. which everyone else was making. and seth myers later made one. it really was cut right through to mr. trump's self-image. host: you know the old gridiron line, sing but not burn. what humor works, and what doesn't? guest: i think self-deprecation always works when it comes to the president's remarks at the dinner. no matter who is president right now, barack obama is a very hard act to follow. every entertainer we had for those eight years said, his timing is impeccable. i can't believe i have to follow him. this is tough. host: one of those moments might have been in 2005 when george w. bush is taken off the stage by his wife. president bush: a city slicker who is driving around and he came across this old cowboy. still the city slicker asked the old guy how to get to the nearest town -- >> not that old joke. not again. [applause] mrs. bush: ladie

. >> luhansk holly george condon said, the bigger issue is not the president skipping the dinner, but members of the president's cabinet, the white house staff, he called that unprecedented. >> it is. it's unfortunate. signal they decide to send with that is only one that they can speak to. it sends a signal that is unfortunate to the american people. as a said before, we have worked really hard to develop a constructive relationship with this white house. that is something that we could have showcased if they had come. that's for them to make that decision. it is up to us to continue doing our job. we will do that at the dinner as well. people inside the washington hilton. how to come together, and explain how you are able to book the headliner. "it's a big production to get that many people in the room, to have the entertainment planned. there was lots of support for that. it is a privilege and also a lot of work. i was can for headliner, somebody who could bring us that entertainment value to the dinner. i want people to come and enjoy themselves, having a bit of comedy has become

george condon, coming out with an upcoming book on the history of the white house correspondent's association dinner. and julia whiston, the director of the association. let's talk about this dinner. why the washington health and how many people are attending have you pull this off? guest: we use the washington hilton specifically because it can accommodate over 2600 in the room for dinner. it can accommodate the crew parties. -- it cannot come to the pre-parties.

george condon and julie winston. thank you to both of you. thank you for being with us.ulia: thank you. >> five coverage of the white house correspondents dinner begins tonight at 9:30 p.m. with daily show comedian hassan panache. n. donald trump will not be there. up, we will be taking you to the national mall for climate change rally. it is one of several happening across the country this weekend. today's event and washington, d.c., is being organized by the people's climate movement. it should get underway around 3:00 p.m. has removedunced it several pages from its website including those that had to do with climate change. they said itt, once to eliminate confusion by removing outdated language and make room to discuss how the epa is protecting the environment and human health by partnering with states and working within the law. those visiting the website are being informed that updates are happening to reflect epa priorities under the leadership of president trump. you can read more at the hill.com. >> this weekend, on american history tv. tonight, at 8:00, on lect

. >> george condon, white house correspondent for national journal and coming without with a history of the association and its annual dinner. thanks for being with us. and julie, the long-time executive director of the association, thank you. host: talk about this dinner. why the washington hilton? how many people are in attendance? and how do you pull this off? guest: we use the washington hilton specifically because they can accommodate over 2,600 in the room for dinner. they can accommodate the preparties. we have had up to 22 preparties that are private. and they have a holding room for the president. and the bunker. and i think that gives everybody a comfort level. host: the logistics for the hotel itself. this is the single biggest event they do every year, correct? guest: other than the prayer breakfast which is different seating. yes. host: george, talk about the significance of this year and this dinner. prum is not in attendance. why? guest: it's not unprecedented for a president not to come. we have had cases most recently ronald reagan didn't come in 1981, but had he a g