I agree--the format was different and much improved. It contributed to
enhancing the awardee and to making the show more informative and
memorable, not, as Hal says, just a "roast."

On Wed, Jan 8, 2020 at 9:12 AM Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Thanks, Matt, Terry and all;  yes  I did know it was Chappelle; I was just
> asking others on here if they knew who it was.  The format was quite
> different in this version: it focused a lot more on the actual career, and
> routines, of the awardee.  There were not so many lengthy speeches by
> people who know Chappelle.  In the past it seemed more like a long string
> of other stand-ups/ entertainers, giving funny "roast" type speeches.  The
> show last night was more like a documentary look back at the winner's
> career and influence.  There was still some good humor by some very funny
> presenters; but I liked this format more, it was more informative; and
> would recommend the program if you missed it.
>
> (Given the historical nature of what was happening on the world stage last
> night, one can be forgiven if you were instead observing all that mess...)
>
>
> Dr. Hal Bush
>
> Professor of English &
>
> Director of the Undergraduate Program
>
> Saint Louis University
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> 314-977-3616
>
> http://halbush.com
>
> author website:  *halbush.com <http://halbush.com>*
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of L Oggel <
> [log in to unmask]>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 8, 2020 7:41 AM
> *To:* [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> *Subject:* [External] Re: tonight: Mark Twain Prize on PBS
>
> I agree, Matt (and Dwyane). I watched the show. It was late and I didn't
> have time, yet I watched the whole show. I thought it was the best in a
> long time. And the Twain connections kept coming up, time and again, in
> informed ways, both seriously and humorously. I didn't know much about
> Chappelle. I knew he is very edgy and doesn't appeal to everyone. Sometimes
> he's too much. Yet that's part of the connection. I learned more about him
> from the show, hearing praise about features of his humor I hadn't
> seen--about the seriousness underlying his humor and the depth of his
> character as revealed in his humor. Toni Morrison was quoted, related to
> what she said about *HF*. Chappelle was there, on camera as he responded to
> comments about his humor (he had to hold his hands to his young daughter's
> ears sometimes!). It was an instructive ceremony, at least for me, and
> Chappelle an extremely appropriate recipient.
>
> Terry Oggel
>
>
> On Wed, Jan 8, 2020 at 7:28 AM Matthew Seybold <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > Hey, Hal -
> >
> > Dave Chappelle was announced as the recipient last Fall. Dwayne Eutsey
> > wrote a nice piece about Chappelle, Twain, Holbrook, and Richard Pryor
> for
> > us in October:
> >
> >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://marktwainstudies.com/no-humor-in-heaven-dave-chappelle-richard-pryor-the-mark-twain-prize/__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG51eC66CzA$
> > <
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://marktwainstudies.com/no-humor-in-heaven-dave-chappelle-richard-pryor-the-mark-twain-prize/__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG51eC66CzA$
> > >
> >
> > I haven’t watched the PBS special yet, but I agree with Dwayne that
> > Chappelle is one of the recipients who best resembles the prize’s
> namesake.
> >
> > - MS
> >
> > > On Jan 7, 2020, at 3:50 PM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> > >
> > > Time for the annual debate:  on PBS tonight, the newest version of the
> > Mark Twain Prize.
> > >
> > > Did you miss the announcement of the newest winner?  (Program was taped
> > in the fall, and only now going on air.)
> > >
> > > ps: among the most overlooked and worthy potential recipients (this is
> > NOT a posthumous award, by the way):  Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Jerry
> > Seinfeld, Jim Carrey, and the great political satirist Jon Stewart.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Dr. Hal Bush
> > >
> > > Professor of English &
> > >
> > > Director of the Undergraduate Program
> > >
> > > Saint Louis University
> > >
> > > [log in to unmask]
> > >
> > > 314-977-3616
> > >
> > >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://halbush.com__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG5184t0dmw$
> > >
> > > author website:
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://halbush.com__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG5184t0dmw$
> >
> > ***************
> > Matt Seybold
> > Assistant Professor of American Literature & Mark Twain Studies
> > Elmira College
> > Editor,
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://MarkTwainStudies.org__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG50v8K68JA$
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://MattSeybold.com__;!!K543PA!e5l5PUvO8_pOAdqf97eqO7rppJy8ZbPYrAxy5yuRZ793zTJDYo4CG501AFxA2Q$
> >
>