Lynbrook Native Alan Colmes Returns to Alma Mater

Lynbrook native Alan Colmes, famous for his 12 years of punditry on the seminal Fox News political commentary show, Hannity & Colmes, spoke about his career in broadcasting at Hofstra University last Wednesday.

to mark the school’s 75th anniversary.

After Bruce Avery, general manager of Radio Hofstra University, introduced him, Colmes reminisced about the origins and trajectory of his career, along with his indebtedness to Hofstra. He also talked shop and waxed politics for about 45 minutes before taking questions from the audience of over 100 people in the Rochelle and Irwin A. Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall on the 10th floor of the Axinn Library.

YouTube clips were projected intermittently on a screen behind him, which included Colmes arguing with Bill O’Reilly about the nature of Al-Jazeera in the Egyptian uprising last month, debating the correct application of the Constitution with Karl Rove, and taking Michelle Bachman to task on her past statements.

“It’s fun to be on Fox News because I’m the only one saying what I’m saying,” Colmes said. He talked about awareness of his role and of his audience, which he revealed consisted of attitudes and perspectives that were antithetical to his own. He described it as “[a] unique niche that has served me well. I actually kind of enjoy it.”

The audience was mostly comprised of students.

Josh Wheelock, a film student from Florida, attended with his friend Josh Scavchansky, of Massachusetts, who is studying audio/radio. Neither knew much about Colmes, but were there to complete class assignments, which would have them writing criticisms of Colmes.

Larry Campbell, a 1977 Hofstra alumnus who lives in Merrick now, said he attended because he has been a fan of Colmes since his tenure on Hannity & Colmes, preferring him over his former co-host, Sean Hannity.

“Colmes believes what he says," Campbell said. "There’s no way Hannity believes what he says."

Colmes stayed and fielded questions from the audience until he was notified by Hofstra staff that time was running out. Students asked for advice to “budding journalists,” his prognostication on the future of radio, and his take on George W. Bush’s overall countenance in the views of American media.

One audience member asked him how he ended up enmeshed in politics, to which he asserted, “I’m a radio guy.” He said that he did not plan to become a political commentator, but that it was something that happened organically, giving a nod to fate. “As you start to developing these things, you start to become passionate about it.”

When asked which of the candidates or guests he found most interesting, he said those who bring conflict to the interview.

“The name of the game is ratings,” he said, explaining that conflict is more captivating than watching two people complement each other.

“Everything works out in the end,” said Trecia Lorelle, General Manager of Events at Hofstra, commenting post facto, echoing some of Colmes’ sentiments about fate. (Technical difficulties had pushed the event back from beginning at its 7 p.m. slate, but there were no problems once it got started.)

Afterward, Colmes stayed to address messages filmed for Hofstra record.

He told Lynbrook Patch, “I haven’t been in Lynbrook for a while, which is where I grew up,” but that being back on Long Island “really does feel like home. Living in the city, you forget that a few miles out you can be near the ocean.”