The Annual Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) - General Discussion

[milkyaqua]

Adding to the, there had to be a better way to end the Barry Gibb tribute.  It was sort of a let down after the other performers.

Was also wondering where Patti Labelle was for the Dionne Warwick tribute.  I thought at one point she, Gladys and Patti were pretty close.  Not to say that other things couldn't have gotten in the way but I thought it was odd.

I also miss the biography portion of the show for each honoree though.  Some seemed more lacking than others.  I also didn't understand Gloria Estefan opening the show though it does seem as though the producers are trying to change things up probably to broaden the appeal of the show but this show has pretty much been consistent ratings-wise so I'm not sure if this helped in that regard.

[ProudMary]

I just watched the ceremony. As info, it's streaming on Paramount Plus.

Add me to the list of those who were disappointed by Ariana DuBose's performance. Poor ending to a very good show. I'm also not a fan of Michael Buble. His version of "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was OK, I guess. Thank heavens for Ben Platt's well done rendition of "Nights on Broadway." 👏 Overall, I think Barry Gibb's segment was the weakest of the night, which was sad because his tribute was the main reason I tuned in.

Cynthia Erivo's "Alfie" was magnificent. I also was delighted to see The Spinners for "Then Came You", although I wasn't familiar with the woman who sang Dionne's lead. ("Country Diva" Mikey ???) She did a nice job with the song though.

I loved the entire Billy Crystal segment, including Bob Costas on Billy's love for the NY Yankees. ⚾ DeNiro was great! Every piece of the Crystal tribute hit the mark. 

Bravo Tituss Burgess!

I thought Queen Latifah's segment should also have included additional nods to her acting career. She's a fantastic Oscar and Emmy nominated actress, but all they mentioned was The Equalizer? 🤷‍♀️

[Irlandesa]

I missed the tribute to Dionne but I liked the other tributes I saw.  I thought Arianna DuBose did the best she could with her performance and I don't think she's at fault for how lackluster it was.  Overall, I felt the production choices made for his tribute were underwhelming which is so unusual for this show.  I'm usually wholly impressed by the performances, especially the last one for each tribute. 

Everything from the arrangement, costuming, and choreography was just meh for me.

[buttersister]

You know what else I missed seeing? Carolyn Kennedy talking about her father’s love for and support of the arts. Pablo Cassels at the White House. Look it up.

Maybe she was busy in Australia? But I’d hate to think the producer’s said, no thanks, Gloria Estefan and sexy dancers are opening the show.

[ebk57]

5 minutes ago, buttersister said:

You know what else I missed seeing? Carolyn Kennedy talking about her father’s love for and support of the arts. Pablo Cassels at the White House. Look it up.

Maybe she was busy in Australia? But I’d hate to think the producer’s said, no thanks, Gloria Estefan and sexy dancers are opening the show.

She hasn't hosted the show since 2012, so I'm pretty sure the producers didn't turn her down this year. 

I haven't watched the show yet, but I'm guessing I'll have something to say after I do.  I know you all are looking forward to that 😄

[milkyaqua]

16 hours ago, ProudMary said:

I'm also not a fan of Michael Buble. His version of "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" was OK, I guess.

Ditto not being a Buble fan and it's kind of hard to top the version of this song by Al Green.

[debbie311]

I also missed Caroline Kennedy. I remember so well when Neil Diamond was honored and she said the words to "Sweet Caroline" when announcing the names of the honorees.

I really liked Dionne Warwick and Billy Crystals' segments. I thought Barry Gibb's was kind of meh. I kept hoping to see John Travolta show up! And the production number just ended so abruptly.

[Crashcourse]

Yeah, it would've been fantastic if John Travolta and Donna Pescow had shown up at the end.  

[milkyaqua]

Speaking of the biography portion, the one I thought was really incomplete was Renee Fleming.  I mean, what drives a child to want to be an opera diva?  Yes, I can google it, but it would have been nice to see that.

[LisaM]

I watched my recording last night. Loved how they had Queen Latifah's family involved. I kept waiting for John Travolta to show up and dance. The Kennedy Center Honors are always a highlight of the year for me. 

[DanaK]

Newest honorees, including Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead and Bonnie Raitt

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/2024-kennedy-center-honors-francis-ford-coppola-the-grateful-dead-bonnie-raitt-1235952010/

[Trini]

7 hours ago, DanaK said:

Newest honorees, including Francis Ford Coppola, the Grateful Dead and Bonnie Raitt

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/2024-kennedy-center-honors-francis-ford-coppola-the-grateful-dead-bonnie-raitt-1235952010/

I admit I have not really paid attention to the KCH; but I'm surprised that the Apollo is an honoree. Have they honored an instituition/venue before?

[DanaK]

6 minutes ago, Trini said:

I admit I have not really paid attention to the KCH; but I'm surprised that the Apollo is an honoree. Have they honored an instituition/venue before?

It appears so after a quick perusal at its Wikipedia page, but I don’t know for sure

[SweetSable]

What a great group of honorees this year.  

 

[sugarbaker design]

24 minutes ago, SweetSable said:

What a great group of honorees this year.  

 

I'm cool with 4 out of 5.  I just think it's weird to honor an institution.  Who's going to sit on the chair in the balcony with the GD, Bonnie, Francis and Arturo?  The Sandman?

[DanaK]

Though the above linked article that I posted in July said this year's show would be on December 23, a CBS press release from October 23 on holiday programming says the show is on Sunday, December 22, 8:30-11pm ET

https://www.vitalthrills.com/cbs-holiday-programming-for-2024-announced/

[DanaK]

Queen Latifah will host this year's show

https://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2024/11/25/queen-latifah-47th-annual-kennedy-center-honors-host/

[ebk57]

Anyone besides me getting ready to watch? I hope it's as good as the newspaper reports made it sound.

[possibilities]

I'm here. 

I'm not an Angel from Montgomery, but I'm hoping to hear the song.

[ebk57]

4 minutes ago, possibilities said:

I'm here. 

I'm not an Angel from Montgomery, but I'm hoping to hear the song.

And there is was - and it was fab. 

 

Love Julia's dress.  Wasn't as fond of Queen Latifah's outfit.

[possibilities]

For someone not interested in doing stuff to cater to "the Look, Bonnie sure has floofy 80s hair.

I also love Julia's dress. Sparkles seem to be in right now and I am very much enjoying it. I can't think, say, or feel anything bad about Queen L, though. It's like how some people feel about Beyonce.

 

Surprised this is on CBS. I really thought PBS would have it.

Did Bonnie ever really say "Let me be your blender, baby; I can whip, chop, and puree"? Someone said to me that she did (long ago in the 1980s) but I've never found the song it's from, and I feel like I'm missing out.

Brandi Carlisle makes me happy, though this song isn't really trying for that mood. Seems to be a good night for people I like. 

Wasn't a fan of Kamala's dress, though. I've seen her look better.

 

Edited 17 hours ago by possibilities

[ebk57]

I like the pieces of Queen Latifah's outfit.  I think maybe the cummerbund was awkwardly placed, maybe? 

Love Bonnie Raitt.  And Brandi, who sounded lovely.  And Emmylou, who also sounded lovely.  The next segment should be more upbeat.

The show has always been on CBS, but I don't know how long the contract goes.  I'll check with the brothers-in-law - they'll probably know.

[possibilities]

I have never understood the appeal of fabric like what Debbi's skirt is made of. But I am loving the music.

[ebk57]

That whole dress kinda hit me in the face.  Not a fan.

However, this dress that Queen Latifah is wearing now is great.

[possibilities]

QL's new dress for the Apollo segment is next level! Her bosom is flowering!

And I don't think you can go wrong with saxophone (sexaphone)

 

[ebk57]

Oh look - Cal Ripken in the audience.  And I was shocked...until I remembered that he bought into my baseball team which is majority-owned by David Rubenstein, the chairman of the KC.  Makes sense now.

[possibilities]

Whenever Dave Chapelle speaks, I am bracing myself: either it will be briliant or I will hate it. He doesn't usually have a middle ground. Or I don't.

*this time broke the streak! He was fine. I was fine. Nothing extreme in either direction.

Edited 15 hours ago by possibilities

[ebk57]

Savion Glover has certainly gotten older since I saw him as a child on Broadway.  Which is to be expected, I guess... 😄

And, was that Mavis in the audience a bit ago?  I love her!!!

And, this is a fabulous medley happening right now.

[possibilities]

I wonder why Savian Glover danced on the edge of the platform and not in the middle.

I agree on all points.

I do think that was Mavis. 

I tried to sing along, but my voice sounds like an untuned piano with half the strings broken. Still, it feels like NOT singing along with that number takes a lot of energy and is almost disrespectful.

[ebk57]

I think everyone should have been singing along with whoever that was singing The Impossible Dream.  It only could have helped.

Oh, as for Savion Glover, tap dancing requires a special surface, so that's why you'll see tap dancing done on small platforms built on bigger stages.  Unless the entire show is tap dancing, then they use a different stage floor.

[possibilities]

Nice dress, though.

[ebk57]

Coppola yelling "Yo, Adrian" at Talia Shire when she came out onstage - ha!

[possibilities]

8 minutes ago, ebk57 said:

Coppola yelling "Yo, Adrian" at Talia Shire when she came out onstage - ha!

I loved that moment. 

It's not that I think he's undeserving of the honor (I don't) (I was actually surprised he didn't get it a long time ago), but I was bored by the tribute. I think they front-loaded my personal favorites tonight.

[ebk57]

2 minutes ago, possibilities said:

I loved that moment. 

It's not that I think he's undeserving of the honor (I don't) (I was actually surprised he didn't get it a long time ago), but I was bored by the tribute. I think they front-loaded my personal favorites tonight.

Agree.  It wasn't the best tribute, but it would have been helped by skipping the song...   I am amazed that I know of all of Coppola's movies, but I'm not sure I've actually seen any of them.  

 

Mr. ebk is a huge Deadhead, so ... here we go!

[possibilities]

Okay, it got interesting again.

 

I'm not a "dead head" but I've known people who are. I had a housemate who loved them, and I loved her, so the tribute for The Grateful Dead is being fun to watch. I've never fully gotten over the feeling that their name is creepy, though.

 

I have a grudge against Miles Teller, though. I don't even know why. Just one of those things.

Edited 15 hours ago by possibilities

[ebk57]

I looooove Sturgill!!!

[possibilities]

What the hell is Chloe Sevigny wearing?

 

[ebk57]

2 minutes ago, possibilities said:

What the hell is Chloe Sevigny wearing?

 

A bedspread? 

 

Dave coming out of a van. Perfect!

[possibilities]

I admit, I don't really get this music, or why it inspires such devotion. It's fine. But it doesn't seem that special, to me.

Oh shit, Dave L. If you want to seem cool and crunchy, maybe don't wear a suit? The beard alone can't carry the look. 

[ebk57]

I don't think Dave cares about being cool.  

 

And Mr. ebk has just cranked up the volume of the TV.  I think that means he's enjoying this.  (As am I).

[possibilities]

I dig the psychadelic graphics in the background.

The stern faces featured in the audience cam make me laugh.

[possibilities]

2 hours ago, ebk57 said:

Oh, as for Savion Glover, tap dancing requires a special surface, so that's why you'll see tap dancing done on small platforms built on bigger stages.  Unless the entire show is tap dancing, then they use a different stage floor.

I know. But he was dancing in the corner of the special platform, instead of in the center of it-- that's what I meant. I understand why he had a special platform and not the whole/regular stage. I just didn't know why he chose to dance way over on the side of, instead of in the center of, the special surface area.

I got emotional at the end of the evening. It took me by surprise.

[ebk57]

12 minutes ago, possibilities said:

I know. But he was dancing in the corner of the special platform, instead of in the center of it-- that's what I meant. I understand why he had a special platform and not the whole/regular stage. I just didn't know why he chose to dance way over on the side of, instead of in the center of, the special surface area.

I got emotional at the end of the evening. It took me by surprise.

Ah... I see.  He's known to be somewhat eccentric, stemming, I guess, from his genius talent.  No one really knows how or why he makes his choices.  I was so taken by the performance, I didn't realize he was hugging the corner. 

Agree the ending was emotional.  The honorees seemed touched by the performances.  I was hoping Mavis would make an appearance onstage, but I was happy to see her there.

 

I did ask Mr. ebk how long the show would be on CBS.  He didn't know (and neither do his brothers), so I looked it up.  Next year is the last year of the current contract, so we have to hope the head honchos at the KC don't screw it up going forward.

[sugarbaker design]

13 hours ago, possibilities said:

Surprised this is on CBS. I really thought PBS would have it.

It's been on CBS for as long as I've watched it, at least 45 years.

I'm not a particularly big fan of any of this years celebrants.  Came here first to see if I should watch or delete from my DVR.  I'm going to watch.

Note to Kennedy Center:  These celebs are in their 60's:  Tom Cruise, Jodie Foster, Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker, Brad Pitt, Shania Twain and Quentin Tarantino.