USA: CELEBRITIES INCLUDING OZZY OSBOURNE ATTEND ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDANTS' DINNER IN WASHINGTON.

Record ID: 473442

  • Title: USA: CELEBRITIES INCLUDING OZZY OSBOURNE ATTEND ANNUAL WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDANTS' DINNER IN WASHINGTON.
  • Date: 4th May 2002
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES (MAY 4, 2002) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF GUESTS ARRIVING AT WASHINGTON HILTON OZZY OSBOURNE WALKING THROUGH THE CROWD WITH FOX NETWORK CELEBRITY GRETA VAN SUSTEREN SOUNDBITE (English) SHARON OSBOURNE STANDING WITH JOHN VAN SUSTEREN WHEN ASKED IF SHE WOULD MEET THE PRESIDENT SAYING: "I I don't know if I am. He's probably never heard of us.....(
  • Embargoed: 19th May 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,General,Politics,People
  • Reuters ID: LVADSN486T1EPDXKMKBLOF1TNWFV
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The annual White House Correspondent's Dinner hosted by President Bush in Washington on Saturday (May 4) was a star studded event this year, but the head of America's favorite foul-mouthed family, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne stole the show.
    Rock stars, Hollywood notables and some of the most famous American news personalities walked down the red carpet to sit down with President Bush and his Cabinet members for the annual black tie affair.
    But the evening's guest of honor, President Bush, had to share the spotlight with MTV personalities Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. The Osbournes arrived at the dinner as the special guests of Greta and Jon Van Susteren; the former, a talk show host on the Fox News Channel.
    Since their hit show debuted on MTV, "The Osbournes" based on their real "dysfunctional" family life, was rated one of the hottest in American television history. Despite their raucous lifestyle and repeated use of four letter words, the Brits have struck a chord with the American public.
    Surrounded by camera crews at the reception, Sharon Osbourne was modest about her and rocker hubby's revived fame.
    "He's probably never heard of us," Osbourne said, referring to Bush. Osbourne told Reuters fame has been "surreal."
    "It's very weird, it's like surreal. It really proves that anything can happen in America. It's really true. When asked what she would say if she met Bush, Osbourne smiled and said "I would like a green card please."
    The heavy metal rocker and his family allegedly signed a deal for a second series of their hit show, which chronicled family life in their Beverly Hills mansion. During filming, the family allowed MTV cameras access to their home six days a week, with the exception of the bathrooms and master bedroom which remained off limits. Reports have leaked to the media that MTV may pay $20 million for two more seasons of outlandish entertainment from Ozzy, Sharon, daughter Kelly, son Jack and their pets. If the figure is accurate, it would be the largest amount ever handed to stars of a cable series -- and a hefty increase from the $200,000 they received for the first 10 episodes.
    Actor and comedian Drew Carey beamed with excitement when he arrived the reception. Carey told Reuters he was honored to be invited to the dinner. When asked who he was more excited to meet, the President or Ozzy Osbourne, Carey paused a moment but said it was surely the President of the United States and members of his cabinet.
    "It's the President. Actually it's just exciting to be in this kind of environment. Where the President and Ozzy Osbourne and all these White House people are. It's a room full of really smart people that are really powerful. It's just exciting to be there. Colin Powell I'm excited to meet, General Tommy Franks I met when I was doing USO and I'm really excited to say hi to him again. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff I'm really excited to meet those guys... a lot of the military guys I am more excited to meet than anyone else."
    Athlete Brian Shimer who won a bronze medal in the four man bobsled at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, said he was delighted to be invited to the dinner and to see President Bush.
    "I hear Ozzy Osbourne is here. I haven't met him before, he's on the other end of the spectrum so that will be pretty cool. "
    More than 2000 reporters, producers, celebrities and politicians attended ceremony at the Washington Hilton. After dinner the President was introduced, and it wasn't long before he turned the spotlight onto featured guest, Ozzy Osbourne.
    "The thing about Ozzy is he has made a lot of hit recordings" 'Party With The Animals,' 'Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath,' 'Face In Hell,"' 'Black Skies And Bloodbath In Paradise.'" Ozzy, mom loves your stuff," Bush said.
    The aging former lead singer of Black Sabbath stood up on a chair and waved to the wildly cheering crowd after Bush recognized him, prompting the president to say, "OK, Ozzy ...
    Might have been a mistake."
    Bush wasn't the only one talking about Ozzy during the ceremony. After dinner speaker, comedian Drew Carey, picked up the jabs, by noting, "You know actually Ozzy Osbourne and the President, they have a lot in common. Yah. First of all, they all love their families, both family men. They both partied a little to hard when they were younger. Half the time you can't understand a word either one of them are saying. And, neither one of them can make a move without their wife's approval."
    The evening didn't end there. After the event guests headed across the street for a party hosted by Bloomberg News.
    Screen legend Harrison Ford and Lorraine Brocco, star of the TV Drama "The Sopranos," were among the first guests to arrive at the celebrity blow out. Moments later actress Chloe Sevigny sauntered in and posed for the cameras, but her moment in the spotlight was dimmed when Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne made their way through the crowd. Sevigny took it in stride as she gestured toward the Osbourne's and shouted "Ozzy!"
    Walking down the red carpet, the Osbournes posed for the flashing bulbs with their hosts the Van Susterens, but only after Ozzy planted a big kiss on his lady's lips.
    Mrs. Osbourne told Reuters she didn't have a chance to talk to the President one on one.
    "We just spoke to him through a rope." When asked if she made her request for a green card, a disappointed Osbourne said, "I didn't get the chance."
    But it was the chance to hang with Ozzy and Sharon that made the evening complete for other stars.
    Christie Binkley said she's a big fan of the Osbourne's and was excited they would be at the after party.
    The uptown girl said, "I watch the show all the time. He's usually sleeping and I'm going... trying not to make too much noise. But It's very funny."
    Olympic skating champ Apolo Anton Ono said he was thrilled to be seated near the Osbournes, and famous American newscaster Connie Chung said she too is a big fan of "The Osbournes."
    A giggling Chung said "I love it when Ozzy does the dog thing."
    "I have a piece of history with the President and Ozzy!"
    actress Marishka Hargitay told Reuters.
    However, for movie stars Glen Close and Racquel Welch meeting the Osbourne's wasn't the pinnacle moment of the night.
    Close said she the most memorable part of the evening was meeting the President of the United States.
    "It was lovely, they took us back and we were able to meet him and the First Lady and Condoleeza Rice and ... I was very honored," said Glen Close. Close is recovering from an arm injury she said happened when she fell off a horse.
    Screen siren Racquel Welch, was emotional when she recounted her experience meeting General Tom Franks earlier in the evening.
    "I got to meet General Tom Franks, who it turned out I had met years ago in a Saigon hospital when I was with Bob Hope on a USO tour And he said to me you don't realize but I was in a hospital and you came by with the USO and visited all of us.
    I had no idea. Can you imagine, now that he's head of all those troops in Afghanistan. It's just so amazing."
    As guests continued to pour into the party, the featured stars of the evening decided to call it an early night. Mama and Papa Osbourne made their way through the crowd with their MTV camera crew in tow. As for "The Osbournes" upcoming season, "I'm more than excited!" Ozzy said gripping tightly onto his wife, who chimed in "I've already spent the money!"
    sr/
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