Most comedians come to commencements with the intention of providing entertainment. Black came to redirect the superficial, and materialistic values of a generation. He did it, and he was funnier than hell... easily one of the best commencement speeches ever given.
so was I. He speaks from his heart. He speaks the truth. The tears come from caring and absolute honesty. His emotions and his passion are what makes him a great human being and also, an incredibly funny guy. If you get to where he is in his life and I hope we all do, you see the ridiculous and absurdity that life is. Do what you love...always...don't let assholes get you down. Be idealistic till it hurts and don't lose your dreams...they're yours. Be well and God speed.....
This was simply phemonal!! How I so wish he had been my college commencement speaker ...and I graduated 50 years ago!! I particularly love the line that "your sense of humor is your life preserver in this vale of tears" - WOW! Truer words never spoken! God bless Lewis!!!
If only I had his advice at high school commencement... (I gave my class of '93 our farewell comencement speech. I wrote about John Lennon, Jesus, Ghandi & Dr.MLKJ, peace and nonviolence civil disobedience as a solution to mis-communication/wars, that was published in all SAT tests after, and I quoted obscure Grammy Award winning singer-songwriters of the 80s-90s... I also told my class in similar fashion to stay young at heart, embrace and be proud of our idealism, and do what they love that makes them happy... Cuz we want to make our world a better place... He makes me laugh so hard tears fall from my eye... I met Mr. Lewis Black, after I moved to DC 98-99 after my 1st 6yr of college)... - He is an inspiration and comforting to know, realizing you must laugh because it is the best medicine to keep us sane amidst the insanity of our world, DC, our society.... It was a priviledge to shake his hand and buy his CD, cuz as my university newspaper sr.editor, starving artists must respect the trade, arts and show that everyone should support local community/members... My life is richer that I am in the community with the Political Philisopher and Social Activist Comic Lewis Black... He as a writer, artist is someone with common senses that we can look up to: you are an American Hero, and I would vote for Lewis Black for our President, cuz he knows how to delegate respinsibility... (after all I voted for David Letterman last time I went to a presidential election poll... ) It's sad/satire that comics are smarter and more concerned for the general public's/our well-being than our elected politicians, representatives, and leaders.... So funny and true that I'm all teary-eyed.
I've never seen him get chocked up like that either. I've known since I first saw him that this was a man with some real passion though. I like that he gives all of us permission to real get ticked off at stupid.
I love this man! He makes more good points, from decades of life experience, than any politician ever has. Now, here's the one thing I have learned that I am telling young people and Lewis also touched on this : If you have a dream, even if it's just to backpack across Europe, do it NOW! I have seen and heard (even for myself) "If I had known then...". Well, you DO KNOW! You have to! Please, understand that you will not stay young. DO WHAT YOU WANT NOW! Before you start climbing the corporate ladder, before you marry and have kids, go on that trek or whatever, because after those other things are part of your life, it gets much more difficult to pursue your original dream. The career and family and mortgage will be much harder to juggle with a month long trip to Peru or wherever your dream is. 3 words to remember-Do It Now.
I've been a fan of Lewis Black for as long as I can remember (5 to 10 years anyway) and I can't imagine there's ever been a better commencement speech that was real (and not phony baloney phooey, 'you're the best and the brightest' blah blah blah)
To those who asked about Lewis's last name: that's his legal name. As his parents are Jewish, it is probably a direct translation of the name "Schwartz," which means -- hold on -- "black." (The name change probably happened when whatever ancestor arrived here from Europe.)
I never went to any graduation but my Jr High School one. I gave my mother a choice, between that, HS & College. It was a good choice. at the other 2 people actually died at the ceremony. I also didn't want to spend money for a funny hat. And I certainly did what Lewis Black said, I did what I liked. I also worked my way through college. So, I only had a debt of 2,000 when I graduated from UCSD.
He is spot on regarding his comments about having all the facts in your pocket (phone). Use it! My generation improvised. I excelled in bullshit. Just repeated what the idiots told me right back to them and closed major national sales deals. Now you (new generation) have the facts to cut through it all and make sound decisions. In this economy you need the information. Hopefully you will know how to use it...In the meantime I am kicking back listening to LB...F-it!...Good luck, happy hunting....
I told an idiot employer that they were an idiot once. I was soon looking for a new job, and my employer was no longer an idiot - instead, I had become an idiot. Yes, Lewis is right. The world is full of us.
"If these weren't the best years of your life, then start over" As a recent college grad who despised the entire experience, it looks like I'm going to be buying a .45 caliber reset button
That isn't restarting. That's quitting. The best years of your life aren't necessarily your college years. The best years of your life are the ones you are happiest in, and those can always be topped.
+Rhymenoceros Same reason mine is. Ancestry dictated what his name would be. My particular case is that a German gentleman named 'Schwarz', which means black in German, moved from Germany to America, married an American Indian girl and changed his name to sound more English sounding so the name would not stand out as being different...
Lewis tells it like it is..........do what makes youear happy.........and money is not the answer being happy is......and women you have a chance out there........I got to learn a job that 25 years ago was hard to get.......it payed great I got to be outside and some one accurately Listen to me..,...... unfortunately I got ill and to retire but them were best years of my life...........so women or men go for your dreams you 'll be happier in life................the job was fiber optic inspector.............I loved it and learned so many new things and guess what a women did it👩🦳🌵
It's true. College, a four-year aging vat when paid for by mom and dad, is the quintessential deal. It's a four-year party. Especially in La Jolla, CA, at UC San Diego. Dorms with billion dollar views of the La Jolla cove. If that view doesn't make you appreciate life every time you see it, you need a heart and soul. Party on kids!
It's quite literally the name scribbled on his birth certificate. There's no big mystery, it's his name. Its like asking why Bill Gates has Gates for a last name, it just is.
I wonder what these graduates are doing today and if they are following any of the charges he put forward to them? My guess, very few of them have and those that have, very little. Lewis was wrong on one thing--- yes Social security is broke and won´t be there for these graduates but our generation put the money there, the politicians spent it and most of it was not on us. His and my generation gave the US the legacy of the opportunities that America has always offered to its citizens and the world along with the freedom to pursue the individual dreams Lewis told them to pursue. In truth, it is the generation of these graduates that have started America on the decline and put at risk the future for the generations behind them.
I don't follow. The generation of these graduates are just getting out of school. They haven't yet had the chance to screw things up. Why are you hanging this on them?
You guys got LEWIS AFRICAN AMERICAN ??... You guys are LUCKY.. We got some Old "self made millionaire" fart. He bored for 2 hours talking about how he made his "wealth". How we would be "better off" voting REPUBEICAN.. Welcome to the USA under OBAMA..!!!OBAMA!!!...Ron Paul/Sarah Palin 3012.. Yes, 3 0 1 2..
![LISA - ROCKSTAR (Official Music Video) REACTION [SHE'S BACK!]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QBxE30vavMQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I could have not asked for a better speaker. Thank you Lewis for making my graduation memorable
My heart was torn apart, the man was sincere and he was in tears in the end.
Great speech.
The end of this speech knocked it out of the park.
Most comedians come to commencements with the intention of providing entertainment. Black came to redirect the superficial, and materialistic values of a generation. He did it, and he was funnier than hell... easily one of the best commencement speeches ever given.
Awww he was crying at the end... Go Lewis we love you!
so was I. He speaks from his heart. He speaks the truth. The tears come from caring and absolute honesty. His emotions and his passion are what makes him a great human being and also, an incredibly funny guy. If you get to where he is in his life and I hope we all do, you see the ridiculous and absurdity that life is. Do what you love...always...don't let assholes get you down. Be idealistic till it hurts and don't lose your dreams...they're yours. Be well and God speed.....
This was simply phemonal!! How I so wish he had been my college commencement speaker ...and I graduated 50 years ago!!
I particularly love the line that "your sense of humor is your life preserver in this vale of tears" - WOW! Truer words never spoken!
God bless Lewis!!!
If only I had his advice at high school commencement... (I gave my class of '93 our farewell comencement speech. I wrote about John Lennon, Jesus, Ghandi & Dr.MLKJ, peace and nonviolence civil disobedience as a solution to mis-communication/wars, that was published in all SAT tests after, and I quoted obscure Grammy Award winning singer-songwriters of the 80s-90s... I also told my class in similar fashion to stay young at heart, embrace and be proud of our idealism, and do what they love that makes them happy... Cuz we want to make our world a better place...
He makes me laugh so hard tears fall from my eye...
I met Mr. Lewis Black, after I moved to DC 98-99 after my 1st 6yr of college)... - He is an inspiration and comforting to know, realizing you must laugh because it is the best medicine to keep us sane amidst the insanity of our world, DC, our society.... It was a priviledge to shake his hand and buy his CD, cuz as my university newspaper sr.editor, starving artists must respect the trade, arts and show that everyone should support local community/members...
My life is richer that I am in the community with the Political Philisopher and Social Activist Comic Lewis Black... He as a writer, artist is someone with common senses that we can look up to: you are an American Hero, and I would vote for Lewis Black for our President, cuz he knows how to delegate respinsibility... (after all I voted for David Letterman last time I went to a presidential election poll... ) It's sad/satire that comics are smarter and more concerned for the general public's/our well-being than our elected politicians, representatives, and leaders.... So funny and true that I'm all teary-eyed.
Lewis Black has always been my favorite comedian and human being. Thank you Lewis.
Wow didn't expect to see Lewis get all emotional at the end there!
I've never seen him get chocked up like that either. I've known since I first saw him that this was a man with some real passion though. I like that he gives all of us permission to real get ticked off at stupid.
Lewis Black should make more commencement speeches.
That was really great. I hope some of the kids were listening.
Thanks Lewis. I needed this. (Especially that part about what you want to do rather than what your parents want you to do...)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lewis Black.
I really enjoyed his speech, it very simple and RIGHT
This is absolutely brilliant.
I honor your wrath, sir!
I love this man! He makes more good points, from decades of life experience, than any politician ever has. Now, here's the one thing I have learned that I am telling young people and Lewis also touched on this : If you have a dream, even if it's just to backpack across Europe, do it NOW! I have seen and heard (even for myself) "If I had known then...". Well, you DO KNOW! You have to! Please, understand that you will not stay young. DO WHAT YOU WANT NOW! Before you start climbing the corporate ladder, before you marry and have kids, go on that trek or whatever, because after those other things are part of your life, it gets much more difficult to pursue your original dream. The career and family and mortgage will be much harder to juggle with a month long trip to Peru or wherever your dream is. 3 words to remember-Do It Now.
That was beautiful Lewis. You continue to be my favourite life coach.
What a good and decent and kind hearted human being Lewis Black is!
he speaks from the heart and has no fear.
he couldn't be clearer.
be better than us....
I love him!
@ Emmanuel...he did get emotional. It gave sincerity to his words.
beautifully heart felt. Lewis you rock.
I've been a fan of Lewis Black for as long as I can remember (5 to 10 years anyway) and I can't imagine there's ever been a better commencement speech that was real (and not phony baloney phooey, 'you're the best and the brightest' blah blah blah)
best commencement speech ever.
To those who asked about Lewis's last name: that's his legal name. As his parents are Jewish, it is probably a direct translation of the name "Schwartz," which means -- hold on -- "black." (The name change probably happened when whatever ancestor arrived here from Europe.)
The same happened with my grandparents. When they arrived they changed their name from Neumann to Newman.
What a great keynote speaker! Imagine, Lewis Black talking to you! You are very lucky.
I thought I was going crazy, thanks Lewis
I thought he was going to be obnoxious, but I'm really glad he was there to be my commencement speaker.
+Mathew baught man, you were one of the lucky ones! :)
holy cow that was deadly 5:22 , "..If these weren't the best years of your life... start over!"
Hell of a speech!
Wow! Amazing speech!
Wow I've never seen Lewis tear up like that
This was a lot better than I expected.
What I needed to hear when I graduated.
I love Lewis Black!
Some of the best advice ever given. :D
A god damned beautiful ending!
i hope it becomes a trend asking comedians to do commencement speeches...
He's the best!
I love him :)
I never went to any graduation but my Jr High School one. I gave my mother a choice, between that, HS & College. It was a good choice. at the other 2 people actually died at the ceremony. I also didn't want to spend money for a funny hat.
And I certainly did what Lewis Black said, I did what I liked. I also worked my way through college. So, I only had a debt of 2,000 when I graduated from UCSD.
So did I, but I was in the class of '70. At that time we paid $300/year in student fees.
He is spot on regarding his comments about having all the facts in your pocket (phone). Use it! My generation improvised. I excelled in bullshit. Just repeated what the idiots told me right back to them and closed major national sales deals. Now you (new generation) have the facts to cut through it all and make sound decisions. In this economy you need the information. Hopefully you will know how to use it...In the meantime I am kicking back listening to LB...F-it!...Good luck, happy hunting....
Finally, someone who gets it.
Wow. Powerful.
Wow...amazing!
I saw Lewis Black a College in NY State the other year.
I told an idiot employer that they were an idiot once. I was soon looking for a new job, and my employer was no longer an idiot - instead, I had become an idiot. Yes, Lewis is right. The world is full of us.
He should be the president
Eagle of Death Metal I feel like he would be pissed at even the thought of this, haha!!
He would probably resign on the first day in office.
Brilliant...
Shows the ignorance of the audience that BBT gets the most applause of all of Lewis's work.
This man is a Genius!
I wish Lewis Black was my professor. He almost got emotional at the end of his speech.
"If these weren't the best years of your life, then start over"
As a recent college grad who despised the entire experience, it looks like I'm going to be buying a .45 caliber reset button
That isn't restarting. That's quitting. The best years of your life aren't necessarily your college years. The best years of your life are the ones you are happiest in, and those can always be topped.
I didn't realize Lewis Black was that accomplished. Congratulations Louis with a dog named fart liquor
+Rhymenoceros Same reason mine is. Ancestry dictated what his name would be. My particular case is that a German gentleman named 'Schwarz', which means black in German, moved from Germany to America, married an American Indian girl and changed his name to sound more English sounding so the name would not stand out as being different...
Lewis tells it like it is..........do what makes youear happy.........and money is not the answer being happy is......and women you have a chance out there........I got to learn a job that 25 years ago was hard to get.......it payed great I got to be outside and some one accurately
Listen to me..,...... unfortunately I got ill and to retire but them were best years of my life...........so women or men go for your dreams you 'll be happier in life................the job was fiber optic inspector.............I loved it and learned so many new things and guess what a women did it👩🦳🌵
If God loves America, Lewis Black will run for President and WIN !
Is it possible that only comedians speak the truth?
Thank you Lewis. I said many of these same things to my graduating college seniors
VERY jealous of Mr. Black's appearance! I wish he was there at my commencement, too.
that would be cool to have him speak at a graduation
I want him to speak at my funeral!
I want him to speak at my funeral!
Idiots may be idiots but they have a memory 😭😭😭😭
I was there
I love Lewes Black!
It's true. College, a four-year aging vat when paid for by mom and dad, is the quintessential deal. It's a four-year party. Especially in La Jolla, CA, at UC San Diego. Dorms with billion dollar views of the La Jolla cove. If that view doesn't make you appreciate life every time you see it, you need a heart and soul. Party on kids!
Lewis Black starts at 1:42.
Had kind've a rocky start, but the last half was gold.
Starts 1:55
The best part 11:30
Amen
The chancellor is a riot too.
Begin at 1:45
Hail Alma Mater
The introduction is painfully tedious.
Lewis b. Back to school, hmm Rodney dangerfield. Lewis the funniest man on the plant
this is awkward without laughter
80 thousand dollars in debt to see Lewis Black being polite, mad world, ha ha
They didn’t get the punch line...
Because that's his birth name?
Better try to convince the LAPD to do that shit for free then, mate
Lewis Black for Vice-President !!
Bernie Sanders for POTUS 2020 !
It's quite literally the name scribbled on his birth certificate. There's no big mystery, it's his name. Its like asking why Bill Gates has Gates for a last name, it just is.
He lost me at taxes, but he recovered well.
I wonder what these graduates are doing today and if they are following any of the charges he put forward to them? My guess, very few of them have and those that have, very little. Lewis was wrong on one thing--- yes Social security is broke and won´t be there for these graduates but our generation put the money there, the politicians spent it and most of it was not on us. His and my generation gave the US the legacy of the opportunities that America has always offered to its citizens and the world along with the freedom to pursue the individual dreams Lewis told them to pursue. In truth, it is the generation of these graduates that have started America on the decline and put at risk the future for the generations behind them.
I don't follow. The generation of these graduates are just getting out of school. They haven't yet had the chance to screw things up. Why are you hanging this on them?
The way it works: We pay our taxes, congress squanders it on nonsense.
💞💞💓💓💋💋💋💝💝💘💘
His humor is dark, hence BLACK.....i guess.
You guys got LEWIS AFRICAN AMERICAN ??... You guys are LUCKY.. We got some Old "self made millionaire" fart. He bored for 2 hours talking about how he made his "wealth". How we would be "better off" voting REPUBEICAN.. Welcome to the USA under OBAMA..!!!OBAMA!!!...Ron Paul/Sarah Palin 3012.. Yes, 3 0 1 2..
The flimsy park substantially suck because platinum delightfully sparkle for a hapless shame. festive, incredible language
Who the fuck, i stopped at 56 seconds. Woohoo tv sitcoms?
This was a bit intimidating. Didn't come across funny.