The Schmooze-March

Al Franken holds the distinction of being the only Saturday Night Live comedian elected to the U.S. Senate.

Franken first gained fame as a longtime writer and performer on SNL , where he created the memorable character of self-help guru Stuart Smalley, who would affirm himself before a mirror with the words: “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”

A five-time Emmy and two-time Grammy winner, Franken has also written four #1 New York Times bestsellers.

In 2008, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing his home state of Minnesota. During his tenure, he wrote a key provision of the Affordable Care Act, which requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of premiums on actual health care. Since then, millions of Americans have received billions of dollars in rebates.

He currently hosts “The Al Franken Podcast,” and oversees his political action committee, Midwest Values PAC.

Netflix recently announced that Franken will portray Aaron Filkins, a fictional senator in the upcoming Shondaland dramedy series, The Residence . He is also working on material for a new comedy act and touring in select cities around the country. Check out where Franken will be performing at alfranken.com.

1. What was the last book you read?

Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson. It’s a brilliant look at our country’s history, and how it’s brought us to the precarious moment today.

2. What’s your all-time favorite movie?

Doctor Strangelove . A very dark, but hilarious movie. Peter Sellers plays three characters in a comedic tour de force!

3. What’s your favorite Jewish food?

Matzah ball soup! And let me explain why.

4. What are you listening to these days?

Podcast – Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend . And The Grateful Dead.

5. Who was the last person you texted on your phone?

My family’s group chat. My kids always send the best pictures of my grandkids.

6) If you could invite three people, famous or not, to a Shabbat dinner, who would they be?

Abraham Lincoln, FDR, and my dad.

7) If you could have any other occupation, what would it be?

NFL Quarterback, but only if I was great and not a journeyman.

8) Who are two of your biggest role models?

Paul Wellstone and Harold Ramis. Wellstone was a great senator who stuck by his ideals, and Ramis was a brilliant writer, comic editor, and director.

9) What are you currently binging on TV?

Better Call Saul . I recently re-watched the last season, but in backwards order. I thought the last episode was one of the best conclusions of a series that I’ve ever seen, and I wanted to see from another perspective how they set it up.

10) If you could offer the teen version of yourself one piece of wisdom, what would it be?

Learn to play an instrument. The older I get, the more I regret that I didn’t learn how to play the guitar. Of course, I could still do it, but I’m 72 and holy mackerel! I could still do it!