Great show! Love you Al! Have J. Alter on once a quarter! Also, please return to announcing your ad breaks-the suddenness is completely unnerving.

I wanted to push back on Kevin Nealon downplaying COVID as a cold. I still love Nealon, and he might have been completely tongue in cheek, but I’m immunocompromised as a result of COVID and have had 14 surgeries from one infection. Just one. One more could kill me and there are millions more like me. It’s no longer safe for many immunocompromised and disabled people to participate in society because of the lack of mitigation and people freely spreading COVID. Half of all infections are now asymptomatic, complicating safety. Summer colds aren’t a thing. COVID is rampant in summer. Our media has failed us as new peer reviewed research becomes available showing how truly devastating this virus is- cancer causing, destroys immunity. It crosses the brain blood barrier so that even vaccinated people are affected. Often not from the acute infection, but months or years later. Al, please host a medical professional willing to speak on recent COVID developments. Far too many folks think it’s over or not serious, to our detriment.

My husband and I listen to the Al Franken Podcast every Sunday. I’d give most of the episodes 4 or 5 stars. Today, I thought he was very inappropriate in emphasizing to his pregnant guest how painful labor is. He said this a couple or more times as well as also repeating how she is “ready to pop.” Weird! It would have been much better to just congratulate her and leave it at that.

Great interview, insufferable commercial interruptions.

…

This podcast is getting to be almost impossible to listen to. The ads are more frequent and incredibly annoying. One of the ads opened with a loud beeping that sounded like an emergency alert. This was extremely distracting for us because we were listening to it while driving through bad weather. Please, please, stop this. I would really like to continue to listen to the podcast.

I’ve been listening to Al since the Air America days and every week to the podcast…I listen on Apple podcast and within the last months(?) have noticed the switch from Al’s folksy old style reading copy to abrupt, loud commercials. I’m guessing the the decision may have something to with money?…happy there’s a fast forward option on my app so I can sell enjoy the show.

Al: Another interview with a media talking head? It was a pretty superficial discussion. Please finds guests with deeper insights to enlighten and educate.

This is a go to pod, Al is presents an intelligent argument, even when I disagree with his point of view.so nice to have a calm and reasonable (and occasionally humorous) ta ke on some very serious issues, very rare in today’s media landscape which brings me to the Kassie Hunt episode. Obviously a smart woman, but totally CYA answers to every topic. Couldn’t even condemn Jan. 6, which she witnessed. Another “legacy” “ so called journalist so cowed and fearful of saying anything that could cause repercussions to her and her corporate station. This is why cable “news” is dying there are no more BilMoyers or Edward R Murrows to be found. Tell Kassie to get an am radio gig where she will be right at home

I’ve subscribed on iTunes for years but at this point it seems like a very low-effort podcast that doesn’t have much to contribute, considering all the other available sources of news and analysis. Al seems to rely very heavily on his old Rolodex of contacts (a lot of repeat guest appearances) and the shows generally lack depth. This would be a good podcast to recommend to your Grandma who doesn’t follow politics very closely. I understand that there are plenty of people in this demographic who are being served by the show, but it’s not for me. I like Al Franken and I wish he was still in the Senate, but he either needs to work harder on this podcast or give up. Also, the new commercial breaks that interrupt the show now are absolutely horrendous.

Molly Jong-Fast A very, very, very rich & privileged woman, known because of a famous alcoholic parent who didn’t give her the attention she wanted & so she became a teen alcoholic herself. She had a parent who was diagnosed with dementia & died. A husband diagnosed with cancer who didn’t die. Stressful, yes, but a story many of us regular folk have experienced in recent times, in spades, without the financial support & notoriety she has. I won’t read her book but wonder if ‘Chasing Fame Is Hereditary’ was considered as an alternate title.

There has not been one time that I’ve listened to Al’s podcast and not come away enlightened Al is a terrifically intelligent host, asking meaningful questions and he has access to truly exceptional guests. The only thorn in my side is the sponsorship/advertising for Christian companies. Really Al? I thought it was a parody at first, like an old SNL skit. It’s a real turn off - hoping your team gets rid of those sponsors. Other than that - it’s a chef’s kiss of a podcast!

I treasure my Sunday mornings listening to Al and his guests. His show is thoughtful, they bring in all different people who are interesting to listen to, and always brings a smile or three. This is a good podcast! And the Leo Kottke music is so cozy.

I adore Al’s podcast. He’s smart, serious, and smirky funny(which I love!) His guests are interesting and the discussion is always thoughtful. He and Peter are always amusing and delightful together. And then, there’s the great Leo Kottke’s music!

Love Al’s podcast. He’s my Sunday morning companion while my husband’s golfing. Great guests and intelligent conversation.

I listen every Sunday and always enjoy Al and his guests. His perspective as a former Senator is great and his sense of humor is timeless. My only complaint is the way the commercials BLAST me out of my AirPods ( esp the Wayfair ads) they are jarring and I can’t ff fast enough.

People are afraid to come. My dr with a US passport but born in Canada was terrified she would be kidnapped by ICE at customs. She also WAS the only person at customs bc Canadians are furious.

Really good conversation with Robert Reich, so real that a bit disheartening, and hopeful when we learn enough as a whole country from the pain that’s coming that we say ENOUGH of the billionaires. AND - you were FANTASTIC Al, in the Residence!!!!! You added so much depth and grounded the entire show. Good work !

Useless rehash

The “you know, for a change,” was never funny, and is now just painful. Please cease and desist.

Again this week the guest voice is at a lower volume than Al’s. If you hear Al at a comfortable level the guest is hard to hear. If you raise the guest’s voice to a proper level Al sounds like he is shouting. This happened last week as well.

Al Franken’s podcast is where sharp political insight meets razor wit. With A-list guests and Franken’s trademark self-deprecating humor, it’s like getting the inside scoop from the funny, snarky guy in the war room. Must listen!

If you listen to the first 2 minutes alone, you will feel better!!😅 Thanks for your honest opinions on the insanity and scariness of this moment, AND what a great guest in Jessica Y. So insightful and interesting. Thank!!

Long time listener! Please talk about the two races for the House in Florida! These seats need to be Flipped Blue!

Too bad about Mark Liebovitz; always disappointed at his "takes" versus bringing facts.

I’ve read a couple of Al’s books and listen to his frank honest podcast. I pray for Al to run for Mn U.S. senate. We need a man with a spine and brain to represent us.

I am writing with an idea for a message which I hope can be used to reinvigorate support for Democratic Party candidates. It is based on the fact that the general public/electorate is frustrated by the current state of society. What about a reform of the tax laws? Let’s totally simplify the process. How about giving the middle class tax payer a 20% reduction to their last year’s taxes every year. To pay for it, raise the taxes for millionaires/ billionaires an absolute 5%. Make all corporations pay a minimum tax based on income, not profit. Maybe you can pass this along to your Democratic friends to see if it will take seed.

I don’t understand how this divinely inspired maga bunch has not been brought to task. These people think god is on their side. Cotton trump is going to do his deal supported by the whacked out want to be Islamic model. I’ll say this god help us, at least better than the civil war when everyone thought god was on their side

Loved this episode. A bit disappointed that he didn’t talk at all about the early 80s, although perhaps not surprised, seeing as how the memories may be a bit painful (these include the Jean Doumanian years). Would still like to hear some stories. Couldn’t help noticing that the anniversary show itself mentioned Al not at all, nor did any of the articles I saw that talked about who wasn’t on the show, but nobody mentioned Al. Did I miss him? He said on the episode that he’d be in NYC for the anniversary show.🤔😉😊

Awesome to listen to Al’s experiences on SNL. Great stories!!! And a welcome break from…truly, for a change!:-) Thanks Al!!!

I enjoy listening to Al Franken. He’s smart, funny & generally has great interviews & commentators join him. But I feel compelled to express my extreme dislike of this particular podcast (Episode 209). There were so many things that Peter Beinart said that were inaccurate & biased that Mr. Franken could have easily pushed back but didn’t. Would be nice to have others on the show with differing opinions much like Bari Weis does on her Honestly podcast.

…in his place. Bill plays the both sides game. He was like George Carlin. Now, he is like Dennis Miller. The woke stuff makes him sound like a grouchy old guy.

Seven minutes of commercials before a very boring interview. You go Al. Make the $$$$. Trump should help you out with more content.

We could only get the ACA passed by using previous GOP proposals, which pours taxpayer money into private insurance coffers with little regulation and less oversight. We must protect it while fighting for universal healthcare. Corporate Democrats have been almost as unwilling to reign in corporate greed, ceding territory in exchange for minimal cuts to benefits to the lower classes and increased hardship for the working and middle classes. Obama was a huge disappointment to those left behind by globalization and their children, who are strapped with student loans in jobs that did not actually pay them more than an unskilled laborer, despite predatory promises by for profit loan companies. Please have Sarah Kendzior on as a guest. Pretty please.

First, let me say how much I enjoy your podcast. I have listened to many podcasts and read articles analyzing what the Democrats did wrong in the last election. What I am not finding are any suggestions about how to communicate with voters in a way that reaches them. Apparently they don’t read newspapers. Speaking on the floor of the house or the Senate means nothing. Biden should have put up a giant sign at the site of every proposed project saying that this project is going to add X number of jobs to the economy and was brought to them by Joe Biden and the Democrats. And if that area is republican representative, and or senator had voted against that should’ve been up there too. Why are Democrats so incredibly bad at tooting their own horn and slamming the opposition?

Post election with the Atlantic blowhard- Thoroughly disgusted, Mr. Franken with your willingness to criticize the Democratic election efforts after the game is over. I can’t believe how agreeable with your guest on the show this week. Why don’t you suggest ways that the Democrats can overcome the lies and the untruths of their opponents Instead of blaming them for being honest brokers of fact? I thought you were better than this.

Kamala Harris narrowly lost the election because, first she is a woman and second she is a person of color. However, all the post election discussions and analysis are focused on how Democrats have been abandoned by Hispanic voters and the working class, that the Harris and Walz campaign didn’t do enough to win over voters concerned about so called “bread and butter” issues, that Harris only had 90 days to campaign or that Biden’s low approval ratings contributed to her loss. While all of these things may have contributed to her loss the number one reason is her gender followed by her race. It is glaring obvious; more voters felt comfortable voting for a convicted felon than a woman of color.

No thanks. First episode I didn’t listen to. See you next week Al!!

Throws stones at others who messed up while pretending he never had a scandal of his own

Norm Ornstein’s take on our situation is depressing as hell….and I’m quite sure he’s understating things just a bit. Thank you, Al, for being a part of chronicling our demise as a country. We had a good run of it.

We need Intelligent, Levelheaded Guidance and leadership for these turbulent Chaotic times we are living through ..and I fear we are about to face ahead …We Need you more than ever Al !!👍🏻🇺🇸”

Wake up America - the orange ape has divided loyalties!!

Dark star crashing. Something great—for a change—from the great Rev Al Sharpton

I am poking holes in potatoes. Really great episode, especially if you are not a poll worker (I am). Thank you Marc and Al. ❤️

Insights, laughs, and tears. One of the consistently best podcasts available.

Focus groups? Really Al? Young people are registering in droves! How about a discussion that’s data driven? Do better Al.

Her authentic transition in the debate is her superpower

Love listening to your podcast. Yet, in your last episode you and your guests downgraded President Biden. Enough is enough. This old man did so much for our country during his presidency.

She talks over both of you. I’d rather listen to Mark

I was really deeply disappointed when you and your guests closely analyzed best speeches of the DNC Convention and somehow Pete’s name never came up. There will be people also critical for leaving off others (Shapiro) but the balance Pete had to achieve when discussing freedom and his own personal experience was like no one else’s and he was pitch perfect. Usually you (Al) are accurate in assessments. Very disappointing this time.