The Shortlist for Oct. 23

Ellen DeGeneres Receives Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Harvey, Kristin Chenoweth and more funny stars gathered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Monday night to honor Ellen DeGeneres, this year's recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. "This is the only time I've ever missed a show for anything, except when I had my appendix taken out," joked Kimmel, before getting serious to acknowledge that DeGeneres is "very genuine and she makes [comedy] look easy -- and it's not easy."

Beside DeGeneres, 54, was her wife, Portia de Rossi, who told E! that "Ellen … is not only the funniest person I know, but she's such a good person." Asked how it felt to be feted, DeGeneres quipped, "I'm flattered. It's fantastic. Of course I think, 'What took so long?'" (USAToday)