Conan O’Brien received the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy at a ceremony marred by uncertainty over the future of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The 26th recipient of the award, O’Brien, 61, acknowledged the backstage turmoil that has been plaguing the cultural center since President Donald Trump ousted longtime president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein.
Despite the controversy, O’Brien’s acceptance speech was met with applause as he thanked Rubenstein and Rutter. He also praised the example of Mark Twain’s life and career, noting that Twain “hated bullies” and “punched up, not down.” A Mark Twain impersonator joined O’Brien on stage for a slow dance, followed by a raucous rendition of Neil Young’s “Rockin in the Free World” with Adam Sandler.
The night’s festivities addressed the elephant in the room – the uncertain fate of the Kennedy Center itself. Comedians like Nikki Glaser and John Mulaney joked about Trump’s changes to the center, while others, including Sarah Silverman, made explicit comments about Trump.
O’Brien, known for his comedic persona that rarely strays into politics, leaned into sensitive issues during his acceptance speech. He officiated a gay wedding live on his show in 2011 and has consistently pushed boundaries with his humor. The ceremony marked a turning point for O’Brien, who has been on an “elder statesman hot streak” since hosting the Academy Awards.
The Mark Twain Prize ceremony will be streamed on Netflix on May 4, featuring other honorees like David Letterman and Jay Leno, along with George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray, and Dave Chappelle.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/conan-obrien-set-receive-mark-twain-award-politics-120071216