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>