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Joel McHale to host White House Correspondents' Dinner

Joel McHale is going to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner because everyone else in Hollywood was busy, apparently.

Joel McHale is going to host the White House Correspondents' Dinner because everyone else in Hollywood was busy, apparently.

McHale, known for his starring role in NBC's on-again, off-again sitcom Community and as the host of E!'s The Soup, is set to be the first host since 2002 that isn't a late night host or regular. Last year, Conan O'Brien's critically-acclaimed performance took a bunch of shot at print media and, specifically, the Huffington Post's penchant for lists. Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers hosted in 2012 and 2011, respectively.

"We're thrilled that Joel will headline the dinner when we celebrate our centennial," said WHCA president Steven Thomma today via Twitter. "He's sharp, funny and just the type of comic who can navigate the unique challenge of our dinner, making fun of Democrats, Republicans and especially the news media. Washington can use a little good-natured ribbing," added the McClatchy Newspapers political editor.

McHale is funny and snarky, but it seems like an odd deviation, considering that 2014 is set to be the biggest year for late night TV in recent memory, with Leno handing The Tonight Show over to Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers leaving SNL to take Fallon's spot.

I guess Stephen Colbert had a prior commitment. [Deadline]