Al Franken

Al Franken, political satirist, is an Emmy Award–winning television writer and producer, a New York Times bestselling author, and a Grammy-winning comedian. In 1975, Franken was part of the original writing staff that created “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). He remained with SNL until 1980 and returned to the show in 1985. He remained for another 10 years, leaving after the 1994–95 season. Franken received four Emmys for his writing on “Saturday Night Live” and a fifth for producing. He also won recognition for his on-camera work with characters such as Stuart Smalley, the new-age cable TV host. Smalley, the subject of Franken’s 1992 book, I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like Me, also provided the basis for the 1995 movie “Stuart Saves His Family” which Franken wrote and starred in for Paramount Pictures. Franken was co-writer of the 1994 movie “When a Man Loves a Woman.” He is the author of Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations; Why Not Me: The Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency, and his latest book, Oh, the Things I Know: A Guide to Success, or Failing That, Happiness. These three books were all New York Times bestsellers. Franken grew up in Minnesota and is a graduate of Harvard College. Franken is working on a book examining whether or not there is a liberal bias in the media, including a look at the media’s treatment of George W. Bush and his administration.