williams sent me and e-mail saying no man comes out unscathed, even the knees of brave achilles would go to jelly. let me know if i can help. here's how you can help, lose my e-mail. >> exactly. >> they will be in front of a packed crowd of 2600 tomorrow night. a whos who of the world of journalism and hollywood. joining me now, msnbc political analyst and author, jonathan alter. >> hey, thomas. >> jonathan alter is saying he took him awhile to do this gig. the reason, the guy that goes before it. >> right. right. look -- >> worried because obama speaks first and he kills. he's really good. he destroys. >> i have to follow obama. even if i do just as good, it's like he's also the president.