Gosh Darn It, People Like Him

Remember when Al Franken was just the goofy guy on Saturday Night Live who did feel-good skits in a powder blue cardigan? As Stewart Smalley, he took the piss out of the self-help movement by bringing athletes and celebrities to glycerin tears and misguided self-realization. Most folks expected Franken to fade into Celebrity Jeopardy! obscurity, like most SNL alums do following the thud of a horribly ill-advised movie version of their beloved skit. But funnily enough, Stewart Saves His Family wound up saving Franken’s career when it prompted him to pick up the pen.

His best-selling political books Rush Limbaugh Is a Big, Fat Idiot and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Themput the once-unassuming comedian squarely in the cross hairs of the right wing. Fans of intentionally funny political commentary can hear Franken expound his views every day on his nationally syndicated Air America radio talk show, but local devotees can enjoy his pointed humor live at Miami-Dade County Auditorium. The performance will be his only South Florida appearance. Get ready to laugh, sigh, and shake your head at Franken’s wry political observations.
Sat., Jan. 20, 8 p.m.