Elaine May. What a treasure. Still rockin' it at 92 in the industry... ❤

*Elaine May deserves an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award for this speech alone.*

Elaine May gives the most intelligent, the most hysterical, and the most heartfelt speech I have ever heard. Brava!

"I took that letter, and a few other little things that Mike will never miss" 😂💀

Elaine May gives the greatest and funniest awards speech of all time!!!!!!

In1962 I was in High School in Brooklyn and we used to get Two-Fer tickets to Broadway, two seats for a dollar or something crazy like that. I had a $2 a week allowance then I and had enough to take a date to Broadway. The show was An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May. We had seen them on TV, but of course in the live theatre it was un-censored. So our innocent ears were treated to the most off the wall, hilarious, biting humor and commentary on life that we had ever heard. They were as off the wall as Elaine still is in this salute to Mike. I have watched some snippets of them now on YT, and of course it has lost it's bite, we have heard so much since then. Nothing is taboo. Like the joke the Aristocrats, everything now goes too far. What a treat it is to see Elaine again live and as spontaneous as she was 60 years ago. It also never crossed anybody's mind that their talent could meander into other areas, and keep us on our toes all these years.

There is a child like innocence that Elaine has that hits you like a hammer.

Her understated delivery is what makes this cockamamie story believable. She is one of my heroes.

Has anyone else ever gotten a standing ovation for a speech at the AFI - that wasn't for the recipient? Incredible. Literate. Hysterical. wow

As a scientist, I LOVE the fact that she never dumbed down the science in that amazing story. Brava, Elaine.

"This is the second page" absolutely kills me and I can't quite explain why. Elaine May is a unique human being.

And that is a talented class act. Unsurpassed in her craft

'I don't want to, not be thematic '.. Lol Elaine is, indeed a national treasure. My go to film, when I need guaranteed laughs is always, A New Leaf. Timeless, just like Ms. May! 😍😃👍👏👏👏👏👏

This woman is some kind of genius!

May's speech is brilliant and her final line is a killer. Nichols is laughing and crying through the whole thing since he and May first teamed up in Chicago with The Compass Players in the 1950's. Without Elaine May there would have been no Mike Nichols, and vice-versa.

I would bet there wasn't a single word printed on that paper, yes she is that good at improv, second to none. That was fantastic.

"...because he had never achieved the combined field theory, and that's gotta be depressing." OMFG! TEARS!

Mike Nichols and Elaine May are the reasons I became a comedian. I sensed their greatness when I was only eight years old.

Whenever I get down, I watch this. Just on another level altogether.

There's a reason Elaine May is so revered and her performance here is a good example.

Elaine May is in a class of her own. Thank you Elaine, for everything.

This priceless clip illustrates not only what a truly brilliant comedic mind Elaine May has always possessed, but reminds us all of what we have been missing in an age so desperately bereft of genuinely creative wit. Where has this trailblazing genius of hers been keeping itself for so many years?

"I don't know to whom it was written because it was the second page." Unbelievably brilliant.

MAYBE THE MOST CREATIVE, TOUCHING AND FUNNY SPEACH EVER WRITTEN.

I have to come back here from time to time, and she never fails to amaze me and touch me❤

I have watched this clip so often it's almost embarassing.But it cheers me to know they remained friends all this time.They met decades ago when they were in their twenties.That my friends....is the most amazing part.

This WOMAN IS PHENOMENAL!! And, she & MIKE have accomplished great collaborations!

I have watched this numerous times and each time I wish it would have gone on longer - what a storyteller with such wonderful humor. Wonderful, Elaine - you are such a terrific person and speaker.

Now this is True Comedy-no crudeness, no expletives just a beautiful soul pouring out her gift of Comedy to another beautiful soul. Elaine May you are a national treasure and much needed in the times we are living in now.

This separates the adults in the crowd from the children in terms of who is laughing at the brilliant hilarity, and who is just sitting there. Genius.

What bliss to encounter helpless laughter.

I’m not sure Elaine realizes how hysterical she is. She just has an extremely high standard of comedy.

The brilliance of Elaine May...

There's a video clip on youtube of Mike and Elaine as the special mystery guest on What's My Line -- 50 years before this night!

I just love watching this amazing talent perform her craft! And, Mike Nichols alternating between guffawing and crying is priceless!

This is a perfect speech and presentation. There isn't one untrue or editable nanosecond in it. It is everything it should be and nothing else. Art like this sets its own rules as it enacts them. One will never see another speech this wise, hilarious, eloquent, and entertaining because every syllable; every pause and inflection; every look and gesture are creating the standards of perfection as they are achieving them. This is what genius art looks like.

Elaine May is absolutely BRILLIANT here! I laughed until I nearly cried. She's also an amazing screenwriter, she wrote "The Birdcage," featuring Robin Williams, Dianne Wiest, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane. Directed, of course, by Nichols. We love & miss you Mike! Shine on, my friend...your movies will entertain endless generations to come.

"Nice shoes." I love Ms. May.

Best speech I’ve ever heard. What an honor!

Best, funniest tribute speech ever.

MY GOD HOW I LOVE THIS WOMAN !!!

Elaine May's cerebral humor has been making me laugh deeply since the 1960s, but when she says: "...and that's gotta be depressing." in connection with Albert Einstein....I pissed myself. A true national treasure.

Amazingly intelligent side-splitting humor that is a wonder to behold that's Mike Nichols' legacy, no wait a minute, I meant Elaine May's sophisicated take on the world; I've got an idea: how about putting both on the stage at the same time? Now that would be really something special. I'm 70 years old and can remember them performing on: "The Ed Sullivan Show" when I was a sub-teenager and missing half their jokes but even I knew what power they both had to manipulate the English Language to high comic effect. Brilliant is an overused adjective, but it applies here.

Elaine May and Mike Nichols are the type of comedians who never made bad jokes or said anything that would offend America. Mike Nichols is dead now (he died in 2014), but Elaine May is still alive and still as funny.

that was the best speech I have ever seen watching the AFIs... she is great :)

The greatest comedienne to never gain "widespread" fame. Such talent....

WHAT CAN ONE SAY -A REAL COMIC GENIUS/WRITER/WOMAN! ADORE HER!

Brilliantly written and delivered and well deserving of a standing ovation.

I miss comedy like this. It unfolds slowly with jokes along the way.

I cannot believe how funny Elaine May is! I'm crying with laughter, just like the audience. I never knew. - Why did the end make me cry? Maybe because it was so beautiful: what a loving compliment to Mike.

I've watched this again and again. And again . . probably hadn't seen it for 8 months or so before watching it tonight. And every time I cry with laughter. Thank you, Elaine May.

WOW...what a lady!

I hope people continue to discover this clip. This presentation made me well up a little bit just because of its brilliance.

Elaine May hadn't lost a step. This made me go back to watch some of her routines with Mike. Nichols & May, Bob Newhart, Burns & Allen, & Jonathan Winters - all timeless.

"Nice shoes." Ms. May is wonderful. I love her.

Loved this. Laughed out loud at a speech. Thats a first.

I can't watch this too many times.

Best damn speech I've ever heard. She is just - wow!

This woman has made 2 extremely underrated films which are among my favorites of all time: The Heartbreak Kid (1972) and Mikey and Nicky (1976).

I feel like my life has big hole that wasn't filled by Elaine May's humor.

Astounding. Dear Elaine May, thank you for these 7 minutes or so, that make us all feeling as these two kids on that train, suspended in time. Not only Mike, but also Igor's cousin, no doubt, would be so proud of you💗

She is brilliant. We need more people like her.

This was less a speech than it was an artistic performance of pure genius. Mike Nichols actually was a distant cousin to Einstein on his mother's side and May describes relativity accurately which is why she's so brilliantly funny. Einstein's got nothin' on this lady.

That woman is BRILLIANT! I don't think there is anyone alive today who can even come close to her comedic ability. Her writing of that speech, her delivery, and every move she makes is just comedy genius! Wow!

Wow! We don’t see speeches like this anymore. Brilliant

Never watch this in a coffee shop, because people around you wonder why you're laughing and crying at the same time! 😂

National treasure Elaine May uncorks one for longtime partner Mike Nichols. If only the people who are (soon to be) running our country could be as intelligent and witty. Thanks for posting

Standing ovation for Elaine May indeed coolest along with Nora Ephron

That is the best speech I've ever heard, and I've made some incredible speeches.

You feel, a little bit, like you watched history happen there.

Have always adored this lovely and intelligent woman. After first watching her in the 1971 movie "A New Leaf," I wanted to bring her home with me and look after her forever. I think I'd do anything for her.

This is the single funniest tribute presented at ANY awards show! If you haven't seen two brilliant films she directed -- I HIGHLY recommend "The Heartbreak Kid" -- the 1972 version, (not the wretched Ben Stiller remake) and "A New Leaf" featuring her and Walter Matthau -- both delightful, charming and enormously quirky -- just like her AFI tribute to Mike Nichols!!

Such wit, and perfect comedic timing. This should be the reference video for all public speaking classes.

Elaine May is so creative & original, it would be very difficult to find a smarter or funnier person!!

Elaine May is ! One in a million

Wow. This is hillariously funny. What a great and witty personality.

Man she is hilarious :D

it is the same dress she wore at the kennedy cntr honors in 2003!!! wonderfully imaginative ELAINE!

Gosh I just love this woman. So funny and smart. I am waiting for her to release HER 180 minute version of "A New Leaf" with a voice-over. She was wonderful in that. She is wonderful in everything.

all these years later they still hold up Mike (fine) and fail to really give Elaine her freaking due. We notice.

Actually, that's not what Albert Einstein thought. What he thought was "If I was on a train with Elaine May, going the same place at the same speed, we could have studied the combined field theory in the Pullman. When you are with Elaine, you forget everyone else..."

Phenomenally funny. A brilliant woman.

She is just SO good, I was recently introduced to her work by an older friend of mine and I'm so impressed with her and Mike Nichols and their comedy as a duo was so ahead of its time.

Reaching into her chest, “I just don’t want to take out the wrong thing...” Brilliant.

She is so funny that there are a bucket load of people who won't see how truly brilliant this speech is. She manages to juggle three themes effortlessly. She has total control of the audience and their emotions at all times. She concisely explains Mike's genius and honors him while totally avoiding the maudlin or self referential. And the layers! At "10, 20, 30 years ago" she has half the audience sure she is going to refer to Nichols and May. But it the first example of the not knowing where you are going theme. It is also an in joke because that is her go-to dress. (Check it out in her AFI tribute to Warren Beatty!)

Classy, intelligent,funny thank you

What everyone is trying to capture in their comments, but none has quite yet said, is, "Perfect.". This is absolute perfection. The flow, the structure, the digressions, the theme, the humor, the..., the..., it is absolutely, completely perfect. You would not, could not, remove a single note.

Incredibly funny and clever speech.

Could she possibly be the funniest woman who's ever lived?

2:45 rotates the page, puts on glasses, flinches and has to rotate the page again; the guy gut laughing is me

Elaine and Mike, years ago, achieved the combined comedy theory. Elaine achieved it again here. The one and only Elaine May.

Elaine May is a genius

love her

Elaine May holds the title of the funniest speeches ever ....

This is just so great! Bravissimo, Elaine!

I so needed this. Thank you so very much.

Literate, urbane and hilarious because of it. It would all be lost on an audience today.

Loved them so much. Hysterical

I miss all these wonderful people.

She's so amazing. Best speech ever.