The recent shakeup at The Kennedy Center had cast some doubt on Conan O’Brien’s upcoming Mark Twain Prize, but it appears to be all systems go at Team Coco HQ.
O’Brien and writer Mike Sweeney made reference to the upcoming ceremony in a new episode of his podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, released today.
Reflecting on their recent experience writing the O’Brien-hosted Oscars ceremony, O’Brien and Sweeney noted the involvement of experienced comedy and award show writer Jon Macks on both The Oscars and The Kennedy Center event.
“He work[s] on every award show,” Sweeney mentions on the podcast. “It’s incredible.”
“He’s working on one right now, I’m sure,” O’Brien responds.
“He is,” Sweeney confirms matter-of-factly. “He’s working on The Mark Twain Awards.”
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Conan O’Brien as the next recipient of its prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor back in January—just four days before President Donald Trump took office.
But less than a month into his presidency, Trump decided to “immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture,” vowing to take the reins of the institution himself. A week later, he was unanimously elected chairman. He has since installed a new board for the Center that includes several Trump Administration officials, their spouses, and other politically conservative figures.
While nothing has been said of the Kennedy Center’s plans to honor O’Brien, Trump’s power grab has had quite a few ripple effects. Following the President’s installment, the Kennedy Center cancelled performances by The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. and the children’s musical Finn.
Meanwhile, a number of scheduled performers have cancelled visits themselves in protest, including Broadway hit Hamilton and comedian Issa Rae.
While Trump has made no secret of his distaste for most late-night hosts, O’Brien is one who has so far spared the President’s direct ire. O’Brien largely shied away from political humor during his late-night days, though he did make one dig at Trump while hosting the Academy Awards earlier this month, which came just days after a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Anora is having a good night. Two wins already,” O’Brien quipped mid-show. “I guess Americans are excited to see somebody finally stand up to a powerful Russian.”
A year ago, Jimmy Kimmel’s jab against Trump from the Oscars stage resulted in an angry rant from the then-Presidential candidate. O’Brien’s less pointed remark this year elicited no response.
O’Brien is currently scheduled to be fêted at The Kennedy Center on Sunday, March 23. The event will stream on Netflix at a later date, to be announced.
