Episodes

  • Supreme Court Comedy Festival: Justice Scalia's Funniest Moments – with James Rosen (Part 1)

    Supreme Court Comedy Festival: Justice Scalia's Funniest Moments – with James Rosen (Part 1)
    Jun 25 2026
    Quick comedy question: Can you name a time when, during an oral argument, a Supreme Court Justice made everyone laugh? How about December 11th, 2000: KLOCK: I think what the Florida Supreme Court should do in that instance is note the very tight restrictions that exist under the protest phase. They require that you find voter intent with respect to a damaged ballot. They also vest it in the canvassing board, and the canvassing board is composed of a defined group of officials, a county judge, the elections supervisor and the chairman of the county commission. It is very limited. SOUTER: But that means the court apparently cannot define "legal vote." KLOCK: That's correct. SCALIA: Mr. Klock? I'm Scalia. KLOCK: Yes, sir; I'll remember that. That was Justice Antonin Scalia's legendary crack to a forgetful attorney during Bush versus Gore. And it was hardly the only time Justice Scalia brought down the Court. In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," hear many more hilarious Scalia moments. Because it's our annual Supreme Court Comedy Festival – and this year we feature just one Justice. One very funny Justice. What were Antonin Scalia's funniest one-liners in oral arguments? What joke did Justice Scalia tell a Congressional hearing? What did other Justices think of Scalia's humor? And why was Antonin Scalia so very very funny? Find out in part 1 of a special two-part "Extreme Mortman" – and we're joined in this Court comedy cavalcade by a very special guest – Scalia biographer and author -- James Rosen. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part 2)

    Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part 2)
    Jun 18 2026
    Quick question: Name something former presidents have in common. How about: Begging for money! "I would say parenthetically that one of the things that brings former presidents closest together is the extremely onerous and burdensome task of begging for enough money to build a presidential library from private sources; not from the government, and then turn it over to the federal government in perpetuity as a repository for the records of our great nation." That was Jimmy Carter … speaking at the dedication of Ronald Reagan's Library … November 4th, 1991. On June 18th, 2026, another presidential library is dedicated: Barack Obama's. You might be wondering: how much do these things cost? Why should taxpayers support presidential libraries? What do political opponents say about each other at library dedications? What do losing presidents say about the guys who beat them? Which presidential library opening included protests and police intervention? And what was one of the most amazing things ever said on C-SPAN about presidential libraries – from a legendary presidential historian? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part I)

    Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part I)
    Jun 11 2026
    On June 18th, Barack Obama speaks at the dedication of his presidential library. What will he say? Well, here's what another president said when his library opened: "Proverbially, old men plant trees even though they do not expect to see their fruition. Well, so it is with presidents. The doors of this library are open now, and all are welcome. The judgment of history is left to you, the people. I have no fears of that, for we have done our best, and so I say, come and learn from it." That was Ronald Reagan ... November 4th, 1991 ... And joined by fellow former presidents George Bush, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon — and the Democrat he defeated in 1980, Jimmy Carter. In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," we revisit 10 dedication and re-dedication ceremonies of presidential libraries - featuring best-of moments from each of them. What do presidents say about their libraries? What do presidents say about other presidents' libraries? And what do First Ladies say about their husbands' libraries? Find out in this week's "Extreme Mortman" — the first of a special two-part episode. And we're joined by a very special guest — presidential historian and author Dr. Tevi Troy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • An Oral History of Senate TV: 40 Years of Memorable Moments on C-SPAN2, with Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, Chad Pergram – Part 2

    An Oral History of Senate TV: 40 Years of Memorable Moments on C-SPAN2, with Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, Chad Pergram – Part 2
    Jun 4 2026
    We're marking the 40-year anniversary of C-SPAN2 by hearing favorite and most memorable moments picked by our audience…. With history and analysis by top Congress reporters Carl Hulse of the New York Times … Paul Kane now with NOTUS – soon The Star … and Chad Pergram of Fox News … … The dream team! • Which clips did our listeners pick? • What do Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, and Chad Pergram say about them? • What do the clips say about – the U.S. Senate? • And what does it sound like when Chad Pergram sings? Find out in a special two-part episode … An Oral History of Senate TV –on C-SPAN2. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts … Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • An Oral History of Senate TV: 40 Years of Memorable Moments on C-SPAN2, with Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, Chad Pergram – Part I

    An Oral History of Senate TV: 40 Years of Memorable Moments on C-SPAN2, with Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, Chad Pergram – Part I
    May 28 2026
    What were John Glenn's reservations about whether TV would change the way the Senate operates? And did those reservations become reality? In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – we get answers – from the All Stars of Congress reporting: Carl Hulse of the New York Times … Paul Kane now with NOTUS – soon The Star … and Chad Pergram of Fox News. .. The dream team! It's the 40th anniversary of Senate TV – 40 years since C-SPAN2 began .. and the "Extreme Mortman" audience chose the best moments to play… • Which clips did our listeners pick? • What do Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, and Chad Pergram say about them? • What do the clips say about – the U.S. Senate? • And what does it sound like when Chad Pergram sings? Find out in a special two-part episode … An Oral History of Senate TV –on C-SPAN2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 2

    Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 2
    May 21 2026
    Republican Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. You likely have heard she may run for president. But did you also hear her talk about America's 250th birthday? "If you hear nothing else I say today, hear this: Jesus is our living hope. For each of us. For our state. For our country. America was founded 250 years ago as one nation under God. We have our differences, but our shared faith, values, and love for the people of Arkansas is stronger and more important than any difference." That was Governor Sanders' annual address to the Arkansas legislature. And it turns out, many other governors — some also potentially running for president — also used their state of the state address to talk about America 250. Which governors mentioned America 250 in their state of the state address? What was their big message about the country's big birthday? What did the governors say about their own state's role in the birth of America? And what new fun facts about American history did governors teach us? Find out in the latest, special two-part episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
  • Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 1

    Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 1
    May 14 2026
    Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. You likely have heard he may run for president. But did you also hear him talk about America's 250th birthday? I recall as a young State Representative looking up at this mural and seeing the likes of Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thaddeus Stevens. These are our elders and their example should guide and inspire us. Men like Franklin and Paine and others gathered in Philadelphia 250 years ago to begin this grand experiment in the greatest system of governance the world has ever seen. That was Governor Shapiro's annual address to the Pennsylvania legislature. February 3rd, 2026. And it turns out, many other governors — some also potentially running for president — also used their state of the state address to talk about America 250. Which governors mentioned America 250 in their state of the state address? What was their big message about the country's big birthday? What did the governors say about their own state's role in the birth of America? And what new fun facts about American history did governors teach us? Find out in latest, special two-part episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts .... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • When DC Laughed at Itself: Dan Glickman and the Golden Age of Political Comedy

    When DC Laughed at Itself: Dan Glickman and the Golden Age of Political Comedy
    May 7 2026
    Lots of people say lots of things in politics are broken. Here's one item on that list: Comedy. "You know, I like Leno and Letterman and the rest of them. I think they're funny. In fact, if they're looking for a writer, I'm going to be out of work in about nine days, so I hope they give me a call. But I think it would be good if politicians started to take back political humor for themselves. The key to late-night political humor is that it targets those qualities that we, the politicians, don't want you to see. But if we were to bring out our blemishes into the open, it takes the edge off the jokes that other people make about us. Even politicians know that people don't always have the highest opinion of them. So instead of denying it or hiding from it, why not laugh about it?" That was Dan Glickman. 2001. The outgoing Secretary of Agriculture speaking at one of DC's marquee comedy venues — the National Press Club. Dan Glickman also is a former member of Congress and a former top lobbyist for the movie industry. And he's the current author of "Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies." Why is Dan Glickman's book so different from other books politicians write? What are the funniest things Dan Glickman has said — and sung — on C-SPAN? What are some things people throw at Dan Glickman? Why do people throw things at Dan Glickman? And -- is there hope that politicians might once again make jokes— about themselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins