Behind the billowy facade-covering tarp that yet still covers the original name of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, the Center’s Concert Hall lit up in laughter during Bill Maher’s remarks as he received the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday evening.
The prize, named in honor of the great American humorist, was awarded at a gala performance that featured a set of Maher’s friends in politics and comedy, including Whitney Cummings, Louis C.K., Woody Harrelson, Arianna Huffington, Stephen A. Smith, and Jay Leno, rounded out with a live performance by John Mellencamp.
Maher and his fellow comedians ripped jokes and traded kind words against the backdrop of the dramatic controversies swirling around the event (and storied institution). Maher had been named as the recipient of the prestigious award earlier this year; however, in March, The Atlantic reported that the Trump administration might not have been in favor of the choice. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that “This is fake news. Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.”
The Kennedy Center soon after confirmed that Maher indeed would be honored with the prize.
“I’m kinda like Mark Twain,” Maher joked on the red carpet before the show. On stage, Maher spoke to his ability to parse social discourse and current events, honing his craft on HBO, and now in front of the eager live audience looking for him to skewer the administration in real time — which he largely shied away from.
