Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

As a longtime fan of Conan O'Brien dating all the way back to the premiere of Late Night in 1993 when I was 14, I'm thrilled to see him finally receiving the recognition he so deeply deserves for his enduring contributions to comedy and pop culture. Conan's brilliance lies not just in his sharp intellect and lightning-fast wit, but in his singular ability to cloak both beneath layers of absurdity, always in service of the laugh.

This tribute, delivered by many of his comedic contemporaries, feels like a heartfelt and long-overdue thank-you to a performer who has mastered the art of self-deprecating humor. It's deeply gratifying to witness such genuine praise for someone who has been a uniquely hilarious and unflinchingly resilient force in entertainment for over four decades.

From the legendary Max Weinberg and the Max Weinberg 7, to the Masturbating Bear, The Interrupter and Slick Willy, the return of these unforgettable characters is a perfect reminder of Conan's fearless commitment to the wonderfully ridiculous. This special is a love letter to a comedy icon, and it couldn't be more well deserved.

Long live Conan O'Brien!

The Mark Twain Prize has been awarded to Conan O'Brien. Conan popped up on Television in 1993 and his entire career has been marked by his personality of combining his huge confidence with a heart-warming talent of talking to all kinds of people, from celebrities to everyday people.

Conan sometimes does wild and rude comedy, such as making fun of David Letterman's beard looking like Mark Twain's beard TODAY at the stage, but these comedians are known for agreeing that you can joke about everything and there is no doubt that the audience of this show is not the largest fans of today's Trump administration.

Be prepared for a lot of fun acts by guests honoring Conan, such as Adam Sandler, Bill Burry and Cona's trusty compadre Andy Richter.

Conan O'Brien redefined talk shows into a new style, much more youthful and playful that the drooling style of celebrities that was the standard up until 1993.

A great roast and fitting tribute to one of the true legends of comedy, one I've been a fan of for many years. A couple of stars off for the subtle political grandstanding that felt out of place and distracted from what the show was supposed to be about. But there were some really great stories shared about him and I found myself alternating between hysterical laughter and actually tearing up. Says it all that Jay Leno didn't even show up to pay his respects, but not really surprising. Conan's monologue at the end really stole the show. And I knew he could play guitar, but man he's better than I knew!

Conan O'Brien is like an old friend. I've been a fan since I began watching his show in the mid-90s as a teenager. He was bold and weird in a new way. Conan always followed his own beat, and that's one of the big reasons that he's retained a faithful audience, despite the directions in which his so-called bosses attempted to steer him. He was never meant to host The Tonight Show; Conan needs his own stage-one that he's crafted himself. He's a distinct talent and deserves his accolades. This is a fun tribute with plenty of nostalgia for long-time admirers. I only wish that Norm Macdonald could've been there. Thank you for the years of giggle fits, Conan.

I absolutely loved this show. Given everything Conan has endured throughout his career, this recognition feels all the more well-deserved. His immense talent, sharp wit, and down-to-earth nature shine through, making it clear just how deeply admired and cherished he is by so many.

The production was both well-executed and thoroughly entertaining. Given the prestige and formality of the Kennedy Center, I initially wondered whether the performers would have the creative freedom to truly let loose-but they absolutely did.

The show struck a perfect balance between intelligence and humor, blending sharp, witty moments with genuine emotional depth. The guest lineup was stellar, and the roast of Conan was both hilarious and heartfelt.

Whether you're a longtime fan or just someone who appreciates great comedy, this is a must-watch. Even if you're not particularly familiar with Conan, I believe you'll still find it highly enjoyable. I wholeheartedly recommend it."