Franken was a comedian, writer, and political radio talk show host prior to his election to the Senate. He became famous during his stints at Saturday Night Live, creating characters such as multiple 12-step program participant, Stuart Smalley, and a One Man Mobile Uplink news crew.

Just days after Franken was declared the winner in the Minnesota Senate election, Norm Coleman announced he had filed a lawsuit to formally challenge the results of the recount.West Central Tribune: Coleman sues over Minnesota Senate recount result (January 6, 2009) On June 30, 2009, Minnesota's Supreme Court unanimously declared Franken the winner of the election after dismissing Coleman's challenge.http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/30/franken.ruling/index.html

The original results of the Minnesota Senate election showed incumbent Senator Norm Coleman defeating Franken by 221 votes. A recount was ordered and delayed the official results through January, 2009. Minneapolis StarTribune: Coleman Wins, Recount Coming(November 5, 2008) FOX News: Minnesota Ripe for Election Fraud (November 10, 2008)

On January 12, 2009, after waiting the required seven days after being declared the election winner, Franken's lawyers requested that he be issued an election certificate so that he could take his seat in the Senate. However, Governor Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie reported that state law prohibited them from issuing the certificate until all legal challenges to the electoral results were resolved.FOX News: Minnesota Governor Won't Issue Franken's Election Certificate (January 12, 2009)

His 1996 book "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations" targeted Limbaugh specifically. His Air America radio show initially was entitled "The O'Franken Factor" to goad O'Reilly, and he was sued by Fox News when he used the catch phrase "fair and balanced." The case was thrown out in a summary judgement.