Bring back Zach

Jake Goldbas, Staff Columnist

Published: Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Updated: Thursday, July 2, 2009

There's a movie out right now that features an N.C. State alumnus (sort of).

Zach Galifianakis, who stars in the movie "The Hangover" and is known for his work on the Absolut Vodka commercials and Kanye West's "Can't Tell me Nothing" music video (both on Youtube), was recently profiled in the New York Times Magazine.

I think Zach Galifianakis should come back to NCSU. Not just because he's a great comedian, but more importantly for us at State, he never finished his degree in Communications. As the great comedian that he is, he even made this failure funny, missing graduation by a mere three credit hours.

In the NYT Magazine, he said about his experience, "I didn't make any friends at NCSU. NCSU is an agriculture school."

In a gesture of goodwill, we should invite him down and show him some (more) southern hospitality by giving him an honorary degree and hosting one of his comedy shows, which are definitely funny.

Meanwhile, Galifianakis can show us a thing or two about agriculture, seeing as he's from the country -- Wilkesboro in fact. The Kanye West video has him goofing off at his farm there and it is hilarious.

I say we start a petition to get him here. We should also see what kind of money we could entice him with from our University activities board (that Easley money is looking sweet now).

There is a coolness factor going on here as well, we can claim a famous comedian as one of our own because he went here. Beyond that, I think it's important to be supportive of someone who went here.

There's also an ethical problem warranting his visit: Zach didn't think he made any friends when he was at school here. Most of us know that the agriculture school at State is bar none -- all of those students throw awesome parties.

Aside from that, we could rally here, at this side comment: I am a fan of Zach Galifianakis, and you should be one too. If everyone at school saw his videos, I think they would love them just as much as me and the other people who have seen them. Anyone who sees these videos is a friend of his.

Galifianakis, who has built a comedic career over the course of two decades, seems to be making his move from the B list to the A list. Any sort of support he can get is crucial to ensure his success, and any success for Galifianakis is success for State.

The point about all of this is to right a perceived wrong. The solution is simple: we should invite him to come back home and entertain all the friends he never had.

In the Kanye West video Galifianakis says, "Wait till I get my money right. Then you can't tell me nothin', right?" So lastly, I want to address Mr.

Galifianakis' New York Times comment: wait 'till we get our money right. Then you can’t tell us nothin’, right?

Send your thoughts on Zach Galifianakis' NCSU experience to letters@technicianonline.com.

kimberly shearer

Fri Jul 3 2009 14:43

where's the petition... i'm ready to sign up...