The Inner Circle opened its annual benefit show in Manhattan on Saturday with a touching tribute to Conor Skelding, a valued member of the Post’s Sunday staff who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer almost exactly a year ago.
The entire audience inside the Ziegfeld Ballroom sang “Amazing Grace” in unison as images of Skelding and the late Fox News Radio anchor Matt Napolitano were broadcast across the front room to embark on the annual comedy roast of the mayor, media and political figures.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to honor my husband on the anniversary of his death. “It’s extremely heartwarming to see his dear colleagues pay tribute to him and his talent,” Skelding’s widow, Lizzy Trelstad, told the Post.
“I love him dearly and miss him dearly.”
The Inner Circle kicked off the solemn montage by listing Skelding’s many accomplishments, starting with his 2014 graduation from Columbia University with a major in English and American studies.
He had also been editor of Blue and White, the Ivy League undergraduate magazine.
“Education was valued by Conor as a graduate of Columbia University, from which he embarked on a career in journalism,” said Inner Circle President James Ford.
“Reporting at Politico, ReOrg Research then at the New York Post. He married his longtime girlfriend and fiancée, Lizzie, just weeks before his death.
In addition to listing Skelding’s myriad journalistic accomplishments, the Inner Circle made sure to include his success as the group’s youngest member.
During his time in the sketch group, Skelding made a name for himself impersonating a dancing “(former Ohio Governor John) Kasich” and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, said Ford.
“And he proved that by playing Justin Trudeau, he had a much better sense of humor and a better voice than the Canadian Prime Minister,” the president continued.
The montage then cut to a hilarious video of Skelding singing Canada’s national anthem: “O Canada, Trump has made us great again!” »
The Inner Circle also paid tribute to Fox News Radio anchor Matt Napolitano, who died in December from complications related to lupus.
That’s when the audience turned on their phone flashlights and waved them in the air as they sang the popular funeral hymn.
“That’s what I’m talking about! Those lyrics also carry over into ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and ‘House of the Rising Sun’. I’m totally serious. Think about it. Try it sometime,” Ford joked.
“We love you Conor and Matt!” he continued before turning the show into the parody show for which he became famous.
Mayor Eric Adams was among many to take the stage Saturday night and used the opportunity to launch attacks at newspapers in the Big Apple.
He even targeted The Post, which he called his “favorite hometown newspaper.”
“A lot of people have criticized them with sensationalism or sensationalist crime – What is that? It’s my job!” he croaked.
New York Post
