I don't get it. Last night Will Ferrell received the 14th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Last year it was won by Tina Fey. The first twelve recipients of the prize included giants like Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin and George Carlin. And Bill Cosby. I just don't see where Tina Fey and Will Ferrell fit on this list. They are both in their 40s. Seems to me if you are going to give someone a hall of fame type of award you should have a lifetime of work to consider.
It's not that Ferrell and Fey aren't funny and ground breaking (at least Tina Fey is ground breaking). They may eventually put together 30 or 40 years of work that would then qualify them for the Mark Twain Award. Since they seem to give the award to living funny people I think once they give this award to Mel Brooks, The Smothers Brothers, Albert Brooks, Woody Allen, Harry Shearer, Robert Klein and Robin Williams then we can consider comedians like Ferrell and Fey.
1 comment:
Agree with Ed's comments. Also would add...how does someone like Whoopi get this prize?? Albert Brooks is my first choice. Would love to see who is considered by the selection committee. RSH
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