Comedian Mel Brooks dropped to one knee Thursday before President Obama as if receiving a knighthood after he was given his official citation for “a lifetime of making the world laugh.”
Obama awarded National Medals of Arts to 24 American giants of the arts and humanities, lauding their accomplishments — and sharing some laughs in a White House ceremony.
Obama, who has said he admires Brooks for his over-the-top Western satire “Blazing Saddles,” warned him that he would catch him if he tried to sell his National Medal of Arts on eBay.
He also joked with Broadway star Audra McDonald, whose citation was misplaced, and admired the spiked sneakers of poet Louise Glück.
“I do think Mel Brooks kind of set the tone for this thing,” Obama said afterward. “Historically, this has been a much more staid affair.”
“He never lets me have my moment!” Obama quipped.
Also among the honorees: Motown producer Berry Gordy and composer Philip Glass as well as authors Sandra Cisneros, Ron Chernow, Rudolfo Anaya and James McBride.
“We believe that the arts and the humanities are in many ways reflective of our national soul. They’re central to who we are as Americans: dreamers and storytellers and innovators and visionaries,” Obama said.
“They’re what help us make sense of the past — the good and the bad — and how we chart a course for the future,” he said.
Left unmentioned: Andres’ battle with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who sued Andres for backing out of a deal to open a restaurant in his new Washington hotel after Trump made disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants.
— Reuters