Excerpt from Conan O'Brien's Mark Twain Prize Acceptance Speech

The 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor celebrating Conan O’Brien will stream only on Netflix beginning Sunday, May 4, 2025.

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[JenedPH]

Praising Mark Twain and not himself is the most Conan thing. Well deserved.

[BKadorer]

Conan rarely talks about politics. He rarely makes fun of politics. At least not any more. And yet, he picked this particular occasion to be serious. He was honest. He was more sincere than ever. Because this award is about comedy and comedians. I have never been more proud to be his fan.

[javidelvalmusic]

only Conan could spend his acceptance speech praising the guy the award is named after fr

[bwuh]

“I hate cynicism. It’s my least favorite quality. If you work really hard and you are kind, amazing things will happen to you.” - Conan O’Brien

[TheBeatles]

I appreciate that Conan always finds the right message, no matter the occasion

[leonardojensenribeiro]

Dude gets award, gives a history lesson, a punch in the presidency and at the same time keeps being the BEST of all time. You tried podcast, you succeeded. You tried night tv, also. You tried travel shows, also a huge success. You wrote for the best era of the simpsons, the best era of SNL.

What can't you do conan?

Love from Brazil

[zorantaylor]

To give you an idea of who Conan O'Brien is, his English Thesis at Harvard was called "Literary Progeria In The Works Of Flannery O'Conor and William Faulkner" and was about how the named author's books used prematurely elderly children as a metaphor for an ehxaused, defeated post-Civil War American south. And then he wrote Marge Vs. The Monorail.

[KamenWeaver]

I haven't heard Conan do many serious speeches, but man did he crush this one.

[mrdemrsai]

Just classy. The man is so fundamentally and profoundly a good person

[nowitfriends]

"Above all Twain was a patriot in the best sense of the word. He loved America, but knew it was deeply flawed. Twain wrote, 'Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time, and your government when it deserves it.'" 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 incredibly well said Conan ❤

[rtracewell]

I am SO glad that this was released now rather than us waiting until May to hear Conan’s words. Conan’s poignant and so very classy message is one that is sorely needed now more than ever. His place in comedy history solidifies more and more as each year passes. Well deserved and about damned time.

[arcadeshift]

This guy is capable of such incomperable stupidity, wonderful silliness, and grace all at the same time. Conan downplays his Harvard education, but he's clearly well-read and brings an academic level of tact to his comedy that is just smarter than most comedians. He "gets it." This was a great speech, especially in the moment. He's never gone away, per se, but it's almost like he's flourishing even more after he's no longer on tv every night.

[lingikathwaya]

Conan is the reason why I speak English. I was so fascinated with his comedy to the point where I'd learn a completely new language to laugh with the crowd.
But I don't think he'll like me that much.. I can be cynical at times. Nevertheless, I owe this man a lot.

[skranz]

Seeing David Letterman celebrating his successor is heart warming ❤

[fredzeller]

I worked with Conan for nearly 16 years. He IS the smartest man in the room right here. Brilliant on so many levels. Incredibly well crafted. I feel super lucky right now. Thank you for your eloquence..❤

[JaredTakesTime]

Conan taking a moment to sincerely speak to and honor Twain, while directly speaking to the troubles of our time without aiming for clapter or naming names, really elevates the Prize for those who've yet to receive it. Team Coco always.

[craley]

To give this speech at an event that the president took control of and stands for everything that Twain hated was just another reason among many that I love Conan .

[kifacorea]

As an Asian American and decades-long Conan fan I didn't expect it. But was very impressed by Conan's mentioned of the oft-forgotten first Chinese immigrants of American History: 1:24. Kudos, Mr. O' Brien.

[JomerTB]

What's so amazing about Conan is that ever since he was unfairly booted off the Tonight Show, he didn't fade into the background, but has become one of the most iconic figures in comedy. 15 years later, his accolades include an honorary doctorate from Dartmouth, received an honorary Harvard Arts medal, sold his TeamCoco media company to SiriusXM for $150M, has the #1 comedy podcast on Apple and Top 5 on Spotify, Acadamy Awards host 2 years in a row, his own travel show on HBO, and now the recipient of the Mark Twain award. He is living proof and a true testament to his last words on the Tonight Show in 2010: ""If you work hard, and you're kind, amazing things will happen."

[jessed]

"It's a prize. Not an award." -Kevin Nealon