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"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"
Amid the Oscar madness of the last two weeks, I missed an item about Tina Fey that connected to me in a personal way.
Fey, a brilliant comic talent, won last year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Her sharp writing on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock", and her political satire and impersonation, guarantee her a permanent place in the annals of classic American comedy.
And so I was at first dismayed, but then delighted, when I heard that on a recent "30 Rock", Fey wrote a parody of a Joni Mitchell song, and mimicked Joni singing it in the background during a scene from the show.
The song, called "Paints and Brushes", recalls Mitchell's heyday in works such as "Blue" and "Court and Spark".
Listen to it here (From Huffington Post, February 22)
My dismay came from my deep respect for Mitchell as a poet, lyricist, and musical artist. My long-standing love for Mitchell, with her ability to interpret life's sweet bitterness and love's mystery, has rendered her almost sacrosanct to me. I feel it my life's duty to extol her virtues, and champion her as a singular voice of an era.
But then I listened to Fey's parody, and had to hand it to her....the pitch, the phrasing, and the angst, only slightly off, was marvelous...and so good-natured, I don't see how offense could be taken.
Once you're in on the joke, "Paints and Brushes" is like an insane person's version of "A Case of You" (where her "Oh Canada" is replaced with the goofy repetition of "Medicine Hat").
Two women who I greatly admire, one of whom was inspired by the other to heights of madcap creativity....They have in turn inspired me....
Next week, a post or two in appreciation of Joni...
"Well something's lost but something's gained / In living every day...." "Both Sides Now"
It is my opinion that Tina Fey has done more to shape the political landscape of the country than any elected official, politician, or pundit. Her embodiment of then-Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin scared voters out of their complacency. Convinced by Fey's dead-on impersonation that there was imminent threat of handing the country over to a genuine buffoon, voters mobilized, and an historic election ensued. At least for that election cycle, cooler heads prevailed.
It is for that, as much as her multiple-Award-winning work on NBC's "30 Rock", that Tina Fey has recently received the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
The Ceremony for this 13th Annual Award, which was given to Fey on November 9, will be broadcast on PBS on Sunday, November 14. Let Award Season Begin!
The Kennedy center recognizes outstanding work in many of the arts, including opera, jazz, theater, ballet, and modern dance, as well as many types of musical performance. In 1998 the Center established the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, to honor humorists who have had an impact on American society. Twain was known for his observance of culture and for his social commentary. His quote is an inspiration for the Prize: "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."
In accepting her award, Fey acknowledged her resemblance to Palin, as well as Palin's odd voice, that provided Fey with unforgettable material for hilarious and devastating satire.
Fey is the youngest recipient of this award.
The proceeds for the ceremonial event support Kennedy Center Programs.
Other mark Twain honorees inlcude: Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), and Bill Cosby (2009)
