Fox vs. Franken: Minnesota-born humorist fires back at news network

Mpls (red)Star Tribune ^ | 8/13/03 | Deborah Caulfield Rybak / Kristin Tillotson

[Valin]

What's objectionable about the title of satirist Al Franken's new book, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right"?

It's not what you might think.

The St. Louis Park native responded with mirth and sarcasm Tuesday to the news that the Fox News Network has filed a trademark-infringement lawsuit against him for using the words "fair and balanced," which Fox uses to advertise its news.

Fox says Franken's use would "blur and tarnish" what it called its "signature slogan." The suit also charges that the book's cover resembles books by Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, and seeks an injunction against its planned September release until the title and cover are changed.

"I'd like to thank Fox for all the publicity," said a statement from Franken, who is traveling with his family in Europe. "I normally prefer not to be out of the country on vacation when I'm sued. However, from everything I know about law regarding satire, I'm not worried."

[Valin]

To Fox News I'm not intending to imply insult or judgement here but I am curious to know in order to be able to respond to your lawsuit in an appropriate manner, so please forgive what appears to be, but in fact is not intended as, an insulting question: Are you stupid?

[mbynack]

This is going to be fun to watch.

[jraven]

The lawsuit is stupid. It's going to get Franken LOTS of free publicity and LOTS of money from sales. It is also silly. Radio talk shows, Michael Savage's (great) book, etc. regularly do virtually the same thing with satire, although to each his own in judging what kind of satire is best. But Franken's book is not that unusual. The bottom line which everyone knows is this: Bill O'Reilly has a GREAT show and is a GREAT broadcaster but he truly is thin-skinned when he is personally lampooned or attacked. On his show he keeps talking about how great the Fox lawyers are in going after people. This is a SATIRE BOOK and satire on the left is just as acceptable as satire on the RIGHT. Lampoons of Dan Rather, Peter Jennings, CNN, etc. are equally valid. The lawsuit is silly and in the end will drive this book into the NY Times top 10. Just watch. And Franken will likely get his own radio show; Fox is polishing his credentials among liberals and some independents who are going to tune in to see who this guy is. Silly lawsuit!

[new cruelty]

LOL.

[Consort]

Bob Franken is funnier than Al Franken.

[hgro]

Bob Franken is funnier than Al Franken.

But just as stupid and both have those close set beady eyes.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

"...vacationing in Europe."
memo to Al Franken: stay there.

[ampat]

Al Franken is the algore of comedy.

[Valin]

Would that be considered Cruel and Unusual punisment?
I mean Jacques Chirac and Al Franken at the same time! Even I'm not that mad at them.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

"...vacationing in Europe."

Probably visiting with Woody Allen and his daughter/wife in France.

[Brian S]

The lawsuit is stupid. It's going to get Franken LOTS of free publicity and LOTS of money from sales. It is also silly...

What you said!

[montag813]

The lawsuit is stupid. It's going to get Franken LOTS of free publicity and LOTS of money from sales

It also shows that Fox is indeed fair and balanced by approaching the law dispassionately, trying to defend their copyright. If they were truly an arm of the right-wing, they would have indeed held off from a lawsuit which guarantees increased publicity.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Truly frightful !

[visagoth]

You're right -- check out Junglescan which will show a 530% increase in book sales in the last week.

[Lazamataz]

What you said!

We get signal!

[Theyknow]

"It also shows that Fox is indeed fair and balanced by approaching the law dispassionately, trying to defend their copyright. If they were truly an arm of the right-wing, they would have indeed held off from a lawsuit which guarantees increased publicity"

---

It shows no such thing. It makes Fox look petty and not ready for prime time. If a lampoon of the New York Times used the phrase, “Disclosing Fiction in News: at last all the news fit to print.” It would be absurd for the Times to complain, just as Fox looks minor league here. It is a disgrace to Fox and betrays a petty side to Bill O’Reilly. What they expect to accomplish beyond increasing Franken’s sales is truly beyond me.

It is a misuse of the judicial system.

[bassmaner]

The lawsuit is stupid. It's going to get Franken LOTS of free publicity and LOTS of money from sales.

Howard Stern actually was talking about this this morning: he said that the book's sales have skyrocketed since Fox filed the suit. Howard didn't even know that that scumbag Franken even had a book out ...

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.

[katze]

""I'd like to thank Fox for all the publicity," said a statement from Franken"

If he believes it will sell his crap-book, I can tell him I won't be buying, nor will I get from library. He is like many other Dems, no mind that it is negative, so long as they get attention.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!