Ellen Degeneres to receive top humour prize in DC
WASHINGTON, USA (AP) — Jane Lynch and John Leguizamo are joining a lineup that includes Jimmy Kimmel and Kristin Chenoweth to honour Ellen DeGeneres with the nation’s top humour prize in Washington.
The Kennedy Center is awarding DeGeneres the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour on Monday night. The show will be broadcast October 30 on PBS stations.
Star entertainers will deliver tribute performances to salute DeGeneres. The lineup also includes Jason Mraz, John Krasinski and Sean Hayes.
DeGeneres began her career as a comedy club emcee in her native New Orleans. Soon after, she became the first female comedian summoned to late-night host Johnny Carson’s desk to chat.
The prize honours Mark Twain’s tradition of satire and social commentary. Past winners include Bill Cosby, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Steve Martin.