Former Sen. Al Franken books six shows in August at Acme Comedy Co.

MINNEAPOLIS — Former Sen. Al Franken has announced his impending return … to the stand-up comedy stage.

Franken, 71, will headline six shows at Minneapolis’ Acme Comedy Co. at 8 p.m. Aug. 17-18 and at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 19-20. Tickets are $27.75 and are on sale now via acmecomedy.com . A note on the club’s website reads: “Per artist’s request, proof of vaccination OR negative covid test is required for this show. Masks are also required.”

A New York native who grew up in Minnesota, Franken began performing in high school with friend and writing partner Tom Davis. The pair first appeared on the stage at Minneapolis’ Brave New Workshop. They went on to land writing jobs on “Saturday Night Live” from 1975 to 1980, with Franken returning for another run from 1985 to 1995.

After leaving “SNL” for the second time, Franken wrote a series of best-selling books including “Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations” and “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right.” In 2007, he announced he was running for the U.S. Senate. The following June, he was certified the winner of the election after a close vote and prolonged battle over disputed ballots.

During his second term in 2017, Franken resigned from the Senate after several women alleged he had inappropriately touched or kissed them.

In 2019, Franken launched a speaking tour of theaters across the country. The pandemic interrupted the outing, but Franken returned to the road last September and headlined two nights at Minneapolis’ Pantages Theatre the following month.