The Inner Circle Dinner, a long-standing tradition among NYC political writers, has always been a chance for the media to poke fun at politicians. The event dates back to 1923, with Governor Al Smith as one of the first subjects of the roast. Over the years, the dinner became a place for journalists to take playful jabs at city leaders, with former mayors like Ed Koch and Abe Beame being prime targets. But Saturday’s dinner, marked by the usual black-tie affair, felt different. This year’s conversation centered around one question: Will Eric Adams take the stage? Early discussions promised sharp wit, but when the time came, the jokes fell flat, and the usual humor was replaced with awkward, uninspired attempts. Eric Adams delivered his lines with professionalism, but the rest of the Inner Circle skits lacked the usual spark. The performance left the audience disappointed and wondering if the event has outlived its usefulness.
Once a vibrant showcase for the city’s press corps, the annual roast has lost its edge. In past years, skits included a mock Chuck Schumer singing, “Trump is a tool and acts like a fool, whatcha gonna do?” and a faux Kirsten Gillibrand urging, “Filibuster!” The audience’s response? “Oy!” But this year, there was none of that zing—just a tired display that felt out of touch with the times.
A Personal Touch in Theater
Elsewhere, the Theater for the New City presented a poignant drama about caregivers of those suffering from dementia. The play, Remembrance, written by Patricia Goodson, is drawn from her own experience caring for a loved one with the disease. The play poignantly explores the emotional toll dementia takes on families, focusing on the heartache, stress, and sacrifices caregivers endure. The disease steals not just money but also the spirit, leaving those who care for loved ones drained and overwhelmed. This powerful piece brings attention to an often overlooked reality, one that hits close to home for many families, including my own.
Courting the Director’s Chair
In Beverly Hills, Kathy Bates is making waves not only as an actress but also as an aspiring director. Bates, known for her role in Matlock, says the show’s new direction tackles weightier issues like jury tampering and witness intimidation—storylines ripped from the headlines. She’s eager to do more than just star in the series and plans to direct several upcoming episodes, bringing her seasoned perspective to the show’s direction.
Bill O’Reilly’s New Book on Evil
Bill O’Reilly is back with a new book, Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst, which dives deep into the lives of infamous figures like Putin, Hitler, and Mao. O’Reilly spent a year working on the book, which examines the darkest corners of history. The cover features images of these historical figures alongside Iran’s current leadership. It promises to be a chilling read, shedding light on the world’s most notorious individuals and their impacts.
Political Side Notes
In the political world, Representative Nicole Malliotakis was spotted at the Pierre Hotel, indulging in some corn. Perhaps she’d be better off at the State Fair. Meanwhile, a former Trump critic who once worked for Kirsten Gillibrand has found a new job at Trump Tower. He now works on the seventh floor in an office funded by billionaire Ronald Lauder, a surprising turn of events given his previous anti-Trump stance.
Cheech Marin’s New Film
Cheech Marin is back on screen with his new movie, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip. Marin, who plays the grandfather, reflects on a similar trip he took as a child with his family to Mexico City. Eva Longoria also stars in the film as the matriarch, whose journey goes off track in ways she hadn’t planned. The film is now streaming on Disney+.
A Lighthearted Ending
In other news, it seems everyone is on a diet these days, with people losing weight and turning to various methods to shed the pounds. But a drunk man, standing at a parking meter, added a humorous twist to the situation. He inserted a coin into the meter, and the scale read 60. “How do you like that?” he exclaimed. “I now weigh an hour.”
