Author and Film Critic Michael Medved to Give Convocation Address

April 8th, 2005

By Nathan Kennedy '07

This story is provided by Carleton News

Michael Medved, film critic and conservative commentator

Northfield, Minn.—Michael Medved, a conservative talk radio host and film critic whose daily show emphasizes the interaction between politics and pop culture, will give a convocation address titled "Hollywood's Three Biggest Lies" at 10:50 a.m. on Friday, April 8, in the Carleton College Skinner Memorial Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.

Medved began his undergraduate work at Yale at age 16, eventually graduating with honors as a history major. He then went on to Yale Law School, but took a leave of absence to work for a political campaign and never finished his law degree. He continued working for politicians, and soon wrote his first book, "What Really Happened to the Class of '65" about the counterculture of that generation. This was the basis for a short-lived TV series on NBC, which led to more screenwriting jobs. In 1978, Medved and his brother wrote "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time" which led to three sequels and his first film-reviewing job. In 1984 he began a 12-year run as co-host of PBS's "Sneak Previews," and in 1993 he landed the chief film critic position at the New York Post.

Despite his success as a film critic, Medved never abandoned politics. In 1979 he published "The Shadow Presidents," a highly-acclaimed history of White House chiefs of staff. He completed his transition from political liberal to conservative while researching the book, and his political views have influenced his views of the film industry and popular culture. His 1992 book "Hollywood v. America" criticized the industry for promoting violence, sexuality and vulgarity in American society, and many of his movie reviews at the Post have echoed these critiques.

Medved's outspoken criticisms of Hollywood and popular culture earned him a name in politically and socially conservative circles, which led to an appearance on Rush Limbaugh's nationally syndicated radio show. After that appearance, Medved accepted an opportunity to guest-host Limbaugh's show, and eventually he was offered his own show on a Seattle-based radio station. This program has received top ratings for its time slot and has been picked up by stations throughout the country.

For more information and disability accommodations, call Carleton's college relations office at (507) 646-4308.

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