2018 Commencement Speakers - Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan

[warriorchick]

Quite the get!

From the press release:

The 2018 Marquette University Commencement speakers: Actress, producer, writer and philanthropist Jeannie Gaffigan, Comm '92, and her husband, comedian Jim Gaffigan.

Jeannie recently co-developed, directed and was an Executive Producer on Jim’s Netflix comedy special “Cinco.” Jeannie was the founder and executive director of "Shakespeare on the Playground," a not-for-profit theater company that produced Shakespearean plays with inner-city teenagers with a focus on literacy and production skills. She and Jim have been open in sharing their family’s challenges during a recent health scare, as she recovered from a brain tumor that was discovered in late 2016.

Jim is a three-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer and producer whose unique brand of humor largely revolves around fatherhood and his observations on life. Both of his books, “Dad Is Fat” and “Food: A Love Story,” were featured on the New York Times Bestseller list. He takes on a dramatic role in Entertainment Studios’ recently released film “Chappaquiddick.” He has a total of 12 films that have been released or are currently in production this year. Jim also is a product of Jesuit education, graduating from Georgetown University in 1988.

[StillAWarrior]

Quite the get!

From the press release:

The 2018 Marquette University Commencement speakers: Actress, producer, writer and philanthropist Jeannie Gaffigan, Comm '92, and her husband, comedian Jim Gaffigan.

I love Gaffigan's work.  When I watched his last special, I noticed that his wife was prominently featured in the credits, but I didn't know the other stuff.  They should be great commencement speakers.  Every year I'm jealous of the graduating class and their commencement speakers.  Not that I'm complaining...University of Chicago Sociologist James Coleman was a laugh riot.

Jim also is a product of Jesuit education, graduating from Georgetown University in 1988.

There have been some good comedians coming from Georgetown over the last couple decades:  Gaffigan, John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Mike Birbiglia.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Couldn't even tell you the name of my commencement speaker and it was only three years ago. All I know is that she was a nun.

[🏀]

Why is Milwaukee is love with Gaffigan again?

I mean, he's funny, but opening up the arena and now graduation speech? Eesh.

[StillAWarrior]

Couldn't even tell you the name of my commencement speaker and it was only three years ago. All I know is that she was a nun.

Yeah, I had to google.  I probably couldn't have told you the name of ours 15 minutes later...if ever.  Although I do remember actually being embarrassed for the guy because virtually nobody was listening.  The din from conversations nearly drowned him out.  It was not a particularly good showing from the Marquette grads.

[Cooby Snacks]

There have been some good comedians coming from Georgetown over the last couple decades:  Gaffigan, John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Mike Birbiglia.

A little further back, but Mitch Hurwitz, the Arrested Development creator, went there too. It’s weird, I wouldn’t really think of Georgetown as a funny place...in my mind I’d lump them in with ND and U of Chicago. 

[JWags85]

A little further back, but Mitch Hurwitz, the Arrested Development creator, went there too. It’s weird, I wouldn’t really think of Georgetown as a funny place...in my mind I’d lump them in with ND and U of Chicago.

I think it has less to do with it being a "funny place" and more that many comedians, especially those who do a lot of writing for sitcoms and the like, are extremely intelligent.  So coming from very good schools in major metro areas where they can have plenty of places to find creative outlets, makes sense.

I mean Harvard isn't a laugh factory, but the list of comics coming out of there is also quite illustrious.

[MUEng92]

Why is Milwaukee is love with Gaffigan again?

I mean, he's funny, but opening up the arena and now graduation speech? Eesh.

His connection to Milwaukee is that his wife is from here.  Why Milwaukee likes him so much is a different question. (Yes I understand that that is your question, but I can only answer a question you didn't actually ask)

[Cooby Snacks]

I think it has less to do with it being a "funny place" and more that many comedians, especially those who do a lot of writing for sitcoms and the like, are extremely intelligent.  So coming from very good schools in major metro areas where they can have plenty of places to find creative outlets, makes sense.

I mean Harvard isn't a laugh factory, but the list of comics coming out of there is also quite illustrious.

Good point.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

..University of Chicago Sociologist James Coleman was a laugh riot.

Was this 1991?  I recall a speaker of this ilk.

[warriorchick]

A little further back, but Mitch Hurwitz, the Arrested Development creator, went there too. It’s weird, I wouldn’t really think of Georgetown as a funny place...in my mind I’d lump them in with ND and U of Chicago.

I guess you aren't aware that Second City started out as a bunch of U of C students doing skits on campus.

[warriorchick]

I think it has less to do with it being a "funny place" and more that many comedians, especially those who do a lot of writing for sitcoms and the like, are extremely intelligent.  So coming from very good schools in major metro areas where they can have plenty of places to find creative outlets, makes sense.

I mean Harvard isn't a laugh factory, but the list of comics coming out of there is also quite illustrious.

National Lampoon was an outgrowth of the Harvard Lampoon.

Smart and funny are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, people who tell good jokes are usually pretty intelligent.

[warriorchick]

His connection to Milwaukee is that his wife is from here.  Why Milwaukee likes him so much is a different question. (Yes I understand that that is your question, but I can only answer a question you didn't actually ask)

For several years he has done a NYE show in Milwaukee (I believe at the Pabst).  It is quite popular.

[GB Warrior]

For several years he has done a NYE show in Milwaukee (I believe at the Pabst).  It is quite popular.

And I think (correct me if wrong) that his wife's family is a big reason why he chooses to do it.

I always found him chuckle-worthy, but as my son gets older, I find Gaffigan funnier and more relatable as dad humor takes hold.

[dgies9156]

At my commencement, my father came out, looked at me and wanted to know if he was going to be tested on the material.

He was feeling guilty because he did not take notes! 

All I remember is that he was some highly regarded (at MU) philosophy professor.

[Coleman]

National Lampoon was an outgrowth of the Harvard Lampoon.

Smart and funny are not mutually exclusive.  In fact, people who tell good jokes are usually pretty intelligent.

There's a great documentary on Netflix about the Lampoon/National Lampoon: Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead. I highly recommend it.

[Coleman]

Gaffigan is funny. He is not my favorite comic, but he is good. His early stuff is absolutely fantastic. The quality of his stand-up has fallen off a little bit in the last few years, but still worth a listen if you haven't heard it. His bits on food/being fat/overeating get kind of old, but the rest of it is great. I have seen him live three times, including one of his New Years gigs in Milwaukee. His sitcom is also very funny and smart. Jeannie is very involved in the sitcom, I believe she may direct and/or write. It is based on their life.

Fun Fact: Gaffigan has done standup for the Pope.

As for the Milwaukee love...I think its just because of the local connection. Jeannie is from Milwaukee, and Jim is from Northwest Indiana (aka Chicago suburbs). They visit Milwaukee all the time because of family, hence the annual holiday shows. 

This will be one of the better commencement addresses. There have been some really boring ones over the years.

[Blue Horseshoe]

This will be one of the better commencement addresses. There have been some really boring ones over the years.

MU is just trying to rebound from the last comic they booked.

[StillAWarrior]

Was this 1991?  I recall a speaker of this ilk.

Yes.  I'm sure you were hanging on every word, right?  I know I was.

[MUDPT]

Jeannie is recovering from a brain tumor, "the size of an apple." My wife (works in neurology) says she has become a big advocate for Neurology as a whole, probably another reason why she was asked.

[tower912]

Chief Justice William Rehnquist.    Somnolent.

[warriorchick]

MU is just trying to rebound from the last comic they booked.

He was awful, and I said that at the time.  He had no respect for the ceremony.  He walked in the procession waving his arms, as if the commencement was all about him.  He took off his robe as soon as he got to the podium (I guess he thought that delivering a commencement address in sweats would be cool), and I heard he left the stage as soon as his speech was over.

[4everwarriors]

Probably hadda drug sum coeds, hey?

[real chili 83]

We had Captain Kangaroo

[UNC Eagle]

We had Lesley Stahl who was much younger then and had just made her mark covering Watergate. It was actually kind of an interesting speech.   

[ZiggysFryBoy]

He was awful, and I said that at the time.  He had no respect for the ceremony.  He walked in the procession waving his arms, as if the commencement was all about him.  He took off his robe as soon as he got to the podium (I guess he thought that delivering a commencement address in sweats would be cool), and I heard he left the stage as soon as his speech was over.

Cosby did the same routine when he was the speak at Bradley. 

He was pretty funny, but that was before the whole quaalude/rape thing made him not funny.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Yes.  I'm sure you were hanging on every word, right?  I know I was.

I think I kept repeating, is he done yet, is he done yet.....

[WarriorDad]

https://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/commencement/start

This needs to be expanded into the 1970s

[lostpassword]

Haven't watched but here they are at Catholic University.

http://m.ncregister.com/blog/smcafee/jim-and-jeannie-gaffigans-commencement-speech-at-catholic-university-of-ame?_ga=2.197201255.934021360.1524544353-731568047.1524544352#.Wt6zcctOmdM

[WarriorFan]

Was this 1991?  I recall a speaker of this ilk.

91 was horrible.  So was Pilarczyk the year before.  92 got lucky.
I remember wondering in 91 who cancelled and stuck us with this guy?

[WarriorDad]

Gaffigan has a funny bit about the Pfister.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

91 was horrible.  So was Pilarczyk the year before.  92 got lucky.
I remember wondering in 91 who cancelled and stuck us with this guy?

Exactly!

[Macallan 18]

https://wiki.muscoop.com/doku.php/commencement/start

This needs to be expanded into the 1970s

If people can list who spoke during the 1970s, I'm sure someone can update the wiki page.

[🏀]

This guy was the worst. Andrew Natsios, Special Envoy for Darfur

He was also sandwiched in between Rushin (was great) and Enberg (heard was pretty good).

I had the alcohol sweats so bad in the Bradley Center tunnel, I almost went down. 4:30am in a closed down Hegarty's, almost just slept there.

[Sheriff]

I thought it curious that Gaffigan took a non-comedic role in Chappaquiddick until I realized that in that role his mission is to save someone's bacon.

[CTWarrior]

We had Captain Kangaroo

He got an honorary degree, but he wasn't our speaker.  I think our speaker was an MU alum that ran the Peace Corps, but I do not recall her name nor anything she said.

[HouWarrior]

He got an honorary degree, but he wasn't our speaker.  I think our speaker was an MU alum that ran the Peace Corps, but I do not recall her name nor anything she said.

Robert Keeshan a/k/a Captain Kangaroo got an honorary doctor of humanities. I stumbled upon the proof.

A while ago I did my periodic drop in to ebay with "marquette" as the search term . I double taked when lo and behold the original sheepskin was up for sale. Bob had died and the diploma was up for bid along with many other items from his estate.

I bid on the diploma but backed out before the winner got it for $300.

I guess as far as MU is concerned he is Doctor Kangaroo

[Coleman]

This guy was the worst. Andrew Natsios, Special Envoy for Darfur

He was also sandwiched in between Rushin (was great) and Enberg (heard was pretty good).

I had the alcohol sweats so bad in the Bradley Center tunnel, I almost went down. 4:30am in a closed down Hegarty's, almost just slept there.

Yup. That was our class. God damn that guy was boring. He was just name dropping the entire time.

[UNC Eagle]

UNC Law bringing in a Duke grad to give commencement speech.  Maybe MU law should do the same since Bilas  was a  panelist  at 100th anniversary for MU basketball

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Bolt/UNC-Law-School-Jay-Bilas-to-Speak-at-UNC-Law-School-Graduation-117653207

[MUEng92]

I never thought I would ask this but is the MU graduation ceremony being live streamed?

[warriorchick]

I never thought I would ask this but is the MU graduation ceremony being live streamed?

Yes.

[jsglow]

He got an honorary degree, but he wasn't our speaker.  I think our speaker was an MU alum that ran the Peace Corps, but I do not recall her name nor anything she said.

Loret Miller Ruppe.  My year.  Don't remember a single word and I was sober and not hung over.

[Jay Bee]

We got the Archbishop. smh.

Made it through without puking, so it was a success.

[muwarrior69]

Since I graduated in December '69 (double major in chemistry/biology) I had the choice of attending either in June of '69 or '70. I skipped both and requested they just mail me my diploma as I already had a job waiting for me in January. My parents were somewhat bummed but at least I didn't have sit through all that bloviating.

[Billy Hoyle]

My wife had Mr. Rogers. I don’t think there could have been a better individual or a better message to articulate what cura personalis is all about. Then,they all had to be hustled out for game seven of the Bucks playoff series.

[MUBBau]

This guy was the worst. Andrew Natsios, Special Envoy for Darfur

He was also sandwiched in between Rushin (was great) and Enberg (heard was pretty good).

Agreed

[Warrior Code]

Did anyone else see Hank Aaron in 2012?

[mu03eng]

Had Bishop Dolan as my commencement speaker, wasn't very memorable but then again I had exhausted all energy reserves pretending before the ceremony for my mother (my dad knew what was up and as proud) that I hadn't been on a 10 day bender since my finals had ended the Wednesday of finals week.

I vaguely recall the student speaker talking about something about using God to keep spiders out while camping....only reason I remember that was because I started laughing so hard I almost threw up.

Some times I wish I wasn't an adult now.

[patso]

We had C Everett Koop the surgeon general in 1985. Quite dull except for the students smoking cigarettes and cigars.

[Dr. Blackheart]

We had C Everett Koop the surgeon general in 1985. Quite dull except for the students smoking cigarettes and cigars.

A man before his time with his neck beard

[barfolomew]

Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan full commencement address:

https://youtu.be/XHfsGWWKa2U

[WarriorDad]

Jeannie and Jim Gaffigan full commencement address:

https://youtu.be/XHfsGWWKa2U

Good to see she has recovered so well from the surgery.

[WarriorDad]

Anyone notice this line by Jeannie Gaffigan

"Your mandate, to be a Warrior for social justice".  Nice insertion by Ms. Gaffigan, on both fronts.  Social Justice and Warrior