Cecily Strong's Night at the Nerd Prom

The comedian Cecily Strong has cited Amy Poehler as something of a role model, once telling the San Francisco Chronicle, “Every time I’m offered something, I think, ‘What would Amy Poehler do?'” But Amy Poehler never has hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, as Strong will on April 25—nor has Poehler's fellow Saturday Night Live hero Tina Fey (what happened to their stated affinity for nerds?). Strong laughed, Tuesday afternoon, when I asked her if she had any idea why that might be. “I think that’s all been their choice,” she said, in a phone interview. “A lot of comedians will warn you against this room – but against my better judgment I said yes. Someone has to.”

This may have to do with the fact that her father served as Associated Press bureau chief in the Illinois statehouse. It may also have to do with how game Strong seems, a roll-with-the-punches kinda gal.