Making a triumphant return to personal parties, the Kennedy Center’s 2022 Mark Twain Award for American Humor was presented Sunday night to John Stewart, the first recipient of the award in more than two years.
Stuart, the 23rd person to receive the award, one of the biggest comedy awards, managed to attract the biggest names in the world of comedy and politics to a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, to showcase the comedian achievements and cultural influences.
On the red carpet, she saw a mix of politicians and comedians like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, White House Speaker Jen Psak and Transportation Secretary Pete Butijig and her husband Chesten on the carpet with Samantha Bey, Jimmy Kimmel, Dave Chapel and Steve Carell. .
House Speaker Pelosi, who has been the target of insults from delegates in the past, acknowledged that she enjoyed her work despite the issue, “as much as it is fun.” “I admire John Stewart for his humor, of course,” Pelosi said, “but in terms of his influence on public policy, he focuses on what he knows and what he cares about. “He’s just not known as a celebrity,” Pelosi said of the comedian’s relentless activism on behalf of 9/11 veterans and ambulance workers.
Prior to Stuart’s big night, the last person to receive the Mark Twain Award was Chapelle in October 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sunday’s event may have been quite low-key compared to previous Twin Awards in recent memory, but it also contained more of a Hollywood name than previous ceremonies. There were many on stage, but some simply ran through the crowd. Comedian John Mullen has quietly taken his place with his partner and ex-partner daily program Student Olivia Moon, across the theater, held Kim Kardashian in the arms of presenter Pete Davidson.
Kennedy Center President David Rubenstein opened the event by highlighting the seriousness of current events both at home and abroad, and added that Stewart was chosen as this year’s Twin Prize winner because he is not only an outstanding comedian, but also a social commentator who invests. To improve our country.
Bruce Springsteen, as Stewart from New Jersey, took the stage with Gary Clark Jr., the night’s music director, to release the Beatles’ version of Come Together, then closed the night on a slower pace. – Jam-style version of “Born to Run”.
Bruce Springsteen
Scott Suchman for WETA
The overwhelming sentiment shared by the presenters, including Mooney, Davidson, Bee, Kimmel, Chapel, Karel, Ed Helms and Stephen Colbert, was Stewart’s deep appreciation for investing and retiring in them, both as individuals and professionals. In the spotlight to help them grow in their young careers. Moon shared the story of how Stuart found and encouraged him, saying that Stuart also “changed my generation’s view of news and public policy. “John made it a joy to comment on the news, which is why every dumb virgin now has their own opinion on everything,” Moon said.
Davidson noted that Stewart’s favorite character runs deep. “Everyone likes this boy, the most controversial thing he did was become my friend. “Johnny is committed to friendship, it’s not something he half appreciates, enjoys acting or is quick to reject as a director,” Davidson said. Ex daily program Correspondent Karel described Stuart’s ethics as “generating thought from madness and finding joy in darkness”.
Stuart’s age was also the subject of many highlights at the ceremony. Colbert, who was honored in practice when troubled by COVID-19, said of Stuart’s appearance: “It looks like you drank from the wrong cup. Indiana Jones Film “Meaning the Early Days” daily programColbert described Stewart and his colleagues as “a bunch of fun pirates”.
President biographer John Meachum paid tribute to Stewart, describing him as a “conscientious comedian” and adding, “Most comedians joke, but John, you make a difference.”
Receiving the award, Stewart began his speech by speaking openly and lightly about his family, from his mother, who raised him as a single mother, to his wife and teenage children. He made a joke about the cancellation of the Bill Cosby award (“I’m the 23rd winner of this very prestigious award and you know it’s prestigious because hardly any other winner has turned out to be a serial abuser”) and some references to the will. Smith’s slap in the face at the Oscars.
Stewart noted that Hollywood and DC have a lot in common: “Washington is for those who like the ego and swagger of Los Angeles but think this city is very well designed”, a reference to poorly designed streets and, to some extent, many times CC flashing in the system. .
He touched on the ongoing debate over the purpose and future of humor, as well as its biggest threat; Problem The presenter said: “There’s a lot of talk right now about what’s going to happen in the comedy. “As you know, there was Sila … but that’s not the weakness of the audience,” said Stuart, referring to the dangers of comedy. “These are the leaders.” “This is not a new prince, this is a crown prince,” he added.
He continued: “Comedy is a calling, we are a banana peel in a coal mine… Authoritarianism is The The threat to art, to theater, to poetry, what we have is fragile and precious, and to protect ourselves from that is not to change the mindset of the public, but to change the leadership of the leaders.”
The 2022 Mark Twain Awards ceremony airs on PBS on June 21.
John Stuart
Scott Suchman for WETA
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.