Washington, D.C. – Leading comedians came together at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to honor Conan O’Brien at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The absence of Donald Trump at the event did not deter the comedians from making jokes at his expense; the night turned into a celebration of artistic freedom. Sarah Silverman, in particular, took the opportunity to poke fun at Trump, referencing her appearance on O’Brien’s late-night show where she played the role of Hitler to highlight the absurdity of comparing Trump to the infamous dictator.
The event took a political turn as comedians like John Mulaney and Stephen Colbert made playful jabs at the current administration and the recent changes in leadership at the Kennedy Center. With Trump appointing himself as chair of the center and dismissing previous board members, uncertainty loomed over the venue’s future. Several artists, including producers of Hamilton and writer Issa Rae, decided to pull out of their appearances in protest.
Despite the political undertones, the night was filled with laughter and entertainment as O’Brien graciously accepted the prestigious award. He used his acceptance speech to thank the staff at the Kennedy Center for their dedication to the arts and paid tribute to Mark Twain’s legacy of standing up against bullies and hypocrisy. The evening ended on a light-hearted note, with performers dancing on stage as O’Brien and Adam Sandler closed the show with a rendition of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has a history of honoring legendary comedians like Kevin Hart, Jon Stewart, and Carol Burnett. The event, set to be streamed on Netflix, showcased O’Brien’s impact on the world of comedy and his ability to unite people through laughter. As the night came to a close, the audience was left with a sense of camaraderie and inspiration, a reminder of the power of humor in times of uncertainty and change.