Here's one thing you don't normally hear mentioned in the prayer: The Super Bowl.

But one day, that did happen.

"Lord, give our Senators unity to light the symphony with its variety of instruments, its many different notes which produce grand harmonies. May our lawmakers reduce these melodies on this Super Bowl Sunday."

That was Senate chaplain Dr. Barry Black.

With this year's Super Bowl approaching, this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" remembers one historic day when U.S. Senators were debating and football teams were playing — both at the same time ... and both with a lot at stake.

When was the Senate in session on Super Bowl Sunday?

Why was the Senate in session on Super Bowl Sunday?

And which Senators talked about the Super Bowl — and what did they say? 

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." 

Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts.  

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In September 1993, Ross Perot held a press conference on Capitol Hill. He was surrounded by members from both parties. The topic: the then-secretive and mysterious discharge petition:

"Well, this is a great day for our country. I am certain that the framers of the Constitution and the signers of the Declaration of Independence are looking down from heaven smiling on this reform. For 63 years, there was a handful of leaders in the House of Representatives who decided the agenda, not the members of the House. This was an unlikely event to occur, but it did occur because of the leadership and the courage of the people who signed that petition."

Soon after Ross Perot's 1993 press conference, the House of Representatives ended its 63- year-old tradition of secrecy surrounding discharge petitions.

They became public.  And so did the list of members who signed them.

And that changed everything.

What is a discharge petition?

How does it work?

And in 2026, what does it have to do with health care… with members of Congress owning stocks .. and with Jeffrey Epstein?

And -- how has the discharge petition changed politics in Congress – particularly when the Republican House majority is razor thin?

Scott Wong Has Answers! …

The NBC News senior congressional reporter joins C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" …. Scott Wong explains how the discharge petition has become a game changer in Congress.

So, if you have lots of questions about the discharge petition – but were afraid to ask – then listen to the latest episode of "Extreme Mortman" – with very special guest - Scott Wong of NBC News.

Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts.

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Recently, the Washington Post ran a story headlined "8 political sex scandals that threw the nation into a frenzy."

Longtime Post reporter Roxanne Roberts wrote that story.

Here's one politician who made Roxanne Roberts' list:

"We're all going to have to seriously question the system for selecting our national leaders that reduces the press of this nation to hunters and presidential candidates to being hunted, that has reporters in bushes, false and inaccurate stories printed, photographers peeking in our windows, swarms of helicopters hovering over our roof and my very strong wife close to tears because she can't even get in her own house at night without being harassed. And then, after all that, ponderous pundits wonder in mock seriousness why some of the best people in this country choose not to run for high office."

Who was that and how did he get on the list of 8?

Who are the other seven?

What's the history behind each of the frenzies?

And what do they all have in common?

In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – find out.

Our very special guest -- Roxanne Roberts herself – she goes through each of the political sex scandals which made her Washington Post list. And we hear clips about the scandals from most of the politicians and those individuals they were involved with.

It's a special two-parter of "Extreme Mortman." This week's episode is part 2.

Find C-SPAN's Extreme Mortman wherever you get podcasts.

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Recently, the Washington Post ran a story headlined "8 political sex scandals that threw the nation into a frenzy."

Longtime Post reporter Roxanne Roberts wrote that story.

Here's one politician who made Roxanne Roberts' list:

"We're all going to have to seriously question the system for selecting our national leaders that reduces the press of this nation to hunters and presidential candidates to being hunted, that has reporters in bushes, false and inaccurate stories printed, photographers peeking in our windows, swarms of helicopters hovering over our roof and my very strong wife close to tears because she can't even get in her own house at night without being harassed. And then, after all that, ponderous pundits wonder in mock seriousness why some of the best people in this country choose not to run for high office."

Who was that and how did he get on the list of 8?

Who are the other seven?

What's the history behind each of the frenzies?

And what do they all have in common?

In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – find out.

Our very special guest -- Roxanne Roberts herself – she goes through each of the political sex scandals which made her Washington Post list. And we hear clips about the scandals from most of the politicians and those individuals they were involved with.

It's a special two-parter of "Extreme Mortman."

Find C-SPAN's Extreme Mortman wherever you get podcasts.

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This week, the annual Consumer Electronics Show is being held in Las Vegas Nevada.

You might find members of Congress attending.

Like Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen …

"I got to do something fun a couple of weeks ago because in my home state of Nevada we host the Consumer Electronic Show and let me tell you what I saw there was just amazing. How technology is going to advance people with disabilities, people who are aging, it is going to improve our travel, our home, even our cooking, there are washing machines that will just about do everything for you except put away the laundry and so it is really tremendous."

That was Senator Rosen speaking at a January 22nd, 2020, Senate Commerce hearing on 5G Technology.

Which other members of Congress have said they attended the show?

What else from the Consumer Electronics Show has inspired them?

And what do members of Congress and Senators say about the show being held in Las Vegas?

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In 2025, you watched and listened to a lot of C-SPAN.

Can you name your favorite moments from the past year?

Here's one person who can:

Cate Martel.

You know Cate Martel as a longtime reporter for The Hill and creator of The Hill's 12:30 Report newsletter.

C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" asked Cate Martel for her favorite C-SPAN moments in 2025.

Here’s one which made her list:

"Look, now there is no guarantee that the show is always good or that it’ll go off without a hitch or it doesn’t have its, uh, hecklers. Yeah. But the show must go on. And, if you’re with your people, and you won’t have to do it alone. Because life is not a solo act. No, it’s not. It’s a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you’re with your people."

That was Kermit the Frog giving the 2025 commencement address at the University of Maryland.

Which other moments made Cate Martel's best-of 2025-on-C-SPAN list?

Who wore hard hats and other protective gear on C-SPAN in 2025 – much to Cate Martel's considerable amusement?

And – gosh – why is Kermit the Frog on Cate Martel's list?

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Extreme Mortman is a fast-paced podcast hosted by Howard Mortman that dives into American politics, history, and the vast C-SPAN Video Library. With a mix of commentary, archival clips, and playful challenges, Mortman brings decades of Washington moments to life. The podcast offers both insight and entertainment, drawing on C-SPAN’s unmatched archives to connect past events with today’s political conversation.

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Over the summer, C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" did an episode all about Presidents – and summer vactions.

Now - time for the sequel – Presidents – and winter vacations!

Like the one Barack Obama took – which he previewed during a 2013 press conference – a few days before Christmas:

"So the end of the year is always a good time to reflect and see what can you do better next year. That's how I intend to approach it. I'm sure that I will have even better ideas after a couple days of sleep and sun."

And George W. Bush, on vacation in 2002, New Year's Eve:

"Hi, guys. Happy New Year to everybody. Laura and I wish all our fellow Americans a prosperous and peaceful and a happy new year. We are really happy to be spending New Year here in Crawford, Texas. We'll be having our New Year's hamburger here in a minute."

Just like with presidents and summer vacation, by now you're likely wondering:

• Where do our Presidents go for winter vacation?

• Do they get work done during winter vacation?

• Who pays for the trip?

• And what do political junkies and National Journal veterans Kirk Bado and Ledge King –– say about presidents and winter vacations?

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Hollywood legend Robert Redford didn't just make movies. He also spoke at the National Press Club. Where he talked about his movies. Like "All the President's Men."

"We had some people within the Post that were unflagging in their cooperation, like Bob Woodward. He was -- you know he may have had something to gain in it, but he was incredibly cooperative, even against the heat of his own paper. And it was through Bob and Carl -- their notes, we were able to construct a lot of the screenplay from because I wasn't able to get enough information from the original screenplay. So, we went back with them and just took all their notes and constructed a lot of the dramatic scenes from their notes."

That was Robert Redford at the National Press Club in September 1994.

The actor's recent death had many media and political junkies remembering that movie about the Washington Post and Watergate.

And likely a few questions came to mind:

• What did Bob Woodward and his colleagues say "All the President's Men" got right - and what did the movie get wrong?

• What else did Robert Redford himself say about the Washington Post, Bob Woodward — and his Academy Award-winning movie?

• And a question few Americans ever have had the chance to consider: What did Bob Woodward think of Robert Redford playing him?

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December 7th, 1992 ... The East Room of the White House.... The President and White House staff gather for a Christmas Ceremony.... The mood is gloomy, sad, glum. A month earlier, President George Bush lost his reelection campaign. The president is introduced, the staff applauds — but then a surprise - and the mood changes entirely:

"Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. At this juncture. That was the other one. Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture. That thing, doing that thing. Now, I always did this thing. I always said that the President goes, "It's bad, it's bad," but you only did it once. I did it for four years. He did it once. So. I don't know. do you want to come on up."

That was comedian Dana Carvey.

And, with his urging, President Bush did come on up..

Now, 33 years later, we're still talking about politicians and their relationships with comedians who make fun of them.

In this week's episode of C-SPAN's "Extreme Mortman" — we remember when a comedian did an impression of a president — and the president did an impression of the comedian doing an impresion of the president.

What did that sound like?

How did Dana Carvey get to play the White House?

And perhaps most important — What did President Bush think of Dana Carvey's impression?

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