David Sedaris' Message To Graduates: Forget Your Fallback Plan

[@iamgort70]

I met David at a book signing. I was with my young son of 17 and he was most gracious to us both. He signed my sons books and one book he drew a pussy cat in one go without lifting the pen off the page. Then he chatted to us about how he collects all these chocolates from all the hotels he stays in, then he reaches into his bag and gives us a chocolate each! Very pleasant gentleman.

[@Dana-kb5mk]

David is more awesome than words 😀 Stay #Blessed🔥 and happy always ❤️❤️😘♾️🕉️🖖👽♾️

[@pesterlig]

I saw Mr. Sedaris from across a room one time. It felt like seeing your favorite aunt at the door with a sack of donuts on Saturday morning. He is a guru. His books are the ones for the desert island, the hospital waiting room, the flight to Scotland.

[@Oregonblueberry]

You should write, you are much more funny than Mr.Sedaris.- RIP Tiffany Sedaris. * I disagree with you he certainly is no guru. He has been lucky , considering the fact that he picks up trash and then writes about it and people foam - not a person who I would want to have sitting across from me ever. Imho he is certainly creepy. Nothing funny about this sociopath .

[@paulaclarke3421]

I agree with you Pesterlig. I would adore to be in the presence of David Sedaris. Having read all his books (then mostly all again in audio) I feel I know him & what makes him laugh makes me laugh. His outlook on life is refreshingly honest, warts & all and at almost his age I wish I'd had some of his insights earlier in life. Other comments may describe him negatively but I only have praise for this peach of an author. Viva Sedaris!

[@slimlouis6441]

Oregonblueberry awwww, someone needs attention. His entire family is humorous he just happens to be the one with the ability to put it to paper and regularly achieve top sales. He’s also a talented raconteur.

[@Oregonblueberry]

No Louis - you are incorrect I get all the attention I need and then extra on the good days. Shoot dude I just have a very different opinion and who knows I have friends that were in Elan with his sister Tiffany - I know what that place did to her and it was criminal. So just because I have a difference of opinion at least have enough respect to my reasons which are based in facts , not on the fact that you think this freak is funny . So that is just my opinion based on the facts as I read 'em here. Enjoy yer day .

[@josepha133]

I read Calypso whilst I was in the hospital this past week and it made time pass so much quicker.

[@sdmp12]

More writers, less actors

[@etcetraetcetra3173]

I second that...

[@Tanagra180]

Third!

[@HelgaCavoli]

Why not..... both!!!??

[@unauxkull176]

yes, pleeeeease!

[@dennisstaughton7474]

fakeaname That would require fewer morons in the general population. Does anyone see THAT on the horizon?

[@goyasolidar]

It's never a dull interview when David Sedaris is on.

[@JJRush_]

"But they give women babies!! How is that fair?......" LMAO

[@jensenbell]

Great writer, great mind, hilarious delivery… National treasure

[@kombinatsiya6000]

This guy is an amazing storyteller, bloody hell...

[@gemanscombe4985]

Didn't know who he was upon watching this, but he does know how to pick out and deliver a story. Wonderful timing and interaction. Curious now about his writing.

[@BrentWigginsWords]

Writers and comedians see the world in more ways than one. Love it.

[@minnowthewarlock5988]

David Sedaris is crazy, and that is why I love his writing. I've seen one of his shows, and damn, it was funny, hope to see him again sometime!

[@nickadams1992]

Met him. A superb guy. Kind, unpretentious, funny as hell. Great writer.

[@kellypaws]

Two of my favourite celebrities on the one show. Both hyper excellent.

[@medotorg2720]

David Sedaris is sort of a kinder, gentler Truman Capote.

[@zevshanken548]

Me DotOrg David Sedaris is sort of a gayer, gentile Woody Allen.

[@zevshanken548]

...gentile Woody Allen

[@evelynd2474]

Lmao!!! Nailed it

[@ycart3285]

I love the way his brain works, I can't wait to read his new book!

[@cierrablue]

I know, right? He sees the most simple things in such a bright and hilarious way. A true gem.

[@LC-le9ew]

Dany I always get the audio version because I love hearing him read it in his own voice.

[@pattyayers]

I just finished it and loved it. I think it may be his best yet

[@qhsperson]

Sedaris is quite popular in Great Britain. I've heard more of him on BBC Radio than on Public Radio here in the US.

[@shatteredtimelord]

I got to see him a few weeks ago and the full graduation speech is amazing.

[@NewMessage]

Funny certainly runs in that family.. one of my all time favorite people.

[@LordDice1]

New Message he has perfect poise and comedic timing! I've read all 9 of his books and I'm still excited to read the new one. That's rare for me. Lol

[@kfrerix9777]

New Message - Mine too. Jessica DeNittis - You, not so much!

[@LordDice1]

Jessi Gingivitis, nah what? Are you making a comment or just banging your face on the keyboard? Don't forget your safety helmet Messica 😆 and don't swallow anything sharp hun 😉

[@LordDice1]

Jessica DeNittis 😂😂😂

[@Oregonblueberry]

Sorry I have a very different opinion of this person. I find him very creepy indeed- www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php/topic,44069.0.html - more than creepy - Actually people get "lipomas " regularly . funny how he brings up the house in N. C- again. He needs to write about Elan-

[@katsto4163]

He is a delight! Please Stephen, book more of this kind of people. The world needs more eccentrics!!

[@meo21626]

Katrin Stoffel Yes!

[@micksmom2293]

I love David Sedaris so much. I got to see him speak at a local event, and he was absolutely brilliant.

[@ariloveshouse]

For the past like 2 weeks Stephen has been hanging on by a thread and at 5:01 he let go. Laugh out loud my precious!

[@LisaLisa-rl3pm]

moonwalkingthroughlife ...if he had a mouthfull if milk, oh my!

[@meowmix9537]

Every time I read 'Me talk pretty one day' it has me in stitches. He is brilliant. Can't wait for the new book!

[@jenniveee]

my favorite book! "Is thems the thoughts of cows?" I really can relate as an introvert living in a foreign country. I speak like an evil baby all the time hahaha

[@maryg.1014]

David is the best. My god, how I laughed when I last saw him talk about his work. So good for the soul.

[@craigkeller]

I am a fan. He’s one of our greats!

[@Joe_J-MT_Boy]

Reading his new book, Carnival of Snackery: Diaries 2003-2020... and it's a pretty good load of his best humor. He actively seeks out weirdness and then comments on it - day after day after day. The book is comprised of the entries he finds funny or interesting. His commentary is exactly like what he says in this interview with Colbert. You can't see what's coming.

[@debbiedoodiedandi]

His book NAKED is still one of the funniest books I've ever read

[@delfin7461]

I was reading it on a bus and laughed out loud, and people looked at me-- I just held up the book and blushed. Several people read the title/author and just nodded. I love David Sedaris, he's way too funny and I love his delivery

[@JonPais]

delfin7461 same experience here: I was reading Naked at a coffee shop and was nearly on the floor dying of laughter. Embarrassing...

[@alexperaza9475]

I was in a diner the first time I read Me Talk Pretty One Day and I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face. I think the waitstaff was concerned.

[@lockergr]

I think it's his best although Me Talk Pretty One Day is higher-rated. I don't know why it's higher-rated because it's not as funny.

[@johnlabus7359]

I'll have what he's wearing is my favorite story from that book. My sides hurt from my laughter.

[@VeronicaMist]

JUST finished listening to his book on Audible and it was a riot from beginning to end. 👍🏻

[@SummerDream222]

Brilliant writer. Love him!

[@jena6587]

I seriously can’t wait to see him 20 minuets from me! Oberlin is so lucky to have someone like Mr hysterical! Love it!

[@christianmon8308]

I literally just came to this to see him, and have a face to the name on the books I've read, but hes so funny and charming, i just HAD to watch the entire interview.

[@bscottp666]

Thank you David Sedaris. You just put a hilarious end on a long day!

[@skipsteel]

David Sedaris is a sublime comedic genius.

[@katiegastley]

We need more Sedaris in times like these. National Treasure.

[@Dana-kb5mk]

Agreed. And we must #ProtectDavidSedarisAtAllCosts🔥❤️❤️😘❤️🕉️🖖👽♾️🔥

[@GenevieveThornton]

I love David’s Crumpett the Elf around the holidays.

[@lockergr]

Genevieve Go see the play too!

[@GenevieveThornton]

lockergr there’s a play?! I need to see it!

[@maryjensen5310]

Good because I want to feed it to a snapping turtle. I fell out of bed laughing.

[@Argonaut121]

I lie awake nights, when I have trouble sleeping, ranking people I want to have drinks with. David Sedaris is always top 5.

[@margoelizabethmiller]

Who are the others?

[@eartha911]

I love those Sadar-i.... Makes me proud to be a NC Boy....living in Ma...

[@cierrablue]

He is the funniest person. I'm going to need this book in my life.

[@Swarmandal1025]

Amen David Sedaris...Love you!!!

[@nabanitabanerjee9385]

It's totally not fair David. You deserve to get every bit of your tumour back.🤣🤣🤣

[@anzarne]

This person is a genius.

[@ShikataGaNai100]

David Sedaris is a comedy/humor GOD!

[@lilitulee]

Met him three times! He's so so lovely

[@einat1622]

🤣🤣🤣 I don't know who this guy is- but I love him 🤣🤣🤣

[@jett8193]

einat1622, check out his self narrated audio books! Just be ready to nearly wet yourself laughing.

[@artwithmichael5547]

I remember hearing this on his Radio 4 (BBC) show. Find it if you can. It’s amazing.

[@kooale]

I like him even more. Love from Chicago & Ashland Avenues Misters S. & C.

[@neurofire]

Consistently original and deadly funny. Good call Stephen - how about double-tagging him with Amy?

[@michellehaywood1874]

he is so awesome! i'm now listening to his books on audible read by him - next, i have to see him perform live!

[@Carrott27]

Can never get enough David Sedaris!

[@rockets4kids]

You gotta wonder what it's like when he and his sister are together...

[@gmun2248]

rockets4kids Read his books. They're kind of short-stories-memoirs with some artistic licence. My favourite is a childhood memory of too many snow days so their mother sent them out to play & locked them out the house (I think he has 4 siblings. .. or is 1 of 4). Somehow a neighbour takes them home because they convince the youngest sister to lie in the middle of a road... I haven't ruined anything because that's definitely not the full story. I also love his collection of observations from when he was an elf at Macy's in NYC one xmas. His books are fantastic.

[@davidfuller764]

Lovely man, great guest.

[@laurasmith4478]

My daughter asked the ENT for her tonsils in 1986, he put a note on them, we picked them up, she took them to school frequently. My sister who was a teacher borrowed them occasionally, for the "guess what this is" part of grade school.

[@jamesdoyle4989]

I love this guy. Read his books!

[@maryjensen5310]

Yippee! A new David sedaris book. Can’t wait to read it. He may think he looked good at 22 but I think he looks great at 60.

[@wtulin1970]

He's so damned weird. In other words, I'm buying his book!

[@Davidlp70]

David Sedaris is a genius. Keeps me laughing even though I have read his stories over and over.

[@Dana-kb5mk]

Big Boy is one of my faves 😂🤣❤️🤘🤘

[@dothedeed]

I feel like "Theft by Finding" just came out. Can't believe he's got another book already.

[@leebatt7964]

“Holidays on Ice” is the best cure for SAD ever.

[@asmith1420angie]

I saw him in a bookstore in LR a few years ago. He signed my book “ My Doctor Friend Angie! He told me to go to Australia, I could make a lot of money there! Haha! He is a trip!

[@seamusbenn2967]

I remember his sister Lisa and her parrot!!!

[@ranjacobovitz2280]

1:10-1:15 Starling murmuration personified through human laughter

[@peteradaniel]

I love that Stephen and David have known each other for decades.

[@staciesabatino3817]

I cracked my ribs last night and I'm hurting. This video made me laugh so hard I might have to go to the E.R. I love him!

[@gizelon]

David Fudging Sedaris, My favourite author/comedian

[@pattyayers]

WTF? His middle name is Raymond

[@mevirosteck]

Omg I'm dyinggggg!!!!!

[@CulinaryGuide]

Love this man.

[@Stevel_]

David is a comedic genius. Has to be the funniest author of all time.

[@dre857]

Gotta love this guy, so funny!

[@sprybug]

OMFG, I love this guy.

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

. . ."pullin' for yah" . . .a rare moment when Steven picks the wrong words .

[@bejbita]

oh my god. i love him immediately

[@misshavisham3220]

Amazon has Cire Trudon candles ranging from $95 to $105 each. Diptyque candles run from as low as $35 to a high of around $150. Get them while they last!

[@GenevieveThornton]

Miss Havisham 😱I’d rather buy a target or walmart candle for less than 20.

[@cjasewell]

Pier 1 candles are a reasonable substitute and in the $10-17 range.

[@Uttuqalualuk]

And here I thought he was saying Deep Teak.

[@dothedeed]

He's a millionaire - I'll have to stick to my dollar store candles.

[@CheckmateWithPawn]

This man is crazy. With a beautiful soul. But crazy

[@censusgary]

“You could do that.” So could I, but he thought of it first.

[@perachori]

David Sedaris’s stories might as well be zen koans. Brilliant.

[@MarkCranerium]

6:51 David Sedaris drinks from the mug to keep from laughing along with Colbert. He's a pro.

[@The4x4Mama]

Never heard of this man but now I must have all his books!! Any suggestions on what one to start with? 😍

[@acmeopinionfactory8018]

DaisyAggression Me talk pretty one day is a good start.

[@dothedeed]

Dress your family in corduroy and denim

[@lockergr]

Naked is far and away his best and his funniest. Start with that and then move on to Me Talk Pretty One Day.

[@phishfullofasha]

My biggest suggestion is to get at least one of them as an audiobook. He reads them all himself and, for me, there are few things more wonderful than listening to David Sedaris read.

[@The4x4Mama]

Wow! Got my summer reading list now! Thank you everyone! And the audiobook suggestion is perfect for when I'll be traveling! Thank you Friends! 🤗😘

[@cultfan5227]

I LOVE this guy ! Ordered the new book yesterday .

[@WriterusAeternus]

I want to be in their family. Such a funny lot.

[@PeterLunowPL]

what a hilarious man ,I love him!

[@TeachUBusiness]

Brilliant guy and obviously shy.

[@fka.climate]

For a book signing, he was eating a chicken pot pie from a restaurant across from the theater, and dedicated the book to my then newborn son, calling him Young Huckleberry.

[@blairsnitch97]

I fucking love David Sedaris. He is my hero

[@burrowstd3889]

Listen to David on Radio 4, very funny, witty man.

[@bramhajung]

what a delight!!

[@Alexandra-ft1eo]

Buying his book right now!!!

[@gozimusable1]

A national treasure

[@LordDice1]

I've read all his books but never heard his voice before... 🤔😅 I should have guessed, lol, but I was totally not ready!😂😂😂

[@alexperaza9475]

Yeah, I think he mentions in one of his books that people on the phone always assumed he was a woman or a little kid.

[@LordDice1]

Alex Peraza yeah, it's just strange to hear someone after years of putting my own voice to the books I've read. .. and then be totally off. I've heard many interviews with his sisters on NPR and even his boyfriend and parents etc. I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised, but tbh my David Sadaris voice sounds way different😅😅

[@marihawley]

He always narrates his books for the audio version..... best way to "read" them!

[@LordDice1]

Mari Hawley could do. 😅 I'm a huge reader though and can't really take books on tape. So slow. Lol. What I sometimes do is use the text to speech on my books and use the British female voice at 200 speed😂

[@karenvonclezie4678]

David wth are you wearing? I mean that sparkly number underneath that jacket needs to be showcased more properly!!

[@pattyayers]

I'm pretty sure that's the only grown man in shorts I've ever seen sitting in that chair

[@stefgmac9539]

just like a LEGEND

[@ellisbrown5632]

It's Comme des Garcons Homme Plus Spring Summer 2018 collection, the whole outfit is.

[@thearmchairjournalist566]

The best interview in my whole life 🤣🤣🤣

[@benw9949]

Now I want to read his books. -- laughed so hard at this, so smart and weird and funny. Loved when Stephen cracked up, plus two Freaudian stumbles.

[@mp5249]

Ben W you have to read some. Funniest books ever.

[@gmart225]

he is the best

[@mahhubbard]

So funny love all his books!

[@jasonpatterson8091]

I adore David Sedaris, but this is a big pile of survivorship bias. "Don't have a fallback plan because the people who succeed didn't fall back on their plans." Well no kidding, that's kind of how success works, or doesn't.

[@dothedeed]

He was a massive loser for most of his life though. He wouldn't have these stories any other way.

[@phishfullofasha]

I agree, advice from successful people is kind of like getting advice from people who just won the lottery. He's got a point about how much more power beautiful people have to pursue their dreams, though. And young people often don't realise how much more beautiful, and therefore powerful, they are than they will ever be.

[@gmun2248]

I don't know... it depends on how he puts it / how you look at it. He's not giving it away here. It's not like he had overnight fame & success. His stories about odd jobs in NYC & working as an elf in Macy's one xmas are hilarious - but they weren't 'fall back' as much as 'climb up'... ie work for your dreams, do whatever you have to do to get where you want; work hard, but keep dreaming, don't settle. A theme that runs through most of these types of speeches, but I imagine he will have an amazingly funny & original way of passing it on. And for a dose of pragmatism, the dreams you have at 22 change as life changes anyway. I actually got seriously ill during my MSc. I had major family & uni support & pretty much finished my degree from bed. Suspended planned (fully funded) PhD, attempted to 'push through' a few times but eventually lost my scholarship. Lost my 20s. Other shit happened. I've wanted to do (& still do) many things with my life, but writing has always been a constant. In my 20s, I didn't know how that would happen if I couldn't explore the world to write about experiences. At some point it crossed over - I've definitely had different experiences than I imagined, pretty unique 'couldn't make it up' stuff. I do write. And more than ever, over a decade of fighting for health has changed my dreams & priorities - but more than anything else, it has shown me I definitely don't want to settle. I have too much time to catch up on. I think it's great advice.

[@pattyayers]

I understood the point to be that if you don't have a fallback option, you're a hell of a lot more serious about your creative work

[@SirPentinite]

National treasure

[@thegreatscode]

LMMFAO inadvertent comment Stephen made about his mom pulling for him

[@amlsubng2]

God, I love this dude!

[@Christi6746]

Just finished Calypso. HILARIOUS! I'm just sad the original snapper didn't get to partake in the tumor. :(

[@youreg]

Yes - great idea! Giving a little bit back (albeit not directly, unless he usually eats snapping turtle soup...in which case it could get a bit meta, like if he ate the wee beastie later :D

[@barbaralatham3584]

When I watch your show I frequently discover there are weirder people than I.

[@pattyayers]

When I read comments addressed directly to the busy famous person in the video, it always sort of puzzles me

[@johnjohnson3709]

I love him

[@Gigifrancetexas]

I love that he’s a Francophile 🇫🇷💙❤️