Robin Williams Honored at The Paley Center for Media

Robin Williams made his first-ever visit to The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills Thursday for an evening in his honor, sponsored by TV Guide Magazine. Williams, who returns to television this month in CBS's The Crazy Ones, said, "I never think of myself as a legend. It's a weird label, like 'mythological,' with little people behind you [saying], 'We worship you.'"

"When I started on TV there were only three networks and now there are hundreds," said Williams, who got his big break on the 1978-82 ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy. "And even though this is my first time at The Paley Center, I know you can come here and see incredible TV from the past."

TV Guide Magazine president and editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum introduced the evening's moderator, comedian Bobcat Goldthwait, who served as Williams' best man at his 2011 wedding. "He's my best friend, the best," Williams said.

Goldthwait kept the evening lively with jokes far too racy for network TV. "During my toast at Robin's wedding, I referred to his new wife as a MILF," Goldthwaite recalled. "And I threw him a bachelor party where a lovely performer named Lady Monster showed up and lit different parts of her anatomy on fire. It's the least I could do for Robin, who has always offered a shoulder for me to cry on when things were bad. We've had a nice run as best pals."

Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!