Will Ferrell Wins Prestigious Mark Twain Prize from The Kennedy Center
Shades of George W.?
The Kennedy Center announced that Will Ferrell is the 2011 winner of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Ferrell will receive the award on October 23 at a ceremony that “will feature a lineup of the biggest names in comedy.” Ferrell was named the recipient thanks to his diverse body of work, including his stint on Saturday Night Live, his series of popular movies, his Broadway appearance playing President Bush, and for cofounding comedy website Funny or Die.
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.”
The event is created by the Kennedy Center, and executive producers Mark Krantz, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, and Cappy McGarr. The Kennedy Center established The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in October 1998, and it has been televised annually. Recipients of the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize have been Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009), and Tina Fey (2010).
That’s really an incredible list of past recipients, so Ferrell is in great company. And, frankly, it’s interesting to see Ferrell get the award ahead of his (slightly) older contemporaries such as Ben Stiller or Jim Carrey. It’ll be interesting to see who else appears at the award and if this topic is the subject of any humor.
The list of Ferrell’s film’s on the announcement is interesting and show the bias of the Kennedy Center. I mean, really, does anyone really think the very uneven Melinda and Melinda deserves special mention because it is a Woody Allen film? And no mention of Blades of Glory or Step Brothers? Hmm…
Ferrell’s film credits include The Other Guys, Megamind, Stranger Than Fiction (Golden Globe nomination), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Zoolander, Elf, the Woody Allen feature Melinda and Melinda, Old School, and the screen adaptation of The Producers, which earned Ferrell his first Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor. Ferrell’s latest project is set to star in the independent feature Everything Must Go, directed by Dan Rush. Based on a Raymond Carver short story, Ferrell portrays an alcoholic who has relapsed and in turn loses his wife and job.
You write for an audience, right? The Kennedy Center’s audience may not have heard of any of the movies Will Ferrell has been in, but they sure know who Woody Allen is. And also, Woody Allen is the only world-renowned director on that list, so yes, I do think it deserves a special mention. Uneven as it was. But hey, good for Will!!
Really amazing honor, but in terms of influence, seems strange for Will Ferrell (or Tina Fey) to be honored before Jim Carrey.
The plus side is we’ll hopefully get to see Will act as a presenter when Woody and Jim win.