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Comedian Roy Wood Jr, a 2001 FAMU broadcast journalism graduate, is preparing for perhaps the biggest stage in his storied career as the entertainer at the White House Correspondents' dinner Saturday night. The role is a testament to his talent and impact.
"It's an honor to speak and crack jokes on top of that, you know, next to the president," he told CBS News. "But I think it's an even bigger responsibility to be able to talk directly to the people in the room that are pushing against a lot of the things that keep America from moving forward. Because I think the job of comedian is to be the voice of the regular person."
The son of a school administrator, Joyce, and a renowned broadcast journalist, Roy Wood Sr., who was founder of the first national radio network owned by Black Americans. Wood credits his father for teaching him the importance of authenticity and storytelling.
Wood pursued a journalism degree at FAMU, but along the way was suspended from school for a year after he was accused of stealing credit cards and selling “hot clothes” on campus. Woods said that moment was exactly what he needed, and he recognizes that the university may have believed in him more than he did himself.
The setback led him to discover his true passion for comedy. During his suspension, he started performing stand-up, finding solace and an outlet for his emotions during that challenging period.
Wood's dedication to comedy paid off. He honed his skills and in 2006, he made his national television debut on "The Late Show with David Letterman," which opened doors to further opportunities. He also gained recognition as a finalist on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" in 2008 and secured stand-up gigs on Comedy Central.
"I think my father would be proud, but I think he'd be even prouder if I go up there and make sure that I'm talking about something real. Because when you have the microphone, you better have something to say. You may not get it again," said Wood.
What you can expect
As a comedian, nothing's off-limits when he takes the stage Saturday nigh, said Wood, except , perhaps the Senate minority leader.
“The only thing that I know for sure that’s off the list right now is Mitch McConnell,” the Kentucky Republican Senator, who returned to the Senate last week for the first time since suffering a concussion in March.
“If he’s nursing himself and trying to get healthy, OK, let’s put the McConnell jokes in our back pocket and in the meantime, let’s hope that [Supreme Court Justice] Clarence Thomas stays healthy until April 29,” said Wood.
“The health of people — I think there’s rules. There’s rules to war.”
But virtually anyone else is fair game for roasting at the Washington Hilton hotel, even if certain lawmakers and political figures aren’t in the actual room.
“I feel like just because somebody isn’t there doesn’t mean you can’t do jokes about them. Avoiding the event does not keep you from being held accountable — and accountability will be on both sides, for the record.”
“This isn’t some Republican bash fest. I think it’s fair to come into this with fair critiques about politicians, also the role media plays, but more importantly the blind spot that I think a lot of the American public have to the media,” Wood said.
Asked if he’s concerned about being “canceled” following his set at the Correspondents’ bash, Wood replied, “I’m not worried about anybody that’s upset about a joke that I told. And I’m not worried about whatever opportunities and doors that may close because of it, because there’s going to be doors that will open.”
“I am poised on Sunday morning after the Correspondents’ dinner to go to breakfast with my mama and my child. I do not have an apology drafted up in the Notes app.”