Extreme Mortman

Latest Episodes:

Annual Baseball Episode: An Oral History of the Washington Nationals, As Told By Congress Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

October 31st, 2019.

The U.S. House debates and passes a resolution laying out the rules in the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump.

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer addresses the House that day — but there's something else on his mind as well:

Today is a serious day. Last night was an extraordinary night. I rise for the millions of people who live in the Washington metropolitan area to congratulate and to exalt with all of our region

on the extraordinary achievement of the Washington Nationals.

What was the Washington Nationals' extraordinary achievement that Congressman Hoyer was talking about?

Find out in the next episode of C-SPAN's "The Weekly"...

Because ... it's our annual baseball episode!

And it's timed for two major events: The podcast drops on opening day of the 2025 baseball season ... and 2025 marks 20 years of baseball back in DC.

So, celebrate both milestones with something special — an oral history! — the biggest moments in Washington Nationals baseball history — as told by Congress.

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The JFK Assassination, Oliver Stone, and Conspiracy Theories — Now with President Trump Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

On the third day of his second administration, President Trump signed six executive orders. One was: Declassifying files pertaining to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

The inclusion of JFK was of particular interest to the C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly."

Three years ago -- in March 2022 — we did an episode marking the 30th anniversary of Oliver Stone's movie "JFK." ... That podcast featured only clips from Oliver Stone talking about "JFK" at the National Press Club. We heard Oliver Stone go after reporters and historians who doubted his conspiracy theory-driven version of the Kennedy assassination.

Now, in preparation for the upcoming assassination records release, this week's episode of "The Weekly" is a new twist on our original Oliver Stone "JFK" podcast... This time, instead of hearing Oliver Stone go after his detractors, we'll hear his detractors go after Oliver Stone.

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Three Top Political Podcasters Share Their Favorite Moment From The House on TV Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

Next week is C-SPAN's 46th anniversary…. On March 19th, 1979, House TV began – for the first time Americans could watch live gavel to gavel coverage of the U.S. House floor on their television. … It was Day One of privately funded C-SPAN.

To mark this anniversary on this podcast, we're trying something new.

We asked three of America's greatest political podcasters to pick their favorite moment from the House on TV… We'll play the clip they picked… And then we'll talk to each of them about it.

It's an unrehearsed, free-flowing conversation – about the U.S. House on TV – and three favorite moments.

Our three podcast guests:

• Jen Briney – "Congressional Dish"

• Justin Robert Young – "Politics, Politics, Politics"

• Andrew Heaton – "The Political Orphanage"

Which clip did each podcaster pick?

And why did they pick it?

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DEBT FRET: In their First Speeches to Congress, New Presidents Aguish About the National Debt Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

When presidents come into office, traditionally their first big speech to Congress is about the budget. Like President Trump this past week.

Instead of a State of the Union address, new presidents share their economic agenda and vision for the coming four years.

And almost always in that big budget speech, they anguish over the escalating national debt.

Like President Ronald Reagan in 1981…

Our national debt is approaching $1 trillion. A few weeks ago I called such a figure, a trillion dollars, incomprehensible, and I've been trying ever since to think of a way to illustrate how big a trillion really is. And the best I could come up with is that if you had a stack of thousand-dollar bills in your hand only 4 inches high, you'd be a millionaire. A trillion dollars would be a stack of thousand-dollar bills 67 miles high.

And President Bill Clinton in 1993 …

I well remember 12 years ago President Reagan stood at this very podium and told you and the American people that if our national debt were stacked in thousand-dollar bills, the stack would reach 67 miles into space. Well, today that stack would reach 267 miles.

What have other new presidents said in their economic speeches to Congress about the debt?

Which presidents have blamed other presidents?

And how has rhetoric about the debt changed over past decades in these speeches to Congress?

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." As we hear new Presidents fret about the debt.

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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SNL’S Chris Farley as Speaker Newt Gingrich: An Oral History Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

If someone were to ask you: name your favorite moment in Congress involving a character from Saturday Night Live -- how would you respond?

There’s a good chance you would say it was this: Chris Farley – as Speaker Newt Gingrich – with Speaker Newt Gingrich –– August 4th, 1995 … It was the 100th day of the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives. And Chris Farley – dressed up as Newt Gingrich and doing a doing masterful and frenetic impression of the Speaker – in front of the entire Republican conference.

This month, SNL is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

At C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly,” we’re marking an additional anniversary -- 30 years since that iconic moment on Capitol Hill when Chris Farley showed up in Congress as Newt Gingrich.

What were the resolutions Newt Gingrich, er Chris Farley, introduced that day?

What did Chris Farley say about Democrats?

What did Newt Gingrich think of the impression?

And how hard did Chris Farley bang the speaker’s gavel on the podium?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.”

It’s part 2 of our look back at the impact Saturday Night Live has had on the U.S. Congress.

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Congress Revises and Extends "Saturday Night Live" Feb 20, 2025

Show notes

"Saturday Night Live" – The comedy show has been on TV for half a century.

And it seems like Congress has been talking about it for nearly that long.

Like Democratic Senator Al Gore in 1990: "I saw a television show recently called Saturday Night Live, Mr. President. They have the habit of putting on humorous pretend commercials that look like real commercials."

And Republican Congressman David Drier in 1993: "Mr. Speaker, more than a few of us in this Chamber are aficionados of a television program known as Saturday Night Live. My friend, from San Diego, even tells me that he has seen it one time"

As "Saturday Night Live" marks its 50th anniversary … the C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly" marks the many, many times members of Congress talk about it.

What is it about Saturday Night Live that so interests Congress?

Which SNL skits and characters get their attention?

And – for Al Franken -- which job was more fun: Being a Senator – or working on "Saturday Night Live"?

All that – and much more Congress comedy -- in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

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Happy Valentine’s Day – Let’s Talk Tommy Gun - And Massacre Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Americans are celebrating Valentine's Day. So, let's remember – the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.

Here's President Bill Clinton, speaking on February 15th, 1994 – the day after Valentine’s Day, to the law enforcement community in London Ohio …

In the last three decades, violent crimes have increased by 300 percent. Over the last three years, almost a third of Americans have either had themselves or someone in their families victimized by crime. Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago, which captured the entire nation's attention. The country was riveted by the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. Some of you may be old enough to remember it as children; I have seen movies about it. It absolutely galvanized the nation. In 1929, seven people were killed -- that was a massacre in 1929. In most cities today, it's a normal weekend.

Which other politicians have connected the St. Patrick's Day Massacre to policy and legislation?

What do they get right – and what do they get wrong – about Al Capone's involvement?

And what did former Attorney General Merrick Garland get as a farewell gift that is closely associated with the Massacre?

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly" … as we mark

a romantic, sweet holiday – when Americans unify by celebrating love and friendship – by remembering a horrific bloody massacre .

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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Presidents Talk Democracy Unfiltered Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

You might have seen or heard a new promo spot from C-SPAN – Presidents talking democracy … from Jimmy Carter through Donald Trump ….

Carter: "Democracy is always an unfinished creation"

Reagan: "Democracy is worth dying for"

Bush: "Democracy belongs to us all"

Clinton: "We are here in the sanctuary of democracy"

Bush: "Great responsibilities fall once again to the great democracies"

Obama: "American democracy is bigger than any one person"

Trump: "Freedom and democracy must be constantly guarded and protected"

Biden: "We are still, at our core, a democracy."

Trump: "This is also a massive victory for democracy and for freedom”

The spot ends with our new tagline -- Democracy Unfiltered.

C-SPAN's new slogan reflects what's new in America in 2025: A new presidency, a new Congress, a new moment in politics.

Wondering where those quick clips come from?

What was their context?

And what else did the presidents say about democracy?

Find out in this week's "Democracy Unfiltered" episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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A Ford Eulogy for Carter, A Carter Eulogy for Ford Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Two presidents. Two eulogies. For each other.

Political opponents who became friends. Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.

Here's Jimmy Carter's eulogy for Gerald Ford in 2007.

For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."

Those were the first words I spoke as president. And I still hate to admit that they received more applause than any other words in my inaugural address.

And here's Gerald Ford, through his son Steven, in 2025

As for myself, Jimmy, I'm looking forward to our reunion. We have much to catch up on. Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome home, old friend.

Jimmy Carter – a Democrat - and Gerald Ford – a Republican - ran against each in 1976.

So how did they become friends?

And how did they end up writing eulogies for each other?

And – what did they say about each other?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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John Tower 1989: Senate Debates Defense Secretary – And Alcohol Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

During the first two weeks of March 1989, the U.S. Senate debated President George Bush's nominee for Defense Secretary, John Tower.

Among the Senators who spoke about former Senator Tower – one of his former colleagues -- Alaska Republican Ted Stevens …

"my mind went back again to some Senators I have known here in the Senate who have been impaired. I saved one Senator one day who almost fell in the path of a subway, he was so intoxicated. I have spent time in the steam room with Senators who were intoxicated. One of my great friends from the past, who is now deceased, the first day I was in the Senate, he was so intoxicated he had to lean on my shoulder to walk over to the other building, to the Senate Office Building."

Why did Senator Ted Stevens talk about drunk Senators during debate over John Tower?

Which other Senators talked about alcohol during floor debate over the Defense Secretary nominee?

Which legendary Washington DC watering holes were mentioned during the debate?

And why did Senators repeatedly cite Winston Churchill?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" –

As we prepare for Senate debate over Donald Trump's nomination of Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary, it's a look back at the lengthy and angry debate in 1989 over George Bush's pick … Senators citing reports of John Tower drinking ––asking whether it was relevant to his nomination – and pointing fingers at each other.

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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