Online Host: He's good enough, he's smart enough, and doggone it, people like him! Welcome everyone! We are thrilled to joined this evening by Al Franken. Perhaps best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" Franken has emerged as political satirist with his bestseller, "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations." Use "Interact" to send questions now!
Online Host: Just in time for the 1996 election, he joins us to share his humorous views on the state of the political field today. During the 1996 conventions, Franken teamed up with Arianna Huffington to provide political coverage for Comedy Central. They are also appearing in a point-counterpoint segment, "Strange Bedfellows," for "Politically Incorrect."
Online Host: Franken is a five-time Emmy Award winner for his work on Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central as a writer, comedian and political satirist. He is the author of "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!" and co-author of the hit movie "When a Man Loves a Woman." He also wrote and starred in the motion picture "Stuart Saves His Family."
HARPOLIZ: Welcome Al Franken!!
Question: Do you have any involvement with SNL anymore? Would love to see Stuart around again!
Al Franken: No, I left a couple seasons ago, although I do have a lot of friends there and hope the show does well.
Question: Does the political right really take you seriously, or are you just considered a throw away
interviewer ?
Al Franken: I don't know what the second part means. Some take me seriously and are very angry.
Question: Did you have to get Rush Limbaugh's permission before titling your book?
Al Franken: No.
Question: What do you think about Perot being left out of the presidential candidate debates?
Al Franken: Well, Perot blamed the Republicans. In fact the other day he said that the political dirty tricks guys were going to disrupt his daughter's fourth anniversary.
Question: Are you coming into Michigan within the next month?
Al Franken: Not that I know of.
Question: Is there a Big Mac grill on air force one ?
Al Franken: Not that I know of.
Question: Has Rush ever responded to any of your comments ?
Al Franken: Not that I know of. We sent him a book about a month before it came out with a letter
saying... "Dear Rush, Al thinks it would help sales if you mentioned the book on your show." But so far he hasn't.
Question: Has the secret service ever hassled you?
Al Franken: No. When I've been around the President, I go through the metal detector and I'm perfectly happy to. In fact, sometimes they put the President through it too - so he doesn't hurt himself.
Question: When are you going to write another book? And who will be the target this time?: )
Al Franken: I don't know.
Question: Stuart Saves His Family is great. As were all the performances. Any comments on the creating of that film and why it did so poorly?
Al Franken: Thank you for liking the film. Every part of making it was fun. Its failure at the box office wasn't. Why it didn't do well, I think, is a long story, but it seems to be finding its audience in video and on cable.
Question: Who started the rumor about Roger Stone and his wife shortly after he was a guest on Politically Incorrect - suggesting that President Clinton made a pass at Mrs. Stone? I really apprecaite Al, Bill Maher and our dysfunctional President. I further appreciated Al's movie.
Al Franken: Stone started the rumor himself about the President and his wife. It appears that Stone is not to be trusted.
Question: Could you come to Michigan so I can interview you?
Al Franken: I could come to Michigan...but I doubt I'd let you interview me.
Question: Often, during the eighties, we would stop during some event and say, "I wonder what Al Franken thinks of this." Have other people told you this? And when will your NEXT decade be?
Al Franken: In a few years we'll be starting the Al Franken Millennium.
Question: You must be a Democrat, Al, tell us why you choose to be one?
Al Franken: My father was a Republican until 1964 when their stand on civil rights made him become a Democrat. And I slavishly would do anything to please him.
Question: What do you say about Rush in your book?
Al Franken: I suggest buying the book.
Question: If you could trade places with Harmon Killebrew would you do it?
Al Franken: No. I would have maybe 30 years ago. Unless you mean, would I be in the Hall of Fame?
Question: Are you going to work with Arianna Huffington and Bill Maher anymore? I'm thinking the
convention coverage was priceless. At least tell me you're doing election night.
Al Franken: I believe we are.
Question: Bill and Hillary seem to have a pretty good sense of humor. What do you think?
Al Franken: I agree. Of course, I'm in their pocket.
Question: Are you the Al Franken that was on Saturday night live for a few skits?
Al Franken: I believe so.
Question: In the seventies there was Pat Paulson. Are you following in his footsteps?
Al Franken: That was actually the 60's.
Question: Did you enjoy filming the movie "Stuart Saves His Family" and if so what was your favorite
part?
Al Franken: I loved the experience - Harold Ramis is a wonderful director and creates a wonderful environment to work in. My favorite scene to film was the intervention.
Question: Do you ever listen to Rush's program or did you formulate your opinion on some baseless dribble?
Al Franken: I formulated my opinion on *his* baseless dribble by listening to him for hours and hours.
Question: Are you planning on working with "SNL" again?
Al Franken: No, I'm not, though there's always the possibility that I'll go in and write something.
Question: Ever think of running for a government position?
Al Franken: Yes. But I think I probably would lose.
Question: Have you ever, or will ever consider working with Weird Al Yankovic, a parody artist himself?
Al Franken: I guess if I did, I'd have to be called "Less Weird Al" or something.
Question: What did you major in at Harvard?
Al Franken: Behavioral sciences.
Question: Are you working on any new screenplays?
Al Franken: Not at the moment. Actually, I'm developing a series. And we're shooting the pilot in about 2 months for NBC.
Question: Does the Hollywood system dictate what is made--generally???
Al Franken: It certainly dictates what's made in Hollywood.
Question: Hey Al, how is Thomasin?? Tell her Lindsey from Buck's rock says hi!!
Al Franken: Hi Lindsey. I'll tell Thomasin. I'm sure she misses you tremendously.
Question: What sort of ideas do you put forth in your book?
Al Franken: That Rush is a big fat idiot. And other thoughts.
Question: My best friend and I both loved your movie and could totally relate. Are you from a "dysfunctional family?"
Al Franken: Well, I think most of us are. But the family in the movie was not my family.
Question: Why are you so jaded when it comes to Bob Dole?
Al Franken: I'm not. I actually like and admire many things about Bob Dole. Surprised?
Question: The prologue to your book is a scream. Are you still in contact with Jeanne, and will you
two be collaborating soon?
Al Franken: Jeanne as it turns out is a big Stewart Smalley fan. (I'm not joking!)
Question: Was your chatter on Comedy Central with Ms. Huffington scripted or off the cuff? Do you
like her personally, or do you feel repulsed by her politics?
Al Franken: All of the above.
Question: Do you know if Clinton is dating again, or will he wait to after the election?
Al Franken: Hahahaha
Question: Do you have any regrets about any comments you've made (however deserved and truthful they are!) ?
Al Franken: No. The only comments I've ever regretted are baseless lies I've told.
Question: Did you think Bob Dole's fall last week is a metaphor for his campaign?
Al Franken: Gee...that hadn't occurred to me.
Question: Do you consider yourself a liberal?
Al Franken: Yes. But I think most Americans are liberal in that they believe in Social Security and Medicare and a safety net. I think you are either a liberal or you believe in Social Darwinism.
Question: Just re-watched your performance in "Trading Places." WOW!
Al Franken: I hope that was a *good* wow.
Question: Have you ever met Rush or talked to him?
Al Franken: No. Although at the Republican convention, I carried around a package of SnackWells just in case I ran into him.
Question: What are your feelings on spam?
Al Franken: I have no strong feelings either way.
Question: Didn't you work on some political campaign in the past? Whose was it?
Al Franken: I've actually done some work for Dukakis and John Anderson in the 80's. How's that for a bunch of losers?
Question: You did a great job with Al Gore. What other politicians would you consider helping with humor?
Al Franken: I'm wondering if that's from LA - I actually didn't help Al Gore - it was mis-reported in the LA Times, but would be glad to.
Question: How was working with Muggsy Bogues and Charles Barkley on that one SNL episode?
Al Franken: Both were wonderful, though Muggsy was shorter.
Question: Hi Al! I loved your book! How did you come up with the idea to write it?
Al Franken: I was listening to Rush Limbaugh one day...
Question: What do you think were the three "biggest" American historical events of the early 60's and 70's?
Al Franken: I'm assuming you mean the entire 60's and early 70's... Kennedy assassinations, Martin Luther King assassination, the war in Vietnam and the election of Nixon. All and all - a great time. (sarcastic statement)
Question: How do you get along with Dennis Miller?
Al Franken: Dennis is a friend, although I don't see near enough of him.
Question: There's way too many intelligent questions being asked tonight....how 'bout some dumb ones?
Al Franken: I'm all for that. Bring 'em on.
Question: Enjoyed you on Politically Incorrect, will you be on the show again soon?
Al Franken: I think Election Night.
Question: Would your experience as a baggage handler in "Trading Places" make you uniquely qualified to handle Dole's Campaign?
Al Franken: I'm glad the stupid questions are finally coming in.
Question: Where did you come up with the character Stuart Smalley? And, is he gay?
Al Franken: I came up with him while I was in Al-Anon. And I'm not sure whether he's gay or not.
Question: What's it like being in bed with Arianna Huffington?
Al Franken: It was just a big joke!
Question: Would you trust Bill Clinton with your sister? (Don't say you don't have a sister!)
Al Franken: If I had a sister, and I'm not saying whether I do or not, I'd trust Bill Clinton with her, because she'd probably look something like me.
Question: Are you planning a sequel to your Rush Limbaugh book?
Al Franken: No, but my paperback is coming out with 50 new pages...certainly worth the price of the paperback.
Question: Al, what are your thoughts on the horrible musical tastes of the Dems at the convention? I mean, the Macarena, a bad Chicago tune etc. What's next? Lee Greenwood? The Roger Clinton Band?
Al Franken: I believe the Roger Clinton Band did play at the Convention.
Question: What were you like in high school?
Al Franken: Believe it or not, I was a little nerdy.
Question: Hey Al, why so hard on Limbaugh?
Al Franken: Hey Rush, why so many lies?
Question: If you do election night, will Mentos be your sponsor again? That was some of the funniest stuff in '92. ("Mentos knows no party, Mentos are for everyone...")
Al Franken: I wish.
Question: How can you accept that Clinton, who dodged the draft and thus avoided doing his duty, now
demands that others do theirs?
Al Franken: This demands a long answer...but all I can say is I dodged the draft too.
Question: Al, how did your high school education (The Blake School) influence your career?
Al Franken: It didn't. The Blake School was a private school founded at the turn of the century for Protestant boys. They started letting Jews in the 50's to keep the SAT scores up.
Question: Billary's sense of humor seemed to go away with Imus. Do you think Don Imus went too far?
Al Franken: I was there. Imus managed to offend everyone in the room which is very impressive.
Question: You are a great actor. Are you planning another movie soon?
Al Franken: Thank you. I know this...there will not be a sequel to Stewart Saves His Family. When you lose 15 million for a studio, they don't like making sequels.
Question: Who would win a fight between you and Rush Limbaugh?
Al Franken: Unless he fell on me, I would.
Question: If a film was made from your book, who would you want to play you if you can't do it?
Al Franken: John Turturro - I don't know why, but John Turturro.
Question: Hey Al!! What's the scoop? Do you get to keep all those sweaters from the Stuart Smalley movie? How could I get some of those. Those things are so cool.
Al Franken: Now that I think of it, I don't know where they are. But I did get to keep some of them.
Question: What is an average day in the life of Al Franken like?
Al Franken: There is no average day...which is good and bad.
Question: Ever think of writing a play?
Al Franken: Yes, but it's not in the cards right now.
Question: Was that YOU I saw trying to do the Macarena at the Democratic National Convention in
Chicago?
Al Franken: What do you mean *trying*?
Question: What's your opinion of Clinton's signing of the welfare reform bill?
Al Franken: Very courageous. Remember - I'm in his pocket.
Question: When did you make the transition from comedy writer to political analyst?
Al Franken: When I wrote the book "Rush Limbaugh's a Big Fat Idiot" - coming out soon in paperback. Thanks for the question.
Al Franken: Goodbye everybody! I'm sorry Stewart Saves His Family didn't do better.
Online Host: Thanks so much for being here everyone. Please get registered to vote this November! Let your voice be heard. We want to thank Al Franken so very much for joining us here this evening. His book is titled, "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations" and is available everywhere. Thanks again Al! Goodnight from Harpo Studios everyone! VOTE VOTE VOTE!
