Windfall Publicity for Al Franken's Book

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/13/opinion/13WED4.html

" This strange lawsuit has all the feel of an O'Reilly shouting match shoved onto an unlikely new stage: the Supreme Court of New York State. For Fox, the issue is — among other things — Mr. Franken's use of the words "fair and balanced" in its subtitle. The network's lawyers are arguing that those words belong to Fox as part of its trademark. (Journalism schools need to take note here.)

Mr. Franken and Mr. O'Reilly have had one or two public set-tos already, and Fox's complaint sounds like a collection of things Mr. O'Reilly wishes he'd remembered to say at their last encounter. It calls Mr. Franken "deranged," a "parasite," "sophomoric" and lacking "any serious depth or insight.""

A fun editorial with a srong hint of Gail Collins in the wording (for those of us who've enjoyed her style for years).

Judge Wapner's Animal Court would be more appropriate with a FOX involved...wouldn't it?

http://1.junglescan.com/scan/details.php?asin=0525947647&days=7

Wouldn't that pretty much describe almost any comedian? I hope they go through with this lawsuit. I'd love to see Fox in a court trying to prove that their news is indeed 'fair and balanced'. Under Fox, the phrase has become Orwellian doublespeak.

much more talented than the idiot O'Really? when have his books ever sold as well.

whiny puss called O'reilly for helping him sell the book.

It seems as if the conservative style of humor is mean attacks at groups and individuals. When the tables are turned, they get their panties in a wad, and run to the courts. I find it extremely entertaining that conservatives don't pick up on the overt satire and irony in Franken's books. "Fair and Balanced" not only is a reference to Fox News, but it does so in relation to the "Lying Liars" part of the title. Of course we all see that.

I love Franken's books.