Few moments in my career have felt as surreal and special as writing the speech to introduce the legendary Carol Burnett at the American Film Institute’s 2017 Commencement Ceremony.

As part of the event’s production team, my main responsibility was to curate the program leading up to the moment when Carol Burnett received her honorary degree. Crafting words that would properly honor a comedy icon—a woman whose work has shaped generations of performers—was both an incredible privilege and a daunting challenge.

When the moment arrived, the room was filled with admiration, laughter, and awe—a true testament to Carol’s impact on entertainment. Seeing her take the stage, gracious and brilliant as ever, was a reminder of why we celebrate the legends who paved the way for so many.

Color me lucky. It was everything.