The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to American humor. While every recipient so far has been worthy, the order in which recipients have been selected is confounding. Living comedians appear to be favored over the deceased. Based on who’s been selected so far, you’d think the process was political, and liberal at that. A definite bias towards Saturday Night Live alumni, as at least eight of the twenty recipients have been affiliated with the show. Three comedians in their 40’s were selected before the legendary Carol Burnett was honored in 2013. In her acceptance speech Burnett quipped “thank you for FINALLY giving me this award.”
Perhaps emphasis is put on performers with friends who would put on a good show, because the production is must see television viewing.
The prize winners, year inducted, and age when they won:
1998 Richard Pryor 58
1999 Jonathan Winters 74
2000 Carl Reiner 78
2001 Whoopi Goldberg 46
2002 Bob Newhart 73
2003 Lily Tomlin 64
2004 Lorne Michaels 60 (born & raised outside the US)
2005 Steve Martin 60
2006 Neil Simon 79
2007 Billy Crystal 59
2008 George Carlin 71 (posthumous)
2009 Bill Cosby 72
2010 Tina Fey 40 (youngest recipient)
2011 Will Ferrell 44
2012 Ellen DeGeneres 54
2013 Carol Burnett 80 (below)
2014 Jay Leno 64
2015 Eddie Murphy 54
2016 Bill Murray 66
2017 David Letterman 70
Future recipients: Jerry Seinfeld, Martin Short, Jimmy Fallon.
What about Dan Ackroyd, Woody Allen, John Belushi, Milton Berle, Mel Brooks, Jim Carrey, Johnny Carson, Tim Conway, Larry David, Jeff Foxworthy, Robert Klein, Groucho Marx, David Murphy, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Harry Shearer, Red Skelton, Bob Uecker, and Robin Williams? Foxworthy is certainly deserving, but in this political climate his induction is highly unlikely.
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