HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_023097.txt

In the aftermath of 9/11, Frank Rich attended a Friars Club roast in New York City where comedian Gilbert Gottfried made a controversial joke about the attacks. The event featured a mix of celebrities and comedians performing for an audience who were still struggling with grief and fear. While some found humor in Gottfried's jokes, others felt that they were inappropriate given the recent events. Rich reflects on this moment as a turning point in American culture and society.