2017 Commencement Speaker--Helen Mirren

[wave-em in]

https://twitter.com/TUFitts/status/838782966486695936

[TUPF]

I don't think I have ever seen her act in any role that I haven't loved.

[sr]

Definitely OK with Ms. Mirren. Her Prime Suspect series on PBS was top notch.

[long green]

she has spent a lot of time in New Orleans in the past.

[WaveProf]

Tons of tweets from Troy and Amy Dannen tonight going Gaga having dinner reception w/ Helen Mirren.

[TUPF]

Tons of tweets from Troy and Amy Dannen tonight going Gaga having dinner reception w/ Helen Mirren.

I kill people, dear. And I'm quite good at it.

[sr]

Tons of tweets from Troy and Amy Dannen tonight going Gaga having dinner reception w/ Helen Mirren.

Who wouldn't...

[gerryb323]

[Roller]

Not THAT gaga!
THIS gaga:

[PeteRasche]

Tons of tweets from Troy and Amy Dannen tonight going Gaga having dinner reception w/ Helen Mirren.

Who wouldn't...

Um, the half of this board who disagree with her political beliefs (and whom I'm shocked have not chimed in on this thread yet)? I'm actually glad to see we can have a speaker announced and NOT set off a political thread which gets locked, but I'm also surprised if didn't happen (seems to be a given in today's world).

[windywave]

Tons of tweets from Troy and Amy Dannen tonight going Gaga having dinner reception w/ Helen Mirren.

Who wouldn't...

Um, the half of this board who disagree with her political beliefs (and whom I'm shocked have not chimed in on this thread yet)? I'm actually glad to see we can have a speaker announced and NOT set off a political thread which gets locked, but I'm also surprised if didn't happen (seems to be a given in today's world).

She's relatively apolitical. My only objection to her is that she's an actress, but at least she has a decently interesting life story.

[WaveProf]

I was shocked when Pete called her political because I think of her as incredibly a-political.

But apparently her speech was pretty political.....

[PeteRasche]

Google "Helen Mirren politics". Surprised no one said anything, that's all.

[Roller]

Pete, you're seeding the clouds...

[WaveProf]

TP write up:

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf ... obile_home

[windywave]

Google "Helen Mirren politics". Surprised no one said anything, that's all.

Well she never seemed in your face obnoxious ...

[windywave]

Pete, you're seeding the clouds...

I read her quotes I find it interesting anyone cares what she thinks ... Kind of like Leo hosting a global warming summit for his friends where they all fly separately to France in private jets

[Roller]

Pete, you're seeding the clouds...

I read her quotes I find it interesting anyone cares what she thinks ... Kind of like Leo hosting a global warming summit for his friends where they all fly separately to France in private jets

And you're adding more salt. Soon, you'll have conjured up a hurricane.

If you and Pete want to continue the discussion, take it private.

[windywave]

Pete, you're seeding the clouds...

I read her quotes I find it interesting anyone cares what she thinks ... Kind of like Leo hosting a global warming summit for his friends where they all fly separately to France in private jets

And you're adding more salt. Soon, you'll have conjured up a hurricane.

If you and Pete want to continue the discussion, take it private.

There is exactly zero that I said that is political and you know it. Please explain how curiosity as to why anyone cares what an actress thinks about anything and questioning the hypocrisy of a holier than thou actor is political.

[sr]

Actually Ms. Mirren did a good job with her address to the gathering. Yeah she got carried away some what, but wasn't offensive and was generally very entertaining. Good job. Ranking her with the last 5 or 6 she comes in first or second. And it was her first ever commencement invite.

[WaveProf]

Feature story on the student commencement speaker, Lilith Winkler-Sklor:

http://www2.tulane.edu/liberal-arts/new ... y-2017.cfm

[PeteRasche]

This past week, right along with all the posts from commencements that occurred and are occurring across the country, some (fairly large and well-known, if I recall correctly) media outlet posted a story about Ellen Degeneres and the headline picture, which was what showed up large and proud with the link on the Facebook wall, was her speaking at our commencement years ago, with a big "TULANE" right there on the front of the podium.

So I suppose, like them or not, when you have speakers who are popular, or who say thoughtful, powerful, humorous, or otherwise interesting stuff, it gets your school good advertising. Everyone who likes Ellen or likes that media outlet or likes the topic of the story will see "TULANE" splashed across their screen.

[Rotorooter]

Caligula...politics. Hmmmm. Not sure I care what ANY actress or actor thinks about politics. Like the old saying, "Washington is Hollywood for ugly people," the reverse is "Hollywood is Washington for stupid people."

[AO Sig]

Caligula...politics. Hmmmm. Not sure I care what ANY actress or actor thinks about politics. Like the old saying, "Washington is Hollywood for ugly people," the reverse is "Hollywood is Washington for stupid people."

That assumes that Washington has intelligent people in it. Chaucer wrote, "The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people." Lots of scholars in D.C., based on my multiple visits to Capitol Hill over the past 5 years...