The O'Franken Factor is the flagship show of Air America Radio. (The name, originally a joke response to a reporter, is a jibe at Bill O'Reilly and his The O'Reilly Factor.) Hosted by Al Franken and Katherine Lanpher, it will feature comedy, commentary, and interviews poking fun at conservatives and arguing for liberal positions on the issues of the day. The show takes place in a "Zero Spin Zone" where Franken pledges to tell the truth.
Franken is a comedian and satirist who is well known for his books and his roles on Saturday Night Live, while Lanpher is an experienced radio host who has most recently worked for Minnesota Public Radio and was formerly a newspaper columnist.
While the network is planning on using Franken as its face and lead show, Franken has only signed a one-year contract. "I'm doing this because I want to use my energies to get Bush unelected. I'd be happy if the election of a Democrat ended the show," he said in an interview with the New York Times.
The show was be the first to air on the network on March 31, 2004.
Guests
- 2004-03-31: Ann Coulter (imitated?), G. Gordon Liddy, David Sirota, skit with Bob Elliott and Robert Smigel, Ben Stein, Bob Kerrey, Michael Moore