Podcast: Politics’ Thin Line Between Laughing and Cringing

Podcasts

Podcast: Politics’ Thin Line Between Laughing and Cringing

Political Theater, Episode 9

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., left, gets a hug from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., during the Washington Press Club Foundation's Congressional Dinner. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

By Jason Dick

Posted March 7, 2018 at 2:57pm

In light of the 74th Annual Congressional Dinner, Political Theater talks to Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri about when satire works and when it doesn’t. Warning: we have politicians telling jokes.

Watch: Lawmakers Take to Comedy at Annual Congressional Dinner

[jwp-video n=”1″]

Recent Stories

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at the Virginians for Fair Maps rally in Bridgewater, Va., on Saturday. Virginia voters will decide on April 21st if Virginia congressional districts will be redrawn to counter the Texas redistricting. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Photos of the week | April 10-16, 2026

Analilia Mejía, here at a news conference outside the Capitol in 2023, is the next congresswoman from New Jersey's 11th District.

Analilia Mejía wins special election for Sherrill’s seat in New Jersey

Republicans and Democrats on Thursday lamented the abrupt dismissal of Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, seen here.

Appropriators decry firing of Army chief

Todd Lyons, acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Rodney Scott, left, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, testify during a House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Thursday. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

Budget resolution for immigration funds expected next week

Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill testifies during the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Thursday.

TSA looks to privatize amid continued funding lapse woes

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. arrives to testify to the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday. Kennedy clashed with the previous CDC director.