Written by Kyle Slagley
As one of the most groundbreaking female comediennes of the past 50 years, I thought it entirely fitting when I read that Carol Burnett is to be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor next month at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Burnett, now 80 years old, made appearances on a variety of
TV comedy programs throughout the 1950s, but her career got a big jolt when she
landed the role of Princess Winnifred in the Original Broadway Cast of Once Upon a Mattress in 1959. After
that, her career was on the fast track, and by 1967 she had successfully
realized her dream of fronting her own variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which won 22
Emmy Awards during its 11-year run.
As if honoring a legendary clown like Burnett wasn’t enough,
the ceremony itself is a veritable who’s who of funny people, particularly
today’s top comediennes. Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway, two of Burnett’s oldest
friends from their days on The Carol
Burnett Show, will be hosting the event.
Julie Andrews, who co-starred with Burnett in the TV special
Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall,
will likely sing a song or two during her portion of the event. Other actors
who will be in attendance include Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, and Maya
Rudolph. Lucie Arnaz, daughter of Burnett’s idol and mentor Lucille Ball, will
also help pay tribute.
Ever the laugher, when told she would receive the award,
Burnett reportedly commented, “I can’t believe I’m getting a humor prize from
the Kennedy Center. It’s almost impossible to be funnier than the people in
Washington.”
The ceremony will take place on October 20, and will be
broadcast on PBS on November 24.
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