You’ll be surprised to learn who’s hasn’t won this award yet.
It was announced the other day that Adam Sandler will be honored for his outstanding comedy work with the Mark Twain Award for American Humor.
We were pretty stoked for Adam. After all, we’ve all laughed at so much of his work. Movies like “Happy Gilmour”, “The Waterboy” and “The Wedding Singer” are fantastic. Seriously, how many scenes can we reenact from “Happy Gilmour”? Umm, maybe all of them?! Plus, let’s not forget the holiday classics like, “The Thanksgiving Song” and “The Chanukah Song”.
Before I go any further, just what exactly is the Mark Twain Award for American Humor?
Presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the award is presented to individuals who have “had an impact on American society in ways similar to” Twain. “Each awardee has a background in humor which has been a source of joy for many, showcased extensively on more than one occasion in more than one form, and as a part of the American comedic tradition having influenced industry and culture, is a legacy for American humorists to take inspiration from.“
Surely Adam Sandler is one of our favorites.
But, I was curious about previous winners of the Mark Twain Award. And I was surprised to learn that there’s a ton of very deserved American humorists who haven’t won this thing. I hate to rain on the Adam Sandler parade but, there’s a few people who deserve this award before Mr. Sandler gets his due.
In my humble opinion, among them are:
Jerry Seinfeld
UNCASVILLE, CT – OCTOBER 21: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld performs during the Mohegan Sun 10th Anniversary celebration at Mohegan Sun October 21, 2006 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images For Mohegan Sun)
Yeah, so that’s a giant crater of a problem right here. Jerry Seinfeld is nearly synonymous with “American Humor”. The stand up that launched the television sitcom that bore his name shifted the stand up comedy game into an “observational humor” that we’re still experiencing. So many copy-cats came along to try to stand on Jerry’s shoulders but did they ever really go as far as he did?
“Seinfeld” made Jerry Seinfeld enormously wealthy but even after that series ended he didn’t stop; bringing us unforgettable moments in “Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee”.
Chris Rock
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 10: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was processed using digital filters) Comedian/actor Chris Rock performs his stand-up comedy routine during a stop of his Total Blackout tour at Park Theater at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on June 10, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Generational comic. A man who could make fun anything, especially the hard stuff like racism and sexism. Chris Rock’s style was unmistakable. His jokes are identifiable even when read on the page. “There’s a reason to kick an old man down a flight of stairs, you’re just not supposed to do it.” “I live in a neighborhood so bad, you could get shot while getting shot.” “Gun control? We need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost 5,000 dollars. Because if a bullet cost five thousand dollar, we wouldn’t have any innocent bystanders.”
But hang on one sec if you think doing stand up is Chris’ only talent. He’s also an accomplished actor. Favorite roles include “Rufus” in Kevin Smith’s “Dogma”, the voice of “Marty” in “Madagascar”, and “Loy Cannon” in season four of FX’s “Fargo”.
Matt Groenig
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: Matt Groening speaks at “The Simpsons” Panel during 2019 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Just stop it. If you don’t consider “The Simpsons” groundbreaking comedy you can just stop scrolling, stop reading and go sit in a room with the first dozen seasons of the Fox TV show. Groenig’s “Simpsons” attracted a wide array of some of the biggest celebrity guests in the history of television. The gloved one, The Who, Aerosmith, Bette Midler, Johnny Cash, Mark Hamill. Clearly some of the biggest names in the entertainment world. Interestingly enough, Adam Sandler has never been on The Simpsons.
Johnny Carson
December 1964: Johnny Carson, star of NBC’s ‘Tonight’ show, one of the channel’s flagship, colour programmes. (Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Current honorees of the Mark Twain Award for American Humor include late night talk show hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman but there’s no mention of the man who inspired both of those amazing talents. Would David Letterman made it past local weatherman if it weren’t for Carson’s performance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson? Likely not. Johnny Carson absolutely should be honored for his body of work.
Rosanne Barr
375669 01: 1998 Roseanne Barr Of The Roseanne Show. (Photo By Getty Images)
Rosanne Barr’s stand up comedy is a thing of legend but it was the “Rosanne” television show that captured America’s funny bone in the late 1980’s and early 90’s. Her portrayal of a working-class American family was funny, provocative and heart-wrenching. Let’s not forget that the show basically launched John Goodman into stardom, something that I’m eternally grateful for. It hit #1 in the Nielsen ratings in just it’s second season. It spent multiple seasons in the top five in the ratings and was in the top 20 for it’s entire initial run.
