# Adam Sandler? The Mark Twain Prize? Really? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comedian-jokes\ **Created:** [March 25, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650 "2023-03-25T16:36:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/1 "2023-03-25T16:36:44Z")
This just doesn’t seem right. I mean, sure, he was kinda funny on SNL, and his movies all make a butt-load of money. But The Goddamn Mark Twain Prize for American Humor? It seems to me that Sandler’s brand of ‘humor’ doesn’t really seem to merit this kind of recognition. Seems like the bar has been lowered a few notches. It made him very rich, and that should be enough. I got nothing against the guy, and good for him and all his massive wealth. I’m probably just jealous. But he ain’t no George Carlin or Bob Newhart. Come to think of it, I’m not a big fan of Twain, either. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/2 "2023-03-25T16:44:47Z")
I came here to post… pretty much your last line! ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/3 "2023-03-25T16:49:37Z")
When I see his name associated with a movie it is a very strong signal that the movie isn’t worth watching. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/4 "2023-03-25T16:50:09Z")
I would agree that Adam Sandler doesn’t merit a humor award named for Mark Twain. But I don’t know that much about the award. What organization awards it? Who are some past winners? (I suppose I could look it up, but I’m just feeling too lazy at the moment.) Maybe they’ve already given it to everyone who is truly deserving, and now they’re just scraping the bottom of the barrel. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/5 "2023-03-25T16:53:11Z")
> **[Mark Twain Prize for American Humor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Prize_for_American_Humor)** > > The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an American award presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts annually since 1998, except for the years 2020 and 2021. Named after the 19th-century humorist Mark Twain, it is presented to individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. The JFK Center chose Twain due to his status as a controversial social commentator and his "uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly." A As ... I never heard of it before. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/6 "2023-03-25T16:54:59Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I got nothing against the guy, and good for him and all his massive wealth. I’m probably just jealous. But he ain’t no George Carlin or Bob Newhart. Both of whom are previous winners. Here is the list: [Mark Twain Prize for American Humor - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Prize_for_American_Humor#Recipients) ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/7 "2023-03-25T16:57:07Z")
It would have gone to Carrottop but he died. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/8 "2023-03-25T16:59:18Z")
Different people find different things humorous. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/9 "2023-03-25T17:05:19Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > I never heard of it before. I’d not heard of it, either, until a few years ago, when our local PBS station started running videos of the awards ceremonies. FWIW, I don’t generally find Sandler to be funny, but I have come to realize (or maybe just “come to decide”) that my sense of humor may be dated; there are many comedians and comic actors from the last couple of decades whom I don’t get, either. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/10 "2023-03-25T17:08:33Z")
Me too, but there are many contemporary comics who crack me up every word out of their mouths. Sandler never cracked one smile for me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/11 "2023-03-25T17:11:09Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > It would have gone to Carrottop but he died. Now _that_ is some American Humor! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/12 "2023-03-25T17:14:52Z")
The award is “presented to individuals who have ‘had an impact on American society in ways similar to’ Twain.” Looking over the list of past recipients, I think this is more true about all of them than it is about Sandler. I’m not saying he’s undeserving—I enjoy and appreciate some of his work—but he’s certainly not the most obvious choice. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/13 "2023-03-25T17:16:24Z")
Some comedians say funny things, while some say things in a funny voice. I find Sandler to be mostly the latter. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/14 "2023-03-25T17:23:54Z")
And they haven’t yet revoked Cosby’s award (at least per that wiki). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/15 "2023-03-25T17:25:31Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Here is the list: [Mark Twain Prize for American Humor - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Prize_for_American_Humor#Recipients) Pretty good list. I’m not fan of Lily Tomlin, but I won’t object. I also don’t care if Sandler got it. Not an obvious choice, but it doesn’t offend me. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/16 "2023-03-25T17:27:35Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > doesn’t offend me. A disgrace to Mark Twain’s memory. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/17 "2023-03-25T17:29:05Z")
I’m not a fan of most of Sandler’s stuff, but I do think lowbrow humor deserves more critical recognition than it gets. If I was stuck in a room with all of the previous participants, I’ll bet Sandler is the one who would get the most off-the-cuff laughs. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/18 "2023-03-25T17:33:00Z")
His humor has certainly impacted society. It may not be to everyone’s liking, but I think Twain would have approved and looked askance at elitist notions of humor. I don’t know that he would have enjoyed Sandler’s style of humor himself, but I feel certain he had tolerated worse in his own lifetime. I am reminded that giving awards for the arts may lead to strange bedfellows as in the case of [Ursula Martinez’](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Martinez) act: " In 2009, _La Clique_ won the Olivier award for Best Entertainment. Accepting the award, Brett Haylock, _La Clique’s_ creative producer, said 'Who could have ever imagined that a show that involved a woman pulling a hankie out of her vagina would ever win an Olivier Award._[[4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_Martinez#cite_note-Award-4)_ Her award winning routine _Hanky Panky_ is easy to find online. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/19 "2023-03-25T17:33:01Z")
The Prize was originally intended to reward people who wrote or created humor, not comic actors per se. I assume Will Farrell got in mostly for creating Funny or Die in 2007. Carol Burnett was the outlier two years later, a true comic actor. Julia Louis-Dreyfus was in the same position: not a writer but the force behind several hit shows. Adam Sandler has written more than a dozen hit movies. Sure they seem to get worse every worse - _The Ridiculous Six_ has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes - but… I seem to have lost my train of thought. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts probably makes its budget off of what they get for television rights. Or Sandler has photos. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650/20 "2023-03-25T17:35:42Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Her award winning routine _Hanky Panky_ is easy to find online. We simulposted so I just read this. I knew immediately who you are talking about. I even know the magician’s trick that she used. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-sandler-the-mark-twain-prize-really/981650.md?page=2)