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Al Franken - Professional Achievements
 

Al Franken is perhaps best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. In 1975, Franken was part of the original writing staff that created the groundbreaking late night show. Franken remained with the original show until 1980 and then returned in 1985. He stayed for another 10 years, leaving after the 1994-95 season.

Franken received four Emmys for his writing on SNL and a fifth for producing. He also won recognition for his on-camera work, first as half of the comedy team of “Franken and Davis”, then for his“Al Franken Decade” persona. He also was recognized for such characterizations as the one-man mobile uplink unit and Stuart Smalley, the new age cable TV host.

Smalley was the subject of Franken’s first book, I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like Me, which was published in 1992. It is currently in its fifth printing and it provided the basis for a movie that Franken wrote and starred in for Paramount Pictures. The 1995 movie, Stuart Saves His Family, was directed by Harold Ramis and received “two thumbs up” from Siskel and Ebert.

Franken’s album, “You’re Good Enough, You’re Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like You!” was nominated for a Grammy in the “best comedy” category. Franken was co-writer of the Touchstone Pictures 1994 movie When a Man Loves a Woman starring Andy Garcia and Meg Ryan. Written with Oscar winner (Rainman) Ron Bass, the movie grossed over a hundred million dollars worldwide.

Additional Information
 

Franken is also well known for his work as a political satirist, both on SNL and off. In 1988, he provided commentary for CNN at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta. And in 1992, he anchored Comedy Central’s "Indecision "92", winning wide critical acclaim for his coverage of both conventions and election night. In 1996, he teamed with "Strange Bedfellow" Arianna Huffington, again covering the party conventions and election night for Politically Incorrect, where he continues to be a frequent guest.

His performances at the 1994 and 1996 White House Correspondents Dinner demonstrated his skill as one of the nation’s top after-dinner speakers.

Franken’s second book, Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations hit the New York Times Bestseller List its first week in bookstores. It was number one for five weeks and spent over eight months on the list. There are now over a million copies of the book in print.

Programs
 

An Evening with Al Franken

A satirical look at the state of America, politically and otherwise

Books
 

Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right

I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like Me