Funniest College Commencement Speeches
May 22, 2008 – 1:28 am by NickWe searched the web to find the funniest college graduation speeches. From Conan to Jon Stewart, the list is packed with critically successful comedians, delivering hilarious speeches.
5)Ali G
Even though Ali G was not the commencement speaker in 2004, at Harvard, he still makes the list. Sasha Baron Cohen was in full character too address the students on Class Day, a “student-focused, less formal celebration of the graduating class of Harvard College.”
Ali G Part 1:
Ali G Part 2:
4)Will Ferrell
Any Will Ferrell speech that ends with a rendition of Dust in the Wind from Old School is legendary. He even goes into his George Bush impression.
Will Ferrell Part 1:
Will Ferrell Part 2:
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Will Ferrell Part 5:
3)Jon Stewart
In his address to William & Mary’s class of 2004, Jon Stewart pokes fun at his honorary doctorate:
“ As a person, I am honored to get it; as an alumnus, I have to say I believe we can do better. And I believe we should. But it has always been a dream of mine to receive a doctorate and to know that today, without putting in any effort, I will. It’s incredibly gratifying. Thank you. That’s very nice of you, I appreciate it.”
Another poignant part of the speech:
“ I was in New York on 9-11 when the towers came down. I lived 14 blocks from the twin towers. And when they came down, I thought that the world had ended. And I remember walking around in a daze for weeks. And Mayor Giuliani had said to the city, we’ve got to get back to normal. We’ve got to show that things can change and get back to what they were.
And one day I was coming out of my building, and on my stoop, was a man who was crouched over, and he appeared to be in deep thought. And as I got closer to him I realized, he was playing with himself. And that’s when I thought, “You know what, we’re gonna be OK.”
- Full transcript to Jon Stewart’s commencement speech
2)Seth MacFarlane
The creator of Family Guy passed on words of wisdom to the graduates-to-be in the voices of three of his Peter Griffin, Stewie Griffin and Quagmire. Many funny and shocking parts are received well by the crowd filled with students, parents, and grandparents. Stewie slips in a jab at South Park creators “have nothing to do with the plot. They’re just there to be funny. That is a shallow indulgence that South Park is quite above.” MacFarlane, as Stewie, quipped, “Some would call you elitist, over privileged, and preening with a snotty sense of entitlement … I call you my base.”
Seth MacFarlane Part 1:
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Seth MacFarlane Part 3:
Seth MacFarlane Part 4:
1)Conan O’Brien
Conan set the bar for how hilarious a commencement address can be. Harvard’s class of 2000 was treated to the comedians “A” game. The video to the commencement speech was insanely hard to find. Simply brilliant!
- Watch the Conan O’Brien Harvard speech
- Read the full transcript of the Conan’s Harvard speech
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