Hollywood Meet With D.C. at Annual Dinner Saturday Night

President Obama and the first lady, of course. Because at the roughly 3,000-person affair that is the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, which took place on Saturday, they are the night's biggest draw.After food was served and an introductory video featuring Kevin Spacey in a spoof of House of Cards was presented, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, Ed Henry, took to the podium. And then, finally, it was Obama's turn.

"Speaking of presidents and legacies, I want to acknowledge Steven Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis, both of whom are here tonight," said Obama, introducing A spoof of Spielberg's next project, Obama, starring the Academy Award-winning actor. "Without him, I never could have played Joe Biden," said Tracy Morgan of Day-Lewis during the clip.
Fox News Vice President Michael Clemente and President Obama toast during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday in Washington, D.C.

Actress Claire Danes, of the Showtime series 'Homeland,' greets another guest the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
Comedian Conan O'Brien and first lady Michelle Obama, wearing Monique Lhuillier, joke during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. O'Brien was the headliner.Director Steven Spielberg mugs for the camera as he takes some images at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Saturday in Washington, D.C.Actors Kevin Spacey, of 'House of Cards' and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, star of HBO's 'Veep,' talk at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Their shows, set in Washington, D.C., are filmed on location in Maryland Michael Douglas takes time to pose for a photo with another guest at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.Barbra Streisand and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are seated at the same table at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.Actor Patrick Stewart gets a good laugh during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner.
President Obama listens during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. At the end of his speech, which was peppered with humor, he got serious and addressed the nation's recent tragedies. "Our thoughts are not far front the people of Boston, or the people of West, Texas."

With the President as his opener, Conan O'Brien, the evening's headliner, had a tough act to follow. "It's an honor to share this stage with the president," began O'Brien. "We both went to Harvard, we both have two children, and we both told Joe Biden we didn't haveany extra tickets to tonight's event," he jokes. The late-night TV host was among many other celebrity repeat attendees, having served as the dinner's host in 1995.

He also took a jab at print media, saying they "are here for two reasons: food and shelter."O'Brien highlighted the fact that Obama has added many jobs during his presidency. "Since he was elected, the number of popes has doubled, and the number of late night hosts has tripled."

Celebrities descended upon the nation's capital in droves for the annual mix-and-mingle. It's the one weekend a year when Washington media turns itself upside down to entertain a cadre of glamorous guests, all clamoring for a chance to experience dinner with the Obamas and network to the max.

Fans situated inside a cordoned-off area of the Washington Hilton were treated to starry sightings including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Amy Poehler, Katy Perry, Michael J. Fox, Sharon Stone, Sofia Vergara, Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis, Steven Spielberg, Matthew Perry, Tony Goldwyn and Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas. Korean pop star Psy, Australian comedian Rebel Wilson, who was host of the recent MTV Movie Awards, and Britain's Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery also attended.

The dinner, which is put on to raise money for journalism scholarships and honor the professional recipients of the WHCA's journalism awards, has turned into quite the see-and-be-seen affair. Stars come for the experience -- it's a chance to hobnob with fellow celebrities, political figures, other power players and yes, even journalists -- some who are celebrities in their own right.

USA TODAY's own guests include actresses Megan Hilty and Broadway star Josh Gad. And for first-timers, the event can be a bit overwhelming. "I don't remember going to any party in LA where I was sniffed by dogs," says Gad, who mingled with other celebs at a reception before the dinner. "This is my first time (at the dinner) and I'm excited to be here.I'm a big fan of the President's humor, and I can't wait to hear what he has to say."

"It's a lot of fun to come and hang out with journalists and people of the media and politicians," said Kate Walsh, another guest of USA TODAY who has attended the dinner before. "We don't get to do that a lot in Hollywood. We always say D.C. is sort of like Hollywood for grownups. We get to look around and we get to 'ooh' and 'ahh.' We're fans too."