Kennedy Center

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Billy Crystal Joins an Elite Set of Comedians

New Kennedy Center honoree also previously received Mark Twain Prize

(Newser) - The newest group of Kennedy Center honorees, including comedian Billy Crystal and actor Queen Latifah, were feted Sunday night at a star-studded event commemorating their lifetime achievement in arts and entertainment, the AP reports. Opera singer Renée Fleming, music star Barry Gibb, and prolific hitmaker Dionne Warwick were also...

Adam Sandler Getting Top Prize for US Humor
Adam Sandler
Collects a
Major US
Honor
UPDATED
Mar 20, 2023 12:03 AM CDT

Adam Sandler Collects a Major US Honor

Comedian was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for humor

(Newser) - A host of comedic and entertainment royalty gathered at Washington’s Kennedy Center Sunday night to present comedy icon Adam Sandler with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Among those honoring Sandler, 56, were Jennifer Aniston, Judd Apatow, Drew Barrymore, Steve Buscemi, Dana Carvey, Luis Guzmán, Conan O’...

Jon Stewart: 'Pronoun Police' Isn't the Threat to Comedy

It's the 'fragility of leaders,' he says in accepting Mark Twain honor

(Newser) - Jon Stewart collected one of the rarest honors in comedy Sunday night, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. It was mostly a night of laughs, notes the Washington Post , though Stewart himself delivered a more serious message about comedy and the modern...

Jon Stewart: No, I Didn't Change Tucker Carlson
Jon Stewart: No, I Didn't
Change Tucker Carlson
in case you missed it
Apr 24, 2022 5:00 PM CDT

Jon Stewart: No, I Didn't Change Tucker Carlson

Comedian, pundit reflects on career ahead of Kennedy Center honor

(Newser) - Jon Stewart enters a comedy pantheon of sorts this weekend when he will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. The accolade has prompted some in-depth profiles, including at the Washington Post and the Atlantic . Both trace the 59-year-old's career, including his recent return...

President, First Lady Skipping Kennedy Center Awards

White House wants to avoid 'political distraction’ at celebration

(Newser) - The White House has announced that President Trump and the first lady have decided not to participate in events honoring recipients of this year's Kennedy Center arts awards. The statement says the decision to break with tradition was made to "allow the honorees to celebrate without any political...

Notorious RBG Makes Opera Debut
Notorious RBG
Makes Opera Debut
Nov 13, 2016 9:33 AM CST

Notorious RBG Makes Opera Debut

Bader Ginsburg gets her first speaking role at Washington National Opera

(Newser) - The curtain rose on Act 2 of "The Daughter of the Regiment," revealing a tiny woman barely visible in a large dome chair with her back to the audience. Suddenly, she swiveled around—and there was Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, reports the AP . Cheers and prolonged applause rang...

Ellen DeGeneres to Get Twain Humor Prize

Her only question: 'Why didn't I get this sooner?'

(Newser) - Ellen DeGeneres is following in the footsteps of Bill Cosby and Tina Fey: She's this year's recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, E! Online reports. DeGeneres' "special brand of humor has allowed us to find hilarity in the mundane and has kept us laughing...

Meet the 5 New Kennedy Center Honorees

Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma among this year's recipients

(Newser) - It was glitz DC-style at the Kennedy Center last night, which saw five artists honored during this year's gala: Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, Sonny Rollins, and Barbara Cook. The Washington Post reports that the red carpet was a jumble of politicians (Newt Gingrich and wife Callista) and...

Will Ferrell Awarded Twain Humor Prize

...before dropping it on the floor

(Newser) - Last year, it was Tina Fey ; this year, Will Ferrell rocked the Kennedy Center as he won the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor last night. The star-studded gala saw speeches from celebrities as diverse as Ben Stiller, Ed Asner, Molly Shannon, and Gwen Ifill, the Washington Post reports....

PBS Nips Cheeky Tina Fey Speech

But only because ceremony ran long, producer insists

(Newser) - Tina Fey thanked Sarah Palin last week when she won the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor—but that's not all she said. When PBS broadcast the ceremony Sunday night, some of Fey's more controversial remarks were cut out. Most notably: "And, you know, politics aside, the...

Kennedy Center Honors De Niro, Boss
 Kennedy Center 
 Honors De Niro, Boss 
SLIDESHOW
Dec 7, 2009 6:27 AM CST

Kennedy Center Honors De Niro, Boss

Brubeck, Bumbry, Mel Brooks round out list of those lauded at gala

(Newser) - Last night’s Kennedy Center Honors brought together such unlikelies as Jack Black and Aretha Franklin to fete award winners Mel Brooks, Dave Brubeck, Grace Bumbry, Robert De Niro, and Bruce Springsteen in a three-hour variety show. Highlights of the night, attended by the president, vice president, and speaker of...

Diana Ross Wins Supreme Honor
Diana Ross Wins Supreme Honor
Sep 12, 2007 6:15 AM CDT

Diana Ross Wins Supreme Honor

Brian Wilson, Martin Scorsese also among 5 picked for Kennedy Center artists

(Newser) - There'll be good vibrations at the Kennedy Center: the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Motown legend Diana Ross have been chosen as this year's  honorees. Comic actor and writer Steve Martin, film director Martin Scorsese  and pianist Leon Fleisher will also be honored, reports the Washington Post.

12 Stories