If you Google "Mark Twain Prize for American Humor" you can read about the
award. Significantly, the full title is " Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
for American Humor. Kennedy Center defines it as recognizing "artists who
have made a significant contribution to the world of American comedy".
They really don't care what we might think. In the manner of many such
awards -- The Nevada Writers' Hall of Fame comes immediately to my mind as a
Nevadan -- it is politics that matter. Perhaps including "who would draw the
most paying members to the event?" Not Republican-Democrat politics,
Kennedy Center Politics.
Bob Stewart
In a message dated 11/1/2012 9:29:43 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
Hello all,
As Harold mentioned, we had a poll last year at "Humor in America" about
who should win the prize. The nominations were taken from the conversation
on this list about who should have won (I agree that Carol Burnett and
others would be good additions, but I went with those who had been
"nominated" by the conversation). You can see the poll (and vote) here:
http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/the-mark-twain-prize/
It seems like the award given by the Boyhood Home to Hal Holbrook is more
in line with what people imagine a "Mark Twain Award" to be--a lifetime
achievement award rather than an award for cultural impact, however that
might be defined. Here is that information:
http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/humor-awards-season-continues
-hal-holbrook-wins-mark-twain-lifetime-achievement-award/
Does anyone know if there is a plan to make this award a regular thing?
As for other awards, there is also the "Charlie Award," given by the AHSA:
http://americanhumorstudiesassociation.wordpress.com/conference/charlie-awar
d/
The award has been given to Hamlin Hill, Henry Nash Smith, Lou Budd (the
first three winners). While it has been awhile since the award was given
out, we at the AHSA hope to revive it. Stay tuned.
Best,
Tracy Wuster
P.s. did you see Sharon McCoy's essay on satire this week in response to
Jeffrey Melton's earlier piece? Of interest to Twain scholars:
http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/embracing-the-ambiguity-of-sa
tire/
http://humorinamerica.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/teaching-the-irony-of-satire-
ironically/
On Thu, Nov 1, 2012 at 10:12 AM, Harold Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Tracy Wuster had a poll on his "humor in America" site last year, to vote
> for this year's recipient. DeGeneres was not even listed as a contender
> (nor were any women, by the way). Here is how he listed the "top
> contenders":
>
> Who should win the next "Mark Twain Prize for American Humor"?
> Norman Lear
> Garrison Keillor
> Jon Stewart
> Bill Maher
> Woody Allen
> Hal Holbrook
>
>
> I'd wait on Colbert, Stewart and Maher (and DeGeneres) till the
old-timers
> are recognized. Woody Allen never honored?? (probably would refuse to
> appear, though, which is I'm sure a deal breaker). And I'd throw in some
> of the legendary TV women like Carol Burnett or even Mary Tyler Moore,
> whose work revolutionized our way of seeing funny women. Deceased folks
> are also unable to appear -- Vonnegut, Will Rogers, Lucy -- and I just
> dislike going for the pop appeal in lieu of these older veterans. Again,
> all due respect -- but where would the likes of DeGeneres be without
those
> other comediennes?
>
>
> -hb
>
> --
> Harold K. Bush, Ph.D
> Professor of English
> Saint Louis University
> St. Louis, MO 63108
> 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
> <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>
>
|
