commencement speech – The Comedy Bureau

Maria Bamford Delivers Another Fantastic Commencement Speech, Though This One Is a Bit More Meta

May 21, 2020

adult swim, commencement speech, maria bamford

Three years ago, Maria Bamford delivered one of the best commencement speeches of 2017 when she helped pay off some student debt with her speaking fee and made her whole speech for the University of Michigan Class of 2017 centered on the gesture.

This year’s graduation season happens to coincide with the historic COVID-19 pandemic, making commencement speeches vastly different and more challenging to nail in such weird times. Still, Maria managed to pull off the speech that all classes of 2020 need right now and even get more abstract and meta with it. Even though it’s for Adult Swim as opposed to an actual educational institution, Bamford’s candor and honesty is, as it always is, simultaneously so beautiful and hysterical.

Please enjoy Maria Bamford’s episode of Adult Swim’s Commencement Speaker Series here.

Please Enjoy Mike Birbiglia’s Commencement Speech for Georgetown’s Class of 2020

May 18, 2020

News

commencement speech, georgetown, mike birbiglia, speech

It’s that time of year where waves of graduations are happening at every level. As far as comedy is concerned, that does usually mean that there is a handful of great commencement speeches that are given by comedians and, essentially, you get to see inspirational stand-up done in a gowns and ceremonial hats. The speeches are meant for the graduates, but there’s a certain joy in still watching such addresses no matter what stage of life you’re in.

The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously made an in-person graduation with hundreds or thousands of people gathering impossible at the moment. Yet, the commencement speeches are still coming through for the classes of 2020 remotely.

Mike Birbiglia just remotely gave such a speech that was pretty damn perfect for the Georgetown University Class of 2020 and the almost unbelievable times that we live in. Birbiglia makes a rather short speech as far as commencement speeches go, but it’s so perfectly worded (as it would be from someone who routinely does celebrated solo shows on Broadway).

Please enjoy it and maybe feel a little more inspired about life going forward here.

And We Have the First Funny, Inspiring Commencement Speech This Year with Will Ferrell’s Speech to USC Graduating Class of 2017

May 15, 2017

Uncategorized

commencement speech, speech, university of southern california, usc, will ferrell

On top of Will Ferrell giving the delightful, uplifting commencement speech that you’d expect from Ferrell, he is now has an honorary doctorate from USC and we can only hope that he uses that credit all the time, whether applicable or not.

Watch Ferrell’s speech to the USC Graduating Class of 2017 here.

Charlie Day Gives One Hell of Commencement Speech

May 21, 2014

Uncategorized

charlie day, commencement speech, merrimack

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Charlie Day went to his alma mater and gave a commencement speech that the graduates of more prestigious institutions should be absolutely jealous of.

Watch it here.

Morning Debriefing 6/13/11

1) A few months ago, Joe Wengert’s character Mr. Girardi went viral with his speech about the misuse of the bulletin board at his frozen yogurt shop. Thanks to the very talented and funny Brandon Vaughn, we now have a pretty clear picture, actually a pretty fantastic one if you ask us… (watch the clip then look at the pic)

2) One of our favorite web series finally has a new episode: Anne Frankly (w/Jamie Lee and Shawn Pearlman)

3) Anthony Jeselnik is on Conan tonight. Watch or DVR or whatever you have to do to watch. 11PM/TBS.

4) Curtiss Angel, Criss Angel’s cousin… Thanks to Andre Hyland and his constant hilarity.

5) Usually, I’m tough on topical videos, but Bill Maher and Jane Lynch dramatic reading transcripts of Anthony Weiner’s posts is definitely Bureau Approved.

6) Marc Maron is doing a pilot. [via HuffPostComedy]

7) Conan O’Brien Commencement Speech at Dartmouth (yeah you’ve probably seen it somewhere else, but what are we going to do? Not post it?)

8) It’s been stirring up a lot of good buzz and we’re only giving a friendly reminder: Watch Jon Benjamin Has A Van on Comedy Central this Wed. and Thurs. 10:30PM.

9) Puddin’-“Suspense”

10) COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Tony Clifton: The Movie @ The Egyptian 8PM FREE (e-mail talent@thecomedystore.net for free passes)
An Evening with Jeff Garlin @ Nerdist Theater (back room of Meltdown Comics) 8PM $10
Brunch @ The Park Restaurant 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Stand Up Saloon @ Old Towne Pub 10:30PM FREE
Tulsa Skull Swingers @ Three Clubs (1123 Vine St., Hollywood, CA) 11PM

11) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM-ish/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided

12) There are so many comics in LA I’m beginning to think that we’re all “comic’s comics”.

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