The Entertainer-in-Chief: How Gerald Ford and Saturday Night Live Remade the American Presidency
The Entertainer-in-Chief: How Gerald Ford and Saturday Night Live Remade the American Presidency
Gerald Ford became president at an unprecedented time of intensifying media scrutiny and growing public cynicism. To build back public trust in the presidency, he reluctantly turned to entertainment television, like the new late-night show, Saturday Night Live. His embrace of humor ultimately elevated expectations for presidents to entertain audiences and inadvertently changed what it meant to be “presidential” in the United States. Join us for a discussion with professor and author, Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell.
Following the event there will be a dessert reception.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FREE to the public
06:30 PM - 08:00 PM on Wed, 10 Dec 2025
Event Supported By
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
734-205-0540
ford.library@nara.gov
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
1000 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor,
Michigan
48109
ford.library@nara.gov