James's "Rejected" Speech — On Point or Over the Top?

July 8, 2009

Last month James Franco backed out of his duties as the UCLA commencement speaker just days before the ceremony, and here are some "outtakes" of the speech he was working on. The clips are obviously a joke and he even pokes fun at the controversy surrounding his being named speaker in the first place, but we wonder if the scorned students will find it funny. Check it out below and tell us what you think — on point or over the top?

James Franco's Rejected UCLA Commencement Speech from James Franco

James Franco Pop Poll

40 Comments

Dianna 3 years 41 weeks

LOSE THE POTTY MOUTH, JAMES!! IT ISN'T FUNNY!! You obviously have a way with words so I'm sure you could find better ones than expletives! It just makes your expressions unbearable! (As for not speaking for the school, I think he was just making fun of the fact that he was even chosen to do it! I think it was smart of him to digress.)

Dianna 3 years 41 weeks

LOSE THE POTTY MOUTH, JAMES!! IT ISN'T FUNNY!! You obviously have a way with words so I'm sure you could find better ones than expletives! It just makes your expressions unbearable!(As for not speaking for the school, I think he was just making fun of the fact that he was even chosen to do it! I think it was smart of him to digress.)

3 years 43 weeks

I think it's hilarious. He chose to spoof himself in light of his "unworthiness" from his peers' point of view and their insinuation as to his arrogance and I think his response shows alot of class. I think he is funny, and quite a good sport. It shows a healthy humorous rebuttle to the uproar of an issue that was probably only a blip on his radar as I'm sure he went on with his life without too much thought to what the facebook naysayers had to say. I mean he is "a f*cking movie star!" Kudos to Mr. Franco.

SKC Sparkle 3 years 45 weeks

Usually love him, but I thought this was obnoxious - I stopped watching.

3 years 45 weeks

hahaha James is the shit loved ittttt

Nyrina Windu 3 years 45 weeks

I think people should lighten up because he's only being light hearted too.

3 years 45 weeks

The R.L. Stine quote was pretty funny :)

jaan_black 3 years 45 weeks

he's growing on me

jaan_black 3 years 45 weeks

he's growing on me

redchick152 3 years 45 weeks

it was a weird choice to choose him...although it is commendable that he took time out to go back to college and graduate. and i know i've fallen asleep in class MANY times....

3 years 45 weeks

Just because someone drops the F bomb doesn't make them funny...lame

3 years 45 weeks

Not funny at all, he tries too hard and is disrespectful to the school and the students in the process.

pinkflake2 3 years 45 weeks

I don't even think he's making fun of UCLA students, so I truthfully don't understand how it could be disrespectful. He's making fun of the situation, not anyone who goes to UCLA. Plus, I think he was making more jabs at himself than anything else ("who doesn't fall asleep in class", "I mean i graduated last year"...) so yeah...I thought it was hilarious.

flowergirl 3 years 45 weeks

LOL

flowergirl 3 years 45 weeks

LOL

caroline 3 years 45 weeks

i loved the part about "who doesn't fall asleep in f**king classes??" ..after someone snapped a cameraphone shot of him knocked out in lecture and put it on collegehumor.com hahaha love him.

caroline 3 years 45 weeks

i loved the part about "who doesn't fall asleep in f**king classes??" ..after someone snapped a cameraphone shot of him knocked out in lecture and put it on collegehumor.com hahahalove him.

wackydeli 3 years 45 weeks

love him!

wackydeli 3 years 45 weeks

love him!

3 years 45 weeks

james i went to UCLA, am in the class 0f 2009, you were my favorite actor, and i wanted to see you speak. i had looked forward to seeing you bring inspiration to me after a year of hardship financially and academically. i am upset with your decision to make fun of this commencement, you have lost my respect.

bvfashion 3 years 45 weeks

I can see where he was going with it, and I wanted it to be funny, but it really wasn't. I don't think it was offensive though.

a million suns 3 years 45 weeks

I can't say I blame the UCLA students who didn't want him to make the speech. He's obviously very successful, but it wasn't long ago that he graduated. Success does not necessarily equal wisdom. There is a kind of wisdom only many, many years of living and working can give you. However, I think this is really funny. It seems to me he's making fun of the situation in general.

a million suns 3 years 45 weeks

I can't say I blame the UCLA students who didn't want him to make the speech. He's obviously very successful, but it wasn't long ago that he graduated. Success does not necessarily equal wisdom. There is a kind of wisdom only many, many years of living and working can give you.However, I think this is really funny. It seems to me he's making fun of the situation in general.

reesiecup 3 years 45 weeks

I love that he has a great sense of humor. I'm not sure what kind of a student he was, so I can't comment on whether or not he was qualified to be a keynote speaker. However, he's right on about one thing: "who doesn't f$@#ing fall asleep in class?!" lol

3 years 45 weeks

This is freakin' great. I love James Franco!!

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