"I'm happy":
A star-studded lineup, including Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, saluted Bill Cosby at the Kennedy Center Monday night.
By Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images
"We were just so happy to be together," Rashad said of working on The Cosby Show. "It was so much fun. It really was golden."
Warner said he remains close with his TV dad.
"He's been a very integral part of my life," Warner said, calling the long-running sitcom a "testament to his (Cosby's) genius. He always said he wanted the show to be relevant and timeless, and it is."
"He's a force of nature," noted Carl Reiner, a previous Mark Twain Prize recipient who said it was his son who brought Cosby to his attention. "I saw him and said we have got to get him on Dick Van Dyke (show)."
The evening's program included a retrospective of Cosby's career, along with personal anecdotes from the star-studded lineup.
Seinfeld and Rock opened the show, and they joked about having performance anxiety because of Cosby's presence in the audience. "We're not funny," Seinfeld said. "Not compared to Bill Cosby," Rock added.
Nelson and Wynton Marsalis performed a duet for the music-loving comedian.
Seinfeld recalled buying Cosby's 1965 comedy album Why Is There Air? when he was 11 years old. "I listened to this album and completely lost my mind," he said. "It really was the single most powerful event of my childhood."
At the conclusion of the tribute, Cosby addressed the crowd, reminiscing at length about his career and giving thanks.
"Tonight is a great, great night for me and my family … But it is also for all the people who bought the albums and saw the shows," he said. "Each and every time I plant my feet (on the stage) it is to perform to you." [rc]
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY
October 27, 2009
USA: Bill Cosby - A night of love and laughs at Twain Prize
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WASHINGTON, DC / USA Today / Life / People / October 27, 2009
By Cindy Clark, USA TODAY
It was a mini-Cosby Show reunion Monday night as stars from the sitcom joined friends and family at the Kennedy Center to honor Bill Cosby with the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner were among a bevy of stars — including Jerry Seinfeld, Sinbad, Chris Rock and Willie Nelson — who gathered to celebrate the life and achievements of the beloved comedian.
"I'm happy," Cosby, 72, said before the show, his mind more focused on his attire. "Do you like my tie? Usually I like to wear one that drives the girls wild, but this one … Mrs. Cosby picked it out."
At Cosby's request, Rashad flew in from London, where she is performing Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
"I'm happy":
A star-studded lineup, including Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, saluted Bill Cosby at the Kennedy Center Monday night.
By Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images
"We were just so happy to be together," Rashad said of working on The Cosby Show. "It was so much fun. It really was golden."
Warner said he remains close with his TV dad.
"He's been a very integral part of my life," Warner said, calling the long-running sitcom a "testament to his (Cosby's) genius. He always said he wanted the show to be relevant and timeless, and it is."
"He's a force of nature," noted Carl Reiner, a previous Mark Twain Prize recipient who said it was his son who brought Cosby to his attention. "I saw him and said we have got to get him on Dick Van Dyke (show)."
The evening's program included a retrospective of Cosby's career, along with personal anecdotes from the star-studded lineup.
Seinfeld and Rock opened the show, and they joked about having performance anxiety because of Cosby's presence in the audience. "We're not funny," Seinfeld said. "Not compared to Bill Cosby," Rock added.
Nelson and Wynton Marsalis performed a duet for the music-loving comedian.
Seinfeld recalled buying Cosby's 1965 comedy album Why Is There Air? when he was 11 years old. "I listened to this album and completely lost my mind," he said. "It really was the single most powerful event of my childhood."
At the conclusion of the tribute, Cosby addressed the crowd, reminiscing at length about his career and giving thanks.
"Tonight is a great, great night for me and my family … But it is also for all the people who bought the albums and saw the shows," he said. "Each and every time I plant my feet (on the stage) it is to perform to you." [rc]
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY
"I'm happy":
A star-studded lineup, including Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, saluted Bill Cosby at the Kennedy Center Monday night.
By Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images
"We were just so happy to be together," Rashad said of working on The Cosby Show. "It was so much fun. It really was golden."
Warner said he remains close with his TV dad.
"He's been a very integral part of my life," Warner said, calling the long-running sitcom a "testament to his (Cosby's) genius. He always said he wanted the show to be relevant and timeless, and it is."
"He's a force of nature," noted Carl Reiner, a previous Mark Twain Prize recipient who said it was his son who brought Cosby to his attention. "I saw him and said we have got to get him on Dick Van Dyke (show)."
The evening's program included a retrospective of Cosby's career, along with personal anecdotes from the star-studded lineup.
Seinfeld and Rock opened the show, and they joked about having performance anxiety because of Cosby's presence in the audience. "We're not funny," Seinfeld said. "Not compared to Bill Cosby," Rock added.
Nelson and Wynton Marsalis performed a duet for the music-loving comedian.
Seinfeld recalled buying Cosby's 1965 comedy album Why Is There Air? when he was 11 years old. "I listened to this album and completely lost my mind," he said. "It really was the single most powerful event of my childhood."
At the conclusion of the tribute, Cosby addressed the crowd, reminiscing at length about his career and giving thanks.
"Tonight is a great, great night for me and my family … But it is also for all the people who bought the albums and saw the shows," he said. "Each and every time I plant my feet (on the stage) it is to perform to you." [rc]
Copyright 2009 USA TODAY
