The Washington University Assembly Series will open its fall 2008 season with political satirist Mo Rocca, whose mix of clever insights and silly opinions puts the fun in “fundit.” The event will be on Wednesday, September 10 at 4 p.m. in Graham Chapel. Seating will be limited for the public; doors open at 3:15 p.m.
His television appearances, beginning in 1998 on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” established his credentials as a bona fide “fake” correspondent, a persona he embraced. He soon attracted interest from the real media, notably Larry King, with whom he worked as on-floor correspondent at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He also covered both 2008 conventions.
In addition, he has worked as a writer and producer for children’s television shows, including “Wishbone” and the “Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss,” although he became better known as a media gadfly on VHI’s low-brow series, “I Love the 80s.”
Rocca’s career continues to be varied and unpredictable. He keeps busy as a recurring contributor for NBC’s “Tonight Show” and CBS’s “Sunday Morning”; he’s a regular panelist on NPR’s news quiz show “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me;” and he blogs at Mo Rocca 180″ (Only Half as Tedious as the Regular Media!). His Broadway debut as the vice principal in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” was both a critical and popular hit.
The programs are free and open to the public, with most scheduled for Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in Graham Chapel. For information and updates, check the Web site at http://assemblyseries.wustl.edu, or call 314-935-5285.