Ep 13. History's Biggest Presidential Bad Boy

Join or Die with Craig Ferguson is a comedy panel show where the host and a panel of guests debate and discuss various topics from history. In season 1 episode 13, titled History's Biggest Presidential Bad Boy, Craig Ferguson and his panelists set their sights on some of the most notorious and controversial presidents in American history.

The episode begins with Craig introducing the panel, which includes comedian and actor Adam Goldberg, political commentator and author Sally Kohn, and comedian and writer Dave Hill. After some brief banter, Craig dives into the first topic: which president was the biggest bad boy?

The panelists throw out a few names, including John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton, but eventually settle on Andrew Jackson. Jackson was known for his fiery temper, dueling skills, and general disregard for the rule of law. He also infamously defied a Supreme Court ruling and forcibly removed Native Americans from their land, a policy that led to thousands of deaths and is now widely condemned as a genocide.

The conversation then turns to another bad boy president: Richard Nixon. The panel discusses his involvement in the Watergate scandal, his famously paranoid and secretive nature, and his eventual resignation from office. They also touch on his impressive foreign policy achievements, particularly his historic visit to China.

Next up is Teddy Roosevelt, who is often remembered as a larger-than-life figure who embodied the spirit of American exceptionalism. However, the panel argues that his assertive and sometimes violent foreign policy, as well as his views on race and colonization, make him a bad boy in his own right.

The panel then debates which president was the biggest ladies' man. Again, JFK and Clinton come up, but the panel ultimately settles on Warren G. Harding, who allegedly had affairs with several women while in office. They also discuss Franklin D. Roosevelt's complicated love life and the fact that he had a mistress while serving as president.

The next topic is which president was the biggest drinker. The panel agrees that Ulysses S. Grant and Franklin Pierce were both heavy drinkers, but they ultimately give the title to Harry S. Truman, who famously enjoyed his bourbon and once said, "I'm just a plain Missouri farmer and I like to have a little whiskey around."

The final topic of the night is which president was the biggest badass. The panel throws out several names, including Theodore Roosevelt, who survived an assassination attempt and once delivered a speech with a bullet lodged in his chest; George Washington, who famously crossed the freezing Delaware River to surprise enemy troops; and Abraham Lincoln, who hunted vampires and emancipated the slaves.

In the end, the panel decides that Lincoln deserves the title of biggest badass for his incredible leadership during the Civil War and his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.

Overall, History's Biggest Presidential Bad Boy is a fun and entertaining episode of Join or Die with Craig Ferguson. The panelists offer some interesting insights into the lives and legacies of some of America's most controversial presidents, and their debates and arguments make for some lively and engaging television. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a good laugh, this episode is definitely worth watching.