Kennedy Center Honors 2019

It’ll be a great ceremony with the Sesame Street crew there.

Hasn’t Linda Ronstadt been ill for a long time?

[quote] singer Linda Ronstadt

Hasn’t Linda Ronstadt been inducted several times already?

Linda has been waiting to be honored for a long, long time.

A national disgrace:

Still no Liza Minnelli and Johnny Mathis.

No Betty White. More deserving than anyone.

Why do they keep snubbing her? 😣

Now it's too late for Doris Day.

Last year was better: Reba and Cher.

I haven't received a phone call yet, but I'm sure it's coming.

Someone should take his old spot retroactively.

Liza was rudely overlooked again. Damn shame.

Johnny Mathis was rudely overlooked again. Damn shame.

Neither of them deserves the recognition.

Least of all you, LL Cool J.

Suck it, bitch.

I really like this list!

I cried when Jim Henson died. Sesame Street has made a difference with so many children. It's nice to see. I really like Sally Field, hope she doesn't get screechy. And I love Linda Ronstadt. I wonder if she will be able to attend?

I guess Trump will stay home again. And they won't get the White House Reception. But it is a thrilling night.

Who did Betty White piss off.?

Linda already got a National Medal of Arts award from Obama. Now she needs to be part of Kennedy Center Honors? Honestly, she didn't even have that many hits.

R17 I agree - Betty White should have been on the list by now. She's a national treasure.

[quote] Honestly, she didn't even have that many hits.

20 top 40 hits, 10 of them top 10, also 10 top 10 country hits, over 3 decades, dispute that statement.

Lot's of artists have 20 top 40 hits and they haven't received this honor. Betty White should be honored before Linda.

And Bea Arthur should have gotten in LONG ago.

You cannot get one if you are not able - or unwilling - to attend. So Betty White must be too infirm to go. And Liza, who knows. I hope she's okay. No one on the planet deserves it more than she does. Once-in-a-generation performer, no doubt.

Also Bette Midler should certainly get one soon.

Linda Ronstadt was before my time and she never really carried over to my generation. Most people my age don't really know who she is.

Liza was at Melissa Manchester's show in NYC a couple of weeks back with Billy Stritch. She's fine, she's just retired.

Linda can't stand or sit upright for too long now because of her Parkinson's. But she did show up to Dolly's musicares ceremony a couple of months back.

Liza has major mobility issues. She can barely walk unassisted.

Faye Dunaway deserves one of these. Same for Diahann Carroll.

I know of Linda. Don't know any of her songs off the top of my head. And I love 70's music. Earth, Wind & Fire? Really? Wow.

Love Sally and Sesame Street, however.

Sally Struthers? It's about time!

For the most part, I'm happy with the selections, but again, what about Johnny Mathis and Liza?!? I'll include a link to submit nominations. Please submit yours, seriously. DL, let's make a difference.

For those of you who don't know Linda Ronstadt, I hope you'll take a few minutes from your schedule.

The video I posted at R30 has one of her greatest performances at around the 15:00 mark. Her recording of "That's Easy for You to Say" is the definitive recording of that song, but it's nearly unavailable. Yeah, I know I'm a fan (not a gurl, though, so don't go after me for that).

Betty White, while certainly a beloved icon and with great career length, is not deserving. Lots of people have received the honor that don’t deserve it but that doesn’t mean Betty ought to get one. The argument for Liza I’m a little more receptive for. She is an icon based on her performances, not her longevity.

Liza, for your consideration.

R33, you’re not helping the argument. That, literally, was the worst performance of that entire concert.

R34, I'm not a theatre critic. Liza has an impact beyond Broadway. She's an icon even in the Rock community. There is no one who doesn't know her and acknowledge her.

Seriously? Who gives a fuck anymore?

Glad For Linda, glad no fucking Rappers were stupidly awarded this year

Let's see if Dolly and Emmylou Harris perform for Linda.

Linda Ronstadt and Sally Field have always reminded me of each other, especially their speaking voices and faces. It can't be a coincidence they're being honored on the same night. One person, multiple personalities. Watch, "Linda" will stay home sick and "Sally" will be forced to fuck the Eagles again.

For R39.

With Sally Field, they'll show clips from The Flying Nun, Gidget, Smokey and the Bandit, and Stay Hungry - by which time the audience will be thinking to themselves, "why are we honoring this woman, again?"

Robin Quivers

Betty White was a pioneer for women in television.

Betty Marion White Ludden (born January 17, 1922)[ is an American actress and comedian, with the longest television career of any entertainer, spanning 80 years. Regarded as a pioneer of television, she is one of the first women to have control both in front of and behind the camera and is recognized as the first woman to produce a sitcom (Life with Elizabeth), which contributed to her receiving the honorary title Mayor of Hollywood in 1955.

She has received eight Emmy Awards in various categories, three American Comedy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award. She also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is a Television Hall of Fame inductee (class of 1995), and a Disney Legend (class of 2009).

And how does Liza compare?

It goes without saying.

Betty's reaction to being passed over again.

LL Cool J's induction remains the most mind boggling of any, swiftly followed by Gloria Estefan and the creators of Hamilton.

The only artful thing in The Kennedy Center is the lighting. Massive Orrefors chandeliers, but not very Amurhcan.

What r26 said about Dunaway.

Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, Network; those three iconic films alone exceed the productive and acting output of Beatty and Hoffman, both of whom have a KCH.

Too bad she won't embrace "Mommie Dearest". Maybe if she would, the committee would name her. I've surmised that maybe they have considered her but they can't think of how to approach, during her presentation, MD.

Once they turned the program into an entertainment program rather than a prestigious honor for lifetime achievement, the undeserving inductees started appearing.

Dammit! I even sent each board member a crate of Helenesque!

[R47]That one incredible chandelier was a gift from Ireland.

....

R51 Thank you for the reminder. I had forgotten that all the loot was gifts.

The show is no longer worth watching. I didn't watch Cher and Reba either. (But Kelly C killed Fancy) It's supposed to be about significant artistic achievement and lasting contribution to the culture. There are not many FAMOUS people who fit that description anymore. But plenty deserving. Leonard Cohen and Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox - never? Not even Judy Collins. Ronstadt is more deserving than who - what a dull old bitch she is. She only did one thing, long before my time and no one even remembers her music. She didn't write, she didn't act or do films, she wasn't great on stage. What the fuck? I agree that Liza, Mathis and Shirley Bassey are far more deserving. I know for a fact that Midler is waiting for a real president in the box. The great and very active Desmond Richardson should be honored but they don't give it to visionaries and dancers anymore, do they? I guess they felt the most UNDESERVING Cher kind of covered all the bases. She does everything with equal mediocrity. What a mess this is.

Sally Fucking Field? Why the fuck not. She was good in a few films. Very good. But she's not important in any way to culture and how in the fuck do you pay tribute to her boring life? Tom Hanks got it so I get it. The honor is meaningless. Not as prestigious as the AFI or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Betty White isn't talented, what the fuck? Honor Suzanne Somers while you're at it.

Dancers, opera singers, classical musicians and choreographers will never be seen on this telecast again. Why not Twyla Tharp?

I am not even 50 yet but the only truly deserving people I can think of are Bette Midler, Desmond Richardson, Stevie Nicks and Audra McDonald.

Liza

Johnny. He's beautiful, incredibly talented and gay. He's the only man my BF gives me a pass for.

Your "boyfriend" gives you a pass for 90 year old Johnny Mathis? What a night that will be.

Toni Morrison has never received the Kennedy Center Honor, believe it or not. That's pretty amazing.

Oh wait authors don't qualify, do they? Never mind.

R57, I'm a polite person (most of the time) so I'll respond politely. I'm in my late 50s. So is my BF. I'm very well aware of Johnny's age. He was much younger when we were much younger. My BF showed, early on, that he was quite jealous. We started seeing each other when we were in our early 20s. We were young gaylings, and very full of ourselves. But the one person my BF let me admire was Johnny Mathis, since he admired him, too. He hated my interest in every other famous man from that time period, but could never say a word about Johnny Mathis. He still can't. I talked to him a few days ago, and he agreed it was a travesty that Johnny wasn't nominated for an honor.

Gaylings? For your consideration - Linda Ronstadt? Liza was an influence on rock music? Jesus christ gramps don't be polite. You are either very drunk or living in a fantasy. Anyone who loves Linda Ronstadt has terrible taste and a tendency to cry easily. I guess Mathis was handsome in a pouffy kind of way before I was born. I am 47. Your BF talked to you a few days ago? Is he someone in your head?

Alright, I'm sorry R61. For you and your beaux.

R61 ,R62, I dont't understand your interest in pitching a fight with me. If you don't like Johnny Matthis, then fuck off. I like him.

I love Johnny Mathis. Now that is true R63. But please don't try to fuck him.

R64,Thank you. That was gorgeous.

You're welcome. Johnny was a great singer with a beautiful voice. Back then - he was sexy too. I apologize.

Johnny Mathis is the epitome of class.

This thread is hilarious. The Johnny Mathis stuff is becoming a DL classic and the post about Toni Morrison sealed the deal. Love you boys.

Goldie Hawn, Tug McGraw, Jane Fonda, Gene Hackman, Hal Holbrook

R33 / R55. Thank you. Liza is sensational and deserves a Kennedy Center Honor more than anyone. She is a national treasure and is an entertainer extraordinaire. She transcends Broadway, concerts, movies. She can do it all. And it's long overdue that she be recognized. What is wrong with the Kennedy Center committee? They're a disgrace.

[quote]Ronstadt is more deserving than who - what a dull old bitch she is. She only did one thing, long before my time and no one even remembers her music. She didn't write, she didn't act or do films, she wasn't great on stage. What the fuck?

Linda Ronstadt's a fantastic singer who succeeded in singing practically every major genre of music. She was also highly influential and well regarded among her peers. She was considered the Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holliday of rock music in the 70's. She also had a span of fifteen years where every record was certified gold or platinum.

Liza and Shirley Bassey are great entertainers, but neither have left their imprint on recorded music they way Linda has. And that's putting it nicely.

Art is subjective.

[quote] Betty White, while certainly a beloved icon and with great career length, is not deserving.

Betty White is the literal fucking definition of someone who should get this award. She's had a long career in TV and is a cornerstone of American culture.

She's one of the few actors over 70 and from the era of Bob Hope, etc. that people under 30 know and love.

[quote] Liza and Shirley Bassey are great entertainers, but neither have left their imprint on recorded music they way Linda has. And that's putting it nicely.

Linda certainly deserves this award, but that might be overstating Linda's impact/importance a wee bit.

Damn it. Another year with no Bernadette. She is most deserving.

John Waters?

An interesting list (from before this year's announcement)

R43, Actually, it's Betty Marion White Barker Allen Ludden.

I also agree with the nomination for Jane Fonda. We have a nice current thread about her best performances. She seems to tackle any genre with ease.

I think in general the KCH tends to stick to the middle of the road types.

They haven't been great with people of color unless in an academic sense or in one of the arts where popular culture isn't really the guiding force.

Jane Fonda may be deemed too controversial due to her political past. Whereas Sally Field was apparently the right mix of woke but middle of the road.

Who knows what their yardstick is? Not clear to any of us in the cheap seats.

[quote]Liza and Shirley Bassey are great entertainers, but neither have left their imprint on recorded music they way Linda has. And that's putting it nicely.

R71. Stop. Liza Minnelli is the very definition of leaving her imprint. Liza Minnelli is Cabaret, a landmark movie in American film history. And she won the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also won multiple Tony Awards. In fact, just about every show in which she has starred has been a huge hit. She has had record-breaking concerts. She represents a legacy of two of the most famous stars from Hollywood's Golden Era (Judy Garland and Vincent Minnelli)--and she had enormous success on her own aside from her parents She own the song "New York, New York," which was written for her. "Liza With a Z" remains a definitive concert performance which came very early in her entertainment career.

What else do you want? Liza Minnelli is an outstanding artist and should be recognized. I can't really go on about Shirley Bassey's career since I don't know all of her highlights. However, her rendition of "Goldfinger," helped to define an entire genre of movies and movie themes.

Jane Fonda will never get a Kennedy Center Honor. Ever.

R81 In terms of RECORDED music. She doesn't have a catalogue that's remotely comparable to Streisand, Ross, Ronstadt, Aretha Franklin. Her talents were never utilized to any great degree on record. She's a great live entertainer who made an impact, but if you're gonna bitch about Linda's "Lack of acting" (?!) then you could say similar about Liza's lack of substantial recorded output.

[quote]However, her rendition of "Goldfinger," helped to define an entire genre of movies and movie themes.

Shirley Bassey had one top forty hit in the US. She's a big star in Europe, but is largely unknown here. Kennedy Center Honors is US centric. She ain't getting in, and with good reason. You could make a better case for Lulu or Petula Clark.

Liza > Betty

If they can give it to Chita Rivera and Barbara Cook they can fucking give it to Liza. Rivera and Cook are/were hardly household names to most of America. Everybody knows who Liza is.

R83. The Kennedy Center Honors are not given only to those who excelled in recorded music. The Honors are to recognize those who have demonstrated excellence in the arts, culture and entertainment. I am not arguing whether or not Linda Ronstadt is better than Liza Minnelli or vice versa. I simply saying that Liza has made her mark on arts and entertainment and American culture and deserves to be recognized.

As for Shirley Bassey, she has not been overlooked as Liza has. Bassey has has an illustrious career, but maybe one not worthy of a Kennedy Center Honor. She is also a British citizen, so I don't know if that disqualifies her for a Kennedy Center Honor. The entire point of my response was to make a case that Liza Minnelli has earned her place given her outstanding contribution to American arts and culture and the entire entertainment industry and deserves a Kennedy Center Honor despite anyone else who may also be a worthy recipient.

Ronstadt is a has been and was before she became. I wouldn't have thought about Liza or Mathis, but both are, if nothing else, more iconic than Ronstadt. And Sally Field? Plenty of actresses, I'm sure . Among her generational peers, the much more versatile Cissy Spacek hasn't been honored.

Well if they spelled her name right, she could easily be honored.

Give Liza an Honor! Goddammit, what criteria does the Kennedy Center committee use? Seems rather random to select the nominees.

We don't know who has declined the honor(s). Doris Day did several times.

Until Donna Pescow is awarded the honor is meaningless.

Liza

Word is that it was neck and neck this year between Sally Field and Suzanne Somers.

Will the Trumps attend this year?

[quote]Why not Twyla Tharp?

2008 honoree

^ Wasn't that kind of the point? You'll never see someone like Twyla Tharp honored again at KC. Not after Cher, Billy Joel and LL Cool J were deemed worthy. That fucking world has gone madly mainstream. The tributes might be enjoyable but the honor is virtually meaningless now.

R92. Liza was brilliant performing "Mein Herr" from "Cabaret."

Shirley Bassey isn't American and doesn't have much to do with the USA and probably had never lived here. Why is anyone going on about her?

I'm a daft idiot, but I can still post to DL if I post to favorites.