Step Aside, Talking Heads. It's Time for Bigger Fish

By JANET MASLIN

Published: October 31, 2005

The picture of Al Franken on the cover of Al Franken's new book is much bigger than the picture of Al Franken on Al Franken's last one. Al Franken has come a long way lately, not least in the area of self-promotion.

Since the 2003 publication of his "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them," Mr. Franken has progressed from taking potshots at talk-show hosts to joining their ranks (via Air America Radio and the Sundance Channel). He has expressed nascent political stirrings, positioning himself as a possible senatorial candidate from Minnesota for 2008.