WASHINGTON (AP) ― Some of the nation’s top comedians hailed Ellen DeGeneres as a trailblazer Monday night as she received the highest U.S. humor prize.

The Kennedy Center is awarding DeGeneres the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The show will be broadcast Oct. 30 on Public Broadcasting Service stations.

“Thanks to everyone at PBS. I am so happy to be part of your farewell season,’’ DeGeneres joked in accepting the prize and taking a jab at Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s plans to stop funding public broadcasting.

On the red carpet before the show, DeGeneres said she doesn’t see herself as political with her comedy, even though she’s been a trailblazer. “I just want to make people happy and make people laugh,’’ she said.