The Mark Twain Prize, handed out each year in the Nation’s Capital, is generally a nonpartisan affair meant to toast the funniest people in pop culture, period.
This year, both the honoree and a key presenter couldn’t resist the chance to get political during the ceremony.
The night belonged to beloved sketch comedy star Carol Burnett, who used the debate over the recently ended government shutdown in her acceptance speech:
This is very encouraging. I mean it was a long time in coming, but I understand because there are so many people funnier than I am, especially here in Washington. With any luck, they’ll soon get voted out, and I’ll still have the Mark Twain Prize.
Tina Fey, whose impression of Gov. Sarah Palin helped the mainstream media marginalize the popular politician, got more pointed with her remarks.
Enough politics. We are here tonight to celebrate the First Lady of American Comedy, Ted Cruz.
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