Lily Tomlin has been named the winner of the 2003 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor! I’ve loved Lily Tomlin since I was a kid, and grew into her comedy as I got older – as a young kid, her comedy was funny because of her characters. As an adult, her comedy is funny because of it’s social commentary. Her being a role model for the gay community is icing on the cake. When she was recently added to the cast of The West Wing, I rejoiced… but was disappointed that she appears so infrequently. From the Post, her statement:
“I am truly honored to be recognized in the name of Mark Twain, an American humorist who was beloved throughout his lifetime and beyond, even as he imparted a strong and vital social consciousness that still resonates today. And I am truly humbled to be mentioned in the same breath as the great American humorists of our culture, the past winners of the Mark Twain Award – Richard Pryor, Jonathan Winters, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg and Bob Newhart.”
