You can hardly say he looked "ashen" or "pale".....but to me there was a cast to his face, maybe "gray" is the word I'm looking for.
He looked dispirited in spite of the frivolity. He looked wan and over-tired. His eyes had no life. He didn't seem quite "into" the repartee altho he carried things off using discipline.
This on top of the fact that his shirt and jacket didn't fit at all gave him the appearance of a guy not feeling on top of the world......and with something on his mind.
Leni
You are very perceptive. He was definitely uncomfortable that night.
Plus—the huge bowtie made him look like Pee Wee Herman!
I saw that. I thought he looked overly “cheerful” sitting next to the Monsignor, but uncomfortable when he was supposed to make fun of himself. I think he takes himself too seriously. Most angry, self-righteous people do.
You’re not the only one. Except I thought it started the night of the last debate. Remember how he just didn’t seem to be totally present at times? Maybe it’s just me, but I thought he looked to be a man who had been up all night fighting with his wife.