50 Shades of Cool

Will Durst / Truthdig Mar 17, 2014 It was more amusing than piano-playing kittens to see Barack Obama plug the Affordable Care Act on Zach Galifianakis’ Internet comedy show. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Jon Stewart Has No Future in Politics

Staff / Truthdig Sep 22, 2010 Well, that headline isn't exactly true -- it's just that anyone wishing to see "The Daily Show" impresario serve our nation in an officially elected position, instead of playing the political gadfly on Comedy Central, should abandon all hope now. Or so says Jon Stewart. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Leno Tapped for White House Press Dinner

Staff / Truthdig Jan 23, 2010 The suddenly controversial comic Jay Leno, who's still embroiled in a public spat about "The Tonight Show" with outgoing host Conan O'Brien, will be the main act at this year's White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where well-dressed members of Washington's media elite rub elbows with politicians (continued) . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

NBC Opens Its Wallet to Get O’Brien Off ‘Tonight Show’

Staff / Truthdig Jan 16, 2010 If you think things get nasty in the world of electoral politics, consider all the fun that's gone down in recent days in late-night comedy circles, what with the sticky tangle that NBC execs got themselves into after handling the highly charged Jay Leno-vs-Conan O'Brien "Tonight Show" debacle with all the delicacy and subtlety of a jackhammer (continued). Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Takes On New Role in D.C.

Staff / Truthdig Jul 7, 2009 Following his arrival on Capitol Hill on Monday, Al Franken downplayed his status as the winner of the 60th Democratic seat in the U.S. Senate and emphasized what his Minnesota constituents need their "second senator" to accomplish. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Poll: U.S. Voters Split on Franken’s Win

Staff / Truthdig Jul 2, 2009 So, Al Franken officially will become a senator next week, but given his long and bitter battle with rival Norm Coleman, not to mention his pronounced unpopularity among Republicans, it's not entirely surprising that a Rasmussen Reports national poll released Thursday registered substantial voter displeasure at the prospect of Franken's arrival on Capitol Hill. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Franken Closes In on Coleman

Staff / Truthdig Nov 8, 2008 Having suggested that fellow Minnesotan Al Franken should concede defeat earlier in the week, Norm Coleman was keeping mum by Friday afternoon, when it was discovered that Franken was trailing his Republican rival for the U.S. Senate by only 238 votes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cleese on Palin: ‘Monty Python Could Have Written This’

Staff / Truthdig Oct 18, 2008 Venerable Britcom star John Cleese has a thing or two to say about the U.S. election, speaking on behalf of the world, or at least Europe, or at least himself, about George W. Bush, Barack Obama and a certain vice presidential candidate who reminds Cleese of "a nice-looking parrot." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Satirist Finds the Pope Is Off-Limits

Staff / Truthdig Sep 12, 2008 Jokes about religion often play with the boundaries of tolerance and taste, but they don't always carry the consequences that Sabina Guzzanti now faces. The Italian actress could go to jail for upsetting the powers that be with a satirical zinger about the pope and two gay devils. Dig deeper

Robin Wiliams ‘Still Feelin’ the Palin Love’

Staff / Truthdig Sep 6, 2008 Frenetic comic Robin Williams didn't wait for David Letterman's cue to kick off his routine on "The Late Show" Thursday -- he was already well into it within five seconds of sitting down, leaving a blinking Letterman trying to keep up as Williams went to town on the RNC crowd, starting with vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and on up to Karl Rove. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Remembering George Carlin

Staff / Truthdig Jun 24, 2008 The death of comedy great George Carlin on Sunday spurred fans and fellow comics to pay tribute to the prolific and profane performer, who took aim at cultural taboos with cheeky glee and paved the way for younger generations to continue to play with stand-up, and social, conventions. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Al Franken: From ‘SNL’ to U.S. Senate?

Staff / Truthdig Jun 10, 2008 Al Franken's career arc has taken an unconventional turn: The comedian has nailed down the Minnesota Democrats' endorsement for the U.S. Senate, following in former Gov. Jesse Ventura's footsteps as a performer-turned-politician in the Midwestern state. Starting out in comedy may serve Franken well in Congress, where knowing how to work a tough crowd just might come in handy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )