Broadcast information

The Twelth Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize will air on PBS stations nationwide on Wednesday, November 4 at 8 p.m. ET. (check local listings)

The 2009 Mark Twain Prize

Taped at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on October 26, the 90-minute special features tributes and comic testimonials from a star-studded cast of Cosby's friends and colleagues including leading American entertainers Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Dick Gregory, James DePriest, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Heath, Len Chandler, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Phylicia Rashad, Rita Moreno, Sinbad, Willie Nelson, and Wynton Marsalis. The program, which recognizes the life and achievements of the beloved comedian, includes an assortment of classic film clips from Cosby's career.

The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was created in 1998 by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mark Krantz, Peter Kaminsky and Bob Kaminsky and John Schreiber to recognize the art of humorists 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 characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled 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." Bill Cosby was presented a copy of an 1884 bronze portrait bust of Mark Twain, sculpted by Karl Gerhardt (1853-1940). The bust and its images are courtesy of the Mark Twain House, Hartford, Connecticut.

Credits

Executive producers are Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz and Cappy McGarr. WETA executive producers are Dalton Delan and David S. Thompson.

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