In the wake of a rather embarrassing photo of “Spiderman” actor James Franco sleeping during one of his classes at Columbia University, seniors at UCLA are starting a Facebook-based campaign protesting their school’s decision to have Franco serve as this year’s graduation speaker. Though the actor is a UCLA alum and has been enjoying a successful career while attending Columbia, the UCLA students feel he is not an appropriate choice to address the class as they embark into adulthood.
When James Franco wakes up from his mid-lecture nap at Columbia, he’ll find out he’s been selected to speak at the upcoming UCLA graduation ceremony — and some of the students couldn’t be more pissed off!!
Some bitter Bruins launched the “UCLA Students Against James Franco as Commencement Speaker” group on Facebook, attacking the actor’s “wisdom” — or lack thereof — because he only graduated from the school last year.
The group, already 210 members strong, states “Clearly, this is ridiculous. Anyone who has been in his classes knows he is an average student.” They also claim Franco lacks “the wisdom and perspective such a speaker is meant to provide the graduates.”
At the end of their digi-rant, the group does throw Franco a bone, saying “He is a very talented actor, and clearly did well enough at UCLA to get into Columbia. We merely protest that he is not an appropriate choice for our graduation speaker.”
We didn’t call Franco for comment, because we didn’t want to wake him up.
What difference does it make how long ago someone graduated? Since leaving UCLA, the guy isn’t doing too shabby – he starred in all three Spiderman movies – one of the most commercially successful superhero franchises of all time. He co-starred with Sean Penn in the Oscar-nominated “Milk.” He also got to be very, very funny in the hit comedy “Pineapple Express.” Clearly, the kid is doing something right, even if he hasn’t been out of school for long. Maybe he doesn’t have the life and business experience of someone like Bill Gates, but I’d certainly be interested in any advice he could give me if I were about to leave college. As for his falling asleep in class…well, all I can say is, been there, done that. I was just lucky enough not to have my picture taken when it happened.
Above, James Franco laughs at Jon Stewart during the Academy Awards. Below, Franco accepts an Independent Spirit Award for his work in “Milk.” Photos: WENN.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA Too funny!
Are these people serious? I bet you 200 of those members are Spiderman fanboys pissed off they messed up the movies.
And come on who hasn’t fallen asleep or atleast nodded off in class? Especially high shcool?!
if they dont want him, ill take him.
I understand their point but it does sound a bit like sour grapes to me
Oh please. I’d rather be talked at by someone who appreciates the value of a good snoozer during lecture. Presumably he chose to go to lecture rather than loll around in bed, which is in itself commendable. These things happen.
I agree 100% with the UCLA students.
Franco is an actor, not someone of notable importance. Why can’t they get someone who’s played a significant role in our world? Like a humanitarian or something? Or even an alum who’s done more than Franco? UCLA is an amazing institution and has produced some of the greatest minds to date.
You only get one commencement ceremony and frankly, I don’t blame them for wanting someone of significance. I don’t wanna look back with my peers and by like “Yea…James Franco spoke at mine..”. “Oh…I got one of the famous Little Rock 9 to speak about overcoming adversity against all odds and proving your worth in the world.”
“Yea, I think he discussed the value of caffeine and gel.”
And, if you’re gonna fall asleep in lecture, you’re better off staying at home and falling asleep there. What’s commendable about that?
Either way, you’re NOT paying attention.
I absolutely agree with the UCLA students. While Franco has his fair share of acting credits under his belt, he really doesn’t have much “sage advice” to offer.
Many schools DO have actors speaking at commencement, but they are usually older actors with varied (and usually humanitarian) interests.
Sorry James Franco, I love you deeply, but this isn’t the right venue.
I adore him. And its not like he is just an actor, he clearly has an active interest in pursuing his education if he’s gone on to Columbia. Honestly, picking on the fact that he fell asleep in one class is ridiculous.
And the Law School kids at my University are ticked off that Joe Biden is speaking at their commencement. Pfffffffft. I would have loved to hear a speech from Biden…even if he does ramble a bit.
I am no of the BRUINS going against this idiot speaking at our graduation!
They’re not picking on that fact, they’re overall pissed at the fact that this is a person, as a whole (sleeping in class aside) that’s going to greet them at the gateway into “adulthood”? Who’s going to offer them advice as to what steps to take next into the world at a time where our world economy is at its lowest point?
A man who, while admittedly is very good looking, has no grounds in offering anyone such advice. He hasn’t contributed anything to the world aside from some decent movies. (In which he was very sexy in.)
James, you can come to my graduation. It’s May 9th. 😀
I loved him in the spiderman movies, but I have to say Annapolis is GREAT. Mississippi can do no wrong.
I’d rather have JF than the boring SOB who rambled on at my graduation. But hey, to each their own.
James can come speak to me whenever he wants. Hopefully it will be after I step out of the shower. He can talk me into taking my towel off. 😀
Annie and Silent A, I totally agree.
I’m a fan of James Franco, but he has nothing to offer these people. He might have some valuable advice for those trying to get into acting, but that’s IT. Not only that, but he was a student there with them- so really, any star power he’s got doesn’t affect them.
UCLA has surprised me with even offering him the slot, though.
This is stupid. It sounds to me like the students had someone in mind to speak and they didn’t get them. So instead of campaigning for someone they want, they throw a bunch of crap and the person they get.
Man, I remember those pointless exercises in “expression” from my college days. A year from now after being unemployed and still living with their parents, they won’t even remember who spoke at their graduation.
Actually, Franco just graduated in ’08 (He went through UCLA in 2 years).
“He went through UCLA in 2 years”
How is that even possible?
He didn’t “go through UCLA in 2 years”
You’re making it read like he actually had to do all the prereqs and shit it takes for an undergrad to get their degree from UCLA.
No. He finished an English degree in 2 years. Which is very doable considering you spend the better part of your first two years in college doing prereqs that have nothing to do with your actual degree. He did what most transfers do, which is finish their degree in 2 years. I’m not impressed.
Tell me he’s a astrophysicist, then hey, I’m inclined to be like “WOW. 2 years? Shit.”
But he did English, and he didn’t even have to deal with lower div courses.
Although, to be fair, it wouldn’t be atrocious to have to look at him for 30 minutes. I don’t plan on listening to what he has to say anyway. LOL
i don’t know who he is, but…yum!
he’s quite yummy. and damn smart. and very accomplished.
So you stare at his hotness and listen to his smartness for half and hour while sneaking chugs of champagne with your buds until it’s over and you promptly forget what he said anyway. What’s the problem?
“He did what most transfers…”
Transferred from where?
How old is he anyways?
I’m sure NONE of the members of the UCLA 2009 graduating class EVER fell asleep in a lecture hall during their tenure as college students.
God. Another group of useless, whiney, easily-offended wastrels about to be tossed unceremoniously into the lap of adult society.
Sigh.
He can commence to speakin’ at some of my events any time.
Ha ha ha.
What a cutie.
hey where is that picture of joe sleeping in class? that sounds like a funny picture. ah, the marvels of cell phones in class. makes me think what i will allow in my classes, ya know.
i kind of think he’s a bit young to be a college commencement speaker, especially at a place like ucla. i would think someone more newsworthy, maybe like that captain sullenberger? even the vice-president or the first lady. that sort of thing. not some guy who has been in three spiderman movies. if he was the director or wrote the screen play or won an oscar then yeah i might be interested in what he had to say, but right now i’m more interested in seeing that napping in class picture, lol.
Ned: People often complete their general education courses at a junior college, and then transfer to a University to focus on a major and complete their degree. It can be a more economically friendly way to do things, although, that was obviously not a concern in Franco’s case.
The reality is, what words of wisdom could this guy, just a year out of college share? Finding the right PR agent?
I had a friend, who was upset by the fact that congraduating class the year before had then Sen. Obama for commencement speaker. She felt cheated because the speaker for hers was Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The upshot is that Julia at least was well-known and had been at her craft for a good while, which meant she did indeed have words of wisdom to bestow! Major diff!
when i was at loyola in new orleans (a jesuit university) there was a P/F lecture class that everyone had to take, regardless of your major. the class was “the gospel according to st. ignatius of loyola” and it was ungodly boring. everyone dozed through it, including me, and i graduated with my degree and a GPA of 3.89. i’m not sure what the big problem is, but as far as this guy, i’ll say it again: yum!
Oh please, who HASN’T fallen asleep at least once during a lecture – or had trouble keeping their eyes open.
Though he seems to have a heavy schedule anyway, if they don’t want him, whatever.
While it does sound like they’ve been chugging haterade, and that this campaign is motivated by that – if they want someone who’s not just graduated a year ahead of them, that sounds fair enough. I mean I understand what they’re saying I just don’t think they’re saying it for the right reasons.
I definitely agree with the other poster who said it would be better for them to channel their voices into asking for who they feel would qualify to address them rather than dumping on the person picked. Much more constructive, imo.
F*ck UCLA. Friggin idiots. Franco I’ll take you baby.
What these geeks need to do is STFU already. Did you see James Franco in Milk? He was A-MAZING! Who even pays attention to their graduation speaker anyways??? Answer: GEEKS. So what if he fell asleep during a class. I don’t know a single person I went to college with that didn’t fall asleep at least once during class. And can you imagine what it’s like to be an A-list actor attending Columbia? The petitioners need to chill the freak out and be happy that they have someone who seems to be a really hip, really talented and really cool guy speaking at their graduation.
this guys ia a mediocre jerk. I have not ide how come he became to make movies in person he is noyt really hyandsome and he is very arrogante, I know him ena he is not what he pretends.The students at UCLA are right
this guy is no one I thin k UCLA deserves to have someone who is intelligent and inspiring for young people no a superficial vain and arrogant jerk.
I’m loving the childish resort to calling people who care about academics, geeks. Really mature there. Great arguments.
It’s their graduation, and they’re entitled to a voice. 4 years of drudgery and now some kid’s gonna tell me how the future will be? Pass.
LOL priceless.
Yeah, I’ve always thought James Franco was incredibly hot. And then I entered UCLA and found out he’s a sleazy a**hole who hits on freshmen girls and is generally rude to fans (unless they’re hot freshmen girls). Greeeaaat role model. Exactly the type of guy I’d want speaking at my graduation ceremony.
maybe James Franco isn’t intellectual enough for his old classmates; I bet they wouldn’t have turned Matt Damon away…