36 women who worked with Franken offer support

MINNEAPOLIS — Dozens of women who worked with Sen. Al Franken on “Saturday Night Live” have signed their names in support of him saying that although they believe what he did toward a radio broadcaster was “stupid and foolish,” the women have never “experienced any inappropriate behavior” from him.

Franken, D-Minn., worked as a writer and was a featured cast member on “SNL” for nearly two decades.

Among the 36 women who are “offering solidarity in support of Franken,” are production assistants, writers, producers and original cast members, including Jane Curtin, who starred with Franken in the show’s early seasons. “We feel compelled to stand up for Al Franken, whom we have all had the pleasure of working with over the years on Saturday Night Live,” the women wrote in a statement issued Monday. “… In our experience, we know Al as a devoted and dedicated family man, a wonderful comedic performer, and an honorable public servant. That is why we are moved to quickly and directly affirm that after years of working with him, we would like to acknowledge that not one of us ever experienced any inappropriate behavior; and mention our sincere appreciation that he treated each of us with the utmost respect and regard.”

The women’s support follows recent allegations of misconduct by Franken.

On Monday, 33-year-old Lindsay Menz of Frisco, Texas, accused Franken of grabbing her buttocks while posing together for a photo at the Minnesota State Fair in 2010 — an incident he says he doesn’t remember.

In response, Franken issued a statement, saying: “I take thousands of photos at the state fair surrounded by hundreds of people, and I certainly don’t remember taking this picture. I feel badly that Menz came away from our interaction feeling disrespected.”

Last week, Franken apologized after Los Angeles radio broadcaster LeeAnn Tweeden said the Democratic senator forcibly kissed and groped her during a 2006 USO tour. Franken says he remembers their encounter differently.

“What Al did was stupid and foolish, and we think it was appropriate for him to apologize to Ms. Tweeden, and to the public,” the women wrote.