The Capital Correspondents Association successfully hosted its 73rd annual Gridiron Show, with a sold-out show and 25 skits.
Hosted at the American Legion Hall, located at 1515 S. Wooddale Blvd., many of the state’s biggest names in the current political scene attended the March 21 show, including mayor Sid Edwards, Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Cabinet Secretary of the Department of Transportation Joe Donahue and more.
Governor Jeff Landry was unable to make the show, but his Chief of Staff Kyle Ruckert was able to stand in his place to catch the jokes. Louisiana Illuminator reporter and Gridiron cast member Piper Hutchinson recalled walking onto the stage and looking directly into the eyes of Tim Temple as she compared him to Bob the Builder in a skit titled “Perfect Coverage.”
“You can’t help but laugh about our insurance crisis, because if not, you’re going to cry,” Hutchinson said.
Jokes were aimed at the governor in skits like “Tiger For Sale and Rent,” which played out the events leading up to him renting a tiger other than Mike for the LSU v. Alabama game in November 2024. Capital Correspondents Association president Mike Hasten walked on stage in a tiger costume playing the role of “Omar,” the replacement tiger. Kelly P. Kissel took on the role of Landry in each skit that he was brought up in.
Other skits included bits about the librarians and mayor Edwards controversy, Kim Mulkey’s glittery game outfits, Louisiana names, tax problems, New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell, president Donald J. Trump and even a “Moment of Zen” to the tune of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” done by cast member Charles Lussier.
“Part of the fun of it is just seeing us mess up and see how we adapt to it,” Hutchinson said.
Before the show began, the 2025 Ed Anderson Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Patricia Caputa, a LSU mass communication senior and Tiger TV sports reporter. In her speech, she said scholarships like this are what made her to soon be a first generation college graduate.
The American Legion Hall was also filled with plenty of Smiley Anders memorabilia to commemorate the late Advocate columnist, who the show was dedicated to.
