Latest news with #AmericanHumour
The South African
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Conan O'Brien honoured with Mark Twain Prize
Conan O'Brien received the prestigious Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humour. The ceremony is available to stream on Netflix from 4 May 2025. This annual award pays tribute to comedians who have left a lasting mark on American society through their wit and satire. This year's recipient, Conan O'Brien, was honoured in a star-studded gala held at the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The 26th Mark Twain Prize ceremony, filmed on 23 March 2025, brought together some of comedy's biggest names. This included Adam Sandler, Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell, John Mulaney, and David Letterman, among others. Their heartfelt tributes and hilarious roasts captured the spirit of O'Brien's four-decade journey in comedy, according to Observer Voice. He started out from his early days writing for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons to his late-night talk show fame and popular podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend . Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter praised Conan's unique blend of 'smart, silly, insightful and hilarious' humour. Rutter noted his ability to reinvent himself continuously. 'Conan is a master of invention and reinvention, consistently pushing the envelope in search of new comedic heights,' she said. O'Brien, known for his quick wit and self-deprecating humour, joked upon receiving the award, 'I am honoured to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize, recognised not for humour. But for my work as a riverboat pilot.' Conan used his acceptance speech to reflect on his journey, recalling the tough early years when he was an unemployed graduate living modestly in Los Angeles. His story resonated with many, showing how perseverance and passion can lead to extraordinary success. The event also included a pointed but humorous critique of political issues, with comedians like Will Ferrell and Tracy Morgan. They delivered sharp, satirical remarks that resonated in today's turbulent cultural landscape. The Mark Twain Prize ceremony celebrates humour's vital role in society-something people universally appreciate, regardless of borders. As comedian John Mulaney quipped during the event, 'It's a privilege to be here at the Kennedy Center. Or as it will soon be known, the Roy Cohn Pavilion for Powerful Men Who Appreciate 'Cats',' a nod to the political shifts affecting the arts institution. Netflix's streaming of the event means South African audiences can share in the joy and legacy of one of America's most beloved comedians from the comfort of their homes. In a world often in need of levity, Conan O'Brien's Mark Twain Prize ceremony reminds us all why laughter remains one of our greatest shared treasures. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Independent
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Conan O'Brien receives Mark Twain award amid Kennedy Center controversy
Conan O'Brien is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where the backstage drama of the host institution may hang over the celebration. O'Brien, 61, was named the latest recipient of the award for lifetime achievement in comedy in mid-January, about three weeks before president Donald Trump upended the Kennedy Center by ousting the longtime president and the board chairman. Trump dismissed the board of directors and replaced them with loyalists, who then elected him as chairman. In announcing the changes, Trump posted on social media that the dismissed individuals "do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.' How that vision takes shape remains to be seen, but Trump has spoken about wanting to book more Broadway shows there and floated the idea of granting Kennedy Center Honors status to actor Sylvester Stallone and singer-songwriter Paul Anka. Into this maelstrom steps O'Brien, whose comedic persona has never been particularly political. The comic has always tended more towards goofiness and self-deprecation. But he has also leaned into sensitive societal issues at times. In 2011, O'Brien officiated a gay wedding live on his show, overseeing the marriage of his longtime costume designer Scott Cronick and his partner David Gorshein. O'Brien vaulted into the spotlight from near-total obscurity in 1993 when he was chosen to replace David Letterman as host of Late Night despite no significant on-camera experience. The former Harvard Lampoon editor had spent the previous years as a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, appearing on camera only as an occasional background extra in SNL skits. He went on to host Late Night for 16 years, longer than any other host. O'Brien was later tapped to replace Jay Leno as host of The Tonight Show, but that experiment ended in public failure. After seven months of declining ratings, NBC executives brought Leno back for a new show that would bump The Tonight Show back. O'Brien refused to accept the move, leading to a public spat that ended with a multimillion-dollar payout for O'Brien and his staff to exit the network in early 2010. O'Brien went on to host another talk show on the cable station TBS, while launching successful podcasts and travel shows. He is currently on a late-career elder statesman hot streak. His travel series, Conan O'Brien Must Go, sparked popular and critical acclaim, with a second season coming. His recent gig hosting the Academy Awards was so well received that the producers announced they are bringing him back next year. In the wake of Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center, several artists including the producers of Hamilton and actress and writer Issa Rae, announced they were cancelling appearances at the venue. Others have chosen to perform while making their sentiments known from the stage. Leftist comic W. Kamau Bell directly addressed the controversy in his performance just days after the shake-up. Earlier this month, cellist Erin Murphy ended her set with a performance of the Woody Guthrie protest anthem, 'All You Fascists Bound to Lose.' Mark Twain recipients typically receive tributes and testimonials from a star-studded collection of comics and celebrities. Given the nature of comedians, it seems likely that some of them on Sunday evening will address the issue of the institution's uncertain future. Other comedians receiving the lifetime achievement award include both Letterman and Leno, along with George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett Bill Murray and Dave Chappelle. The ceremony will be streamed on Netflix later this year at a yet-unannounced date.
South China Morning Post
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Talk-show host Conan O'Brien to receive Mark Twain humour prize at revamped Kennedy Centre
Conan O'Brien takes home the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour on Sunday but the spotlight will be as much on the Kennedy Centre, where he will be accepting the prize, as the Emmy-winning comedian himself. Advertisement O'Brien, who joins a long list of high-profile humorists who have received the award, will be celebrated at an evening show with tributes and jokes by a slew of comic greats that will be broadcast at a later date on Netflix. The show is the first signature event at the Kennedy Centre since its takeover by US President Donald Trump , who last month announced he would become chairman of the institution, pushing out billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. Trump dismissed board members appointed by former US president Joe Biden and installed officials loyal to him. He handed leadership reins for the facility to Richard Grenell, a close Trump ally and former ambassador to Germany who is serving as envoy for special missions in the current administration. Advertisement The new board, which includes White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Usha Vance, wife of Vice-President J.D. Vance , fired its former president, Deborah Rutter. Trump visited the centre last week and declared it in 'tremendous disrepair'.
