The Entertainer-in-Chief: How Gerald Ford and Saturday Night Live Remade the American Presidency

Wed Dec 10 2025 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA | Ann Arbor

Terra Brock
Publisher/HostTerra Brock
The Entertainer-in-Chief: How Gerald Ford and Saturday Night Live Remade the American Presidency
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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.


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Event Venue

Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, United States

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