2023 Kennedy Center Honorees

Jesus……

Mein Fuhrer.

Why is Billy Crystal in the middle? Taking up a seat that he should have graciously vacated for Barry Gibb, who looks not long for this world. Warwick's princess slippers are divine.

How embarrassing

Dionne? That shrew?!

Who will be appearing for them?

Dionne looks like a high-class bag lady who go dressed in the dark.

Dionne is wearing fucking slippers!!!

This is only slightly less tragic than The Tonys. At least with this one you've hear of at least two or three of the luminaries.

Why is that lady under a green blanket?

Will they actually sing for Billy Crystal? A mashup of his Oscar songs maybe?

This was announced in June.

It's being shown on CBS on 12/27. Gloria Estefan is the host.

Barry Gibb is so grizzled, I thought he was Neil Young for a moment.

I’m surprised Corpse didn’t wear sweats

Why is Dionne Warwick wearing her bedroom slippers? I’m specifically speaking to you Dionne, and the photographer. What an embarrassment.

Well at least Corpse is above dirt

The bedroom slippers are tragic.

Those bedroom slippers are Chanel.

In an overcoat and slippers…

Queen Latifah?

Does CBS automatically get to select one of the honorees? Who's next - Gayle King?

At least she didn’t wear those bedroom slippers to the White House or the Kennedy Center.

Honest to FUCK, people! How, if you're an 83 year old invited to an event in a potentially drafty and chilly building, would you dress to deal with ailments and aches and pains? I'd be protecting my feet. Did you know elders get peripheral neuropathy that attacks nerves in toes and causes significant pain when not sufficiently warm?

You sound heinous ilike Trump people.

Reny Fleming? WTF?

How low will standards go. The pickings must be getting mighty slim.

R22, there's a lot of options before bedroom slippers in public. You type like you dress like old person.

Still no Liza? Whatever could she have done to make them ignore her year after year? She's not going to be around forever, that's for sure, and she more than deserves the honour. I have the impression that she would be so proud and grateful for the recognition.

I don’t understand the hideous necklaces.

I don't understand all the meanness towards Dionne Warwick. But then again, this is DL.

Yes, she can be bitchy and she still smokes cigarettes and is a suspected lesbian and is, arguably, not conventionally attractive.

Yes, she is also an amazing vocalist who was fortunate to have teamed with Burt Bacharach & Hal David. The product was, no pun intended, solid gold.

She's also intelligent and bitchy in a hilarious way. The house slippers are a head scratcher.

And yes, Barry Gibb should be sitting down in the middle, not Billy Crystal.

Here she is, singing Alfie. She's an amazing talent. This performance is moving, to me.

Wow that's really poking around in the bottom of the barrel.

Perhaps they’re like knighthoods, and Liza has quietly let it be known she doesn’t want one.

WOW...now that is a selection!

I guess they have run out of truly talented people. I wish they could have gotten to Suzanne Somers or Ron Popeil before they died.

^ or Leslie Jordan, or Joan Rivers

[quote] Queen Latifah?

Queen Latifah has been a popular performer for more than 35 years. A hip-hop pioneer who skillfully navigated her career from rapper and singer to actress in TV and film, talk-show host and Cover Girl. She is a good actress with solid box office. Today at 54, she is the star of one of the highest-rated dramas on network TV. It is the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop and she is a pioneering female performer in the genre.

R22 is obviously a Corpse stan

[Quote] I don't understand all the meanness towards Dionne Warwick

Is this a joke??

So the actual adornment is an old pair of Mork’s suspenders with some clothes pins attached?

This looks like a festive event held at an assisted living community. It seems that everyone is dressed to ward off a chill. Fleming looks like a blanket is draped over her lap, Warwick has on fucking slippers, Gibb and Crystal look like two old cockers ready to complain about their soup, and Queen Latifah as their caretaker. Jesus.

It is a very sad pathetic group of people when you think of all the gifted people who were passed over for decades. God I'd give it to Angie Dickinson over any of these people.

R29, I hope that's the case.

R27 Why did you wrote suspected lesbian, like it's a bad thing?

[quote] Today at 54, she is the star of one of the highest-rated dramas on network TV.

Does that warrant the Congressional Medal of Honor? Where the hell is Joan Van Ark's medal?

Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are far more deserving than Latifah.

When Joe announced "Diane Warwick," Dionnne winced.

[quote]Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are far more deserving than Latifah.

Lily and Meryl already have one.

R40, it’s not a bad thing to be a lesbian or suspected lesbian. Not at all. I’m just thinking about all of the tired nutloaf jokes on DL. Some DLers are wont to denigrate lesbians for no good reason.

Here is the lineup of presenters and performers. WTF- the performers for Barry Gibb. Ben Platt? Ariana DuBose?

“That’s right, bitches. I fought for you!”

Dionne has slippers on. Why, with the gown, chile?

[quote] Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are far more deserving than Latifah.

Lily Tomlinson and Meryl Streep have already been honored by the Kennedy Center.

Dionne was in her backyard emptying her ashtrays when the limousine arrived. She forgot she was supposed to be there tonight.

Barry looks like he died 3 months ago and nobody told him. Don’t get me started on that Warwick creature.

Cynthia Erivo sang one of the best versions of Alfie for Dionne that I've ever heard. Lush and grand.

Dionne is in a wheelchair now, btw.

R48, are you also R43?

Queen Latifa is a bizarre choice.

The Mennedy Center Honors need to shut their doors. Gloria Estefan, LL Cool J and Queen Latifah have rendered them less than meaningless.

I bet Corpse smoked during the honor

R52, No.

Barry would look much better if he cut his hair and trimmed his beard. Aren’t you being a little over dramatic r38? I mean Gibb has written and performed some of the biggest and well known songs of the last 50 years, Renee Fleming is a much loved and revered opera star for over 30 years and Warwick sang the Bacharach/David songbook near perfectly and her string of hits spanned for 25 years, not an easy feat in pop music.

It looks like in subsequent pictures, Dionne’s isotoners were cropped out.

Gosh, Barry was hot back in the day.

[quote] Warwick sang the Bacharach/David songbook near perfectly and her string of hits spanned for 25 years

And she hosted Solid Gold!

Give it to Billy Crystal, he was hilarious.

In 1985 the honorees were Merce Cunningham, Beverly Sills, Bob Hope, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and Irene Dunne.

Kennedy Center Honors overlooked many deserving Black performers -- Diahann Carroll, Gregory Hines, Etta James, Nancy Wilson, Al Jarreau, Donna Summer, etc. So I don't mind seeing certain Black performers being honored somewhat prematurely, like Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. Hopefully, they will honor Johnny Mathis, Leslie Uggams, George Benson, Patti Labelle and Ben Vereen very soon.

They missed a lot of white people too. They're idiots.

Maybe they overlooked some deserving black performers but they always seem to bend over backwards to include black performers every single time.

I told you I'd give it to Dionne. Everybody else is scraping the bottom of the barrel including Phlegming the most boring opera singer ever. There are other American opera singers I'd give it to before her like Dawn Upshaw and Carol Vaness.

They haven’t even honored Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Liza Minnelli, Gene Rowlands, Eva Marie Saint or Jane Fonda, and you think they should honor Ben Vereen and Leslie Uggams?

*Gena

I like all of them

I think they should honor Scott Jacoby,, Robby Benson, Debbie Gibson, Lucie Arnaz, and Lorna Luft.

And Pat Boone

[quote] and Lorna Luft

Abuse survivor Lorna Luft.

[quote]And she hosted Solid Gold!

And for years she was the spokesperson for the Psychic Friends Network!

They predicted she’d get a Kennedy Center Honor in 2023!

I wonder if Biden asked her to predict the outcome of the 2024 election.

He thought she was Anita Hill.

My brother and I still say to each other "You look mahvelous dahlink" and the other replies "Better to look good than to feel good". For that alone Billy Crystal deserves the honor. ;) I still listen to the BeeGees so give it to Barry too.

Well I like all the inductees.

Very talented people, to be sure.

Barry Gibb is an amazing talent. He, and his brothers formed the tastes of an entire generation.

Their music is still being played on the radio.

Billy Crystal is a national treasure.

Dionne and Renee are also amazing.

Queen Latifah has turned out to be a good actress. Very likable.

When the eagles were honored, Glenn Frey and Don Henley still shit on Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon and Don Felder by not allowing them to receive a Kennedy center honor.

[quote] So I don't mind seeing certain Black performers being honored somewhat prematurely, like Queen Latifah and LL Cool J. Hopefully, they will honor Johnny Mathis, Leslie Uggams, George Benson, Patti Labelle and Ben Vereen very soon.

Why don't you mind Latifah and LL Cool J getting the award over the other people you've mentioned, all of whom are alive, able to be there and much, much more deserving.

Latifah is still giving the strap to young black female singers, isn't she?

R78, what? How did Henley and Frey control that?

I like Renée Fleming. Good for her!

I thought they meant Erin Fleming at first.

Minnelli is a real head scratcher. She can't just sit in a seat and then stand for 10 seconds?

Irene Dunne was very elderly and couldn't come but they gave it to her anyway.

Jesus Christ there's still Eva Marie Saint, Elvis Costello, Kim Novak and William Christie.

Elvis Costello is a known racist. An he's English. Do they give the awards to foreigners?

How about Nathan Lane? Also- does Matt Groening qualify?

[quote]Hopefully, they will honor Johnny Mathis, Leslie Uggams, George Benson, Patti Labelle and Ben Vereen very soon.

Mmph... you melanin Queens and your obsession with that heifer that rolls all over the stage while kicking off her shoes like a spoiled child throwing a tantrum. I've written it once and I'll write again...

NO ONE KNOWS WHO SHE IS EXCEPT THE GHETTO BLACKS AND THE GAYS (and the economic well-to-do gays don't know her) Stop trying to make something happen that won't.

[quote] Stop trying to make something happen that won't.

Huckin da beejeepers to you, R89!

R58 Gosh, he’s not now!

Am I the only one who thinks that Madonna should be honored next year? How in the world was Queen Latifah honored before Madonna?

[quote] They haven’t even honored Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Liza Minnelli, Gene Rowlands, Eva Marie Saint or Jane Fonda, and you think they should honor Ben Vereen and Leslie Uggams?

Yes.

[quote]Am I the only one who thinks that Madonna should be honored next year?

Maybe not next year but I do feel that she should be considered.

[quote] Why don't you mind Latifah and LL Cool J getting the award over the other people you've mentioned, all of whom are alive, able to be there and much, much more deserving.

Queen Latifah and LL Cool J are the first across-the-board entertainers who are also pioneers of the hip-hop tradition. It is as important to acknowledge them as it would be to acknowledge the Black performers who travelled a more traditional showbiz route like Uggams or Vereen or Johnny Mathis.

[quote]Do they give the awards to foreigners?

Nope.

[quote]How in the world was Queen Latifah honored before Madonna?

Um...Madonna is a cunt.

[quote] Queen Latifah and LL Cool J are the first across-the-board entertainers who are also pioneers of the hip-hop tradition.

So? There are more important and groundbreaking people who were across-the-board entertainers and there are more important people who were pioneers of hip hop. Just because you have two people who sold out and watered themselves down by appearing in shitty CBS procedurals doesn't mean they should skip the line.

R85 Irene Dunne came but felt ill the day of the ceremony, and had to be taken to a hospital. She was dehydrated.

R85 Irene Dunne with the other honorees:

[quote] So? There are more important and groundbreaking people who were across-the-board entertainers and there are more important people who were pioneers of hip hop.

The Kennedy Center Honors committee does not share your opinion of who is "important."

[quote] The Kennedy Center Honors committee does not share your opinion of who is "important."

No fucking shit. Why do you think this thread is so popular?

Miss Jane Pittman received a KCH?

Did the White House check Dionne’s pussy for any missing pieces of sliver, china, or rolls of toilet paper? You know that old bitch stole something she could take to the pawnshop later or use to restock her 1 bedroom efficiency apartment.

[quote]Elvis Costello is a known racist. An he's English. Do they give the awards to foreigners?

Well, this year there's Barry Gibb, also British.

Granted, he got US citizenship over a decade ago, so that probably makes the difference.

What did Costello say?

They don't give Honors to foreigners.

[quote]What did Costello say?

"Hey, Abbott!"

Why is everybody concerned with the Kennedy Center Honors when it’s voting season for the Broadway World Awards? Now THERE’S an award!

[quote] What did Costello say?

If only R87 had kindly provided a link to an article describing what Costello said.

I think Patti LuPone will get it soon.

[quote]If only [R87] had kindly provided a link to an article describing what Costello said.

at 1:20

[quote]If only [[R87]] had kindly provided a link to an article describing what Costello said.

There's this thing called Google you ancient fucking fossil. DL isn't your personal assistant.

[quote]Just because you have two people who sold out and watered themselves down by appearing in shitty CBS procedurals doesn't mean they should skip the line.

It's called show business, baby. You want to spend the rest of your life playing state fairs or do you want the golden paychecks that The Big Three offer? If you have to ponder that you don't belong in this goddamn business. Now get out of my way, I got a man waitin' for me!

[quote] (and the economic well-to-do gays don't know her)

So you want Dave Matthews to get honored next year?

Has Patti gotten one?

R116, see R62 and R111.

Patti LuPone will not get one, since, outside NYC she is not well known, since the tv show is long gone.

[quote] since the tv show is long gone.

Even the retard cunt is gone.

Hmm... With this selection the Kennedy Center Honors is losing its special importance, IMHO. While I like Queen Latifah and would support her receiving the honor one day, that day isn't today. She still has A LOT of time and conquests ahead,

This show is a fundraiser. It seems that the committee members are now just nominating honorees that will be a big draw and therefore a lot of tickets will be sold for the event.

Who Dove Cameron?

Latifah won't draw flies, R120. Only one reason she's there.

Oh no @ R119. I remember her from LAW & ORDER: SVU when she played the rape victim who was impregnated by her boss. One of their best episodes.

There are still plenty of boomers that should be getting the award, it's supposed to be for a lifetime of achievement looking back at a long and important career, not fucking 50 year olds who did Living Single. Same for LL he's too fucking young and inconsequential. The Kennedy Center is skipping over black dance, opera, theatre,Broadway, jazz, and blues artists who have been in the business since LL and Latifah were born - to venerate hiphop. Who the fuck decided that was a good idea. Johnny Mathis ought to be on that panel with Dionne not fucking Latifah.

And goddamn Connie Francis especially with some of these Bozos.

Now Ryan O'Neal will never get one.

After all Connie Francis is black (Italian) acc to DL

Frankie Valli deserves it more than Connie Francis. It's surpassing that Valli hasn't been honored yet, especially when Jersey Boys was smashing on Broadway. He was a lot more influential on music than Latifah and Gloria Estefan.

Connie Francis is black according to all of Europe. So she should be put in the DEI category.

Goldie Hawn was there in 2021 to honor Bette Midler. I can’t believe Bette Midler got one of these before Goldie Hawn. Must have been for starring in Hocus Pocus.

r129 is a fucking moron.

R131 is lying drunk in a gutter somewhere. Slowly dying of alcohol poisoning. Unfortunately not fast enough.

[quote]It's surpassing that Valli hasn't been honored yet, especially when Jersey Boys was smashing on Broadway. He was a lot more influential on music than Latifah and Gloria Estefan.

But, he's a white male. They have to have quotas, you know, as the awards have become more political than artistic.

r132 is a fucking moron. Italians are caucasian, idioit.

R 134, Huh?

R134 Really? I come from southern Italy and we are all black. At least according to everyone above us. And all of Italy from Austria on up. At least we are superior to the sicilians.

Wrong r136

Oh Jesus Fucking Christ R137 don't you realize I am exaggerating this all tongue in cheek. But people do hold southern Italians in less regard. You don't think people in Milan and Rome feel slightly superior to people from Naples or Bari? Not that I give a shit that my families are from Naples and Bari.

Isn't Dionne Warwick the one who covered loads of our Cilla's songs?

IMHO, it's time for the KCH to honor the many who have been overlooked. I just finished reading the book "Overlooked". WONDEFUL!!! Imagine the descendants of Paul Robeson, Louis B Meyer, Charlie Chaplin, Margaret Mitchell, and so many, many, more, accepting the acknowledgements of the nation for their ancestor's contribution cultural impact!

Yep, give the living their flowers while they are alive but let's not forget all those who have been and were overlooked.

Deadline discusses the show's most memorable tributes.

R138 Oh, that's what it was. I'll laugh when you're funny.

[quote] I come from southern Italy and we are all black.

You're a fucking moron.

Doesn’t Fleming have two of these?

Glenn has yet to win one. But who would ever nominate her?

That M/G shit wasn't funny the first million times and it still isn't funny.

No one asked you, cunt.

No one asked you to post the M/G shit for the millionth time, Aspie cunt.

I take back what I said about Leslie Uggams, maybe she wouldn't be a bad choice. Not Ben Vereen, though.

R148 I didn't post the original, you vile cuntscab, nor am I an Aspie. Eat shit, cunt.

r150 it still isn't funny and never was.

Those sleeves on Renee’s dress would make receiving a vaccine very simple.

Ah, Miss Fleming.

Awfully difficult color, green...

No LIza or Johnny Fucking Mathis is absurd. What are they waiting for?

...Or Frankie Valli for that matter.

My guess about Liza is that she's too infirm and mentally addled to be able to attend. It might prove to be embarrassing.

Mr. Gibb seems unwell.

Dionne stole funds from an AIDS charity and sold Psychic Friends bullshit. Fuck her.

The Gloria Estefan opening number was unnecessary.

Who is the sour-puss behind Billy Crystal?

Secret Service?

OMG that screeching from Susan Graham and Christine Baranski!! Thank god is Titus is there to hit the real high notes!!!

Could Sigourney Weaver's dress have been any more unflattering? I just don't get it, she's a gorgeous woman who could wear anything and that's what she chose?

Jeeeez, is anyone even watching this year? This thread is slooooooow.

I'm only surprised that the right-wing cunts haven't made a big song and dance about the rainbow ribbons.

I’m finding myself strangely affected by the Fleming segment.

My God, that music, that voice its amazing.

Those 4 ladies were magical as well. 🥹🥹

Dionne will sell that Rainbow necklace for a carton of Virginia Slims and a big bottle of Perc 30's.

For Barry

Sorry

He wrote “Islands In The Stream”???

Holy crap, I thought it was a Kenny written song.

Damn 😳😳😳

Loved the songs he did for Barbra.

Love hoe Barbra summed up her tribute to Barry with "He got me!" As if that was the best and smartest thing about him.

What an egomaniac!

On a recent interview, Barry was asked: What's your favorite cover of one of your own songs?

Without hesitation, Barry said: Al Green (How Can You Mend ...).

Bublé should not have done that song. He should have done maybe How Deep Is Your Love.

Al Green is still alive, dammit, and has a KCH. Al Green could have done it.

Cynthia Erivo may have just won her second Emmy for her performance tonight. OMG what a voice!

Thanks for that heads up, R174 Here's a longer clip

Several comments about how Cynthia's mother was a big Dionne fan. And that underscores why she's an honoree; like many, many artists, what/who she inspired by being a trailblazer may outshine her actual accomplishments.

Mathis and Valli are both touring (Valli is doing a farewell tour) but travel shouldn’t be an issue for either one. Neil Sedaka really wants one and he deserves it.

How Deep is Your Love should never be covered, as the original is perfect.

Billy and Latifah look great.

Next year- Timothy Chalamet, Michael Douglas, Jimmy Kimmel, Ice Spice, and Rosie O'Donnell.

Huge win for Barry Gibb's fan.

Who will be chosen if Trump wins: Kid Rock, Chachi, Jon Voight, Jason Aldean, Roseanne, and Kelsey Grammer?

William Windom, Weird Al Yankovic, Dick Smothers, Judge Reinhold, and Matthew Perry's dealer.

What the fuck is wrong with the Kennedy Center Honor Committee?

Honor Liza Minnelli and Johnny Mathis before it's too late.

[quote]How Deep is Your Love should never be covered, as the original is perfect.

Tony and Stephanie driving across the Brooklyn Bridge. Great song for a great scene.

Liza isn't able to attend the ceremony and reception required of honorees. She can't sit in a chair/wheelchair for extended periods, and she gets confused easily. It would be too much for her psychically and mentally.

Fantastic show last night, best KC in years. A low bar, I realize, but whatever they're doing, keep doing it. Each segment felt like an expression of the particular artist.

R185. Liza should have been honored 20 years ago. She would be able to sit for the honors now.

I love that Miss Warwick was honored. Well deserved. I teared up during the performance of Alfie by the bald girl.

I love Latifah but she is way too young for an honor like this.

How about Connie Francis?

Have there ever been many Italian-Americans given Kennedy Center honors other than Sinatra?

Ms. Warwick seemed genuinely moved by the tribute. I really enjoyed the whole program this year.

Queen Latifah instead of Liza Minnelli and Johnny Mathis?!

Please. GTFO.

[quote]Queen Latifah instead of Liza Minnelli and Johnny Mathis?! Please. GTFO.

It's a fundraiser and it must attract younger audiences too rather than simply pacify the over 60 crowd of DL. If it were up to you guys' here Joan Crawford would receive a KH award posthumously.

A fundraiser for what? As if younger viewers are going to contribute any money......

[quote]A fundraiser for what?

[quote]The Kennedy Center Honors is a major fundraiser for the Center's arts and education programs. The Honors Gala celebrates the lifetime achievements of some of the country's most influential performing artists.

r191 De Niro, Scosese and Pacino have all been honorees.

[quote]Mr. Gibb seems unwell.

Barry Gibb suffers from serious rheumatoid arthritis.

If they could get Kris Kristofferson an honor before he passes, it would be perfect.

Also Grandmaster Flash (the real father of Hip Hop) and the two remaining members of the Byrds, and I'll believe in this as a true American Arts honor again.

DL favorite Ben Platt performs.

R185-Michael "money grubber" Feinstein has been heard from.

Barry has some hearing loss as well but said in an interview “I’m not done yet” and just recorded an album with a group of country artists. Ben platt did a great job with nights on broadway.

I don’t understand performers covering songs that the honorees didn’t write. I mean, “Alfie” is a Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune. How is another artist singing it, i.e. Cynthia Erivo, honoring Dionne? Dumb concept.

And what songs did Ms. Warwick write, R203?

Yes that is precisely the problem. But it is still not really an appropriate “honoring” of a singer to sing essentially a karaoke cover of their hits.

R203 please see comment at R175

I've heard from good sources that Liza has *not* been asked and she *would* go if asked. Next year has a revival of CABARET on B'way, so I'm thinking she might finally get it...

[quote]But it is still not really an appropriate “honoring” of a singer to sing essentially a karaoke cover of their hits.

Then what would be an appropriate performance "honoring" a singer?

Make the singing honoree go down there and sing a few songs to remind us why they're so great!

So, this award should not have been given?

Nor this one?

^ Sorry, performances, not awards.

R203, Your comment makes no sense. The majority of singers who have been honored over the years have not been songwriters.

Are you also suggesting that actors should not be honored unless they wrote and directed the movies they starred in?

Yeah, r211, I'm sure Julie just *adored* having younger singers in their primes sing *her* songs when she no longer could.

I'm sure she did, since she's not a bitter old queen like you.

Says the racist at r215.

R197 But not Liza or Vincente. There have been about 250 honorees, so that isn't a lot.

What about us?

Johnny Mathis, Frankie Valli, Neil Sedaka, Paul Anka, Brenda Lee

Latifah and LL got it this year because it was the 50th anniversary of the beginning of hip-hop and those two were the safest, most palatable-to-the-masses choices. There are lots of more influential people from the early days of hip-hop but few were solo artists or are still working.