It didn't get a lot of attention last week, and that wasn't helped by it coming on the same night as the Jan. 6 Select Committee holding one of their public hearings. But last week, PBS aired this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Jon Stewart. And it was wonderful. And often hilarious.
The show was handled a little bit different from others. They interspersed the events on stage with snippets from the cocktail party held the night before, as well as some backstage interaction. And it began with a musical number – normally a bit of an intrusion when you’re waiting for the comedy, but this year was a bit more accepting given that Bruce Springsteen was one of the performers. (He returns later for a solo number.) But it was still the comedy that predominated. For my taste, I thought that Dave Chappelle was standout – not just for being funny, but even more for being thoughtful and touching. And Steve Carell started out simple, and then built, and eventually was so funny the auditorium was rolling in laughter, and Stewart was doubled-over. But most everyone was funny. Check that – everyone was. I just thought several stood out a little. To my surprise, Pete Davidson was very good. As was Olivia Munn. And though Stephen Colbert and John Oliver couldn’t be present, they had very funny filmed tributes. And also…well, I’ll stop there. Since as I said, I found everyone to be funny, and I don’t want to name more and leave anyone out as if suggesting I didn’t think they were especially good. Besides, it’s nice to leave things to discovery. But I’ll nonetheless add that Jon Stewart’s closing speech was – not shockingly – a gem. And what you’d expect of him.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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