Kimmel, Chenoweth to honor Ellen DeGeneres in DC

[October 04, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Jimmy Kimmel, Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey and Lily Tomlin have signed on to honor Ellen DeGeneres with tribute performances as she wins the nation's top humor prize.

The Kennedy Center in Washington is awarding DeGeneres the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Oct. 22. The show will be broadcast on PBS stations Oct. 30.

The lineup also includes John Krasinski, Sean Hayes and Jason Mraz.

DeGeneres began her career as a comedy club emcee in her native New Orleans. Soon after, she became the first female comedian summoned to late-night host Johnny Carson's desk to chat.

In 1997, DeGeneres made history as the first prime-time TV lead character to reveal she's gay.

The prize honors Mark Twain's tradition of satire and social commentary.

[Associated Press; By BRETT ZONGKER]

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