Play of the Day: Everyone Has Awkward Prom Photos, Even the President
The release of 1979 photos prompts late-night TV to look at Obama's youth.
Time published a few photos of President Barack Obama at age 17 at his prom in Hawaii. The photos show a smiling Obama wearing a white jacket and a lei around his neck with three other Punahou School students in the spring of 1979.
Late-night television hosts were all over the photos last night. On NBC, The Tonight Show ’s Jay Leno was the only host to tie the photo to the White House’s recent scandals, saying that Obama used to be able to get phone numbers without the aid of the Justice Department. Late Night ’s Jimmy Fallon tied the prom photos to Vice President Joe Biden.
ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel was the most interested in the photos and commented on Obama’s possible love life in high school saying that “girls in Kenya are very good-looking.” Kimmel also commented on Obama’s facial expression in the second photo, saying “It’s almost like he took two women to prom.”
Fast forward to 1:00 to see how Obama talked to girls in high school.
CORRECTION : The original version of this story incorrectly identified Obama's prom attire as a white suit. He wore a white jacket and dark pants.