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Conan to UCLA -- I Can't Replace Everybody!

Posted Jun 5th 2009 5:00PM by TMZ Staff

After James Franco bailed on being UCLA's commencement speaker, the graduating class thought they found a back-up -- but the guy they picked is just a lil' too busy these days.

Almost 2,000 students signed up for a Facebook group dedicated to securing L.A.'s newest famous resident Conan O'Brien to replace Franco. But in an extremely polite statement to the students, Conan says he won't be able to fill Franco's shoes -- because he's too busy filling Leno's:

"I am honored to be asked but I am so busy launching "The Tonight Show" there just is not enough time to give this speech the preparation it deserves. I wish everyone in the class of 2009 the best and I am honored that they thought of me."

Maybe Jimmy Fallon's available?

Tags: commencement speech, CommencementSpeech, conan obrien, ConanObrien, james franco, JamesFranco, UCLA

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(Page 1 of 2) | 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. hey guys i`m first punks .................FIRST WHERES UR BIG A.S.S AT

Posted at 5:30PM on Jun 5th 2009 by just saying

2. CONE ZONE!

Posted at 5:32PM on Jun 5th 2009 by Guest

3. Damnit. Dead last.

Hey TMZ. How about some stories on Heidi and Spencer? I would like to know what they r up to today. Thanks

Posted at 5:37PM on Jun 5th 2009 by First

4. That would be fun to have Conan give the commencement address - but like he said - he's probably crazy busy. I think he's done a great job this week!

Posted at 5:42PM on Jun 5th 2009 by One Day At a Time

5. What about Jay Leno? He's got 3 months off til his next show and he'd probably give a great speech!

Posted at 5:41PM on Jun 5th 2009 by Bob

6. Big mistake Conan! You are blowing an unbelievable opportunity to gain some great PR with you core audience.
UCLA is one of the top schools in the world and right in your own backyard. Don't be all about yourself, like Jay.

Posted at 5:57PM on Jun 5th 2009 by superchunk

7. Bring back the masturbating bear!

Posted at 6:23PM on Jun 5th 2009 by #1 Obama fan

8. If we can't get Conan maybe we can get Seth MacFarlane...

Posted at 6:39PM on Jun 5th 2009 by UCLA needs a speaker

9. I don't blame Conan cuz the Bruins SUK!

Posted at 6:55PM on Jun 5th 2009 by Tommy Trojan

10. Looks like the little bruins can't find anybody to give a commencement speech, which is really really funny. ucla thinks it's a "top notch" instituion, but only in their minds, who in their right minds would want stare at a sea of fruity sky blue and listen an 8 hand clap. why doesn't ucla get one of their alumni to do it, i am sure at least one of them is a top notch manager at a burger king.

Posted at 7:16PM on Jun 5th 2009 by bingo was his name

11. Conan is at least in a good mood leno was such a burnt out grumpy guy,,same with letterman...fallon blows,,,get rid of him. I get so bored watching him I watch the shamwow guy and buy more cheap crap.! Who is James Franco? lame ass third rate actor. And for the sake of all humanity get the a hole spencer and his dumb waste of space wife....I lose Iq when I hear his voice!

Posted at 7:30PM on Jun 5th 2009 by the desert fox

12. Conan is at least in a good mood leno was such a burnt out grumpy guy,,same with letterman...fallon blows,,,get rid of him. I get so bored watching him I watch the shamwow guy and buy more cheap crap.! Who is James Franco? lame ass third rate actor. And for the sake of all humanity get the a hole spencer and his dumb waste of space wife....I lose Iq when I hear his voice!

Posted at 7:31PM on Jun 5th 2009 by the desert fox

13. CONAN IS SUCH A WUSSY DOUCHEBAG...PLUS NOT VERY FUNNY.

HE WILL NEVER GET THE RATINGS OF THE MASTER LENO....

LENO RULES!!!!!!

Posted at 1:20AM on Jun 6th 2009 by Roughdaddy

14. 6. Big mistake Conan! You are blowing an unbelievable opportunity to gain some great PR with you core audience.
UCLA is one of the top schools in the world and right in your own backyard. Don't be all about yourself, like Jay.
------------------------------------------------
Guess what douchebag? Conan went to HARVARD, I think he knows more about top schools than you! He might not be as funny as Leno but at least his IQ is higher is higher than the combined total of the UCLA's graduating class.

Posted at 2:32AM on Jun 6th 2009 by racialprofiling

15. Didn't they recently find some guy guilty in May of this year for selling body parts out the back door at their med school? Conan did right!!

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-willedbody15-2009may15,0,1891414.story

Posted at 8:50AM on Jun 6th 2009 by ronald

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