Andy Samberg Class Day || Harvard Commencement 2012

TL;DR

Andy Samberg delivers a humorous and satirical speech at Harvard's Class Day 2012, mixing comedy with mock advice for graduates. He pokes fun at Harvard traditions, other universities, and himself, while offering playful critiques of various academic majors and the future job market. The speech is filled with celebrity impressions and comedic anecdotes.

Transcript

hello everyone my name is Matthew deSilva and I'm a marshall for the class of two thousand twelve And my name is francisco Miscliki and i'm the representative from Winthrop House. With a diverse range of comedic talents our guest speaker has established himself as a captivating and hilarious entertainer do his work and filled and television most no... Read More

Key Insights

• Andy Samberg uses humor to address Harvard graduates, mixing satire and self-deprecation.
• He highlights the uselessness of certain majors, joking about their lack of real-world application.
• Samberg performs impressions of celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg and Mark Wahlberg, adding comedic flair.
• He jokes about the prestige of Harvard, suggesting graduates will be failures compared to famous dropouts.
• The speech includes a parody of a W. B. Yeats poem, showcasing Samberg's comedic style.
• Samberg humorously criticizes Yale and Dartmouth, playing on college rivalries.
• He advises graduates to relax and enjoy life, emphasizing the importance of pursuing true passions.
• The speech ends with a comedic reference to a popular SNL sketch, 'Dick in a Box'.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main theme of Andy Samberg's Harvard speech?

The main theme of Andy Samberg's Harvard speech is humor and satire. He uses comedic elements to entertain the audience while offering mock advice to graduates. The speech touches on the perceived uselessness of certain academic majors, the challenges in the job market, and the prestige of Harvard, all delivered with a playful tone.

Q: How does Andy Samberg incorporate celebrity impressions in his speech?

Andy Samberg incorporates celebrity impressions by mimicking well-known figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Mark Wahlberg, and Nicolas Cage. These impressions add comedic flair to the speech, as Samberg humorously imagines what advice these celebrities might give to Harvard graduates. The impressions serve to entertain and lighten the mood of the commencement address.

Q: What advice does Andy Samberg give to Harvard graduates?

Andy Samberg humorously advises Harvard graduates to relax and enjoy life, emphasizing the importance of pursuing true passions. He jokes about not rushing into the next phase of life and mocks the idea of making art out of garbage. His advice is delivered in a playful, satirical manner, encouraging graduates to find what they truly want to do.

Q: How does Andy Samberg address Harvard's prestige in his speech?

Andy Samberg addresses Harvard's prestige by poking fun at the university's reputation. He jokes that graduates are destined to be failures compared to famous Harvard dropouts like Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates. Samberg humorously critiques the idea of Harvard as an icon in culture, using satire to entertain the audience while acknowledging the university's esteemed status.

Q: What role does satire play in Andy Samberg's speech?

Satire plays a central role in Andy Samberg's speech, as he uses it to critique academic majors, the job market, and university rivalries. Through humor and exaggeration, Samberg delivers a speech that entertains while offering mock advice. His satirical approach allows him to address serious topics in a light-hearted and engaging manner.

Q: How does Andy Samberg conclude his speech?

Andy Samberg concludes his speech with a comedic reference to the popular SNL sketch 'Dick in a Box'. He humorously summarizes his advice with a playful nod to the sketch, leaving the audience with a memorable and entertaining ending. The conclusion reinforces the comedic and light-hearted tone of the entire speech.

Q: What is the significance of Andy Samberg's parody of a W. B. Yeats poem?

The parody of a W. B. Yeats poem in Andy Samberg's speech serves as a comedic device to entertain the audience. By humorously singing lyrics from a popular song instead of reciting a traditional poem, Samberg showcases his comedic style and adds a playful twist to the speech. The parody highlights his ability to blend humor with cultural references.

Q: How does Andy Samberg address college rivalries in his speech?

Andy Samberg addresses college rivalries by humorously criticizing Yale and Dartmouth. He jokes about Yale being a 'safety school' and makes exaggerated claims about its campus. Samberg's playful jabs at rival universities add a comedic element to the speech and engage the audience with familiar college rivalry themes.

Summary

In this video, comedian Andy Samberg gives a humorous Class Day speech at Harvard University. He jokes about his lack of qualifications to be a speaker and the iconic status of Harvard. He also includes impressions of Mark Zuckerberg, Mark Wahlberg, and Nicolas Cage, as well as some playful banter with the audience. He concludes with advice to relax and pursue what you truly want in life.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who is the guest speaker for the Class Day at Harvard University?

The guest speaker for the Class Day at Harvard University is Andy Samberg, a comedian and former cast member of Saturday Night Live.

Q: What are some films featuring the guest speaker?

Some films featuring the guest speaker include "That's My Boy," "I Love You, Man," and "What's Your Number."

Q: How does the guest speaker relate to the class of 2012's senior week events?

The guest speaker's Emmy-winning SNL digital shorts parallel the class of 2012's senior week events, such as the moonlight cruise and the Last Chance Dance.

Q: What does the guest speaker define Harvard as?

The guest speaker humorously defines Harvard as a "season for gathering crops," although he acknowledges it is actually the definition of "harvest."

Q: What majors does the guest speaker humorously claim are useless after graduation?

The guest speaker humorously claims that majors such as history, literature, art, social studies, and others ending with "studies" are now useless, unless they can be turned into an iPhone app.

Q: What does the guest speaker highlight about the current time for college graduates?

The guest speaker acknowledges that the job market may be slow and future challenges exist, such as disappearing healthcare and social security systems. However, he humorously reminds the graduates that they are in a great time as they have graduated from Harvard.

Q: How does the guest speaker respond to the idea that he is not qualified to be a speaker at Harvard?

The guest speaker humorously responds to the idea of not being qualified by mentioning his honorary degree and his connection to Harvard as a prominent speaker.

Q: What amusing statements does the guest speaker make about Yale?

The guest speaker jokingly insults Yale, referring to it as a second tier safety school built on an ancient Native American toilet, inhabited by "stinky, dried-up dog turds."

Q: What advice does the guest speaker give to the graduates?

The guest speaker advises the graduates to relax and pursue what they truly want to do in life, emphasizing the importance of personal happiness and fulfillment.

Q: What are the guest speaker's three tips for success in life?

The guest speaker's three tips for success in life, given humorously, are: "Cut a hole in a box, put your junk in said box, make her or him open the box."

Takeaways

In his Class Day speech at Harvard University, comedian Andy Samberg provides an entertaining and light-hearted perspective on graduation and future challenges. While his speech includes humor, impressions, and playful banter, it also encourages graduates to follow their passions and make authentic choices in life. Despite its comedic tone, the speech highlights the importance of personal happiness and fulfillment in achieving success.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Andy Samberg delivers a comedic speech to Harvard's Class of 2012, filled with satire and celebrity impressions. He jokes about the perceived uselessness of certain academic majors and the challenges graduates will face in the job market. Samberg humorously critiques Harvard's prestige and mocks rival universities like Yale and Dartmouth.

• Throughout the speech, Samberg performs impressions of celebrities such as Mark Zuckerberg and Mark Wahlberg, adding a playful tone. He parodies a W. B. Yeats poem and offers mock advice, urging graduates to relax and pursue their true passions. The speech ends with a comedic nod to an SNL sketch.

• Samberg's address mixes humor with satire, poking fun at Harvard traditions and the future prospects of graduates. He balances self-deprecation with playful critiques of the academic world, leaving the audience entertained and amused. The speech is a blend of comedy, celebrity impressions, and light-hearted advice.