If you think the annual State of the Union address is dull, long-winded, and full of grandstanding, be glad you don't live in Hugo Chavez' Venezuela.

The socialist leader hosts a weekly television program on Sundays where he expounds and pontificates on, well, anything he wants to. The program, called "Alo  Presidente!" often runs between five and eight hours long and features Chavez taking questions from a live audience, conversing with special guests, singing,  showing family photographs, and just rambling on.

The PBS program Frontline just released a compelling documentary on Chavez, which featured some footage of Alo, Presidente! The documentary is worth watching for the intimate portrait it provides of a nation in the grips of a socialist despot, and the most revealing segments are those of Chavez' weekly show.

All of Chavez' ministers attend the live taping, out of fear for their jobs mainly. But just being there can be a hazard too, as Chavez is known to randomly call on his ministers with questions. The scene is one of intimidation for them, and for the occasional visiting journalists as well.

The biggest "get" for the Chavez show appears to be Fidel Castro. Each week, whether the Cuban dictator is watching or not, Chavez makes sure to greet Casto on the air, and in English

Here's a recent exchange with Castro, who on this occasion called into the show:    

Castro: I see that you do not let go of the books. When do you sleep?

Chavez: I sleep a little in the early morning. I sleep some. I study a lot. That is one of the responsibilities of every revolutionary. We follow your example. I am now reading -

Castro: [Interrupting] Yes. You have been reading for a long while. You have great talent to keep it all in, to remember everything. The only thing you sometimes forget is figures.

Chavez: I forget numbers but not that much.

Castro: However, you have them all bookmarked and never miss one. It is not easy to keep up with you.

Chavez: Do you know how many hectares of corn are needed to produce one million barrels of ethanol?

Castro: To do what?

Chavez: To produce one million barrels of ethanol?

Castro: Ethanol. I believe you told me about that the other day. Somewhere around 20 million hectares.

Chavez:[Laughing] Just like that.

Castro: Go ahead, remind me.

Chavez: Indeed, 20 million. You are the one with an exceptional mind, not me.

The Frontline documentary is being broadcast on PBS stations this week, as well as on the Web.   

Broadcasts of Alo Presidente are available from the Venezuela government streaming on the Web and in transcripts.

Not "60 Minutes," More Like 420 Minutes