It is an unlawful war in violation of the Geneva conventions the UN charter to which we are a signatory and to domestic laws of war. Can you think of another world leader who insists his war not be called a war? That would, of course be Putin. Trump keeps great company.

Excellent conversation. Coupled with detailed understanding of the perils of war, especially one started on a whim without any real plan was important discussion of Trump’s mental illness and deterioration. I wish more commentators would shine a light on the sociopathic personality at work in the malignant narcissist. A man with his sickness should never be granted this much power especially without any checks or guardrails. Damage and suffering is always the result.

Couldn’t this be a False Flag by Trump forces, to launch drones from Cuba at America or American assets?

There has not been a drawn down in Minnesota, Molly. We still need help!

Good one for a change as always

I look forward to your Sunday podcast and particularly your banter with your guests. However, as someone who lives in Maine, I was disappointed that you, perhaps unintentionally, endorsed Graham Platner. Thank goodness your guest remarked that doesn't mean that he would beat Susan Collins. Although I prefer governor Mills, what I want more than anything is just in Susan Collins packing. And for your part, if you look at the polls, you'll see that there is nothing guaranteed about either of the leading candidates right now. Please refrain from speaking of the cuff when you don't know what you're talking about. Other than that, it's a great show!

There is never a reason to a do a weekly podcast. Twice a month at the most, otherwise will become watered down & forgettable noise in the podcast world. I realize weekly is a revenue mandate but it’s not sustainable from a production nor listener perspective.

I usually get a lot from Al’s podcast. But what was going on with Terrorizing Minnesota, where it sounds like he’s eating breakfast, complete with slurping, scraping sounds?

I love your show, Al, but would you please stop interrupting your guests? I don’t know how many times I’ve heard you cut off a guest mid-answer and it’s really frustrating! Just let them finish their answer!

Al is the voice of reason, mixing some dark humor( is there any other kind these days?) with honest insights and usually great guests to bring a much more clear understanding of these incredibly distressing and confusing times. Thank you Al, wish you were still in office. When I think of how unfairly you were pressured to leave, compared to what is currently not even talked about, never mind pursued, it just serves to illustrate how far off course this administration and the country as a whole have traveled. On a lighter note, it’s kind of ironic that the cold as ice song you referenced when discussing the recruitment video was a hit for the group Foreigner. Just saying

Hi Al, My Sunday is Not complete without your podcast. I have enjoyed most of your podcasts except today with David Kirkpatrick. There were moments where he didn’t entirely believe Trump’s grift and favors. He making $ hand over fist, the reason he wanted to be President not serving the American people. Thanks and keep up the good work.

I like listening to your analysis & perspective Mr Franken; however, I absolutely can’t stand listening to or reading anything Racist David Hogg or Sexist David Weigel have to say! One was suspended from WaPo when it was good for reposting sexist anti feminist content and one was fired from their DNC job for trying to primary black duly elected Democrats! Their unbelievable intrinsic biases negate anything they print or say. Maybe, enough with the Davids for now.

I loved hearing Larry review the main legal issues pressing us up against the glass. We are all holding our breath!

Great fricking show

Shame on Jonathan Adler for referring to sexually abused girls and children as “underage women”! There is no such thing as underage women. And shame on Al for not condemning this awful term on the spot. So F’ing gross.

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.

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.

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.