Bob Newhart Names “Mad” Kane Winner of 2008 Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor
Back in June I was thrilled to announce that I was a 2008 Robert Benchley Society Award for Humor Competition finalist. (The humor column that got me onto the finalists list is Guide For The Opera Impaired.)
Well, I’m now beyond thrilled because Bob Newhart, the finalists judge, picked me as the FIRST PRIZE winner.
Mr. Newhart even sent me a handwritten personal note (reproduced below) explaining why he named me for the top Robert Benchley Society humor award.
Right now I’m verging on euphoria —a dangerous condition for a satirist. But just to be mentioned in the same sentence as Mr. Benchley and Mr. Newhart is almost beyond comprehension.
Here’s Mr. Newhart’s note. (Needless to say, I plan to frame the original.)
UPDATE: I’m very pleased that my award has generated a fair amount of publicity. This article in Gannett’s Journal News is probably the best of the stories. And it has a fun companion video of me reading one of my humor columns.
Technorati Tags: Robert Benchley Society, Bob Newhart, Humor Awards, Writing Competitions
July 31st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Oh, gosh. And here I thought a humor/law tv show would be good - this surpasses that by miles - incredibly fine and huge congrats to you!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
That is AWESOME beyond awesome! CONGRATULATIONS to you, you talented satirist, you. I am opera-impaired, so should definitely read your contribution.
August 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I knew you’d win.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 pm
This is news such as makes our eyes glaze
And our throats to ring out with Hoorays.
Bob Newhart’s the best
At a best humor quest
And for you we have nothing but praise.
And congratulations by the dozens - nay, hundreds!
Thank you for sharing the good news and the euphoria with us!
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Granny said it best, no doubt.
So grab the bubbly - pour it out!
Lauds and praises fly your way.
What else can a big fan say?
Blessings,
Linda
MEME EXPRESS – daily blog prompts
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Congratulations Mad,
You certainly deserved to win. I read your piece and it was hilarious. I love Benchley’s writing style and this was done so well. (it reminded me of his “How to Watch a Chess-Match”).
I like Newhart too. He is so Benchleyesque.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I’m thrilled that you won the award
for the entry that struck such a cord
With all Bencheley fans.
The achievement demands
That your name be in in bold–underscored!
Mad Kane
(Sorry. When I posted here, the name lost the bold and underscore. Sigh)
August 7th, 2008 at 2:28 am
Thanks so much for all your kind words … not to mention those delightful poems! Loved your verse Granny, Linda, and Lililbeth. That was very sweet and clever of all of you to do.
August 11th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Congratulations to you! What an amazing accomplishment!
August 13th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
What wonderful news, Mad~ Congratulations to you.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:06 am
I LOVE Bob Newhart -What a thrill for you! I read your Opera Post and I chuckled many times!