David Letterman Acceptance Speech | 2017 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Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David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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[@deltabilly1]

I think we can assume we just witnesses Biff Henderson’s final curtain. Dave is a class act for including him.

[@vinko8237]

"Oh my, Norm McDonald" The best compliment ever! And from Dave Letterman!!

[@jakejake7289]

I was not a Letterman fan when he had his show in the 80's. But my respect for him grows by the day.

[@Zsnakeistaken]

Holy shit he just called John Mulaney the future of comedy

[@roxannestapleton-whyms6925]

We miss you so Dave! We really do!!!

[@charleshagen1143]

always appreciated how often he had Tom Waits on his show. He knew talent.

[@coosoorlog]

I remember him from Mystery Men. Looked like a talented actor.

[@charleshagen1143]

@@coosoorlog catch him as Renfield in Dracula.

[@not_emerald]

He had Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart too. These people are, like... not usual to say the least haha

[@blakemc34]

TBH, he didn't say a lot.. and I've heard a stronger talk at BSU where I attended as well. But Letterman's hard work and generosity is clear. He deserves this award not just for his tv legacy, but his humble beginnings. He's an inspiration to anyone who thinks that they are not smart enough to achieve such things. Obviously, he finishes with a jab at the new gov transition with his Twain quote of choice.

[@liamarunbennett8282]

wise words from papa letterman

[@brucehanson6427]

Thanks Don Giller, as always, you da Man!

[@thatcallofdutygamer2823]

Is it just me, or does he look better now that he is old verses when he was younger?

[@rgjerde53]

It's worth repeating "Support your country all of the time -- support your government when it deserves it". Left-wing, right-wing, or in-between -- something we can all agree with. See, we do all have something in common. It's way beyond time when we should again, "agreeably, disagree."

[@geomodelrailroader]

Congratulations Letterman you earned it

[@nedzipdalipovic3006]

Best Joke was when he said " Amy Schumer, future recipient of the award". Man that was a good one

[@scootaroo28]

As soon as I heard him say that,I ran to the comments... now you know Dave is full of shit

[@justinemarvinmagcalas7679]

Martin Short deserves to receive that award too.

[@intheatremode]

I think he already would've but it is only eligible to Americans?

[@nathanseaman6328]

@Crystal Lorne Michaels won and has dual citizenship as does Martin Short, so I believe he would qualify.

[@MickHuerta]

"Hmm, that I did not know", sez the Mexi-Canadian

[@tiagoribeiro885]

....🙄 Ehhh no.

[@LutherAmosHouse]

The fact he admits, that nobody gets there on their own is definitely an important point.

[@pokey1129]

Love Dave

[@patrickbeck3285]

He doesn't mention that Jay Leno has won it, too. Well, Dave, well deserved for giving us all those years of laughter. Thanks, Dave.

[@GetShrektMrKrabs]

The pure lack of comments down here is honestly staggering

[@tonyflenderson982]

Now THAT'S a damn quote!

[@openminded4751]

haha his joke about amy schumer being a future winner was the best

[@austinhuber3131]

I'm glad they stopped trying to make Amy Schumer happen.

[@NameLess-wv6fe]

Great job Crystal Meth Santa Claus!

[@Bharatyadav11]

Amy schumer?

[@dielaughing73]

Yeah I don't mind her but... seriously...

[@pjeng1]

David Letterman is just trying to help those people and promote their career but who don't really deserve the award.

[@plissken2156]

Yeah. Flo the Progressive Insurance girl was busy.

[@tiagoribeiro885]

Norm should've won that. He was a Twain type of performer. If Amy Schummer wins this...the award loses value

[@jcmorton899]

Dave misspoke.. he meant to say "Amy Schumer is a future RECEPTACLE for this award"

[@behshadmohebali6234]

Amy Schumer? Are you fucking kidding me? If they give her the award it won't give her credit. It discredits the former recipients 😂😂😂

[@davidhutchinson7888]

She got this fucking award??

[@youtubestealspoorpeoplespr2105]

They don’t need to be alive, a lot of the recipients are either dead or the career is dead (pause for light laughter). But if we’re considering the list of talented comedians to have won this under appreciated piece of ironic rabbit turds... there are a few notable funny people (by modern standards anyway), I believe who are disgustingly overlooked. The list of past recipients is kinda like reading a Mark Twain novel. It’s funny, and fun, but you don’t want to read out loud to your friends with any kind of sincerity. Rather, consider this insanely comprehensive list of funnier people... Robin Williams, Don Rickles, Andy Kaufman, Martin short, Chris rock, Phil Hartman, Steve carrel, Christopher guest, Dana carvey, Will forte, Robert Smigel, Amy (Schumer or Poehler) Dan aykroyd, Seth macfarlane Kristen wiig, John Stewart, Chevy chase, Rodney dangerfield, Catherine O’Hara Norm Macdonald, Jan hooks, Fred armisen, Seth rogen (not Joe!) Conan O’Brien, John candy, John Cleese, John belushi, John Hughes, Jack black, Johan Hill, Stephen Colbert, Sarah Silverman, Adam Sandler, Sacha baron cohen Howard stern, Nathan fielder, Tim and Eric (sorry, gotta be dual recipients), Craig Ferguson, Peter sellers, John mulaney, Vince Vaughn, Dennis Miller, David Wain, Mitch hedberg, Adam McKay, Bill Hader, Bill burr, Gilda Radner, Rob Reiner, John Goodman, Kyle Mooney, Reggie watts, Owen Wilson, Damon wayans, Alec Baldwin, Mike Myers, Oh, and... Jim fucking Carrey, Mel fucking brooks, Lenny Fucking Bruce, And Chris fucking Farley!! So anyway, I’ve got it for the next 50-60 years or so. Let Mark RIP, and I’ll pick the funniest and most deserving funny person (dead or alive) for a little while - I’ve got time. The fact Jay Leno has the award at all, let alone got it three years before Dave... and no offense to great comedy performers like Ferrell or Elaine from Seinfeld, but, wait! Larry fucking David and Jerry fucking Seinfeld?! And why not... Lucille ball and Lou Costello? Jerry fucking Lewis?! No!!! Wait!! Jesus Christ... Woody Allen Give it to him next year or lose any sense of relevance. I mean good job with Bill and Steve and George and both Dave’s... but Tina Fey before any of the aforementioned (did Lorne blow Huckleberry Finn or something?)? And I love Tina. But here are five other women who aren’t on the list but I’m just thinking of now - maya rudolph, molly Shannon, Kate McKinnon, Ana gasteyer, Jane Curtin who are at least just as funny. You give the award to Ellen but not to spade? Billy and whoopi but not Robin? Bill Cosby but not Louis CK? Might as well call it the Kennedy center Andy dick or Jeanene Garofalo awards... and I like both of them way better than Jay Leno

[@ellenrosenblatt5463]

Typically, as awards honors go, The Mark Twain Award has egregiously missed out on the award to the one person is most like Mark Twain himself: I'm speaking of course of Garrison Keillor. Mark Twain was a writer and a humorist, not a comedian. A humorist. So, why are only comedians getting the awards? Typical show business bullshit.

[@Obiter3]

They taught German in Indiana schools? Who knew? 😒

[@stevebutler812]

Wow I totally disagree: TV people: 2017 David Letterman 2018 Louse Dreyfuss. Scripts, writers, not really funny people.

[@not_emerald]

Mentioning Amy Schumer and Jimmy Kimmel kinda tainted this, but it's fine. We got Norm.

[@sirissac234]

In what delusional world would Amy Schumer win this award? Was Mark Twain a known humorist thief of the material of others or something?