Last night’s broadcast of the ceremony honoring Carol Burnett with the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor offered much for those who love funny ladies, and ladies in general, with Julie Andrews discussing a kissing stunt she and Carol pulled for director Mike Nichols’s benefit and Ellen DeGeneres confusing Burnett with a few other women of comedy.
The ceremony, held October 20 at the Washington, D.C., performing arts center, was broadcast on most PBS affiliates last night; check your local listings for other airings. Women who appeared onstage to honor Burnett included Andrews, Tina Fey (a previous honoree), Amy Poehler, longtime Burnett costar Vicki Lawrence, Rashida Jones, Maya Rudolph, Lucie Arnaz, and up-and-coming comedian Rosemary Watson, a Burnett fan who delivered her impression of Hillary Clinton. DeGeneres, last year’s honoree, appeared via video. And yes, some men got in on the festivities too — Bruce Vilanch, Tim Conway, Martin Short, Carl Reiner, and Tony Bennett.
The ceremony included many hilarious clips from The Carol Burnett Show, spotlighting several of her recurring characters — Eunice, Mrs. Wiggins, the cleaning lady — and her parodies of classic movies, such as Sunset Blvd. and Gone With the Wind. Also featured were some examples of her other work, with her appearances on The Garry Moore Show, her comic sketches with Andrews, and her Broadway turn in Once Upon a Mattress.
You can watch the full program and several clips at PBS.org.
