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Netflix To Run The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor Under ... - Variety
A year after it moved from its longtime PBS home to CNN, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is switching telecast partners again. Netflix has struck a multi-year deal with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to move the Mark Twain Prize event to the streamer.
The deal begins this year, with Kevin Hart honored at the ceremony. This marks the 25th anniversary of the Mark Twain Prize, and Hart will be recognized "for his extraordinary contributions to the genre and his impressive achievements across comedy, film, and television." This year's event takes placeat the Kennedy Center Concert Hall on Sunday, March 24, and will be taped to premiere on Netflix on Saturday, May 11 — as the Netflix is a Joke Fest takes place in Los Angeles.
Performers set for this year's Mark Twain ceremony including Dave "Lil Dicky" Burd, Dave Chappelle, Jimmy Fallon, Tiffany Haddish, Regina Hall, Chelsea Handler, Nelly, Plastic Cup Boyz, Keith Robinson, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and J.B. Smoove. Adam Blackstone is music director.
"We are delighted to announce our partnership with Netflix and continue the Center's 25-year tradition of celebrating exceptional comedians like Kevin," Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement. "The Mark Twain Prize, which annually brings the comedy community together to recognize comedic excellence and impact, aligns with Netflix's standing as the eminent home for comedy programming. We're excited to bring this spectacular night of tributes, roasts, and hilarity to Netflix."
Comedy Central was the first network to run the Mark Twain Prize, in 1998 and 1999, before PBS took over from 2000 to 2022. CNN took it last year.
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor "recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist, and creator of characters, Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective on social injustice and personal folly."
Previous recipients of Mark Twain Prize include Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009; rescinded in 2018), Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013), Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018), Dave Chappelle (2019), Jon Stewart (2022) and Adam Sandler (2023).
Done+Dusted produces the Mark Twain Prize; David Jammy is exec producer. The 2024 Mark Twain Prize Gala is co-chaired by Barbara Goodman Manilow and Cappy McGarr. David M. Rubenstein is the Honorary Chair for the Mark Twain Prize.
The event was created by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and John Schreiber.
Conan O'Brien To Receive 2025 Mark Twain Prize For American Humor
Conan O'Brien has been named the recipient of the 2025 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
The comedian, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend host and former late-night personality was announced as the award's 26th honoree by the Kennedy Center on Thursday, Jan. 16.
The prize will presented during a gala performance at the venue's Concert Hall in Washington, D.C., on March 23, 2025, per a release. The program will then premiere exclusively on Netflix, on a to-be-announced date.
Joked O'Brien, 61, in a statement, "I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot."
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The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, presented by Wells Fargo and named after the late writer and humorist of the same name, honors those who've had an impact on society.
Past recipients include Richard Pryor, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart, Dave Chappelle Adam Sandler and, most recently, Kevin Hart.
"For four decades, Conan O'Brien has brought his unique blend of the smart, silly, insightful and hilarious into our homes," Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement. "From Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons — including the unbelievably funny monorail episode — to late night, podcasts and all things Team Coco, Conan is a master of invention and reinvention, consistently pushing the envelope in search of new comedic heights."
"I look forward to honoring his immense legacy and enduring impact with an uproarious evening in the Concert Hall on March 23," Rutter added.
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O'Brien is best known for his work in late-night television, beginning with Late Night with Conan O'Brien in 1993 and ending with Conan in 2021, spanning nearly 30 years.
He was also a writer on SNL from 1988 to 1991 and The Simpsons from 1991 to 1993 and has hosted his Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend podcast since 2018, on top of starring in Max's travel series Conan O'Brien Must Go in 2024.
Next up is an Academy Awards hosting gig, which is set to take place on March 2. It will mark the comedian's first time emceeing Hollywood's biggest night.
"America demanded it and now it's happening: Taco Bell's new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme," O'Brien quipped of the gig in November 2024, adding, "In other news, I'm hosting the Oscars."
Kevin Hart Will Receive The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor : NPR
Enlarge this image Kevin Hart has been named winner of the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Hart will be celebrated/roasted by fellow jokesters at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in March. Kevin Kwan/The Kennedy Center hide caption
toggle caption Kevin Kwan/The Kennedy CenterKevin Hart has been named winner of the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Hart will be celebrated/roasted by fellow jokesters at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in March.
Kevin Kwan/The Kennedy CenterComedian, actor, writer and entrepreneur Kevin Hart is the winner of the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Considered the highest honor in funny business, previous recipients have included Tina Fey, Bob Newhart, David Letterman and Jon Stewart.
Hart got his start telling jokes during amateur night at a local comedy club in his native Philadelphia. Today, his standup fills stadiums, cracking up audiences with stories about dating, marital strife, his daughter's first curse word, trying to play tough while standing just over 5', his fear of rollercoasters, his drug-addicted dad who was in and out of jail ... No interaction or event seems too small for Hart's often sidesplitting treatment. Those performances have been turned into specials.
Sponsor MessageKevin Hart turns the "pressure" and tedium of parenthood into bits that lots of tired moms or dads can relate to. Hart is this year's Mark Twain Prize recipient.
Netflix YouTubeThe Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honors individuals who've made an impact on American society in ways similar to the award's namesake, the satirist and social commentator who was born Samuel Clemens. The very first recipient was Richard Pryor in 1998.
"I've been doing comedy since the inception of this award 25 years ago. To be honored in this commemorative year feels surreal," says Hart in a statement. "Comedy is my outlet for social commentary and observations on life... I can't wait to celebrate!"
Kevin Hart has been making audiences laugh for three decades. He's the winner of this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Just For Laughs YouTubeHart is a box office draw. His credits include the Jumanji, Ride Along and Secret Life of Pet movies. While not always critical favorites, his 11 films have grossed more than $4.23 billion worldwide, according to the Kennedy Center.
"For over three decades, Kevin Hart has been a source of laughter across America and throughout the world with his iconic characters, inimitable physical comedy, and relatable narratives," says Kennedy Center President, Deborah F. Rutter.
Hart faced criticism when old, homophobic Tweets of his surfaced and for homophobic material from his early standup. There was an outcry when he was invited to host the 2019 Oscars. He said he was thrilled with the offer but made the decision to decline because, he Tweeted, he did not "want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists." He also apologized to the LGBTQ community.
"I'm sorry that I hurt people," he added. "I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart."
Hart will receive the Mark Twain Prize at a gala at the Kennedy Center on March 24, 2024. The event will be broadcast at a later date.
This story was edited for audio and digital by Rose Friedman.
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