Al Franken
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Biographical
Born May 21, 1951 in New York City. Moved to Minnesota as a child.
Television
Comedian and political commentator. Saturday Night Live alum; he was a featured player and writer from 1975-1980 and a featured player and co-head writer from 1986-1995. Frequently appeared on "Weekend Update" (1980 being "the year of Al Franken"), including several years alongside turncoat Dennis Miller. His popular character Stuart Smalley was spun off into a critically acclaimed 1995 film Stuart Saves His Family. Had his own primetime NBC sitcom, Lateline, from 1998-1999. Was a regular guest along with Arianna Huffington on Comedy Central's Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.
Radio
Al Franken is one of Air America Radio's star personalities. His mid-day program, The O'Franken Factor, with former Minnesota Public Radio talent Katherine Lanpher, offers a fresh and factful perspective on American politics. Regular segments include the popular "Oy! Oy! Oy! Show," "My Sirota" (with guest David Sirota), and time with a "resident Dittohead" to highlight Rush Limbaugh's lies.
Books
Franken is also the author of many best-selling books:
 Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right (2003) (ISBN 0525947647) |
 Oh, the Things I Know! A Guide to Success, or, Failing That, Happiness (2002) (ISBN 0452284503) |
 Why Not Me (1999) (ISBN 0385334540) |
 Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot (1996) (ISBN 0440508649) |
 I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me! (1992) (ISBN 0440504708) |
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Al was sued by Bill O'Reilly and Fox News over the use of the term "Fair and Balanced." Al was victorious when the lawsuit was virtually laughed out of court, with U.S. District Judge Denny Chin famously calling Fox's lawsuit "wholly without merit, both factually and legally." Ironically, much of the initial popularity of Lies has been attributed to O'Reilly's lawsuit.
Political
Al was seen at several fundraisers and rallies during the Democratic primaries in 2004, and even tackled a heckler at a Howard Dean event [1]. Now Al is a proud and forthright supporter of John Kerry. Franken's pride in partisanship stands in stark cotrast to his nemesis Bill O'Reilly who shills for the GOP while pretending to be unbiased and independent. Franken is considering a run for the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone's seat, replacing ineffective Norm Coleman. While on Saturday Night Live, Al also did a very funny impression of the late Senator Paul Simon of Illinois and of the late Paul Tsongas.
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