Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations

By: Al Franken

Narrated by: Al Franken

Fed up with the Republican Right? Then you'll love Al Franken's scathingly hilarious look at America's largest talk show host and his conservative cronies. Hear this Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live writer's thoughts on exploding Medicare costs ("Why not shoot the elderly into space?"), feminism ("Limbaugh was railing about how feminists believe that all heterosexual sex is rape. The thing is, though, I know a lot of women, almost all of whom consider themselves feminists, and I know of only one who holds this belief. And we've been married nearly twenty years"), and Rush Limbaugh's fact-checker, the man with "the easiest job in America." Funny yet uncompromisingly fair, Franken tackles the issues - and the politicians - in ways few have dared.©1996 by Al Franken, Inc. (P)1996 Dove Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Grammy Award Winner, Best Spoken Word Comedy Album, 1996

"[Al Franken is] the man responsible for some of the most brilliant political satire of our time." (New York Post )

But of course.

But of course the conservatives and self-described dittoheads are going to rip this book. That's what they do. They want you not to read this book, and take their word for what's in it.

But the TRUTH is that this book is funny. And Pointed. And well written.

I do not, however, give abridged audiobooks five stars. So this loses one.

Still relevant and accurate in 2024

You could just replace “Rush Limbaugh” with “Donald Trump” and add a chapter about Jan 6th, Anti-vaxers, and Covid conspiracy theorists and it would be accurate today.

Al Franken take is priceless

This book of essays remains as timeless and relevant, now in the far future of 2022, as the day it was composed.

Not just a comedian any more

I enjoyed the book as an audible, Al Franken is an intelligent witty guy. He is very knowledgeable with compassion for his work and expresses his points with well applied humor . I'd even vote for him!

Then and now!

Great read in 2025! Check it out against today! So glad to have access to fun story.

Give us the rest of it

The only drawback is that it is abridged. I just finished listening to "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them," and, hungry for more, I thought I'd revisit Franken's other major expose of right-wing mendacity. Now that Lies and the Lying Liars is a best-seller, the publishers ought to get Franken to read the rest of this one for the audio version. I need to listen to something fun on the subway.

Hilarious, insightful

Al Franken's work may make some people angry, but it's among the funniest political commentary out there, and it's also intelligent and based on more than the bombastic rantings he so deftly harpoons.

Very well researched & Funny

My only complaint is that rush is much more idiotic and fat that the book discloses. "There are more trees in North America today than when Columus landed here." Why does the author not show rush to be as hateful as he is piggish and misinformed? A very funny book to read, but LIES is even better. (ghost written by Al's mom).

Not my favorite

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really.

What aspect of Al Franken’s performance would you have changed?

I always like Al Franken's performances, however, I felt this book was negative and mean and beneath him. It can't compare to his other books.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed in this book as his others are delightful and insightful. However, it wouldn't make me stop reading Al Franken's books.

Superb book with terse title

Those who gave this less than 4 * likely did not read it. Great insights and humor wrapped around good research.