Ed Helms: The History of SNAFUs
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During the Second World War, members of the United States Marine Corps coined a sarcastic acronym to explain a state of chaos and confusion: SNAFU, or situation normal, all fouled (or a saltier f-word) up. More than 80 years later, Ed Helms began to explore history’s greatest own-goals.
And now Helms comes to Commonwealth Club World Affairs in Silicon Valley to share his absurdly entertaining look at some of history’s greatest face plants. He’ll draw on his new book—conveniently titled SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups—to enlighten us about some of history’s darker moments.
Helms is an actor, writer, producer and comedian who was a correspondent for “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” He portrayed Andy Bernard in the celebrated sitcom “The Office” and Stu Price in The Hangover film trilogy. He has won awards for his performances and for his comedy writing. And—you can sense a theme here—he is the host of the podcast “SNAFU with Ed Helms.”
From nuclear weapons on the moon to training cats to be CIA spies to turning the weather into a weapon—Helms has the inside scoop on the greatest foul-ups of modern times.
This program is in-person only. If you have symptoms of illness (coughing, fever, etc.), we ask that you either stay home or wear a mask.
Commonwealth Club World Affairs of California is a nonprofit public forum; we welcome donations made during registration to support the production of our programming.
Attendees subject to search; no large bags
Photos courtesy the speaker.
Commonwealth Club World Affairs is a public forum. Any views expressed in our programs are those of the speakers and not of Commonwealth Club World Affairs.
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Cubberley Community Center Theatre
4120 Middlefield Road
(near Montrose & Middlefield)
Palo Alto, CA 94306
United States
Ed Helms
Actor; Comedian; Writer; Podcast Host; Author, SNAFU: The Definitive Guide to History’s Greatest Screwups
In conversation with Casey Newton
Founder and Editor, Platformer; Co-host, "The New York Times Hard Fork” Podcast
5:45 p.m. doors open & check-in
6:30–7:30 p.m. program
(all times Pacific Time)
COST
In-person:
$50 members with a book
$60 nonmembers with a book
$70 premium members (reserved seating in the front few rows with a book)
$80 premium nonmembers (reserved seating in the front few rows with a book)
$15 students (with valid ID; no book)
