Posted on 11/11/2003 9:30:47 PM PST by Prospero
Ben Stein proffers advice tinged with humor
By Michael Pucci - Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
November 11, 2003
Ben Stein, dry humorist and political commentator, offered important life lessons to a standing room-only audience in Hamilton Hall auditorium on Monday night.
"Almost nothing happens in life that you can't either profit from or learn from," he said.
Dressed in a suit and wearing gray tennis shoes, the unlikely celebrity delivered a compelling, humorous and emotional 50-minute speech to a receptive crowd of more than 500 people.
Stein, a graduate of Columbia University, where he majored in economics, and valedictorian of the class of 1970 at Yale Law School, initially received renown as a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon.
Later, he rose to national prominence for a brief but memorable moment in the 1986 film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and also for his Emmy-winning Comedy Central game show, "Win Ben Stein's Money."
Segmenting his discussion into three parts, Stein began with a series of good-natured, occasionally off-color jokes, culminating with one about a fictional pardon given by President Clinton to would-be assassin John Hinckley (the punch line: Dick Cheney is dating Jodie Foster).
He also listed ways to ruin one's life -- a variation on his new book "How to Ruin Your Love Life" -- such as hanging out with losers, using drugs and alcohol freely and ignoring your family.
He added the following point for women: "Have a relationship with a man with a lot of personal problems," he said in his characteristic monotone, "and believe you can change him."
Stein was in good spirits after hosting a version of "Win Ben Stein's Money" in the Pit between 2 and 3 p.m.
Primarily sponsored by the UNC College Republicans, Stein's speech generally avoided any strong political slants -- excepting a brief condemnation of abortion -- focusing instead on "ways to save your life," spoken lightheartedly yet carrying a great sense of significance.
At the heart of his monologue lay two themes he reiterated throughout the night: value your family and your time at the University.
"This is the Garden of Eden," Stein said, referring to the UNC campus. "There are just a few of these gilded, magical places."
He spoke movingly about two friends who committed suicide but contrasted the somber tone with a story about reforming a strong relationship with his parents shortly before they each died.
Afterward, Stein answered questions and said Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger faces a tough challenge in California. "As strong as he is, he can't just shoot the budget." He also said he doesn't believe Deep Throat exists and clarified his use of Visine.
"No," he corrected. "I use Clear Eyes."
Ultimately, in a speech titled "How to Ruin Your Life," the message that resonated strongest was that life should be valued above all else.
"We all ask God to do great things for this country we love," he concluded, quoting John F. Kennedy from his 1961 inaugural address.
"We all ask God to do great things for the people we love. And we all ask God to work for what we think is right and just.
"But here on Earth, the work we ask God to do is the work God asks us to do."
Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
As a fan and reader of his great Diary in the American Spectator since 1988, I highly recommend his How to Ruin Your Life as a gift to any student in your life.
He was asked if, as a Republican, he had lost opportunities in Hollywood, he said, absolutely. Once, while in arbitration over credit for written TV work, he overheard one of his Judge's say, "I'll be damned if I'll ever rule in favor of someone who worked for Nixon!
What an asset this guy is to the Conservative Cause!
Isn't that redundant?
Franken is getting more and more belligerant. Ben ought to have fun with this one! Please update us after the event.
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