Ellen DeGeneres’ career in comedy was celebrated at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Oct. 22.
The 54-year-old comedian and daytime talk show host was honored as the 15th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, an award given to those who’ve made an impact on American society with their work, as Twain did.
Comedian Steve Harvey was part of the celebration for Ellen at the awards ceremony. Metro Weekly’s Randy Shulman spoke to him on the red carpet about Ellen, about his own views about gays and why the black community needs to embrace the LGBT black community.
This is awesome. I live in Dallas but I would love to meet Ellen sometimes. I don’t get out much except to go to Station 4 with Brad and Nick, but maybe she will come there. It would be my dream.
Awww Jay, you know you’re my best friend. Well one of my only friends I guess. I thought I would make more friends when I moved here from Louisiana, but it didn’t happen. My hair fell out before I made friends lol. My luck. Now I’m just old and bald. But still, I love my Jay Gruell! I have only left Dallas once or twice, so I don’t get out much or see the world, but I am with you dude — it would be awesome if Ellen came to see us at our favorite club, Station 4. I am going to write her a letter when I get to work tomorrow, and send it to her on her website. If she comes to S4, we can sit on the front row! I am so excited. Since we only go to S4 (or Tin Room, because I like their bathroom better…I meet cuter guys in there), we really don’t have a lot of hope of meeting Ellen anywhere else. I can’t afford to fly to California to see her show since I am low man on the job at BOA. Man, I wish I was a big banker, but I’m not. So, I don’t think they would let me into the Ellen Studio since I am old and bald now. I think only young/cute guys get in. Ok Jay, do you want to write the letter, or do you want me to? Congrats to Ellen for her honor!