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It took eight months, two court rulings and a recount – but Al Franken finally won his contentious Minnesota Senate race over incumbent Norm Coleman.

The former Saturday Night Live performer is not the first entertainer-turned-politician. He joins a list that includes actors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronald Reagan, singer Sonny Bono and even pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura.

But how will Franken’s funnyman-past affect his time in office?  Our research finds that many outlets have questions about whether he can take on the serious office- though some think he’s straightened up.

Let’s start with MSNBC, where liberal commentator Howard Fineman, a friend of Franken’s, says his pal will have to tone down his inner comic if he wants to be accepted.

“In an ironic twist, a man who got famous for his out-of-bounds, deliberately over-the-top humor must once again be a model of decorum and close-to-the-vest style as he enters the Senate.”

However, PBS’s Newshour notes that Franken has been on his best behavior throughout the campaign.

“…I think it’s very telling that for these seven months that this process has dragged out, you have not seen Al Franken do any of that temperament stuff that some had suggested he would.”

Speaking on FOX News’ O’Reilly Factor, conservative pundit Glenn Beck was less positive, questioning the judgment of Minnesota voters.

“It shows how crazy our country has gone. You don’t want me as a senator- you don’t want Al Franken as a senator!”
“Glenn, doesn’t it show that anything is possible in America?”
“No, it shows that we’ve lost our minds!”

News opinion site News Junkie Post thinks Franken’s humor might actually be a positive.

“All those amateurs that think they’re funny at those lavish fundraising dinners will have to work on their routine a little harder. Humor matters in politics - Obama has a knack for make journalists laugh that’s probably one of the reason they like him so much.”

So what do you think? Can former entertainers like Franken be good politicians or do people have a hard time taking them seriously?