PBS Salutes Jay Leno – Recipient Of The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor


IMG_0667.PNG Picture Credit: The Kennedy Center/PBS

On Sunday, November 23rd, PBS will honor comedian Jay Leno, who is this year’s recipient of the treasured Mark Twain Prize For American Humor.

I am so thrilled for him. He is considered to be the best of the best stand-up comedians. No one quite has his quick wit -call it his Scottish/ Italian heritage combined with his innate comedic talent.

Also, as host of The Tonight Show, he propelled and maintained the Number One spot despite the critics and controversy swirling about his life. Nothing swayed Jay – as someone once said: “He could take a punch”.

And, as much as I love Jimmy Fallon, I miss the in depth interviews Jay conducted with his guests. Particularly impressive were his interviews with non-show biz guests, such as politicians, novelty guests and crusaders.

Jay was able to perfectly balance both sides of his performing skills – regular guy versus intellectual. He was extremely diverse and, yet, at the core, his insightful humor pulled everything together.

Here is what to expect on Sunday, November 23rd:

A lineup of top entertainers, including Garth Brooks, Kristin Chenoweth, Kevin Eubanks, Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Handler, Jerry Seinfeld, Wanda Sykes will salute Jay Leno at the 17th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday, October 19, 2014 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The evening will pay tribute to the humor and accomplishments of Jay Leno, and will be videotaped by WETA Washington, D.C. as Jay Leno: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize. The program will air on PBS stations nationwide November 23, 2014 (check local listings). Artists are subject to change.

I have set my DVR to record this television event! Will you be watching? Apparently it is a very entertaining ride!

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici

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