Lily Tomlin Acceptance Speech | 2003 Mark Twain Prize

The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and creator of memorable characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled and outraged many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He revealed the great truth of humor when he said "against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."
For more information on the Mark Twain Prize, please visit: www.kennedy-center.org/pages/...
The inaugural Mark Twain Prize was presented to Richard Pryor during the first annual Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor, October 20, 1998. The event was created by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and John Schreiber and is televised annually. The Kennedy Center is grateful to Cappy McGarr for his steadfast support of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since its inception. Previous recipients of the Mark Twain include Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018).
#TwainPrize #PBSTwain
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[@BTURNER1961]

People just do not talk about her contributions to American humor and social commentary. They talk about Ball, Burnett, Bea Arthur, Betty White, Phyliss Diller and Joan Rivers but somehow Lily's genius over the decades has not garnered the same universal deference. There is absolutely no format or discipline she has not mastered including writing, directing, sketch comedy, improv , stand-up, the recording studio, movies and the Broadway stage and finally the TV sitcom. She has every award you can imagine the Tony, the Grammy, some Peabodys, and drama desk awards and of course the Kennedy Center honor and the lifetime SAG award. But this woman is not counted a trailblazer often enough.

[@diskoeric2248]

you're talking to the wrong people

[@AuntieMamie]

Even when she accepts an award her genius pours out like a waterfall. Yet she is so humble.

[@makinoahcelloduo9008]

Lily and Jane are geniuses!

[@multitieredinvestor5246]

I laughed with her on Laugh In and I laughed with her on this!

[@CaliforniaChicks24]

When she said “as told to Jane Wagner” I could feel her excitement and relief to be able to be gay so publicly and proud

[@raynemichelle2996]

I have seen a couple of your comments on Lily Tomlin videos. I am currently binging videos of her.

[@noelk6606]

Beautiful woman so deserving

[@emryspendragon2710]

Lily is too funny.

[@ThePremel]

I love you Lily

[@melv5566]

One ringy dingy

[@YouzTube99]

02:20 Not sure what the criteria are, but it seems ironic that Hal Holbrook, whose one man shows introduced Twain to millions of people, has not won the prize.

[@ThePremel]

Lol ! 🤭......

[@alexaraya2018]

when are they going to give it to Mel Brooks?

[@freelywheely]

Deserved

[@jesbrs]

😍

[@kevinwearing7720]

The lady in white blouse at 1:52 wonder if she's free for a date...or even just coffee

[@jimneumann6099]

I’d totally date the beautiful lady at the :42 second mark ❤️