Well, based on that description of the Prize, I 
don't see how Will Ferrell qualifies. Not at all.  
I really don't.

-Steve Hoffman
Takoma Park MD

On 9/24/2011 9:12 AM, Harold Bush wrote:
> Ben and all:  just to be clear:  Keillor would be a terrific choice, in my
> view.  I'm sure many if not most on here would agree.
>
> In the past much of the debate on here has regarded the meaning and purpose
> of the Award, and some comments have been similar to Terry's, in downplaying
> the comparison between Twain and someone like Will Ferrell or Tina Fay.
> I've always said it's about just being funny, plain and simple.
>
> here's how the website describes the award:
>
> The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American
> society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and
> essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and
> creator of characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society,
> who startled many while delighting and informing many more with his
> uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He
> revealed the great truth of humor when he said "against the assault of
> laughter nothing can stand."
>
> so there is some discrepancy, as far as having "an impact ... in ways
> similar" to MT.  Unclear what that might mean, since none of these awardees
> so far is truly a world-class novelist/ essayist -- and so the debate
> continues.
>
> I still think, if it's about that sort of "impact", and about being truly
> gut-wrenchingly funny, we should include some of the old-timers.  It's
> certainly possible that some have been offered the award and turned it down
> (it might require appearing, of course, like many awards)-- and the website
> says Bill Cosby did that twice.
>
> Here's another few names from the past =  Norman Lear.  Do you recall (if
> you are my age or older) the massive splash that his now shows, especially
> All in the Family, made in American culture?  Similarly, MASH and Alan Alda,
> who wrote and directed many of those shows and acted as creative
> consultant.
>
> Will Ferrell is really funny, but Norman Lear had "impact" -- and he was
> funny too.
>
>
> --hb
>
> On Fri, Sep 23, 2011 at 9:36 AM, Ben Wise<[log in to unmask]>  wrote:
>
>> Thanks, Terry, for expressing my sentiments, exactly!  I don't understand
>> wh=
>> y Garrison Keillor isn't the obvious choice for the award, for all the best
>> r=
>> easons (no one like him for his range and talent as story teller and
>> humoris=
>> t extraordinaire, social critic and satirist, sophisticated wit....promoter
>> o=
>> f general wisdom and love for human beings and their foibles...), but last
>> t=
>> ime I mentioned that on this list a few years ago,  he was panned by one
>> pos=
>> ter (likened to "watching paint dry"!!) and not defended by anyone else.
>>   I'=
>> m completely baffled by this response from Twain afficionados. But I'm
>> plugg=
>> ing for him anyway.
>>
>> Ben
>>
>> --
> 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>
>
>