Finest commencement speech ever

Undertoad · 05-26-2004, 07:24 AM

Jon Stewart at his alma mater, William and Mary

"We declared war on terror. We declared war on terror—it’s not even a noun, so, good luck. After we defeat it, I’m sure we’ll take on that bastard ennui."

Catwoman · 05-26-2004, 07:48 AM

Never heard of Jon Stewart but brilliantly written speech - worth reading if just for the bit at the end (!).

Happy Monkey · 05-26-2004, 09:19 AM

Great speech, but "terror" is indeed a noun. I know what he meant, but sometimes I gotta nitpick.

Happy Monkey · 05-26-2004, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Catwoman
Never heard of Jon Stewart

Get thee to Comedy Central, Mon-Thu at 11pm! Best fake news show available.

Clodfobble · 05-26-2004, 09:23 AM

ahem... 11pm Eastern time.

Sometimes I gotta nitpick.

Beestie · 05-26-2004, 09:30 AM

Not to nitpick or anything but Catwoman is in the UK. I don't think they get Comedy Central.

Catwoman · 05-26-2004, 09:36 AM

Was just going to ask - can I get it in the UK. Maybe it's on sky?

Undertoad · 05-26-2004, 09:43 AM

It's too culture-bound to be funny to Brits - just like Not the Nine O'Clock News was culture-bound to Brits and not as funny to 'merkins.

Catwoman · 05-26-2004, 09:56 AM

Are you saying we have no understanding of American culture even though we have simply osmosised, ectyped and shrunk-to-fit everything you have sent over on your really big ships?

Happy Monkey · 05-26-2004, 09:56 AM

Apologies for my lack of global awareness. You can get highlights from the web site.

I think that much, perhaps most, of the humor is universal enough to traverse the oceans. Stupid politics is stupid politics.

TheLorax · 05-26-2004, 09:59 AM

http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_show...ithjonstewart/

Undertoad · 05-26-2004, 10:08 AM

No CW, I'm saying that comedy is more culture-bound than any other form, and that while some people would be able to understand all the subtle cultural tones needed to enjoy it 100%, others would be mystified and not entertained and would ignore it, in large enough numbers to justify the decision to broadcast something else.

Catwoman · 05-26-2004, 10:12 AM

Now I know why you didn't get Hollyoaks.

elSicomoro · 05-26-2004, 10:36 AM

I had the worst commencement speaker ever. The people in the spring semester graduating class got former Canadian PM Brian Mulroney. We (the fall semester graduating class) got the head of Edward Jones. Goddamn, he was boring...I can't remember a thing he said.

Clodfobble · 05-26-2004, 10:43 AM

I didn't even bother going to any of my commencements (well, ok, that's not true, I went to my high school graduation.)

05-26-2004, 07:24 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Finest commencement speech ever Jon Stewart at his alma mater, William and Mary "We declared war on terror. We declared war on terror—it’s not even a noun, so, good luck. After we defeat it, I’m sure we’ll take on that bastard ennui."

05-26-2004, 07:48 AM	#2
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Never heard of Jon Stewart but brilliantly written speech - worth reading if just for the bit at the end (!). __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

05-26-2004, 09:19 AM	#3
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Great speech, but "terror" is indeed a noun. I know what he meant, but sometimes I gotta nitpick. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

05-26-2004, 09:30 AM	#6
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	Not to nitpick or anything but Catwoman is in the UK. I don't think they get Comedy Central. __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

05-26-2004, 09:36 AM	#7
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Was just going to ask - can I get it in the UK. Maybe it's on sky? __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

05-26-2004, 09:23 AM	#5
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	ahem... 11pm Eastern time. Sometimes I gotta nitpick.

05-26-2004, 09:43 AM	#8
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	It's too culture-bound to be funny to Brits - just like Not the Nine O'Clock News was culture-bound to Brits and not as funny to 'merkins.

05-26-2004, 09:56 AM	#9
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Are you saying we have no understanding of American culture even though we have simply osmosised, ectyped and shrunk-to-fit everything you have sent over on your really big ships? __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

05-26-2004, 09:59 AM	#11
TheLorax Keeper of the Decorum Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NC - USA Posts: 59	http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_show...ithjonstewart/ __________________ "Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss

05-26-2004, 10:08 AM	#12
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	No CW, I'm saying that comedy is more culture-bound than any other form, and that while some people would be able to understand all the subtle cultural tones needed to enjoy it 100%, others would be mystified and not entertained and would ignore it, in large enough numbers to justify the decision to broadcast something else.

05-26-2004, 10:12 AM	#13
Catwoman stalking a Tom Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: on the edge of the english channel Posts: 1,000	Now I know why you didn't get Hollyoaks. __________________ I've decided I'm not going to have a signature anymore.

05-26-2004, 10:36 AM	#14
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I had the worst commencement speaker ever. The people in the spring semester graduating class got former Canadian PM Brian Mulroney. We (the fall semester graduating class) got the head of Edward Jones. Goddamn, he was boring...I can't remember a thing he said.

05-26-2004, 10:43 AM	#15
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I didn't even bother going to any of my commencements (well, ok, that's not true, I went to my high school graduation.)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)