Whats your game plan?
CECILY STRONG:Theres a lot of crazy stuff going on right now.
Maybe theyll turn into very accepting, wonderful, gay places.
Credit: Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
In two weeks, Indiana is going to doonlygay marriages!
Have you been watching past WHCDs for inspiration?
Do you have a favorite?
I actually watched Seths [Meyers] anyway back when it happened.
And the Stephen Colbert one years ago.
Its toughI dont want those two looming over me, because they both did so well.
Id say Colberts is my favorite just because it was groundbreaking.
But I probably wont go as harsh as he did.
He was very harsh!
It even made people watch C-Span.
I bet C-Span was so happy, too.
They mustve had a huge party that night.
Is it easier knowing that Obama is a pretty funny guy himself?
I think that makes it worse.
Its hard to follow the funniest president!
You dont want him to befunnier, you know?
Which he very well may be.
For some jokes, at least.
They cant all be winners.
Ishe the funniest president?
Obama is very, very funny.
Hes also a verycoolpresident.
But for the purposes of comedy, obviously George W. Bush was the best.
Though I find him quite endearing now.
I love what hes doing these days!
What was your initial reaction when you got the offer to host?
I didnt believe it, because it came from my dad.
He worked for the Associated Press 30 years ago, and he knows the head of the Correspondents Association.
She emailedhimto get in touch with me.
Who would believe that?
I thought he was sayinghehad been invited.
So I said, Uh, great, Dad…have fun?
Like, Yeah, I get it, Dadyoure cool.
Youve still got it, Bill.
But then I finally called him to be like, What are you saying?
[laughs] But its too exciting to say no to.
I would kick myself.
How many times will I get to do this again?
Neverhes not going to have anymore!
Hes done being president now!
Im giving him his last hurrah.
Since your dad knows that world, has he offered any advice?
So it was a dad joke?
A truly boring one.
Its light observational humor, which is his style.
[laughs] But he can also be very silly.
We always lovedWaynes Worldtogetherthat was big.
I remember watchingWaynes Worldin the theater with my dad.
And we both have very loud laughs, so hopefully youll hear him belly-laughing at the dinner.
Whats your favorite TV version of Washington?
I love theHouse of Cardsversion.
I have no basis to say that, but I take it as real.
I think they probably all kill people, are real shady.
If so, then you must be nervous.
Id better not offend anyone.
Theyll make a target of me.
Youre the fourth woman ever to host the dinner.
Does that cross your mind as you prepare?
You know, people ask that, but I think its more exciting to everyone else than me.
I am glad they asked a woman.
But thats really as far as Im thinking of it.
Im not going as a big statement.
Although if people take it that way, thats pretty cool too.
I dont mean to.
I do feel lucky to be a woman in comedy right now.
So I feel really lucky right now in that sense.
SNLitself has been dominated by strong female performers lately.
And everybodys really different, which is nice.
It turns out not all women are the same, and our show reflects that.
This is your third season onSNL.
How would you grade it?
I dont know if it looks like that to other people, but it definitely feels that way.
And for me personally, it feels very different this season from last season.
Im a lot more comfortable, I think, with the pressure of Weekend Update off of me.
I feel freer in a way.
It feels like a whole different show to me.
The free time alone!
And thats 100 percent how I get a lot of my jokes.
I love overhearing people and people-watching.
So this is her world.
And shell have tons of thoughts on next years election.
It must make Nerd Prom that much more exciting.
Itisall nerds, right?
Normally Id out-party them all.
I want you to print thatI need people to know that Imverycool, that Im always partying.
c’mon write, Shes very cool.
Shes very much like a rock star, that Cecily.
