David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery drew boos from Boston University’s class of 2023 when he took the stage Sunday to deliver the commencement speech Sunday.
The crowd booed Zaslav as he accepted his honorary degree amid a tense writer’s strike that has forced the pause of numerous shows across the conglomerate’s film and television studios, which include HBO, TNT, Cartoon Network and DC Studios. Fans began to angrily chant while Boston University president Robert A. Brown introduced Zaslav during the 150th commencement exercises at Nickerson Field.
Jeers included “We don’t want you here,” “Pay your writers” and “Shut up, Zaslav,” according to video footage posted to Twitter. Picketers also lined up outside, expressing their anger toward the CEO with signs that read “We Write, You Wrong.”
Zaslav had to pause his remarks several times due to interruptions from the angry crowd, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
His speech centered around his work ethic and his struggle to find happiness in his career. He attempted to speak about hard work, choosing kindness and his journey into Hollywood but the crowd seemed uninterested and continued to hackle the media titan. (RELATED: The Writers’ Strike Gives Us A Much-Needed Break From Awful Late-Night Talk Shows)
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav gets booed during Boston University commencement speech
“Pay your writers” pic.twitter.com/pxBsrmztlM
— No Film School (@nofilmschool) May 22, 2023
“In my career, I’ve seen so many talented people lose opportunities or jobs because they couldn’t get along with others,” Zaslav told the BU students. “You can’t choose the people you work with. Figure out what you like about a person — there’s always something — and do whatever it takes to navigate their challenges.”