Conan O’Brien Accepts Mark Twain Prize for Humor While Acknowledging the Kennedy Center’s Uncertain Future

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As a devoted admirer, let me share that amidst jesting about it being the final Mark Twain Prize event, it was Conan O’Brien who ensured the show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts concluded with an uplifting finale.

On Sunday evening, I proudly received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy, but I couldn’t let the moment pass without addressing the uncertainties looming behind the scenes about the future of our cultural hub in Washington.

O’Brien, aged 61, was awarded the Mark Twain Prize in mid-January, approximately three weeks prior to President Donald Trump firing Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein from their positions at the Kennedy Center. Trump removed the board of trustees and appointed his loyalists in their place, who subsequently elected him as chairman.

On Sunday, O’Brien particularly acknowledged Rubenstein and Rutter, eliciting a prolonged burst of applause. He also thanked the staff at the Kennedy Center, expressing his appreciation for their concerns about the uncertainties of the future.

At this point in American history, the example of Mark Twain’s personal life and professional journey seems especially relevant or meaningful.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog – just like Mark Twain. He didn’t resort to bullying those weaker than him; instead, he stood up for them. His compassion ran deep, and this is something I can truly relate to in the gaming world.

Twain was passionate about America, but he wasn’t blind to its imperfections. In my virtual adventures, I often find that even the most immersive worlds have their flaws, and it takes a discerning eye to see them. That’s what Twain did – he saw beyond the surface of America and acknowledged its shortcomings, much like how gamers scrutinize their digital landscapes for hidden secrets or glitches.

From the audience stepped a man imitating Mark Twain. He engaged in a lively discussion with O’Brien, eventually joining him on stage for a leisurely dance. This was followed by the arrival of about a dozen more Twain look-alikes, along with Adam Sandler, a past recipient of the Twain Prize. Together, they put on an energetic performance of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.

The musical finale served as the culmination of an evening where the precarious future of the Kennedy Center was interwoven with the numerous homages and accolades paid to O’Brien.

Comic Nikki Glaser commented on the red carpet prior to the event, ‘I believe it would be quite unreasonable to ignore the obvious elephant in the room.’ Tonight’s atmosphere seems to revolve around Conan, yet it also allows for a dual focus.

As soon as the celebrations got underway, comedian Stephen Colbert playfully suggested that the Kennedy Center had appointed two fresh board members: Bashar Assad, the former Syrian leader, and Skeletor, a fictitious villain.

John Mulaney jokingly suggested that the structure might soon be known as “The Roy Cohn Memorial Hall,” referring to one of Trump’s influential figures. Meanwhile, Sarah Silverman made numerous jokes about Trump that were too explicit for publication.

Trump announced on social media that those who were let go from the Kennedy Center “don’t align with our vision for an era of artistic and cultural grandeur.

The specific form that this endeavor will eventually assume is yet unclear, but Trump has expressed an interest in hosting more Broadway performances there and has also suggested bestowing the Kennedy Center Honors upon actor Sylvester Stallone and musician Paul Anka.

Stepping into the whirlwind was O’Brien, a comic character not traditionally known for political leanings. His humor has mostly revolved around silliness and self-mockery. Yet, he has occasionally touched upon delicate societal matters. In 2011, O’Brien officiated a live wedding on his show, presiding over the matrimony of his longtime costume designer Scott Cronick and his partner David Gorshein.

1993 saw O’Brien step into the limelight from relative obscurity, taking over David Letterman’s role as host for Late Night. Despite having no substantial on-screen experience beforehand, he had made a name for himself as a writer for both Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, occasionally appearing in front of the camera only as an extra in SNL skits.

For sixteen years, he served as the host of Late Night, a tenure longer than any other host before him. Later on, O’Brien was chosen to take over from Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show, but this transition proved disastrous for public viewing. As ratings plummeted over a period of seven months, NBC executives decided to reinstate Leno and create a new show that would push back The Tonight Show. O’Brien resisted this move, which led to a high-profile feud with the network, culminating in a massive settlement worth millions for O’Brien and his team to leave the network in early 2010.

After wrapping up his previous talk show on cable station TBS, Conan O’Brien embarked on a new journey, hosting more shows, including successful podcasts and travel series. He is currently enjoying a late-career resurgence, often referred to as an elder statesman. His travel show, titled “Conan O’Brien Must Go“, garnered both popular and critical appreciation, with another season on the horizon. The recent news of him hosting the Academy Awards was met with great enthusiasm, leading the producers to announce his return for next year’s event.

Following Donald Trump’s assumption of control over the Kennedy Center, various artists such as the team behind “Hamilton” and actress-writer Issa Rae, declared their intention to withdraw from scheduled performances at the establishment.

Other performers have chosen to express their feelings while on stage, and here are some examples:

* W. Kamau Bell, a leftist comedian, spoke about the recent controversy during his performance just a few days after the changes were announced.
* Erin Murphy Snedecor, a cellist, concluded her set with a rendition of Woody Guthrie’s protest song “All You Fascists Bound to Lose” earlier this month.

Comedians like Letterman, Leno, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray, and Dave Chappelle are among those who have been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in comedy.

The ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on May 4.

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2025-03-24 07:25