Conan O’Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

The 2025 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, honoring Conan O’Brien, was held on March 23rd at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and premiered globally on Netflix on May 4th. Done+Dusted oversaw the full production—creative direction, staging, broadcast, and delivery—with the goal of further entrenching the event’s status as the nation’s highest honor in comedy while amplifying its reach to a global streaming audience.

Highlights of the evening included a star-studded lineup with John Mulaney, Will Ferrell, David Letterman, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, Kumail Nanjiani, Bill Hader, Stephen Colbert, and more, each offering uniquely personal and hilarious tributes to Conan. The night was punctuated by signature comedic surprises—Nikki Glaser’s speech playfully interrupted by a character from Conan’s late-night past, and Conan’s acceptance speech climaxing with Will Forte as Mark Twain, leading to a surreal finale involving 12 Mark Twain's dancing onstage. The show closed with a raucous Conan and Adam Sandler guitar performance, blending comedy and rock in unforgettable fashion.

The event, staged for a 2,500 in-person audience, and edited for launch on Netflix a month later, quickly became one of the most talked-about editions of the Prize. On Netflix, the special attracted 2.6 million starters and 1.7 million completers within 28 days, generating 3.2 million viewing hours. Widely regarded as the “best Twain Prize ever” the show also earned Emmy nominations for Best Show, Best Writing, and Best Editing.

With its seamless blend of live spectacle, innovative storytelling, and digital-first distribution, the 2025 Mark Twain Prize reinforced its reputation as the ultimate recognition of comedic genius, resonating with both the in-room audience and millions more around the world.