First Lady Michelle Obama celebrated her 50th birthday on Saturday night, and NBC and ABC couldn’t hold back their excitement during their Sunday morning broadcasts. The two networks both offered full reports as they cheered on the First Lady at the “country’s most exclusive dance party.”
ABC’s Susan Saulny began her report and called The White House “party central” and beamed at the long-list of liberal celebrities who attended the birthday bash. Co-host Bianna Golodryga lamented, “We weren’t invited to this but I’m not offended.”
Saulny continued to swoon over Michelle Obama, and commented “guests couldn’t stop talking about Obama’s very emotional speech about his first lady.” The ABC reporter followed this up by cheering Ms. Obama on:
But one year older, she still knows how to get down and party. Now with VIP access to a new kind of club. Tweeting -- excited to join Barack in the 50-plus club today. Check out my AARP card… From breaking it down with Jimmy Fallon. To busting out the dance moves for her “Let's Move” campaign. We know Michelle can't help but party to the beat.
NBC’s Kristen Welker struck a similar tone where she commented that this was a, “Night that really did live up to its billing with performances by Beyoncé and John Legend. And the guest list was just as impressive.” Welker even hyped NBC’s number one Obama fan boy Al Roker, who got an invite to the party.
The NBC reporter added:
Guests were told to eat beforehand and dust off their dancing shoes for a lady who’s been known to do the Dougie. Michelle Obama is not afraid to have fun. And it seems turning 50 has been no exception… Instead it's been something to celebrate, from pictures with her new AARP card to this adorable tweet from The White House showing how much she's grown. The woman whom for many has become a fashion icon and model mom is now an example of how to hit a major milestone with ease.
Such gushing coverage of Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday is in start contrast to the brief acknowledgment of then First Lady Laura Bush’s 60th birthday celebration right before the 2006 elections. Such an event gives the liberal media yet another excuse to talk about anything other than the troubles plaguing President Obama, and instead cheerlead for an invite to Mrs. Obama’s next birthday celebration.
See relevant transcripts below.
ABC
Good Morning America
January 19, 2014
8:10 a.m. Eastern
BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Well, now to the country’s most exclusive dance party. We weren’t invited to this but I’m not offended. The White House, for one night, turned into a discotheque of sorts, all in celebration of Michelle Obama turning the big 5-0. So, who were the superstars who made the list for the hottest party in town?DAN
HARRIS: ABC’s Susan Saulny has the details on the night’s events, including the special performances and surprises for the first lady. Hey Susan, good morning.
SUSAN SAULNY: Good morning, Dan and Bianna. We don't usually think of The White House as party central, but that's what it was last night until the wee hours of this morning. Samuel L. Jackson, James Taylor, Rachel Ray. Just a few partiers at Michelle Obama's big 5-0. And even bff Beyoncé who sang at Obama's first inauguration gave Michelle a personal birthday performance.
HERBIE HANCOCK: And then Beyoncé performed and wow.SAULNY: Obama made sure to make Michelle’s day perfect, announcing during a recent bill signing—
BARACK OBAMA: I have to get back because somebody having a birthday today.
SAULNY: And guests couldn't stop talking about Obama's very emotional speech about his first lady.JAMES
TAYLOR: Moving, and inspiring.
UKNOWN WOMAN: Talking about her love for her daughters.HANCOCK: It was really beautiful and really touching.
SAULNY: Overnight, The White House was bumping.
MAGIC JOHNSON: Oh yeah. I'm definitely dancing. I'm going to have a good time.
SAULNY: Big question for the VIP list, what gift do you get her?
UNKNOWN WOMAN #2: You don’t, you just go and be there with her. That’s all you can do.
SAULNY: But one year older, she still knows how to get down and party. Now with VIP access to a new kind of club. Tweeting -- excited to join Barack in the 50-plus club today. Check out my AARP card.
JORDI LIPPE: This is no ordinary 50th party, the Obamas are known for having over the top bashes, and Michelle's 50th birthday was no different.
SAULNY: From breaking it down with Jimmy Fallon. To busting out the dance moves for her “Let's Move” campaign. We know Michelle can't help but party to the beat.
LIPPE: They just told people to bring their comfortable shoes, so you can be sure everyone was dancing until 1:00, 2:00 in the morning.SAULNY: Now, Beyoncé wasn't the only person to sing. Jennifer Hudson also did one of her new songs. And Sasha and Malia were apparently inviting friends to the party so the whole group could have a good time together. Dan and Bianna?
GOLODRYGA: A whole new meaning to the “Let's Move” campaign. Right? A lot of people were busting a move last night. It looked like it was a great party.
NBC's Today
January 19, 20148:12 a.m. Eastern
LESTER HOLT: First lady Michelle Obama might be sleeping in this morning after staying um late for the big 50th birthday bash thrown in her honor. Kristen Welker is at The White House with more on who came out to celebrate with the Obamas. Kristen, good morning.
KRISTEN WELKER: Hey Lester, good morning to you. Well, guests tell us this is a night that really did live up to its billing with performances by Beyoncé and John Legend. And the guest list was just as impressive, all here to celebrate the first lady and 50 years. Some of the biggest names in Hollywood, Washington and the Obama's hometown of Chicago turned out to celebrate the first lady's big night. Tell us how you're feeling going into the party?
MAGIC JOHNSON: Well we all think it's going to be a great party. She's the first lady and we're all here to support her.
SAMUEL L. JACKSON: I’m just most looking forward to saying happy birthday to her and being able to celebrate this great milestone in her life.
WELKER: Even NBC's own Al Roker. Are you ready to dance?
AL ROKER: Oh gosh yes. I'm hoping its old school.
WELKER: Guests were told to eat beforehand and dust off their dancing shoes for a lady who’s been known to do the Dougie. Michelle Obama is not afraid to have fun. And it seems turning 50 has been no exception.
ROBIN GIVHAN: There hasn't been any of that sort of, oh, I don't want to talk about my birthday or oh I don't want to talk about my age. For her generation, 50 is not old, 50 is not something to lament.
WELKER: Instead it's been something to celebrate, from pictures with her new AARP card to this adorable tweet from The White House showing how much she's grown. The woman whom for many has become a fashion icon and model mom is now an example of how to hit a major milestone with ease.
HERBIE HANCOCK: I just hope she has another 50 years and more coming and that she'll accomplish everything she's capable of accomplishing.
WELKER: Guests celebrated late into the night, enjoying delicious desserts and "A list" entertainment.
SMOKEY ROBINSON: We were here for the first lady's birthday. And that was the highlight. The president gave a wonderful, wonderful speech about her. And then Beyoncé performed. Wow.
WELKER: Now, cameras and cell phones weren't allowed in, but guests tell us other celebrity sightings include Stevie wonder, James Taylor. They also say the first daughters were there with some of their friends. But everyone who attended seemed to agree that the highlight was that speech that president Obama gave to his wife. And Lester, I also hear he did some dancing last night.
— Jeffrey Meyer is a News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Jeffrey Meyer on Twitter. [1]