"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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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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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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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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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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Getting ready for January 20th – and the presidential inauguration?

Then you might also be getting ready for fun facts about the swearing-in ceremony.

Like in 2009 – when swearing-in President Barack Obama – Chief Justice John Roberts got the oath wrong.

What did he get wrong?

And -- what are some other inauguration fun facts?

Like:

• Which Chief Justice has administered the most oaths of office?

• Which Chief Justice has administered the second most oaths of office?

• Who was the first woman Supreme Court justice to conduct a swearing-in – and for whom?

• How many times has a Black justice conducted a swearing-in – and for whom?

• How many House Speakers have done it?

• And which football star administered the oath of office?

The answers – and a whole lot more – in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

It's 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office in Presidential Inaugurations 

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

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We're just days away from President Joe Biden leaving the White House.

Which makes this a good time to remember other departing presidents – and their farewell addresses.

Like Richard Nixon speaking to staff, August 9, 1974, the day he resigned the presidency.

You are here to say goodbye to us, and we don't have a good word for it in English -- the best is au revoir. We'll see you again.

Presidents giving farewell addresses … 

• Who spoke from the White House?

• Who used their State of the Union addresses as their farewell?

• Who said goodbye in places other than Washington DC?

• And – of course -- what did they say?

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

It's the best-of presidential farewell speeches …

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On Monday, January 6, 2025, Congress once again will meet in a Joint Session to certify the electoral votes in the presidential election.

As President of the Senate and presiding over that ceremony, Kamala Harris will find herself a unique and rare position –a sitting vice president who ran for the presidency and then had announce his or her own electoral defeat.

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Ever wonder how C-SPAN’s The Weekly comes together? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we pull back the curtain to explore the making of our podcast. From brainstorming story ideas to interviewing top political insiders, discover what it takes to deliver timely and insightful episodes week after week. Join host Howard Mortman and producer Shannon Rice as they share funny anecdotes, memorable moments, and the challenges of turning complex political topics into compelling audio storytelling. Plus, hear exclusive stories that didn’t make it into the episodes and learn how The Weekly stays true to C-SPAN's mission of providing unbiased and unfiltered coverage of American politics.

Tune in for a candid conversation about the art, hustle, and heart behind your favorite episodes!

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The Washington Post recently published a 10-page special section called, "A half-century of George F. Will: The Iron Man of America's op-ed pages."… George Will’s first syndicated column for the Washington Post was January 4, 1974….

Inspired by the Washington Post marking five decades of reading George Will …. the C-SPAN podcast “The Weekly” is marking mark four decades of hearing about George Will…

 Like from Republican Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde –– during the Iran-Contra hearings … July 1987:

“There’s another saying and that’s all lies are reprehensible. Some lies are just reprehensible than others. For instance, we politicians We practice what’s called political hyperbole. We don’t lie. We practice political hyperbole. George Will has a great phrase: He has an emancipated view of the facts.”

• What have Congressmen said about George Will?

• What have Senators said about Georgia Will?

• What have presidents and presidential candidates said about George Will?

• And what do other top writers and columnists think about George Will?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” – it’s a best-of mentions of George Will – on C-SPAN

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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