The Mark Twain Prize for Humor is awarded each year to an exceptional American humorist. Last year, the award went to George Carlin, posthumously. The program recognized the life and achievements of the late comedian with guests Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Garry Shandling, and Lily Tomlin.

George Carlin is a Grammy-winning American stand-up comedian, actor, and author. Throughout his extraordinary career, Carlin has released twenty-two solo albums and three books, which were each on The New York Times Best-Seller List. The five-time Emmy nominated actor starred in fourteen HBO Specials and appeared in a wide variety of television and movie roles. He was the first host of Saturday Night Live, and has appeared on The Tonight Show over 130 times. Carlin received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1987, and was inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame in 1994.