John Hodgman at Radio & TV Correspondents' Dinner

Humorist John Hodgman was the entertainment headliner at the 2009 Radio and TV Correspondents' Dinner. Mr. Hodgman roasted the president for being a "nerd", referencing his place in popular culture and passion for comics and science fiction. www.c-spanarchi...

[@Wanderhooman]

I'm watching Dune now, and just remembered this video that I saw yyeeeaaarssss ago! John Hodgman is ❤️

[@neverender158]

FYI the answer to his very simple 3 part question about Dune is: 1. Shai-hulud 2. a Thumper 3. The water of life

[@AmandaBlackGTM]

I love how smart and well-spoken John is. This was fantastic.

[@TheoMurpse]

One of the best speeches I've seen in a long time. It was amazing how he shifted from the light comedy to the insight about jock and nerd presidencies.

[@markmarsh27]

Hilarious performance by Hodgman. He is an incredibly smart guy.

[@DadlaniBerlin]

Excellent .... enjoyed so much !!!

[@gucker07]

"i have been, and always shall be, your friend" i always loved that quote!:)

[@YogeshPersonalChannel]

Coming from freakonomics ep370

[@daddyleon]

Me too :)

[@judasishmael]

I have to say, at the end of his speech, I put my hand upon my chest in the utmost heartfelttedness, and then right into the Vulcan wishwell. Live long and prosper!

[@komradkyle]

that was one of the greatest things Ive seen in my life

[@lordcron]

John Hodgman's stock just went up in my book. I love this guy.

[@PalemoonTwilight]

Quintessential dry humor delivered medium-rare, Hodgman style. Thanks, John.

[@burnsinblack]

I LOVE this guy! The Dune reference could not be more true. Only a few of us nerds out there actually have read Dune and would know what the Kwisatz Haderach is!

[@Horus515]

I immediately knew exactly what he meant when he said "Kwisatz Haderach". I guess I'm a nerd.

[@rezidentbivrip]

I just became a John Hodgman fan... what he just did their was AMAZING. He took liberals view of Obama, people who say he's not delivering the change he spoke about in the campaign and basically saying Change takes time, this is the beginning, not the end of the change, and to calm the fuck down and give the man a chance LOL. *Applauds* Go John Hodgman!!!

[@biscuitparty]

Jesus Christ! John Hodgman owned that mic. That was even better than So

[@ru429]

Mr. Hodgman, you have done it again and you almost made me cry.

[@dmwcany]

less politics, and just perfect humor.

[@elsonero82]

when he takes questions in debates or from the media he gives clear and well thought of responses..... no teleprompters there

[@ThyRequiem]

I heard Kwisatz Haderach and I gigglesnorted. And yeah, they WERE easy questions! Haha.

[@kokobin]

The closing of the speech was par excellence in its originality and nerdfullness.

[@AWFarmer]

Thanks for making me feel +2 INT on my nerd job

[@Shizenvi]

The Dune reference made me laugh rootbeer out my nose.

[@CanadianGuy25]

Just fantastic.

[@CaptPoco]

The icing on the cake is the Princess Irulan quotes!

[@KitFireburn]

I just shed a tear. So beautiful. :'3

[@iamjiggssma]

It's also nice to see intelligent humor and how readily the Prez can appreciate it.

[@BillyClubCondor]

Great video. John Hodgman is masterful in his delivery.

[@PickleSnort14]

That was a amazing speech he gave. he is so funny. Him and stephen colbert are probably the best people to ever entertain at this thing.

[@diamondperidot]

Hodgman was FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC! He was witty and intelligent and I especially enjoyed all his double entendres.

[@ChuckPebble]

Crap, yeah. I knew too many answers. Love how he wrapped up. Got very powerful.

[@yunged]

clever, smart and funny, what a great speech!

[@NYCcade]

Brilliant! Perfectly played. He knocked it out of the park with that one. Epic win. GO NERDS!

[@IngotAU]

Hodgman writes and performs a lot of radio comedy. For whatever reason, writers of radio comedy are generally called "humorists." For example, Garrison Keillor refers to himself as the "world's tallest radio humorist."

[@TiaMalas]

Oh my. This geek, like most good Sci-fi story tellers, can spin a yarn with a moral. Well played. Live long and prosper, my friend.

[@Noelwiz]

How have i never seen this

[@fotmasta]

Brilliant !

[@luvzgb]

SUPERB!

[@4nansi]

The answer to the three part question is: Maker Thumper Water of LIfe in that order.

[@Cuchifrito]

Fantastic. I Heart John Hodgman!

[@brandeks]

As a fellow geek I totally loved this!

[@blankz121]

this was really really good

[@sporto10101010]

Every time I see this guy I think of those PC or MAC commercials.lol!

[@FuriousCoder]

Brilliant, subtle humor. Nice one John.

[@MariposaMcNabb]

Only one thing missing from an almost perfect speech. Johnathon Coulton in the background playing nice, sweet accompaniment.

[@crazydafy]

that was great

[@anybodyelseNOW]

awesome speech.

[@munduking]

i thought this would be boring... but then i cant stop watching

[@johndehner]

John you know I love your video Thank you John

[@dvtuber]

Its the professional media and a media event... what more can be said. ;-)

[@tehjamerz]

sweet video thank you

[@amarucarrasquillo6691]

his closing thoughts where fucking awesome

[@DennerMusic]

John very impressive and well said

[@HaShomeret]

thanks. someone needs to write this every few hours to make sure the we can find it with out reading through all the comments.

[@hedonistic2008]

Humorist of the first class!!! John Hodgman the great.

[@IamStevenD]

i hav no idea who that guy is but his offically the coolest guy ever

[@Bloodyidit]

by definition, a nerd is someone who is knowledgeable in a field that isn't sports. so yes, in order to be a nerd, you must actually be bright. also, nerd is a positive term in the majority of society's current consciousness (just as planned) so being a nerd requires to to actually have a good set of morals. someone who doesn't fit the second set of requirements is called an "asshole" and someone who doesn't fit the first set is not called a nerd.

[@cpricejones]

he is from time to time on the daily show ..

[@RichieW]

that was actually very good.. I normally get bored and turn things like this off.. but I got 3/4 the way through!

[@alphaod]

Epic as usual.

[@gucker07]

Fantastic! Hodgman is really good.

[@Bloodyidit]

come to think of it, we nerds have been in control for a while now. it's a heartwarming thought.

[@WindowsBreakerG4]

They were all enjoying the dinner ;)

[@SoundMusicVideo]

Impressive ! Thanks for sharing this one John

[@TubeYou4Good]

i didn't have high hopes but that ended up being hysterical

[@ccommack]

That's David Axelrod. So far as I can tell, that's the way he always looks.

[@AirBreather]

"[Mr. President,] you are clearly not exactly the person we hoped you would be."

[@DavidGlover]

Boy that was good!

[@6sodiumnitrite9]

"The president is known to dabble in sports. And not just bowling, but the hard stuff. What they call... basketsballs." hahahahaha John Hodgman's hilarious.

[@chiwuwu]

I personally love your brand of crazy.

[@eqsheiky]

God, I love John Hodgman! =)

[@marniespeaks]

all the beautiful people

[@SalemXIII]

Wow, that was really awesome!

[@blackwidow1417]

wow, quite a awesome speech.

[@ftbotsb]

John Hodgman, that was excellent!

[@Spenckem]

good work Hodge

[@mnoe817]

I mean this as a compliment -- for I am about to show how nerdy I am -- Hodgman reminded me of Robert Benchley with this speech.

[@fbrodya]

Smart and funny. It's about time a US president embodies that, and Hodgman nicely reflected that. Also I must say it's disturbing that so many use these comments as a way to sling verbal poison. Not smart, and not funny. Our country will not survive nor compete unless intellect is both honored and valued.

[@lindaikeda4153]

Brilliant

[@Xylem44]

"Spockish calm and gangly frame" awesome!

[@pikarari]

The inhaler killed me.

[@MatthewTyreeKS]

Considering I didn't get to watch much tv at that time as I was doing my duty in the military, I can't say yes to that.

[@Bearonica]

That was fantastic! Holy smokes!

[@andreayaya]

Hodman= brilliant.

[@crgn]

By the way, it's 1) Shai-Hulud, 2) Thumpers and the third is a trick question, but Sandtrout is probably what he's angling for. No vomit is involved.

[@MackenzieMillerMusic]

Hahaha funniest thing ever!

[@gamesbymanuel]

This was surprisingly enjoyable. :)

[@JohnGuitarSolo]

John Rocks !

[@herrbasan]

PC is awsome .. at least when running Hodgman OS :)

[@isisstarlights]

Epic win!

[@noveltyhat]

haha such a perfect cut after "you are nerds."

[@JohnGuitarSolo]

John is always in time with the earth and space , Loved the speach during this white house meeting Maybe he would visit my COLLEGE in 2012

[@sabatheus]

You have strength. You shall be known as Usil, which is the strength of the base of the pillar.

[@donotswallow]

Ha, started a little slow, but once I realized where he was going with it, it was hilarious.

[@finalhit0]

1) Shai-Hulud 2) Thumper 3) Water of Life

[@brainfreeze215]

They're called Shai-Hulud!

[@grkpektis]

John is hilarious as always

[@AurosHarman]

@SomeNofA - Well, he was also referring to the fact that a bunch of the founders were Deists -- they believed that G*d set the world in motion, and then declined to intervene to help anyone out after that. Similarly, it's a DM's job to create the world and administer the rules impartially, rather than providing information (prophecy) or help (miracles) to the Player Characters.

[@joeslim83]

Good speech.

[@brainsareus]

being a nerd, does not automatically make one wise or moral,or even of necessity terribly bright. nerds come in all human personality type categories,just like everyone else.