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> > >