Comedian and Future Senator Al Franken With a Hilarious Performance at the 1996 WHCP

Comedian Al Franken, a Clinton fan who at one point refers to himself as "the president's water carrier," delivers a hilarious performance with mostly Republican targets. Franken makes impressions of Al D'Amato and Strom Thurmond. Some Dole jokes. A Bill Bennett joke. A Christy Todd Whitman joke. Buchanan jokes. An Enid Waldholtz joke, etc. Almost all delighting this crowd.
The future Minnesota Senator made a "joke" about Newt Gingrich, his daughter, and menstruation. Soon after, Gingrich encountered Franken and told him that, were Gingrich not a public figure, he'd have punched the comic out.
Subscribe - never miss a video!
/ @20thcenturytimemachine
The 20th Century Time Machine takes you back in time to the most important historical events of the past century. Watch documentaries, discussions and real footage of major events that shaped the world we live in today.
• Video

[@susie6319]

Al Franken is a natural born comedian however he cared for his constituents in the winter In Minnesota he drove to visit a lady in the hospital who just had a cancerous tumor removed now we need more senators with that kind of heart's ❤❤❤

[@neilturetsky6038]

Best senator ever, love him. Never forgive Gililand for getting him thrown out for the silliest least significant prank ever

[@lorimentzer5866]

Come back Al Franken, you should have never resigned.

[@sealyoness]

The clipped video showed a bunch of ISO entertainers clowning around, admittedly drinking on the transport. The woman who accused him of groping her or whatever was filmed making a young military escort turn red around his ears as she rubbed herself (clothed) all over him. Who sexually exploited whom? Al and his wife are still married, I believe. I've long forgotten who his accuser was.

[@philipburton9518]

In 1996, how could we see that a call for civility would become an insane food fight of lies and desception by 2020? Franken is genius. I'd love to return him to DC.

[@lindamullins1446]

Who would think after Obama and his lovely family common sense and hard work and a good vp like Biden The people would put in trump Then voted him out Then Biden in 2020 Has done good work And some people want trump again in 2024 After such a horrible job with covid and 8 trillion deficit after his tax cuts for the very very rich Half of our deficit is Trump's doing and he added more debt then almost all presidents in history added together. Vote Blue For Truth & Democracy 💙😎💙

[@billolsen4360]

If Franken is a genius, Camela Harrys must be Einstein.

[@jadedbrad]

Bob Woodward says "falsehood" rather than lie because we don't know if therewas intent to tell the falsehood. But if you don't know that what you are saying is false, that makes you a dimwit.

[@thomthom6268]

The algorithm got this one right. What a treat on a rainy DC afternoon.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

yes good ol' yt scores sometimes

[@thomthom6268]

@@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491 too many letters... hee hee And isn't that Latin & italian?

[@arielporte4149]

Oh how I wish Al was still our representative....please Al run again...we miss you and we NEED YOU !!!!!

[@ericwahlund6968]

I agree

[@roseannkraynak-jf7xr]

I live in PA & I wish he was Minnesota’s senator, too! He was an incredibly smart & efficient Senator unlike dimbulbs like Lindsey Graham & Ron Johnson who are unscrupulous pinheads.

[@dolliscrawford280]

​@roseannkraynak-jf7xr The best thing I liked about AL was his efforts to eliminate the ability of people to sign away their rights to the courts by Arbitration only agreements.

[@9275633]

Please run for office again No one but gillebrandt cares about an ancient photo when u we’re a court jester kid We need u!!!!

[@debbiemolnar4835]

Saturday night live

[@contrarian23]

It's a great tragedy of American politics that Franken had to resign, and somehow Trump became president. We should all be ashamed.

[@JulyChilds]

I am mad as hell. Ashamed? I told him not to resign I told her not to be a Roger stone stooge.

[@juice14oj]

He didn't have to resign.

[@AbeFroman-zx5hs]

😢😢😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@AbeFroman-zx5hs]

Annoy the left. Do nothing.

[@billolsen4360]

I'm ashamed of Al Franken.

[@sandykravetz4523]

This is Franken performance is hilarious; so glad I stumbled into this on KZbin.

[@FakingANerve]

Same here. A lot of this material is in his books, but seeing him do this to in person _to_ his targets is something else! 😂

[@gheller2261]

He was very good, very tight through most of it, but probably went on 7 or 8 minutes too long.

[@janineharkins3513]

This is an amazing roast, but if you've never seen it, check out his roast of Rob Reiner. May be the single best roast I have ever seen.

[@janineharkins3513]

​@@FakingANerve Comedians using material MORE than once?! Get right the heck outta town! Seriously, great book, too. Fat Idiot, Lying Liars, and The Truth have got to be histories best hat trick for political satire. Well, he's no Greg Gutfeld, but...I'm sorry. I'm thinking of Bill O'Reilly.

[@jackhammer8563]

It's April 2023 and all of his jokes made me laugh because I remember all of the back stories.🤣

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

I know right, I'm old too and remember ALL of this!

[@danolson5387]

I just stumbled on this. I'd seen his other one (didn't realize he'd done it twice). He is the GREATEST satirist of the modern era. Like Twain was for his.

[@janineharkins3513]

Stumble on: Franken roast of Rob Reiner. Bring a change of pants.

[@margiealbiani7301]

X jd Ty

[@channarosenblatt8197]

Al Franken was simply stunning here. Laughing, laughing, laughing! Please give Al Franken the Daily Show host position. You are way too smart and way to funny not to have your own show.

[@philgilmore1176]

Is this really a possibility? He'd be terrific ..

[@guyguyguy362]

President Bill Clinton took time from a crazy busy job to do Make a Wish for a very sick child. "All I want is a Balanced Budget based on the Congressional Budget Office numbers, sir."

[@charleslehner6083]

Agreed😂

[@charleslehner6083]

​@@guyguyguy362🎉

[@commontater8630]

@@philgilmore1176 Al was guest host of Daily Show for a spell and killed it.

[@anncarlson7609]

Run again. Please. The country needs you.

[@thomassicard3733]

Franken is BRILLIANT!!!!

[@IsaDesOsiers]

Brilliantly hilarious!

[@sachiperez]

Kind, smart and too funny!

[@cjjackson2475]

He's not only a great patriot but also a true mensch! God bless his soul. ❤

[@Highley1958]

At least Rush Limbaugh cared enough about America to drop dead.

[@Highley1958]

Time to step up, Newt Gingrich.

[@Peacemaker-er3tl]

More destinations for my road trip urination list

[@jerdonsbabbler3515]

Ooo, so darn funny.

[@gheller2261]

Took way too long.

[@MarthaRoseMoore415]

Holy crap - at about 2:31-33, right after Al says " mission accomplished" - You can TOTALLY hear Jake "I don't even know her" Tapper laughing. PRICELESS!!

[@christinekoehnen9696]

❤ Al

[@sherryvt61]

Al is a very funny dude. I've liked him since his days on SNL and especially his Stuart Smalley character.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

man we still need Al !

[@wayneriley7367]

History will state that todays incivility goes back to rush and newt.

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

nope, Bill and Hillary

[@wayneriley7367]

@@MrSoulauctioneer really? I’d love to hear the reasoning? Clinton had the lowest deficit when he left, can’t say that for the no tax rich republicans. What do you really hate Hillary for? Because she is still married to Bill? Did you not get Al’s jokes about all the first and second wife’s of the GOP? And how are the GOP following Bill Bennett book of Virtues? Newt and rush were the ones bitching and moaning about how the country was being taken away from white people. I think Rush had a drug addiction? What substance addiction did the Clinton’s have? White water and Benghazi never amounted to anything but it is quite obvious the the orange pumpkin will be in jail soon.

[@voxveritas333]

@@MrSoulauctioneer nope, it was rush and newt. both bastards.

[@lornahuddleston1453]

"Come back to sit among the killers and eat their salmon"...

[@jonathangarmuth8975]

Too soon

[@lornahuddleston1453]

@@jonathangarmuth8975 I was quoting part of one of Al's quotes. But yeah.

[@claudiagrimes8050]

I love this man.

[@kevincallaghan326]

So brilliant and still funny as hell after all these years. More recent WHCP performers should have paid more attention to Franken's more balanced approach.

[@johnpastor2390]

This is crazy funny.

[@jwraithel]

Wow, some forgotten faces (like Sonny Bono!).

[@cockeyedoptimista]

Can you tell me who the guy is at 9;27, clapping at the Dutch WWII Bob Dole joke? The guy with beard and dimples? I can't place him: who is it? (And where is Sonny? Geez. But I didn't watch the whole thing yet. [Saving it.])

[@phildirt3]

Just think how great it would be if congress was full of al types

[@juice14oj]

Oh my God. They could actually take a joke back then.

[@djinnko]

Back then, I did think Christine Whitman looked like she could be a close relative of (then) Prince Charles.😆

[@Blake-ul8dd]

Genius

[@chrismangold79]

Classic, great material. Love his attacks on the Newt.

[@harrydebastardeharris987]

You can see where Ricky Gervais got his inspiration from.

[@johnchessant3012]

Senator Al Franken

[@GaleHill-Crock-we5pl]

Smart guy

[@barbarahering1310]

Wish he would come back , he is very truthful and perhaps Kamala can use him in some way. There are cabinet positions to fill.

[@treborsf]

OMG, ...Never better.

[@kaysloan2787]

Such a brilliant mind for comic observation!

[@HumanBeanbag]

Newt was super triggered 😂

[@susanelainesanner]

Wow! People were so young in 1996!

[@monicalinville9579]

I miss Al.

[@ytugtbk]

They should rename this event the "Aren't We Special," or "Even though We're Supposed to be the Fourth Column acting as Watchdogs against the Powers that be We all send our Kids to the Same Prep Schools and elite Private Universities and sit on the same Charity Boards, so Who Cares. Tonight is our night."

[@hemiglos]

Vote for Al and Ben! Franken/Stein 2024.

[@jazzandbeyond7549]

Al come back!!!

[@gingergrant6759]

Reminds me of how much I'm still mad at Kristen gillibrand for taking away a decent Democrat senator

[@LeeMaiden]

Kristen has proven she is someone that needs to be kicked to the curb, Al Franken needs to step back in, what he did was actually a nothing, a picture of someone about to do something wrong, but he didn't do anything in reality. Al needs to come back, his honesty and character, are missed in the Senate.

[@cynthiarowley719]

Very glad he's not gone

[@mikelemmon888]

I hate her so much but Al was an idiot to resign.

[@Seilolo]

SAME!!!!!! He shouldn’t have been ousted.

[@janineharkins3513]

Maybe the most shameful bit of that chapter was that Al was actually there to fight for the very basic rights of all Minnesotans in an occasionally humorous, but always humble, earnest and honest way. No dirty tricks or dark money, eyes never focused on what special perks or more prestigious positions his senatorship could garner him....but to be fair, the GOP had Roy Moore, so...

[@rayceeya8659]

Fun Fact, this was the same night Franken almost got into a fist fight with Sean Hannity.

[@pauldurand4780]

Hannity needs at least a punch in the mouth..And I'm among other networks a fox watcher..

[@Lisa-ik3wt]

I wonder if he started lying liars directly after that.😊

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Really I never heard of that? Al Franken was a good HS wrestler and would probably kick little Sean's butt!

[@mxdavis]

What stones he had to deliver these stinging rebukes. Brilliant!

[@lornahuddleston1453]

​@@Lisa-ik3wt😂🤣

[@linshanhsiang]

I've been watching various versions of these dinner speakers and Al Franken has them beaten all hollow!

[@donnaniemi]

Me too and I couldn't agree more

[@ClimateSpy]

Except Stephen Colbert's roast of W!

[@suemick8709]

At 34:12 Clarence and Ginni Thomas? It's pretty unnerving to watch this in the present but Franken was hilarious and it was even funnier to witness all the seat squirming.

[@Dead8Phish]

I think that was Tipper Gore, not Ginny...

[@harrodsongs]

@@Dead8Phish Yes that was Tipper Gore and my guess is the gent beside her was Secret Service.

[@henrimatisse7481]

Ginni look alike

[@amc8437]

Hilary was pretty, old age sucks!

[@poppamichael2197]

Our senate could use the brilliance of Al Franken today. It is so sad that a single gratuitous, but gross, comedic gesture--which was wholly forgiven by the person who might have been offended--served as the basis, years later and in a different era, for a small but vocal movement to embarrass him and cause him to resign from the senate. All Americans lost something when he resigned, including those who lobbied for his banishment and who, most likely, will not be forgiven for it.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

that woman betrayed her country i still wonder how much she got paid now the Dems were POSs

[@louisemiller9921]

Led by Kirsten Gillibrand for opportunistic reasons. I’ll never forgive her.

[@andrealingenfelter576]

I second that Gillibrand got on the bandwagon to “promote” her Pres run….Schumer put the screws to him….he should have had ethics committee and would have prevailed as his “offenses” were laughable and the woman in the “photo” was a conservative plant to bring him down. Gov Cuomo had way more dletailed and serious charges against him….and he resisted resigning for months. Franken was no given his due process…..phony Senators!!!!

[@andrealingenfelter576]

He even fit in as a Harvard graduate in the Senate and his questions were more incisive, detailed, to the point…like had he been able to question Kavanaugh!!!

[@voxveritas333]

@@louisemiller9921 haven't heard anything much from or about her lately. Hope she leaves.

[@jaybestnz]

God I hope that Al hosts the Daily Show..

[@Ishai1]

He said on some podcast he wouldn't do it full time, too much work...

[@donalodonoghue7554]

Better if he served as president.

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

klepp is hard to beat

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

​@@donalodonoghue7554 no NO! Senator

[@thomthom6268]

@@Ishai1 it's not like AI can't work 24/7. I never trusted those lazy infernal programs.

[@UserName_no1]

Who would've ever guessed Al would be drummed out for the reason he was (compare that to everything that's happened since) and that Rush Limpdick would receive the Medal of Freedom and thus forever tarnish the award. What a shame, on both accounts.

[@beenaplumber8379]

I'm a liberal AND a Bob Dole fan. Those jokes with the Dutch guy made my eyes water!!!

[@michaelfritts6249]

His twist on "A Modest Proposal" was on point.

[@zxbc1]

The balls on Al to do such an acerbic satire with straight face in front of stuck up politicians, the very crowd that the satire aims to ridicule. You can see and hear the uneasy laugh in the audience.

[@curtrice6060]

27 years, and is as relevant as yesterday 😊 .

[@michaelfritts6249]

@@zxbc1 funny thing is, someone might read this and start a new "AI" consipracy because.. Ignored the video AI and robots are in cahoots.. Comedian Franken did become a Senator Franken.. How did they know he would be a Senator in the Future.. AI has obviously been around for awhile.. 😉😁🤣 Be Well!! 😀

[@jefolson6989]

Al should have stayed and fought the GOP, but fellow democrats , in an effort to take the high road, through him under the bus. Brilliant comedian ,shrewd politician.

[@johnajda]

You mean “threw” (not through).

[@kathygoheen4626]

He's still hilarious and on point in 2023😂🤣Love Al.

[@philgilmore1176]

Absolutely!

[@neilturetsky6038]

Great smart, funny incisive podcast

[@davidtyler2012]

i knew Alfonse D'Matto... he was a dick. that was a good impression

[@terrancelewis2980]

Yeah he’s one of a kind. Shame what transpired - for all parties….. 😢

[@jorgegonzalez-larramendi5491]

his Party refused to defend him and those women ....

[@katmandudawn8417]

Certain members of his own party thought they would build their own brand off take taking Al out. I’m thinking about Kirsten Gillibrand…

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

well he did what he did, so it's on him

[@bubbercakes528]

This man SHOULD BE president now! So many other Republicans have done far worse and just denied their actions. He apologized and showed remorse. I would still vote for him!

[@bananaramadingdong]

He shaped 90s humour, he acquitted himself admirably as a senator - the last thing this man deserves is a 4-year sentence in DC, herding angry cats.

[@billolsen4360]

He's a clown and a democrat. We've to too many of those already.

[@justbecauseOK]

this is amusing...a time before Trump...how innocent we were.

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

you think the list of subjects to avoid was a joke?

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

In his usual, style (that is truly missed, btw) Al continues to slay the audience! Thanks Al. We miss you!

[@lindamutch191]

Oh how I wish you were in Congress today!! We NEED YOU!! 😅😅😅

[@granthurlburt4062]

A brilliant and funny and honest and sincere and a great senator

[@cz2165]

His humor is too smart for these dweebs.

[@cockeyedoptimista]

Those aren't dweebs, those are intelligent reporters, what are you talking about?

[@commontater8630]

@@cockeyedoptimista Maybe he means some of the commenters in this thread. I'd agree.

[@gheller2261]

This was a master class on cadence and comic timing.

[@grggsctt]

He could have taken more time with the seniors as soldiers bit. I don’t think he realized how much momentum he was building. It’s one of those pieces that could have brought the house down.

[@J.M.-nb4gw]

Very well said and spot on, Al Franken is a national treasure and possibly the best senator of the last 20 years. He's smart and funny and insightful and he always says and does what is best for the American people!

[@JohnMarkOrg]

"and if you believe that, ive got some land in Arkansas I'd like to see ya" Bwahaha hahahaha!!!!

[@hrshsmpt]

"would aluminum foil make a good space suit or would you just bake like a potato" certified genius

[@Meinstein]

that one made me LOL.. something I do not often do.

[@mattep74]

And then apple tv made a whole episode in for all mankind revolve around just that

[@susieb7305]

You are funny. And smart. Sorry we lost u in congress.

[@Meinstein]

This should be cut up into it's "best of" clips. SO many really golden observations that hold up still today.. no matter which party is in power.

[@cockeyedoptimista]

The part about Bob Dole and Holland was great. Also the part where he made fun of Jews (not) in the military. (I'm one, so I can laugh.)

[@milosterwheeler2520]

Eleven thousand Views and only two hundred nine Likes? Get a sense of humor, America.

[@paulaitix77]

al franken is a creep

[@getyerkix]

FRANKEN 2024

[@craighunt6098]

Thanks Mr. Franken for being so prophetic about one the OG's and megaphones of modern MAGA intolerance--ie Rush Limbaugh and his impact on US politics...man 1996--only 27 years ago! And I loved the Slow Army of Retirees---now that I am one now, I am a "fast walker" fortunately and a very infrequent visitor to hospitals at age 68---same with my 68 year old wife!

[@janineharkins3513]

Bless you. Keep it up...

[@chrisanderson1608]

Anyone catch the "be safe" during the hand shake at the very end. I'm glad he's still around.

[@robertcamilleri8613]

The very best Comedian to grace a WHCD.

[@pauldicato5727]

Effing HYSTERICAL !😂😂😂😂😂

[@helenstylianou5280]

I really like Al Franken, such a great shame he stepped down from the Senate. And I live in Cyprus.

[@kaysloan2787]

Totally agree!

[@lornahuddleston1453]

​​@@kaysloan2787That emphasizes how valuable Al Franken is 👍

[@sealyoness]

How FUN. A kinder and gentler time, I guess.

[@womanofsubstance8735]

Al, as usual, is/was great, and I wish he was back in the Senate. Somebody needs to ask the anti-Medicare crowd how much money could be saved on Medicare if govt would do something about reducing the cost of health care and medications.

[@allancrow134]

Franken was a great Senator, too bad they ran him out. Guess he was a threat to the ambitions of others.

[@MrSoulauctioneer]

or a hypocrite

[@voxveritas333]

@@MrSoulauctioneer you drink the kool aid much?

[@cockeyedoptimista]

@@voxveritas333 Oh, men are never hypocrites? Or, only Republican men! All Democrats are perfect and infallible!

[@rosaleebrooks482]

They keep the most immoral & grifting & force out him & Kensington & (oh Pooh, my 81 yr old brain won't bring up the name of my favorite girl on Jan. six panel from WY, ex vice president's daughter). I loved her for saying the truth & how dangerous tRump is. She brought out exactly what I'd been saying & some of my friends & relatives were telling me that I was wrong. Are they apologizing now? No! I have a tiny glitch in my memory when it comes to some names, but I remember how this country was as I grew up & had a family & this today isn't it. I remember how brave she was & how she gave up her job rather than compromise morality & truth & right. Any one of those three would make a good President. So sad they are not in Congress anymore. 50% of who we have in there now are not worthy to lick their boots.

[@rosaleebrooks482]

Chaney see I did remember her name.

[@Lambert7785]

strikes me as a rather tough gig to pull off... :). not having al on senate committees is a big loss to our balance and well being, in my view

[@lintelle2382]

some folks since him have done an OK job, but this is Top Notch!

[@allenburnett5422]

Would Al take over Late, Late, Late Night TV, or in other words, the CBS Morning Show?

[@jamesgray9950]

Al Franken is the best!

[@paulaitix77]

🤮

[@lornahuddleston1453]

💋💋💋President Franken

[@CathieDonohoe]

Franken is brilliant

[@XOkie]

He was our first "Jon Stewart". I wish that he'd run again.

[@ZsuzsannaBudapest]

Al Franken! I have your books,but watching you doing the sound effects makes it all more enjoyable. Thank you!!

[@gailremp8389]

He was not what they said he was.. be “honking the boob of the girl asleep photo was just him being stupid back when he was working with SNL. It was really really just not bad bad. Not really. But no… the wild over reaction had to go for it.

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Smart jokes and he delivers it well.

[@robertafeiler5320]

Brilliant! Beautifully written and delivered .👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kaipeterson]

Al Franken for President!

[@johnarnold893]

Al should have switched to Independent and stayed in the Senate. The US needs more people like him running the show.

[@ellenmadsen7308]

I think he should run again. Could see him at president.

[@craighunt6098]

OMG---I saw a shot of Sonny Bono in the crowd with a greying mustache---I Miss You Babe! :) On behalf of Cher and your millions of baby boomer fans!

[@NxDoyle]

The Oliver Stone bit was very good, but Al had pretty much lost them by that point. They ran out of gas halfway through.

[@Bob-nw7do]

I liked Al since Saturday Nite Live.

[@Redmenace96]

This is from the era when I read newspapers and watched Cross Fire. I know all the characters he was roasting. Very funny, today.

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@kevinvilmont6061]

The guy is talented.

[@davidhowald4120]

Al....hahahaahaha. i'm reminded again how intelligent and wicked funny you were....and still are. thanks al.

[@gailremp8389]

Incredible. Too funny.

[@erikheymann9390]

The joke about Charles Murray made me spit out my coffee, totally brilliant.

[@sommmeguy]

Newt Gingrich and Steve Forbes. And we thought politics was bad in the 90s. I wish our politics was half as civil and well spoken now. There's a walk down memory lane. Franken is still the best.