Al Franken: Difference between revisions
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== Politics == | == Politics == | ||
Franken's interest in politics developed through the political satire he produced for Saturday Night Life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1590138,00.html |title=Vote for Me, Al Franken |publisher=TIME |date=February 14, 2007 |accessdate=2009 | Franken's interest in politics developed through the political satire he produced for Saturday Night Life.<ref>{{cite web|last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1590138,00.html |title=Vote for Me, Al Franken |publisher=TIME |date=February 14, 2007 |accessdate=July 13, 2009}}</ref> After the death of US Senator [[Paul Wellstone]] in a plane crash a few weeks before his re-election bid in 2002, Franken considered becoming more active in politics. In 2004, Franken started hosting a radio talkshow called [[''The Al Franken Show'']] (originally named ''The O'Franken Factor'') on the newly launched liberal talk radio station [[Air America Radio|Air America]]. Franken told reporters that the goal of his show was to break the conservative monopoly in talk radio, providing a progressive alternative in the hopes of "unelecting [[George W. Bush]]."<ref>{{cite web|last=Shorto |first=Russell |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E6DA1731F932A15750C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon= |title=Al Franken, Seriously So |publisher=The New York Times |date=March 21, 2004 |accessdate=July 13, 2009}}</ref> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 20:28, 13 July 2009
Alan Stuart (Al) Franken (born May, 21 1951 in New York City) is a United States senator representing the state of Minnesota for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (the Minnesota affiliate of the Democratic Party). He is also a well-known comedian, actor, left-leaning satirist, and author.
Early life
Al was born on May 21, 1951, in New York City.
Saturday Night Live
Al Franken is best known to many for his work on the television show Saturday Night Life (1975-80, 1985-95), where he wrote, directed and performed in hundreds of sketches. He originally started out in a comedy duo called Franken and Davis with fellow comedian Tom Davis.
Books
Franken has written a number of books attacking the political right and American conservatives. In particular, his works have attacked the credibility of Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly and Ann Coulter using a combination of humor and facts. His book titles are often humorous and offensive, as in Lies (and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them): A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Lair, Don Rumsfeld & Dick Cheney in Hell. One his books, I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!:Daily Affirmations By Stuart Smalley is based on his (pathetic) Stuart Smalley self-help character featured often on SNL. Other book titles include The Truth (with Jokes), Oh, the Things I Know, Why Not Me?: The Inside Story He was one of the original hosts of the radio network Air America.
Movies
Stuart Saves His Family (DVD) Al Franken - God Spoke (DVD)
Politics
Franken's interest in politics developed through the political satire he produced for Saturday Night Life.[1] After the death of US Senator Paul Wellstone in a plane crash a few weeks before his re-election bid in 2002, Franken considered becoming more active in politics. In 2004, Franken started hosting a radio talkshow called ''The Al Franken Show'' (originally named The O'Franken Factor) on the newly launched liberal talk radio station Air America. Franken told reporters that the goal of his show was to break the conservative monopoly in talk radio, providing a progressive alternative in the hopes of "unelecting George W. Bush."[2]
References
- ↑ Corliss, Richard (February 14, 2007). Vote for Me, Al Franken. TIME. Retrieved on July 13, 2009.
- ↑ Shorto, Russell (March 21, 2004). Al Franken, Seriously So. The New York Times. Retrieved on July 13, 2009.