On October 20th, Carol Burnett will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, an award given to comedians and satirists who have had an “impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain.”
Burnett has certainly had an impact on comedy. She began her variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, in 1967 which ran for 11 seasons and garnered 25 Emmy awards. Burnett has been in many films such as Annie and Once Upon a Mattress and has made guest appearances on television shows like Glee and Desperate Housewives. She’s won six Emmy awards, eight Golden Globes and 12 People’s Choice Awards.
Burnett commented on receiving the honor.
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.
Burnett’s former castmembers, Tim Conway and Vicki Lawrence, from The Carol Burnett Show will honor her at the ceremony. Tina Fey, Rashida Jones, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Julie Andrews will also pay tribute to Burnett at the event.
Previous recipients of the award include Fey and Ellen DeGeneres. The ceremony will be televised on PBS on November 24.
