Just a reminder:

George Carlin
2008 Prize Recipient

The Kennedy Center will posthumously award The Mark Twain Prize to the late George Carlin at the eleventh annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The evening will recognize the life and achievements of the late comedian. Carlin passed away on June 22, 2008.

Leading American entertainers Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Garry Shandling, Lily Tomlin, Denis Leary, Joan Rivers, Lewis Black, Richard Belzer, and Margaret Cho will honor the late George Carlin in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize For American Humor on Monday, November 10 at 8 p.m. The evening will recognize the life and achievements of the beloved comedian.

The announcement of Carlin's receiving the Mark Twain Prize was made a week before the comedian's passing. He was delighted with the honor, and was looking forward to attending the ceremony. The award is now being presented posthumously for the first time in its eleven years.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of this great American comedian," said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. "At this year's Mark Twain Prize, we will celebrate his many contributions to the world of comedy in a special tribute."

It's a great loss, not only to the world of humor but to America's conscience," said Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and Cappy McGarr, Executive Producers of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, in a collective statement." George kept us honest. Of this sad day he might have said that the only truly "dirty word" is death. George Carlin is as deserving as ever of our nation's highest award for humor."