The selection of comedian and talk show host Conan O'Brien as the 2011 Commencement speaker has drawn reactions ranging from indifference to enthusiasm among members of the Dartmouth community. In his career as satirical writer and show anchor, O'Brien has both inspired and offended viewers with his remarks.
O'Brien sparked nationwide controversy in March when he made a comment, intended to be humorous, about Anne Frank, The New York Times reported. The perceived anti-Semitic remarks instigated some negative responses to O'Brien's selection among students and community members.
Rabbi Moshe Gray, the Chabad rabbi on campus, said he is neither excited nor offended by O'Brien's selection as Commencement speaker.
"I'm happy for the students though, because they've been asking for someone like this for a long time," Gray said.
Gray said he was not personally offended by the remark, and does not view O'Brien as anti-Semitic like some members of the Jewish community at large.
"I don't know the guy," he said. "All I know is that he's apologized for the public joke."
People have "good reason" to be sensitive regarding any levity directed at the Holocaust, and the joke was "unquestionably regrettable," Gray said. The line between good comedy and bad taste can be blurry, and O'Brien is not the first to cross it, Gray said.
"With comedians and those in the humor business, they make fun of everyone," he said. "You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't said something regrettable."
Although Gray said he does not believe that O'Brien's Anne Frank joke should disqualify him from speaking, he said he does not have particularly high expectations for the address.
"I hope he'll be funny and give some good advice, but I don't really understand why they invited a comedian," he said.
Andrew Citrin '11, who worked as a production intern for O'Brien at NBC during his sophomore winter, said O'Brien is an "ideal choice" for the Commencement address.
"He's never just been a celebrity for the sake of being celebrity," Citrin said. "He's someone who works very hard and cares a lot about what he does who's intelligent and funny because of his intelligence."
O'Brien's sense of humor is much more sophisticated than it appears on-screen, Citrin said.
"He's actually better off the air than on," he said. "He's much wittier in person."
O'Brien's experiences navigating the entertainment industry during the 10 years since he delivered the 2000 Commencement address at Harvard University have broadened his perspective, Citrin said. Conan will definitely have "a lot to say" to the members of the Class of 2011, Citrin said.
O'Brien's farewell speech after he was ousted from his position on NBC's "The Tonight Show" in January 2010 provides an example of his engaging speaking style, according to Citrin.
"He gave this passionate speech about not being cynical, about how kindness and hard work are the keys to success," he said. "For a comedian, hes a surprisingly inspirational speaker he can really make you think."
O'Brien is an "interesting change" from previous Commencement speakers, Michael Joseph '12 said.
"He's definitely more eye-catching and well-known than a lot of other speakers we've had," he said. "I hope they can get someone even better for next year."
Stephen Henry Lewis who served as the former Canadian ambassador to the United Nations and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS to Africa delivered the Commencement address to the Class of 2010 while Native American author Louise Erdrich '76 addressed the Class of 2009, The Dartmouth previously reported.
The announcement has gained considerable attention outside the Dartmouth community, and various media outlets, including The Boston Globe and USA Today, have reported on O'Brien's decision to speak at Dartmouth. Readers have both lauded O'Brien as a speaker and condemned what some believe will be a frivolous address.
