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The Best Episodes of Mark Twain Prize

Every episode of Mark Twain Prize ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Mark Twain Prize!

The Best Episodes of Mark Twain Prize

Honoring the best in American comedy annually since 1998, the recipients of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor have included the likes of...
  1. Background image for Kevin Hart
    6.5/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Kevin Hart

    S25:E1

    Comedy’s biggest stars gather to honor — and roast — Kevin Hart as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a heartfelt, hilarious ceremony.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for Dave Chappelle
    6.0/10(1 votes)

    #2 - Dave Chappelle

    S22:E1

    An outstanding lineup of entertainers gathers in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute Dave Chappelle, recipient of the 22nd annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Richard Pryor
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    #3 - Richard Pryor

    S1:E1

    Features testimonials from Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Damon Wayans, Morgan Freeman (performing a monologue as Pryor's famed street philosopher character Mudbone), Robin Williams and others.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Jonathan Winters
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    #4 - Jonathan Winters

    S2:E1

    Among those paying tribute to comedian Jonathan Winters: Steve Allen, Richard Belzer, Sid Caesar, Mark Curry, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, Lyle Lovett, Robin Williams, Robert Wuhl. Also: clips from "Mork & Mindy"; "The Jonathan Winters Show"; "The Jack Paar Show"; and Winters' character-filled commercials.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for Carl Reiner
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    #5 - Carl Reiner

    S3:E1

    Carl Reiner, winner of 12 Emmys and an inductee into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, was honored with the third annual prize in 2000. Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Belzer, Reiner's son, Rob Reiner, and host Dick Van Dyke were on hand to share personal tales and anecdotes of their relationship with Carl Reiner. The 2000 performance was the first to appear on PBS.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for Whoopi Goldberg
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    #6 - Whoopi Goldberg

    S4:E1

    On October 15, 2001, Whoopi Goldberg was fêted by an all-star cast of her peers as she was awarded the 2001 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The ceremony was broadcast on PBS stations nationwide on November 21st.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Mark Twain Prize

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  8. Background image for Bob Newhart
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    #7 - Bob Newhart

    S5:E1

    Joining the celebration to honor Bob Newhart were Bill Daily, Richard Belzer, Tim Conway, Jane Curtin, Kelsey Grammer, Jon Hendricks, Jake Johannsen, Bernie Mac, Dick Martin, David Hyde Pierce, John Pizzarelli, Suzanne Pleshette, Tom Poston, Don Rickles, The Smothers Brothers, Julia Sweeney, Clark Terry, Fred Willard, and Steven Wright.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Lily Tomlin
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    #8 - Lily Tomlin

    S6:E1

    Tributes and comic performances from entertainers Dave Chappelle, Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Darrell Hammond, George Lopez, Catherine O'Hara, Elaine Stritch, Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy, Doris Roberts, and the bright young comic Sarah Jones, who present classic film and television clips of Tomlin's work.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Lorne Michaels
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    #9 - Lorne Michaels

    S7:E1

    Tributes and comic performances by Dan Aykroyd, Candice Bergen, Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut), Darrell Hammond, Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Tim Meadows, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), Tracy Morgan, Conan O'Brien, Paul Simon, David Spade and Christopher Walken. The show's live band is led by former "SNL" musical director G.E. Smith. Also features clips from the NBC series and never-before-seen screen tests of some of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players," as well as clips from Kids in the Hall and a selection of Michaels' movie productions, which include Mean Girls, Tommy Boy and Wayne's World.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Steve Martin
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    #10 - Steve Martin

    S8:E1

    Tributes and comic performances from Martin's friends and colleagues including Dave Barry, Claire Danes, Larry David, Tom Hanks, Eric Idle, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Randy Newman, Martin Short and Paul Simon. Former Mark Twain Prize recipients Carl Reiner, Lily Tomlin and Lorne Michaels were also in attendance.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Neil Simon
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    #11 - Neil Simon

    S9:E1

    Tributes and comic testimonials from Simon's friends and colleagues including Jason Alexander, Christina Applegate, Lucie Arnaz, Matthew Broderick, Richard Dreyfuss, Heather Headley, Patricia Heaton, Jane Kaczmarek, Robert Klein, Nathan Lane, Robert Redford, Paul Reiser, Jonathan Silverman and Allen Toussaint.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Billy Crystal
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    #12 - Billy Crystal

    S10:E1

    Tributes and comic testimonials from Crystal’s friends and colleagues including Bob Costas, Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, John Goodman, Jon Lovitz, Rob Reiner, Martin Short, Barbara Walters and Robin Williams. The program also includes an assortment of classic film clips from Crystal’s career.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for George Carlin
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    #13 - George Carlin

    S11:E1

    Tributes and comic testimonials from Richard Belzer, Lewis Black, Margaret Cho, Ben E. King, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, Jon Stewart, and Lily Tomlin. Before George passed away, he learned he was receiving the Twain and was genuinely pleased about it. "Thank you Mr. Twain," said Carlin. "Have your people call my people."

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Bill Cosby
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    #14 - Bill Cosby

    S12:E1

    Bill Cosby receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The ceremony features clips from his classic shows and tributes from former "Cosby Show" cast mates Phylicia Rashad and Malcom Jamal-Warner, as well as Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Danny Glover, Dick Gregory, Wynton Marsalis, Rita Moreno, Willie Nelson, Sinbad, Len Chandler, James dePriest and Jimmy Heath.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for Tina Fey
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    #15 - Tina Fey

    S13:E1

    Tina Fey's friends and colleagues including Fred Armisen, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler and Betty White.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Will Ferrell
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    #16 - Will Ferrell

    S14:E1

    Featured Ferrell's friends and colleagues including top entertainers Ed Asner, Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Adam McKay, Conan O'Brien, John C. Reilly, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon and more. The evening paid tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the popular writer, actor and producer.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Ellen DeGeneres
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    #17 - Ellen DeGeneres

    S15:E1

    Features DeGeneres’ friends and colleagues including top entertainers Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey, Sean Hayes, Jimmy Kimmel, John Krasinski, Jason Mraz and Lily Tomlin. The evening pays tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the television icon and motion picture star.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Carol Burnett
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    #18 - Carol Burnett

    S16:E1

    The all-star cast includes Julie Andrews, Lucie Arnaz, Tony Bennett, Tim Conway, Tina Fey, Rashida Jones, Vicki Lawrence, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short and Rosemary Watson. The program features comedic highlights from Burnett’s half-century in show business.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Jay Leno
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    #19 - Jay Leno

    S17:E1

    Celebrates “Tonight Show” host, comedian and performer Jay Leno, the latest recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, a lineup of the biggest names in comedy salutes the 17th recipient of the humor prize.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Eddie Murphy
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    #20 - Eddie Murphy

    S18:E1

    From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, a lineup of the biggest names in comedy salutes the 18th recipient of the humor prize, Eddie Murphy. Dave Chappelle, Kathy Griffin, Arsenio Hall, Sam Moore, Kevin Nealon, Trevor Noah, Jay Pharoah, Joe Piscopo, Chris Rock, and others salute Eddie Murphy at the 18th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Bill Murray
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    #21 - Bill Murray

    S19:E1

    Celebrate beloved actor and comedian Bill Murray, the latest recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the comedic trailblazer.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for David Letterman
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    #22 - David Letterman

    S20:E1

    Celebrating the work of "Late Night" and "The Late Show" legend David Letterman. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the late-night broadcaster.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Julia Louis-Dreyfus
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    #23 - Julia Louis-Dreyfus

    S21:E1

    Celebrate the work of beloved actress, comedian, and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the comedic trailblazer.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Jon Stewart
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    #24 - Jon Stewart

    S23:E1

    An outstanding lineup of entertainers gathers in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute Jon Stewart, recipient of the 23rd annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for Adam Sandler
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    #25 - Adam Sandler

    S24:E1

    No description available

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Best Episodes Summary

"Kevin Hart" is the best rated episode of "Mark Twain Prize". It scored 6.5/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 5/11/2024. This episode scored 0.5 points higher than the second highest rated, "Dave Chappelle".