Podcast
Extreme Mortman
Hosted by C-SPAN · EN
Original political stories inspired by current events. A weekly fix for political junkies combining compelling clips from the C-SPAN archives (iconic and obscure), history, trivia – and often a healthy helping of comedy.
13episodes
Episodes
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"Ferris Bueller's Day Off": 40 Years Later, Politicians Still Quote the Beloved Film
1w ago00:15:47Tap to summarize40 years ago this summer, the beloved film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" was released. You might remember this scene: "In 1931, in an effort to stop the... Anyone? Anyone?... The Great Depression, Congress passed the Hawley Smoot Tariff Act which, anyone? Raised, lowered?... Anyone, anyone raised tariffs, to halt The Great Depression. Did that work? Anyone, anyone? Bueller? Bueller?" That was Ben Stein playing the role of a boring economics professor. But that quote doesn't come from the 1986 movie. It's from the 2000 Republican National Convention. In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," we celebrate 40 years of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" – by hearing politicians talking about the movie – and quoting it verbatim. Which Federal Reserve chairman cited Ferris Bueller? Which First Lady cited Ferris Bueller? Which Supreme Court Chief Justice cited Ferris Bueller? And which other politicians have quoted the wit and wisdom of Ferris Bueller? Find out in "Extreme Mortman" –40 years after a legendary movie came out – and found a home in politics. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Major Garrett's Six Most Memorable Moments Covering National Party Conventions
2w ago00:56:55Tap to summarizeFourteen years ago, on August 30th, 2012, the Republican presidential nominee gave his acceptance speech. But before Mitt Romney addressed the convention that night — there was another big-name speaker. Clint Eastwood! Well, I know even some of the people in your own party were very disappointed when you didn't close Gitmo. And I thought, well, closing Gitmo — why close that? We spent so much money on it. But I thought maybe as an excuse. Oh, what do you mean shut up? OK, I thought it was just because somebody had the stupid idea of trying terrorists in downtown New York City. Maybe that was it. Wait — Who was Clint Eastwood talking to? And who tells Clint Eastwood to shut up? The answer: A chair! And it's one of six big convention moments you'll hear in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Why talk about conventions now? Consider it a therapeutic service for fellow political junkies who have gone two years without a national party convention — and have to wait an unbearable two years before the next one. And who chose those 6 memorable moments? CBS News' top political junkie – Major Garrett! Which convention moments did Major Garrett pick? Why did he pick them? How is Major Garrett himself holding up having gone two years without covering a convention – and having to wait two more years for the next one? And why was Clint Eastwood talking to a chair? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Stephen Colbert and Politics: Can You Name the 22 Fun Facts You May Not Know Or Remember?
3w ago00:35:54Tap to summarizeAre you a Stephen Colbert fan? Think you know everything there is to know about Stephen Colbert… and politics? Well, did you know about this? QUESTION: Jake, Stephen Colbert, Senior White House Correspondent for the Daily Show. Will the President be making any more statements today? SIEWERT: The President I expect will be making a statement this afternoon, and you're invited to attend that. QUESTION: Will he be available for one-on-ones? SIEWERT: He will not be available for a one-on-one with the Daily Show. QUESTION: Could you at least ask? SIEWERT: We could check. I don't know -- unfortunately, you know, D.C. Cable -- and I'm a long-time subscriber to D.C. Cable -- doesn't carry the Daily Show, as you may or may not be aware. So he may not be familiar with the show. QUESTION: Make sure he knows it's Stephen Colbert, not Stephen Carell, okay? That's C-o-l-b-e-r-t. He'll see me. SIEWERT: Okay. That's right – that really was Stephen Colbert asking a question at a White House press briefing. January 16th, 2001 … with Clinton press secretary Jake Siewart. And it's just one of 22 fun facts about Stephen Colbert and politics you may not know or remember. In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" - for the first time ever - you can hear them all! When did Stephen Colbert show up at the White House? Why did he testify to Congress? And what have politicians said about him — even when he wasn't in the room? 22 fun facts about Stephen Colbert and politics. ... Can you name them all? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Keir Starmer Jokes About Sex and More British PMQ Comedy– With Special Guest Jon Macks
4w ago00:35:32Tap to summarizeKeir Starmer departs soon as British Prime Minister... But not before telling a joke or two — about sex ..."On consistency, don’t get me started: five Prime Ministers, six Chancellors, eight Home Secretaries 16 Housing Ministers—they had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they are knackered; they left the country screwed."That was Prime Minister's Questions. .... January 14th, 2026 — Turns out, during this past year of PMQs, Keir Starmer told many jokes— and not all about sex. Was Keir Starmer funny? What jokes did Members of Parliament tell? What are some top jokes from prior PMQs? And — are Prime Ministers Questions really all that funny? How does Jon Macks rate each PMQ joke? How would he improve them? And which "joke" heard during Prime Ministers Questions does Jon Macks think was the funniest? To find out, in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," we're joined by a very special guest – one of the funniest people on this side of the pond ... legendary comedy writer Jon Macks. Find out in Extreme Mortman - as we say goodbye to Keir Starmer — and celebrate 250 years of American independence from Britain – not just from British rule, but independence from British comedy.Find Extreme Mortman wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Supreme Court Comedy Festival: Justice Scalia's Funniest Moments – with James Rosen (Part 2)
Jul 900:33:56Tap to summarizeQuick 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 2 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
Transcribe →July 4th Special: How the British Burning Washington Became One Big Joke
Jul 200:26:02Tap to summarizeHappy Fourth of July! 250 years ago, America declared independence from the British. And 212 years ago … the British burned down the White House. And now … it's become one big joke … And if I may say so, it is a particular pleasure to be back in this wonderful building, the heart of your democracy. On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President...following your visit to Windsor Castle last year. And I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real-estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814. That was King Charles the Third... His Royalness, His Majesty at the White House in April 2026 when President Trump threw a big state dinner for him … King Charles isn't the only Brit to joke about the British burning down the White House, and the Capitol. Which other British leaders make War of 1812 jokes? Which American presidents do it, too? And what about officials from other countries — what jokes do they tell about the War of 1812? And -- of all these jokes about burning the White House and the Capitol -- which are funniest? Judge for yourself in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," as we celebrate this year's Fourth of July – and 250 years of American independence – by hearing politicians joke about – that time the British burned down Washington. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts … Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Supreme Court Comedy Festival: Justice Scalia's Funniest Moments – with James Rosen (Part 1)
Jun 2500:37:03Tap to summarizeQuick 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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Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part 2)
Jun 1800:34:08Tap to summarizeQuick 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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Presidential Libraries: Top Moments from 10 Dedication Ceremonies — with Tevi Troy (part I)
Jun 1100:46:18Tap to summarizeOn 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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An Oral History of Senate TV: 40 Years of Memorable Moments on C-SPAN2, with Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, Chad Pergram – Part 2
Jun 400:32:31Tap to summarizeWe'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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