Extreme Mortman

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.

  1. 5d ago

    Stephen Colbert and Politics: Can You Name the 22 Fun Facts You May Not Know Or Remember?

    Are 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

  2. Jul 9

    Supreme Court Comedy Festival: Justice Scalia's Funniest Moments – with James Rosen (Part 2)

    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 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

  3. Jul 2

    July 4th Special: How the British Burning Washington Became One Big Joke

    Happy 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

  4. Jun 25

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

    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

4.4
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

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.

More From C-SPAN

You Might Also Like