Conan O'Brien was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy at a ceremony on Sunday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the institution's leadership.
O'Brien, 61, was announced as the recipient of the prestigious award in January, just weeks before President Donald Trump made significant changes to the Kennedy Center, removing its long-time president and chairman of the board. Trump replaced the board with his loyalists, who then elected him as chairman.
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During the event, O'Brien was celebrated with tributes and messages from a host of comics and celebrities, many of whom also addressed the uncertain future of the institution. "I think it would be insane not to address the elephant in the room," comedian Nikki Glaser remarked before the event. "It's in the air tonight. This night is about Conan, but it can be both."
As the ceremony got underway, Stephen Colbert joked about the addition of two new board members: Bashar Assad, the former president of Syria, and Skeletor, a fictional villain. John Mulaney humorously suggested that the building might soon be renamed “the Roy Cohn Pavilion,” in reference to one of Trump’s mentors. Sarah Silverman made several Trump-related jokes, though many were too explicit to be shared.
Trump had stated on social media that the individuals removed from the board “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” How this vision unfolds remains unclear, but Trump has expressed interest in booking more Broadway shows and has proposed granting Kennedy Center Honors to actor Sylvester Stallone and singer Paul Anka.
Amid this turmoil, O'Brien steps into the spotlight, known for his more lighthearted and self-deprecating comedic style. While his work has generally avoided overtly political themes, he has tackled sensitive societal issues. In 2011, O'Brien officiated a live gay wedding on his show, marrying his longtime costume designer, Scott Cronick, and his partner, David Gorshein.
O'Brien gained national attention in 1993 when he replaced David Letterman as the host of “Late Night,” despite having no significant on-screen experience. Previously a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," he had made only occasional appearances as a background extra. He went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. Later, O'Brien was chosen to replace Jay Leno as the host of “The Tonight Show,” but his tenure ended in failure after just seven months. Following a public dispute with NBC over declining ratings and the return of Leno, O'Brien received a multimillion-dollar payout to exit the network in early 2010.
O'Brien then moved to TBS, where he continued hosting a talk show, launching popular podcasts and travel series. His travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” received both critical and audience acclaim, with a second season underway. Recently, his hosting of the Academy Awards was met with positive feedback, leading the producers to announce his return next year.
Since Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, several artists, including “Hamilton” producers and actress/writer Issa Rae, have cancelled planned appearances. Others, like comedian W. Kamau Bell, have addressed the controversy directly during performances, while cellist Erin Murphy Snedecor ended her recent set with the protest song "All You Fascists Bound to Lose."
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Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include David Letterman, Jay Leno, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray, and Dave Chappelle.
The ceremony will be available for streaming on Netflix later this year, although the date has not yet been confirmed.