Mark Twain once said, “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.” Using humor to shine a light on the truth is what the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is all about.
This being an event full of comedians, The Mark Twain Prize is more of a roast than a dignified celebration.
In its early days, The Daily Show took some heat for its lack of diversity.
Dave Chappelle, who won the Mark Twain Prize in 2019, said Stewart’s voice was vital after 9/11 and the U.S.
Stewart’s ability to cut through the spin and sensationalism captivated Bassem Youssef, who watched Stewart on CNN from his home in Egypt.
The new authority is too powerful.’ ” Youssef says Stewart advised him to, “Make fun of the fact that you cannot say anything.
“Comedy survives every moment.
He told the Kennedy Center audience that, in comedy, you get back up again, “There isn’t any fixed point in comedy where you make it or you don’t make it.
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was presented last night at the Kennedy Center to Jon Stewart.
ELIZABETH BLAIR, BYLINE: The Mark Twain Award recognizes comedians who use humor to shine a light on the truth and on social injustice the way Twain did in his day.
Accepting the Mark Twain Award, Stewart said, in comedy, you get back up again.