Conan O’Brien Accepts Mark Twain Prize Amid Kennedy Center Chaos

Conan O’Brien took centre stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, accepting the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour—but not without addressing the political drama surrounding the institution.

Comedy Through the Chaos

O’Brien, 61, acknowledged the backstage turmoil at the Kennedy Center, where recent shake-ups have left many questioning its future. He specifically thanked former president Deborah Rutter and board chairman David Rubenstein, both of whom were recently ousted after Donald Trump replaced the board with loyalists. His shout-out to the staff—who, he joked, are “worried about what the future might bring”—earned a round of extended applause.

RELATED: Adam Sandler Received The Mark Twain Award For American Humour

A Legendary Career

From Harvard Lampoon editor to late-night TV icon, O’Brien’s journey has been anything but conventional. After writing for "SNL" and "The Simpsons", he shocked the entertainment world in 1993 by landing the "Late Night" gig with zero on-camera experience. 16 years later, he’d become the longest-running host in the show’s history.

These days, O’Brien is thriving in his “elder statesman” era. His hit travel series "Conan O’Brien Must Go" just got renewed, and his Academy Awards hosting debut was so well-received that he’s already been booked for next year.

Despite the political storm swirling around the Kennedy Center, one thing remains clear: Conan O’Brien is still one of the funniest people alive.