I suppose the distinction between a comic and a humorist—and why, on one level, the choice of Pryor makes brilliant sense (though I think were he still performing, he wouldn't have been selected)—is that the former simply makes people laugh while the latter makes them laugh and think at the same time. Both Clemens and Pryor did this amazingly, often provocatively, well. They also refused to be patronized by the hypocrites at whom they took such dead-on aim no matter how famous they became. My first choice for the award would have been Russell Baker, but undoubtedly the gang at the Kennedy Center has to keep an eye out for ratings, which means (another sad explanation) they've got to tailor the awards to a generation that does not read very much but who would certainly know who Richard Pryor is. If Chuck Jones, who was inspired to create Wile E. Coyote out of his love for ROUGHING IT, is not next year's recipient, there is no justice in the world. Kathy O'Connell Hartford Advocate