Ozzy at the White House

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY


WASHINGTON — Security guards pushed back the crazed throng of black-tie guests who had suddenly turned into drooling fans.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne had arrived.

Saturday's annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner was a dressed-up Ozzfest with everyone from Sam Donaldson to Donald Rumsfeld to Dr. Ruth Westheimer caught up in the buzz about the hot MTV show star and rocker.

"It's a bit overwhelming," said Sharon, laughing. Said Ozzy of life these days, "It's a whole new world to me."

The stars of The Osbournes were the guests of Fox News' Greta Van Susteren.

President Bush (or at least his speechwriters) knew he couldn't ignore the phenomenon at table 168. In opening his remarks, he addressed the 2,000 guests: "Washington power brokers, celebrities, Hollywood stars, Ozzy Osbourne." At that point, Ozzy stood on his chair, arms raised, fists high to wild applause.

"Might have been a mistake," added Bush, shaking his head and smiling.

Bush moved on from Osbourne to a slide show of silly photos of himself and his dogs in the White House. There also was one of Vice President Cheney, who appeared to be urinating on the door of the Oval Office.

"Dick, I hope you're not doing what it looks like you're doing," Bush quipped.

Drew Carey, the official entertainment of the night, followed Bush and mentioned Osbourne, too. "Ozzy, what's up, bro?" Then he said, "Ozzy and the president have a lot in common: Both are family men, both partied too hard when they were younger (Bush smiled), half the time you can't understand a word they're saying, and they can't make a move without their wife's approval."

Carey, who recently had laser surgery on his eyes and was almost unrecognizable without his trademark black-rim glasses, continued with cracks about Earth Day and patriotism, then said, "Ozzy. $20 million, man. That's barely gonna pay for your kids' therapy!"

After the dinner, the elite chosen walked to next door's exclusive party thrown by Bloomberg News. Sally Field, Apolo Ohno, Dana Delany, Glenn Close, Christie Brinkley, Shannen Doherty and Harrison Ford mingled with Wolf Blitzer, Connie Chung, Paula Zahn and other journalists.

Close's right arm was thickly wrapped in an Ace bandage; she said it was the result of falling off her horse during a jumping accident. But she seemed to be having a great time. "I think it's wild, not the usual crowd."

Osbourne was still the most sought-after guest. Close chatted with him and giggled afterward. "He wanted my Percocet!" and held up her hurt arm.

Ford shook hands with him. What does he make of all the hoopla surrounding the Osbournes? "I think what everybody else thinks. It's goofy."

How did Ozzy feel about the night?

"It's (bleep) blowing my mind!" he said in classic Ozzy form. And he said about Bush's remarks: "I'm honored."

Said Sharon: "What can you say? It's the most incredible thing that he would even mention Ozzy."

And Ozzy, when asked if he was ready for another season of the show, said, "Yeah!"

Then he turned to Sharon, "Can I have a drink? Please?"

"Just one," she said. "You're going to fall down."