With dessert, at last, came a festive atmosphere: jokes!
Mr. Clinton's visit only added to the festive mood, as Mr. Cuomo joked about picking up a southern accent from working under Mr. Clinton, and his staff cued a brief slideshow of old photos showing the governor, with noticeably darker hair, working alongside Mr. Clinton when he was president.
Tinged with the hue of flaming foliage, Thanksgiving, like all other holidays, has been translated to Hallmark cards, specifically emblazoned with festive turkeys and footballs and the occasional joke about tryptophan.
And everything — the jokes, the fond memories, the Gauloises, and the festive mood malgré tout — seemed very much in the spirit of a place already less real by the time the party was over and people dispersed to go home.
Teri Agins, the author of "The End of Fashion," winced at the fashion mash-up, which seemed either a practical joke or a test of courage in the face of festive adversity.
This promises to be a little more festive, and City of Angels boasts the best music, dancing and jokes you'll encounter all Christmas.
The mood was festive: a pair of Iraqis passed me carrying a table, laughing and sharing a joke.
Equal measure music hall extravaganza, purposefully bad jokes and theatrical trompe l'oeil, the production aims to be amiable festive season entertainment with occasional nods to the right-now folded in.
There are all the festive show staples here: clearly defined good and evil; darkness and light; plenty of jokes; song and dance, and a happy ending - but surprising details, too.
