Comedian, writer Mo Rocca to speak at Reitz

January 18, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Famed author, comedian and political satirist Mo Rocca is the first speaker of the spring term in the ACCENT Speakers Bureau series. Rocca will talk at 8 p.m., Jan. 25, in the Grand Ballroom of the Reitz Student Union at the University of Florida. Rocca’s appearance is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:15 p.m.

Rocca recently released his first book, “All the Presidents’ Pets: The Story of One Reporter Who Refused to Roll Over.” He also has served as the former writer and producer for the Emmy Peabody Award-winning PBS children’s series “Wishbone.”

His popularity also comes in part from his many TV appearances. From 1998 to 2003, Rocca was a correspondent for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and VH1’s “I Love…” pop-culture series. He is also a regular contributor to NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and CBS’ “Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood.”

Rocca has even delved into the political arena as an on-the-floor correspondent for Larry King on CNN during the 2004 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. His various assignments and exposure to such a broad range of topics have made him a well-known and well-rounded figure in today’s entertainment industry.

ACCENT Speakers Bureau, the largest student-run speakers’ bureau in the nation, has been sponsoring prominent speakers to the University of Florida since the 1960s. ACCENT strives to bring controversial and influential speakers to the university, with the intent of further educating the student body, outside of the classroom, on current topics and controversies. Past speakers include presidents and prime ministers, and entertainment, media, business and sports legends.

For persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations, call (352) 392-1663, ext. 302, or (352)392-2567 (TDD). E-mail accommodate@sg.ufl.edu or contact the Florida Relay System at 1-800-955-8771 at least 72 hours before the event. Real Time Transcription will be provided. For more information, call ACCENT at (352) 392-1665, ext. 306 or the information line at ext. 411, or visit the Web at http://www.sg.ufl.edu/accent/ or e-mail ACCENT at accent@sg.ufl.edu.