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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January 6, 2006.

On the C-SPAN morning call-in program, the topic is lobbying and money and politics.

The guest is from the American League of Lobbyists… Here’s one of the calls.

Good morning, so, you are either stupid or naive, or whatever. If you are a low-level aid, you know good and well that if I were to call my congressman, who is Frank Wolf, I'm not going to get an audience with him unless I take him to Charlie Palmer's steakhouse right down on 101 Constitution Avenue. I am not going to get a call-back from him. I am not going to get a regular letter. I’m going to get a form letter thanking me for my interest.

Ah, Charlie Palmer Steak. The caller got the address correct. And it was actually the second mention of Charlie Palmer on "Washington Journal" that morning.

But -- there likely won’t be many more mentions of Charlie Palmer on C-SPAN … Or anywhere else…. Charlie Palmer – the steakhouse one block from the U.S. Capitol -- has shut down..

• How much money did political influencers spend at Charlie Palmer?

• Which political notables were famous for going there?

• And what did the C-SPAN audience think of all the lobbying and influence served up at Charlie Palmer?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – as we say farewell to Charlie Palmer … Farewell to all the steak … and farewell to all the money.

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The 119th Congress will have 12 new Senators.

And if you heard election night victory speeches on C-SPAN, you might have learned something new about many of them.

 DLike the new Democratic Senator from New Jersey, the first Korean American in the Senate -- Andy Kim: "As I prepare to take on this job, a job that only 2,000 Americans in this history of this country has ever had the honor to do."

And the new Republican Senator from Montana, Tim Sheehy, who was on stage with his wife Carmen: "We were married via the mail. I’m a mail order husband. Because she was deployed in Afghanistan. And I was somewhere else. And we decided to get married. So, we notarized a couple of forms. …She stuck with me through all sorts of crazy stuff. Plane crashes, wars, two wars. Multiple deployments."

In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly," you'll hear those new Senators – and many others -- share more personal stories during their election night speeches.

• Which new Senator told his audience his brothers on stage used to beat him up?

• Which new Senator held his election night party at the same hotel where he lived as a kid?

• And which new Senator shares a biblical name with his wife?

• And while we're at it – who was the last Republican to win a Senate race in New Jersey? … and who was the last Democrat to win a Senate race in Utah?

Those answers – and a whole lot more – in "The Weekly."

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Why would President Bush talk about broccoli at a prayer breakfast?

Where are other places he told his audience how much he disliked broccoli?

And what did First Lady Barbara Bush think about her husband’s broccoli hatred – and what stunt did she pull to retaliate?

Find out in C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” annual Thanksgiving food episode.

Because it’s our first-ever podcast about a side dish.

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

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President-elect Trump wants former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to head the Justice Department.

If Matt Gaetz does become Attorney General – the 87th Attorney General in U.S. history -- he’d likely appear before the House Judiciary Committee for oversight hearings.

What would that sound like?

It might go something like this….

GAETZ: And meanwhile, the judge is making money on it. The judge is making money on it -- or the judge's family is making money on it for stuff that you yourself wouldn't do. You know, no one's going to buy this. No one's going to believe it. It's going to create great disruption. And I am saddened by it because, like you, I have given my life to the law. I care deeply about the law. And I think that the lawfare we've seen against President Trump will do great damage well beyond our time in public service. I see my time's expired, I yield back.

JORDAN: Ranking member is recognized for five minutes.

NADLER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Attorney General, do you want to respond to anything in Mr. Gaetz’s tirade?

That was a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing for the Department of Justice. … June 4, 2024 …

Matt Gaetz – followed by committee chairman Jim Jordan -- followed by ranking member Jerry Nadler … 

In the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – we look back at House Judiciary Committee hearings during the Biden Administration … when Matt Gaetz was asking questions of Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Will Democratic questions sound the same when Attorney General Matt Gaetz is testifying?

Listen to “The Weekly” for some clues. 

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The peaceful transfer of power.

It’s something outgoing presidents traditionally talk about when turning over the White House to an incoming president …

Like Bill Clinton in 2001 – his final radio address:

“The peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next, from one party to another, may confound others around the globe. But it reflects the underlying strength of our Constitution and rule of law.”

And George H.W. Bush in 1992 – after he lost re-election to Bill Clinton:

“ I can think of nothing other to say than say let's finish this job with style. Let's get the job done, cooperate fully with the new administration. The Government goes on, as well it should, and we will support the new President and give him every chance to lead this country into greater heights.”

What have other presidents said about the peaceful transfer of power?

Which president – in his Inaugural address – called the peaceful transfer of power a “miracle”?

And how many former, current, and incoming presidents once gathered in the Oval Office – to assure a peaceful transfer of power -- and when was that historic event?

All these answers .. and a whole lot more … 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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Is it possible to use one word to remember or describe the 2024 presidential campaign?

If so, that one word might start with the letter S.

This year on the campaign trail, the S word seemed to be everywhere.

What were candidates talking about that required foul language?

How did the crowds react to all the cussing and cursing?

And did the candidates express any regrets about using vulgarity and profanity?

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

It’s our first-ever podcast that might be rated R – because it’s brought to you by the letter S.

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

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Getting ready for election night 2024? Excited to hear presidential candidates give victory and concession speeches?

First, refresh your memory with top lines from speeches in years past!

Like Democrat Jimmy Carter losing in 1980 …

“I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you. So, I can't stand here tonight and say it doesn't hurt. The people of the United States have made their choice, and, of course, I accept that decision but, I have to admit, not with the same enthusiasm that I accepted the decision four years ago.”

And Republican George Bush winning in 1988 …

“A campaign is a disagreement, and disagreements divide, but an election is a decision, and decisions clear the way for harmony and peace, and I mean to be a president of all the people, and I want to work for the hopes and interests, not only of my supporters, but of the governor's and of those who didn't vote at all.”

• What are the top lines or phrases presidential candidates have said in their victory and concession speeches?

• When was the last time those speeches were given on the day America voted?

• What was the only time both candidates spoke in the same city – and where was that?

• And … what year did both candidates speak outdoors?

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

It’s the top moments from presidential candidate victory and concession speeches – since1980!

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

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Getting ready for Halloween?

Well, while you're digging out the old costumes and candy … here's one more Halloween staple you need to brace yourself for:

Scary Halloween rhetoric on the presidential campaign trail.

“It’s good to be in Tampa. And of course, today is Halloween. All the kids are dressing up, doing scary things. That’s the way it is in the White House every day.”

That was Republican Bob Dole in 1996.

And here's Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988:

“You're going to see ads about crime again. It's trick or treat time, isn't it.”

What's the scariest Halloween language heard from presidential candidates?

What's the silliest?

And which Senate candidate had to tell voters – a few weeks before Halloween – that she was not a witch?

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

You’ll hear many politicians talk about Halloween– which makes this episode spook-tacular.

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

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The date: September 20th, 2024…

The place: The White House Rose Garden….

The speaker: actor Martin Sheen..

“You know, the Irish tell the story of a man who arrives at the gates of heaven and asks to be let in.

Saint Peter says, ‘Of course. Just show us your scars.’

The man says, ‘I have no scars.’ Saint Peter says ‘What a pity. Was there nothing worth fighting for?’

We are rightly called to find something in our lives worth fighting for

Something that can unite the will of the spirit with the work of the flesh

And when we find that, we will discover fire for the second time.”

What was Martin Sheen doing at the White House?

Which of his many acting roles was he recreating?

And what did he say next – which, by the way, he has said on C-SPAN several times before?

Find out by listening to this week’s episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

As the "The Weekly" marks the 25th anniversary of the hit television show “The West Wing.”

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