NEW YORK — Bob Newhart, you're a funny guy, and a man of letters.

The deadpan comic and sitcom star was one of three finalists announced Tuesday for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, a $5,000 literary honor named for the famed author and humorist James Thurber.

Newhart, 77, was nominated for his memoir, "I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!" The other finalists were Merrill Markoe, for "Walking in Circles Before Lying Down," and Joe Keenan, for "My Lucky Star."

The winner will be announced this fall.