Former 'SNL' writer captures Thurber Prize

NEW YORK, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Alan Zweibel, who was an original member of the writing team on "Saturday Night Live," has been presented with the literary world's Thurber Prize in New York.

Zweibel, who now works as a producer for HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," won the 2006 Thurber Prize for American Humor at Monday's awards ceremony for his novel "The Other Shulman," said The Book Standard.

Last year's winner of the prestigious award was "America (The Book)" from comedian Jon Stewart and his fellow "Daily Show" writers.

The award is presented annually by Ohio's Thurber House, a literary center founded in Columbus, the hometown of famed humorist James Thurber.

Zweibel -- who beat out authors Bill Scheft and Kinky Friedman for the 2006 award -- already holds two Writer's Guild Awards and five Emmy Awards.