In The Future, There Will Be A Dr. James Franco
Because James Franco's ultimate goal is to wallpaper his downstairs smoke room with a degree from every single university that exists on this planet today, he has enrolled and been accepted to the University of Houston. A University of Houston official confirms that they have opened their arms to James Franco who will work towards his doctorate degree in literature and creative writing. The program only accepts 20 out of around 400 applicants and the director says that he chooses students based on writing samples, recommendation letters and IMDB credits.
James Franco has an M.F.A. in creative writing from Columbia, is a Ph.D student in English at Yale and has just signed on to star in a movie with Winona Ryder, which he plans to shoot before he does Oz the Great and Powerful and acts on Broadway in Sweet Bird of Youth opposite Nicole Kidman. So because James Franco's schedule is as jam packed as my schedule is empty, he won't start classes at UH until next year. The director issued this statement of words to the media:
James Franco was scheduled to enter the PhD program in Literature and Creative Writing in Fall 2011, but he requested a deferral for an additional year, which the faculty granted, so he is now scheduled to begin doctoral work here in Fall 2012.
It takes me 3 days to finish a "Which She-Ra Character Are You?" quiz and this motherfucking diploma-holic is enrolled at a dozen universities and still finds the time to do movies and take cat naps with actual cats? Something in the milk is a donation check with at least 5 zeroes in 'em.
But I will remain UNIMPRESSED until James Franco proudly displays a degree he earned from DeVry (emphasis on the word "proudly").
via Chron (Thanks to Jane and everybody else who sent this in)
• 
That would be all well and good and all... if his writing wasn't absolutely fucking horrible.
http://videogum.com/161202/the-soft-sweet-poetry-of-james-francos-short-...
Haha, he couldn't cut it at Yale.
Why do ONLY 400 people apply a year?
Sounds kinda desperate...from Yale to the fetid, humid, dripping, uncultural, ugly oiltown that is Houston...
He'll never last there.
Unless he is FROM there, which would explain alot.
________________________________
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Marjorie Ingall
Submitted by literarylioness: "This is a contradiction. Your friends are going to work at colleges and not teach? What are they going to do? Process payroll? Doctorates (for the most part) are for teaching. No writer really needs any degree. They just have to write. William Faulkner didn't even finish the third grade. Your friends probably know that the publishing industry is not throwing money at writers.
I am getting my Ph.d as a skill to have a better chance of getting a job teaching more than creative writing, which is why I got my Masters in Lit. I am not getting my Ph.d for cultural enrichment. I could do that on my own by reading what I want to read. This is the question about Franco, which you do not address: What is his true purpose in getting all these degrees? Sure he has the money, but does he really need someone else to guide him in these endeavors? What about the people (probably more qualified) who got kicked out of the PhD programs to make room for him? This is what makes him an ass, not his wanting to better his education or brain."
=================
It's not a contradiction, but perhaps my wording was off. I have friends who teach at the college level and write. There are plenty who do this (e.g., Wayne Kostenbaum comes to mind). I don't need you to tell me what a doctorate is for, thanks. I teach at a college, I know. It's hard to make money just being a writer, so teaching at a college provides you with a salary and time off (sabbatical, flexible teaching schedule) to write your poetry (or whatever your genre). And if you have an MFA and have published, that can be enough to get you in a college. And there are people who pursue a doctorate who don't intend to teach. But the profession is going through some overhaul now, so who knows. That's all. Unlike you, I don't know Franco's SAT or GRE scores or how well his entrance essay was. I do know, from wiki (ha! ha!) and other sources, that his parents attended Stanford and that his mother is a writer (a poet). Maybe it rubbed off. He might be annoying, but it doesn't mean he's dumb.
James Baldwin, Truman Capote, the list can go on of folks who didn't have advanced degrees, let alone high school diplomas, who went on to become published, admired, and respected writers.
As for this: "This is the question about Franco, which you do not address: What is his true purpose in getting all these degrees? Sure he has the money, but does he really need someone else to guide him in these endeavors? What about the people (probably more qualified) who got kicked out of the PhD programs to make room for him?"
One: Why do I need to address it? I was responding to some posts (and not yours, actually) that seemed dismissive of continuing one's education. I don't care what his true purpose is for getting these degrees or for eating green eggs and ham in the morning.
Two: Maybe he does want someone to guide him. Perhaps he likes school, as weird as it sounds. Maybe he needs company. Maybe it's his way of picking up chicks. I don't know or really care. Please, he's just the "Pineapple Express" guy to me, okay?
Three: How do you know more qualified people were "kicked out of the PhD programs to make room for him" or not accepted into the program because of him? I'm not saying that the program might not be a bit star struck, but many folks were rejected, and I don't automatically accept that admitting Franco denied others a spot. If there are only 20 spots, many qualified folks won't get in, which is why folks often apply to several schools, in case of rejection.
Good luck to you in your studies, and I really mean that.
Love how one person called Houston "trashy" and another one wrote that "the brains go to Rice."
BITCHES PLEASE!!!!
I've done a lot of traveling - and I have quite a bit of knowledge about these subjects - so don't go talkin' shit when you don't have a clue.
Yes, Houston isn't entirely picturesque, but what do you expect? It's a metropolis. There are ugly parts of every big city, even Paris and London! And to elevate or denigrate any college is facile posturing. College is what you make it - even if one of your biggest lessons is struggling with red tape and annoyances.
welcome to our website:
------- http://www.chic-goods.com/ --------
if you like to order anything you like.
More details,
please just browse our website Quality is our Dignity;
Service is our Lift.
enjoy yourself.
thank you!!
------- http://www.chic-goods.com/ ----
Submitted by Bjork You on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 10:03am.
As far as the doctorate, you don't just have to teach, there are many options. I have friends who are creative writers and got the doctorate because they're smart and want the university job that will allow them to write. Of course, the current state of academia is making it hard for some to do this (more so those who aren't tenured, like tenure-track profs and adjuncts).
____________________________________________________
This is a contradiction. Your friends are going to work at colleges and not teach? What are they going to do? Process payroll? Doctorates (for the most part) are for teaching. No writer really needs any degree. They just have to write. William Faulkner didn't even finish the third grade. Your friends probably know that the publishing industry is not throwing money at writers.
I am getting my Ph.d as a skill to have a better chance of getting a job teaching more than creative writing, which is why I got my Masters in Lit. I am not getting my Ph.d for cultural enrichment. I could do that on my own by reading what I want to read. This is the question about Franco, which you do not address: What is his true purpose in getting all these degrees? Sure he has the money, but does he really need someone else to guide him in these endeavors? What about the people (probably more qualified) who got kicked out of the PhD programs to make room for him? This is what makes him an ass, not his wanting to better his education or brain.
Submitted by Tinam on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 7:24am.
THIS on everything you said. Thanks!
Also, some folks select the program, not the school. It's about the department and whom you want to study with. Yeah, Columbia is prestigious period, and their MFA program great, but you can also get a great MFA from Hunter College at a fraction of the cost.
I studied with Louis Menand when he was at The Grad Center for WAY less money that I'd be shelling out where he now teaches, Harvard.
School is what YOU make it (for the most part, barring asshole professors and a frustrating academic bureaucracy!).
I can't believe all the bashing of people who acquire various degrees. Many people attend Master's programs in schools where they didn't get their BA. I mean, seriously? And so what if he wants to get different degrees? He has the money and the time. Why does this bother people?
As far as the doctorate, you don't just have to teach, there are many options. I have friends who are creative writers and got the doctorate because they're smart and want the university job that will allow them to write. Of course, the current state of academia is making it hard for some to do this (more so those who aren't tenured, like tenure-track profs and adjuncts).
Franco being insufferable should not be conflated with distrust of a person furthering his/her education, in school or out. (And this isn't government money, it's his own. UCLA, Columbia, Brooklyn College, Yale, and now U of H; that's pretty cool, even if he isn't.
Richard Hofstadter was right.
(By the way, that 60 credits thing on Wiki makes no sense; I think it was a joke. Each course is 3 credits [maybe 4 with a lab]; so he took 30 classes in a semester?)
I guess weed doesn't turn everyone into a lazy slacker.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And people try to tell me that God wasn't high on the good shit when he made this place" -by angel_i
Those of you bashing UH are total idiots. UH is in the "ghetto" as you all put it due to the illegal practice of "blockbusting" in the 1960s. The area along South McGregor used to be called the Jewish River Oaks in the 1960s. That was because Jews were not allowed to live in River Oaks (an old money wealthy neighborhood). You not only had wealthy Jews but other minorities as well. (Muhammad Ali wasn't even allowed to move to RO). Then realtors went around and told the whites who were living in the area that blacks were buying up the homes and that would decrease their property values thus causing "white flight". People were getting rid of their homes at a fraction of the value which then attracted more people of lower SES into the area.
UH has a lot to be proud of. They just attained Tier One status. In 20 years, they have shedded the "Cougar High" image by hiring top notch researchers such as Paul Chu. Edward Albee has taught in the Creative Writing Program. The first health psychology program came out of UH. UH was the first university to offer Human Sexuality. As a person involved in education, the story about Rice is that once you get accepted (which is difficult), they will do everything that they can to make sure you get through)--I have known some dead weight that made it to Rice. At UH, it is sink or swim. Your college experience is what you make of it.
Submitted by ncgirl on Sat, 04/23/2011 - 6:05am.
I knew U of H was going to be bashed as soon as I read this. Yes it is in the ghetto, but are people really that hung up on LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION? Appears so. My little sister goes to Rice, and her courseload is not any harder than mine was at U of H. St. Thomas is just a joke. Hope he enjoys Couger High.
__________________________________________________
So why couldn't Franco go to USC? That's in a ghetto too. It is right out of Compton, CA.
I knew U of H was going to be bashed as soon as I read this. Yes it is in the ghetto, but are people really that hung up on LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION? Appears so. My little sister goes to Rice, and her courseload is not any harder than mine was at U of H. St. Thomas is just a joke. Hope he enjoys Couger High.
Submitted by Madam Pince on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:29pm.
PTB, Ayelet Waldman (Michael Chabon's wife) has said she can't believe people are racking up tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt just to get an MFA. She has a JD and started writing on the side, while she was still practicing. And I agree that a lot of those grads can't write worth shit.
In my first couple of years of college I had a romantic notion of becoming an English professor specializing in Southern literature, but then I realized I didn't want to be one of the dime-a-dozen English Ph.Ds scrambling for a job anywhere in the country.
**************************************************
This is very true! Universities are racking in the dough with MFAs My undergrad school has an MFA program that is nearly a $100,000 (no help from the school) and those people are in debt up to their eyeballs with some dream of teaching.
Most MFAs are about getting your work published, but many publishers will tell you that MFAs are a waste of time. Unless it is from some place like Iowa, but even they are having a tough time.
I loved my MFA program and chose it because I wanted to work with the writers teaching at it. I actually was not interested in getting an MFA, but I got excepted into it instead of my first choice for the Masters and they were going to pay my way so I went for it. If it weren't for that, I would have just gotten the Masters and gone onto the Ph.D.
His writing sucks! He suffers from the "telling not showing" problem.
Why didn't he go to USC for their Ph.D in Creative Writing? It would have been a lot closer to his acting projects.
If Franco was all that, he would have gotten his MFA from University of Iowa. That is considered the best MFA in wrting program in the country. An MFA is still a terminal degree, so what is Franco really doing? Does he plan on teaching?
Literature tracts are separated from writing tracts. Readers versus writers basically. Does Franco have a Masters in English? I don't see that on his wiki page. Does he have the critical analysis experience and foreign language to get a Ph.D in literature? You don't do critical analysis in MFAs; you study how the writer creates the art. I honestly got much more out of my Masters in Lit than I did out of my MFA.
I am doing my Ph.D in literature and the foreign langauage component is a major pain. As has been stated, unless you plan on teaching, what is the point of all these degrees for Franco? You can easily read books on your own. I know many autodidacts and happen to be one myself.
This guy has a problem.
Okay, sorry, but that picture of Franco asleep with the two kittens? Very cute.
That 60 hour claim is total and utter BULLSHIT! Anyone with common sense knows that is not humanly possible and probably put up on wiki for a good laugh.
Nothing is more important in this world than lookin' spiffy
@Joe Shmoe, Yes, agree on all counts. I remember people sneering about my English degree, too. The people I knew in the English program were proficient in many areas, smart as hell, actually, and chose their major out of a love of language, like I did. You do so much more than just read novels in the classes and to be able to communicate effectively is an asset in any job, in business, law, science, etc. I've had a variety of jobs, and I used the English degree in every one. Out of college I worked as a copywriter, creating marketing materials; now I run a small business. I'm not rich, but I'm happy, and no one sneers at my degree anymore! It's not the degree; it's what you do with it, for sure, and I agree with Bjork you as well, an education is never a bad thing.
Moving away from Franco a bit, what is wrong with continuing one's education? Especially if one has the grades and the money to do it, why not? It's not about wanting to better than others or to show off but rather for personal fulfillment. He can afford to do what he wants. I wish I had that money the last few years in grad school. I was funded for the years I did my course work and orals, but not anymore, and I could use it now during dissertation time. Whether it's enrolling in a school, going to the library, or reading dlisted, there's nothing wrong with educating oneself anytime or anywhere.
Submitted by hotpocket on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 8:22pm
***********
My first degree is a B.A. in English Lit. also and I used to get soooo tired of people (mainly people who didn't go to uni or engineering students) scoffing and saying dismissively, (with a grunt or two) "Whachu gonna do with that?".
Well, it was a springboard for me, onto other things and I have a successful career now that I love and I use the training in got in my 'dumb old B.A. in English Lit.' every day, because I have to be able to write well. The world needs all sorts of training. If everybody studied science or business, who would teach our children history and language? Or vice versa.
The other side of any degree, as hopelessly naive as it sounds, is the pure love of learning in any area that you are passionate about.
************
Submitted by hotpocket on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 8:22pm.
The stress does seem to be taking a toll on him. He's looking haggard. His face is his money maker, and if you're working to the point you're prematurely aging, it's time to slow it down.
Eggzackerly: he looks way older than his age.
I have a BA in English Lit and remember working a full-time job with a full course load at one college, and that was a lot. At one point I was expected to read 5 novels a week and do papers on them. So I ended up skimming most of the books, reading the beginning, parts of the middle and the end. I still got A's, because I'm a good B.S.er and term paper writer, but it made me a little sad that I didn't have the time to really get into them. Five papers on five books while working a job wasn't a picnic, either, even with the shortcuts. I think what he's doing, with the 60 credits, etc., is possible, but he's cheating himself out of the full experience. I felt cheated myself, but someone had to pay the bills, and that someone was me. Oh well.
The stress does seem to be taking a toll on him. He's looking haggard. His face is his money maker, and if you're working to the point you're prematurely aging, it's time to slow it down.
And I agree U of H is ghetto. The brains go to Rice.
Something is not right if you are earning half a degree in a single semester.
Madame S- That 60 hour thing has been up on Wikipedia for a long time and he has oft repeated that he at one point recently was attending 3 universities at one time. Of course he doesn't attend most of his classes and has a note taker and a lot of his "work" is his actual acting and co-writing work that he gets credit for.
So basically, you're right they're throwing the grades out because they love his money. However, I wouldn't say his subject and an MFA is the hardest major because Fine Arts degrees are all about what people produce, not research, reading and writing like most degrees. He gets special treatment and he's an asshole and I hate him.
,Tory Burch Reva Flat Shoes Orange© 2005 - 2011 Pronto,Tory Burch Reva Flat Shoes Pink, Inc. All rights reserved.
Though we strive to provide accurate information,トリーバーチ 財布, Pronto is not responsible for any errors in product related information on our service and we encourage you to verify any such information with each merchant. Please report any errors in pricing or information that you see on Pronto.
相关的主题文章：
Submitted by MzSassy on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 5:00pm.
...I got my Masters in Education and that's good enough I guess.
__________________________________________________
I spent around $20K earning my Masters. The last thing that I am thinking about is getting a Ph.D. **at least for now**
My thesis is complete!
I cracked up when I saw his Wikipedia page (oh buddha help me, I took the time to look at James Franco's Wikipedia page), because I assumed that someone had hacked the page because it is so truly comical. I'm still not sure that this isn't the case. I mean, it is hilarious, one of the funniest Wiki pages I've seen. When I looked (it may have changed since then) but at the time, it claimed that Franco was accomplishing something like over 60 course credit hours per semester, which is physically impossible unless you have personal access to a wormhole in the time/space continuum, plus it also said he's attending about four schools simultaneously (see wormhole).
At the very least this discloses that universities will give credit to literally the dumbest most random celebrity just for the sake of it (see Brooke Shields and Natalie Portman), or just that Franco has embarked on the funniest viral comedy routine ever.
Natalie Portman will be jealous.
My thesis is complete!
I assume he chose UH because it has the best pot. Maybe he thought the "H" stood for Hawaii?
I mean, keeks is right...has yall even been to houston? I know some certified I've lived all my life in the ghetto folk who refuse to go to houston because it's so trashy
-------------------
What's up, douchebag?
What the fuck are you talking about? UH-Central has one of the TOP creative writing programs in the country! Not to mention that they also have a top rate business college and engineering school. Some of these comments criticizing UH are asinine. UH just got Tier One status.
_________________________________________________
Submitted by KeeksHotMom on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:57pm.
The area of UH is a complete ghetto! There are 2 other major universities here in Houston- Rice and University of St. Thomas. UST doesn't have a doctoral program, but they have plenty at Rice.
It is widely accepted at Rice and UST that U of H is a glorified community college. He will do well at U of H as their expectations are not all that high!
________________________________________
To be a writer maybe?
I think it's the degree that author Jonathan Safran Foer has.
Submitted by Slurpee on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 11:21am.
I'm very suspicious of people who are always trying so hard to show everyone how allegedly smart they are.
You think people go to school to "show how smart they are"?
@ZiggyStardust-- what are you getting your Ph.D in? I wouldn't get a Ph.D. because it's A) too expensive B) takes too much time C) I don't hate myself either. LOL I got my Masters in Education and that's good enough I guess.
"People are strange when you're a stranger...Faces look ugly when you're alone." ~ The Doors
Got damn! He looks horrible in that picture! What happened, my former love? Looks like he's surely NOT going to age gracefully.
"I make myself sick, Get on my own nerves. Immature, insecure,Grown up nerd."
-Fat lip (The Pharcyde)
Submitted by KeeksHotMom on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:57pm.
The area of UH is a complete ghetto! There are 2 other major universities here in Houston- Rice and University of St. Thomas. UST doesn't have a doctoral program, but they have plenty at Rice.
It is widely accepted at Rice and UST that U of H is a glorified community college. He will do well at U of H as their expectations are not all that high!
^^^
Nice of you to insult everybody who goes to U of H....
I wonder how he got in?
Submitted by CandyPerfumeGirl on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:32pm.
--------------------------------------------------
He's doing it to make you think he's smart and is an "everyman". The Japanese have a name for it but I forgot the word...
Also, a lot of it has to do with what "Who Datt on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:22pm" said in their post.
He gives me the impression that he grew up spoiled and was doted over by his parents. He's gives off that vibe that he thinks he is superior to everyone.
yale - the rich man's university of phoenix.
Submitted by Who Datt on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 2:22pm.
--
Diane Chambers? I love it! I love kind-of-obscure references!
God, is he really that deep? Most people..when you give em a movie star...all they want is a movie star. Not someone complaining or dissatisfied.
Franco is just a bit annoying now because he *is* acting like your typical art student.
That being said, his movie output has improved (generally, for the most part) since he went all Rodney Dangerfield Back to School. Though I would rather hear about his acting roles than anything else.
---
Help me!
He's the male Diane Chambers from "Cheers". The Eternal Learner. Perpetual pupil. He lives in Language and thinks in Theory. The thing is...it separates him from reality. I don't think he really knows *what* he wants to be/do as much as he knows what he *thinks* he should want to be/do. His now infamous post-Oscars thin-skin implosion is pure "boy in the bubble": he may think that he's safe inside his sphere, but all it takes is just one of us tiny pricks to deflate it.
Submitted by Bjork You on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:55pm.
--
Oh dear, he does take himself a bit too seriously. He does still sound like that dumb guy from Freaks and Geeks in interviews though! (He also sounded dopey in that actors roundtable interview for THR.) He also sounds like every other art student!
---
Help me!
Good luck, James, because getting a doctorate is tough. Believe me, I know. Can I make a request to you, Mr. Franco? Fucking lighten up. I watched you on "The Colbert Report" and couldn't believe I was watching the guy from "Pineapple Express" and "General Hospital" (love Franco the Artist). It seemed that underneath that goofy, adorable smile is someone who takes himself a tad too seriously. A little self-deprecation never hurt anyone. Thank goodness Colbert gave you the ribbing you so need. Anyway, congrats to you and lighten up from the inside.
Check out yourself out at 2:36 where you complain about pop culture critics (that would be you, dlisters):
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/380445/april-05-2...
Submitted by CandyPerfumeGirl on Fri, 04/22/2011 - 1:32pm.
--
I think maybe he felt like a dumb actor, so went back to school. He mentioned in interviews how after high school he worked at a drive-thru while being a struggling actor. He probably felt like he missed out. Then he had the money and free time so...
---
Help me!
I graduated from UH's English program. Will be interested to see if he has to fight for parking off Wheeler with all the other English students....
Something about this is not kosher. Is he just doing this to bone college boys ??? It's not so hard - all u need is a case of beer and an xBox.
I kind of miss that dopey guy from Freaks and Geeks. But good on him for his education and hard work.
PS. I got KOWL!!! Damn. I was hoping for Loo-Kee:
http://daily.gay.com/entertainment/2011/02/the-10-gayest-things-about-sh...
---
Help me!
Between him and GW I'm surprised Yale hasn't been stripped of their Ivy League status.
Why do people go to school after they made it? I dont get it. I got all these degrees but I got them because the alternative would be scrubbing toilets. But if I had started off rich and esepcially if i had somehow been a star and made it, i would NEVER EVER think about wasting my time and going to get various professional degrees. That is a waste of time. What does he need it for? A faculty teaching position? Cause that is the only reason you need a phD in most everything - especially english and writing. Last time I looked, Hollywood didnt require its writers to hold PhDs. Damn, he is stupid.
..
.
------------
"Charlie you fucking bitch, let's work it out" - High Fidelity
I bet he's a terrible writer.