The hullabaloo that accompanied Franken's swearing in was in some ways a contrast with the image the former comedian is trying to project as a serious-minded senator. Since moving back to Minnesota in 2005, Franken has sought to tone down his image as an irreverent performer and satirist casting himself as workhorse and policy wonk.

Franken said in an interview with The Associated Press on Monday that while he is still garnering attention for his career as a comic, he expects the publicity to die down once he is able to establish himself in the Senate.

"I think they'll get to used to the idea that I'm a senator, that I've kind of changed careers," Franken said. "I just don't think it will take that long. They'll see what I do and what I say. Mainly I'm going to put my head down and get to work."

Democrats said Franken will assume seats on the Senate Select Committee on Aging, the Committee on Indian Affairs, the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday Franken will not join the HELP committee until after the current health care bill goes through budget mark up.

Franken's most pressing business will be the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. He told the AP Monday that he would like to serve as a "people's proxy" on the committee.