A certain orange hair figure dominated the ceremony for the Mark Twain prize on Sunday evening and it was not the Honoree Conan O'Brien.
It was President Donald Trump.
The backstage drama of the leadership of Kennedy Center became the subject of several on stage jokes, along with the other movements that Trump makes while his presidency continues. Trump did not go to the Mark Twain -Ceremony – presidents that usually not – but his presence dominated the concert hall.
The president was not mentioned by name as a series of comedians who toast O'Brien, but the target of their jokes was clear.
“I am not a historian, but I believe that history will show in history forever, this must have been the most entertaining meeting of the resistance,” said David Letterman.
Sarah Silverman really cracked it.
“I just miss the days that you were America's only orange a ** hole,” she told O'Brien. The audience burst into loud applause. O'Brien laughed visibly.
Comedian Conan O'Brien, Center, and his wife, Liza Powel O'Brien, overlook the crowd at the start of the 26th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Silverman took her joke even further. She brought back a comic piece that she used when she appeared on O'Brien's Late Night Show, who showed what a close -up photo of his lips looks like a vagina.
As part of the GAG, she encouraged the audience in the Kennedy Center to look under their seats for a photo of O'Brien's lips. But there was no photo – that was part of the joke.
She repeatedly encouraged the audience to lay their hands between their legs while looking for the non-existent photo.
'Please hold it really. Please keep it between your legs. I don't see anyone doing this, “she said, while the audience roared and played.
'Look at this. Conan, look at this. It's so beautiful. Keep doing it, “she ordered the crowd.
And she closed the piece with a reference to a comment that Trump made in an interview about Access Hollywood that was broadcast during his first presidential campaign: 'You go ahead and leave those photos in your chair when you go. The man who took over likes to grasp P *** Y. '
Trump took over the Kennedy Center at the beginning of February. In the aftermath of his move, he dismissed the president and chairman. The board of directors then called Trump the chairman.
The president also fulfilled the board with his loyalists, including Staff Chef Susie Wiles and Usha Vance, the second lady. He mentioned supporter Ric Grenell as executive director of the center.
Few administrative figures were seen on Sunday in the Kennedy Center for the recording of the 26th annual Mark Twain prize for American humor. O'Brien was selected as Honoree before Trump took over as chairman of the center.
The ceremony will be broadcast on Netflix on 4 May.
O'Brien, in his acceptance speech, shocked to obtain the biggest prize in the American comedy.
He was also about the changes and uncertainty with which the Kennedy Center is confronted after the acquisition of Trump.
“Thanks to my people who invited me here a few months ago: Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein,” he said.
Trump fired Rutter, the president, and Rubenstein, the chairman, when he took over the center.
“To be honest, I don't know why they're not there tonight. I lost Wi Fi in January – suspecting that they are in traffic, “O'Brien added. “And a special thanks to all the beautiful people who have worked here for years in the Kennedy Center and who are worried about what the future could bring.”
That collected a standing ovation from the public. Various employees of the center, who looked at the ceremony, visibly moved moved.
David Letterman referred to the audience in the Kennedy Center as members of the resistance
President Donald Trump had not been at the recording of the Mark Twain prize, but he visited the Kennedy Center last week after his takeover
Sarah Silverman went hard after Trump in her roast by Conan O'Brien
O'Brien also bond comedian Mark Twain and the current political climate together: 'Twain was a patriot in the best sense in the world. He loved America, but knew it was deeply poor. Twain wrote, patriotism supports your country all the time and your government when it deserves it. '
“Now, some of you, maybe think, what does this have to do with comedy?” he said. “Twain is funny and important today because his comedy is a hilarious celebration of our fears, our incompetence and the glorious mess of being human.”
Many of the comedians that O'Brien have roasted, aware of the unrest in the center and in the larger political world, to which President Trump is referred.
Will Ferrell, who recognizes Trump's efforts to reduce the federal government, joked: 'I don't have time for this. Do you know what I should do now? Do you have any idea? I should close the Ministry of Education. '
Comedian Nikki Glaser told reporters on the red carpet that comedians should tackle Trump's decision to take over as chairman of the Kennedy Center and the controversial decisions he makes as president.
'I think it is insane not to address the elephant in the room. And it's crazy, comical not to do that because it's there, “she said.
Glaser added that she understood, however, although some comics may not want to focus the president, so that you do not get on a list. '
“As if you are just afraid that you will get Doxxed and death threats or not make it, you know, who knows where this leads, as held,” she said. “To be honest, that's not even a joke. It's like a real fear. '
But, she said, from her share in the show, Conan 'is the only Orange Monster that I will appeal to in the Chamber tonight.'
Other comedians also focused on Conan instead of the president, including Andy Richter, Tracy Morgan and Adam Sandler.
Nikki Glaser was one of the many comedians that Conan O'Brien Roosteren
Conan O'Brien thanked the Kennedy Center staff in his acceptance speech
The ceremony was filled with comic pieces from O'Brien's old NBC show Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
It started with the announcer and said: 'Welcome to a new era of the Kennedy Center, a Kennedy Center that celebrates real American values. This acclaimed stage will now distinguish, elegant and respected entertainment that we as a nation can be proud of. '
Then a skit came directly from the Late Night Show by O'Brien: a person in a bear costume that stood by a diaper. Two agents walked on stage with tasers and removed the bear.
Then triumph the insult comic dog set the show in motion.
John Mulaney noted in his roast conan: “It is an honor to be here in the Kennedy Center, or as it will be known next week, the Roy Cohn pavilion for large strong men who love cats.”
Trump, when he visited the Kennedy Center last week, suggested that the art center brought in the Hit Broadway Show Cats for a run.
Stephen Colbert did a bit based on O'Brien's viral hot wings ski, and noticed: “In the light of the new leadership in the Kennedy Center, there are all right wings and a few of them are really insane.”
Various comedians made jokes that O'Brien 'received the 26th and last Mark Twain prize,' Hint to a fear Trump will put an end to the prize -giving ceremony.
Comedian Bill Burr summarized the evening well and told reporters on the red carpet: “It's a strange time.”
