NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Al Franken, a political satirist and author of the best-selling book Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, will speak at Vanderbilt University on Monday, Nov. 17, as part of Vanderbilt’s ongoing Project Dialogue series.
Franken’s lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium on the Vanderbilt campus. The event is open to the public. Tickets are free for Vanderbilt students, $5 for Vanderbilt faculty and staff and $10 for the general public. They may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or through any Ticketmaster outlet.
Franken, known for his liberal political views and unapologetic criticism of the conservative right, will present a lecture titled "Lies, Liars and Parody." Among other topics, Franken will discuss the attempt by the Fox News Network to prevent the release of his most recent book by claiming that he and his publishers violated copyright of its trademarked phrase "fair and balanced." A U.S. district judge dismissed the suit.
Franken has authored several other books, including Oh, the Things I Know; I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me; and Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, which spent eight months on the New York Times Best-Seller List and won a "best comedy" Grammy in its recorded version.
Franken has also written, produced and been a featured performer on "Saturday Night Live," appeared in several motion pictures and made appearances on television programs such as HBO’s "Real Time with Bill Maher," CNN’s "Crossfire" and NBC’s "Lateline."
As a news commentator, Franken has contributed to The Nation, Rolling Stone and Newsweek magazines, among others. He has covered the Democratic National Convention for CNN and Comedy Central networks and served as the keynote speaker at two state dinners hosted by former President Bill Clinton.
Franken’s appearance is part of Vanderbilt’s Project Dialogue. Project Dialogue is conducting a yearlong examination of the theme "Ideas, Images, Internet: Who Owns What?" which will explore the concepts of ownership of ideas, Internet ethics and the right to privacy. For more information on Project Dialogue, call 322-6400, or visit www.vanderbilt.edu/dialogue.
Media contact: Kara Furlong, (615) 322-NEWS