The actual ceremonies for the Kennedy Center Honours took place earlier in the month but were broadcast in a two-hour special on Tuesday December 28, 2010. Being honoured this year are country legend Merle HaggardMerle Haggard, talk show queen Oprah, rock legend Sir Paul McCartney Paul McCartney, composer Jerry Herman, and dance choreographer Bill T. JonesBill T. Jones.
Julia Roberts introduces the first honouree…Oprah Gail Winfrey; which is followed by a video presentation about Oprah’s life from childhood. Oprah is the first woman to own her own television and film studio. In that package Oprah says that she believes the world is a school and our lives the classroom. Nineteen ninety five Kennedy Center HonoureeSidney Portier comes out and begins by saying, my friend Oprah,” words he says trop lightly off of his tongue. Portier adds that Oprah is what a social network should be. He says Oprah has humanity, passion, and two chairs; next two chairs appear on stage, one is turned backwards; the other has actor John Travolta who spoke on how Oprah used him and said that Oprah never asks anyone to give something she hasn’t already given. The other chair turns around to reveal fellow talk show host Barbara Walters. In the spirit of Oprah’s show John Travolta announces a question from the audience, that audience member is Chris Rock who calls Oprah the most powerful person in the world. He then went on the play a game called Oprah is so rich… Barbara Walters introduced a special treat for Oprah – a song from the Broadway musical The Colour Purple” performed by Jennifer HudsonJennifer Hudson who was joined by the choir from Oprah’s alma mater Tennessee State University.
Next up 1996 Kennedy Center Honouree Edward Albee introduced two time Tony Award winning choreographer Bill T. Jones. Albee called Jones a man of average height until you see him dance, then he stands taller than other men. In his video package were clips of Jones dancing; as well as his life. Jones may have entered college as a track star but a dance class taught him to soar. After meeting Arnie Zane the pair formed a dance company that stood the dance world on its head. Only six years after forming the company Zane died as a result of AIDS, but Jones continued on breaking all the rules of dance to create his own. Claire Danes referred to Jones as an inspiration. Jones dance company the Bill T. Jones, Arnie Zane Dance Company performed.
To introduce the third Kennedy Center Honour Inductee was the 2000 Kennedy Center Honouree Angela Lansbury who recalled the first show she and 10 time Tony Award winning Jerry Herman worked on together – Mame”. Landsbury concluded her speech with, its so nice to have you back where you belong. After a video package of Herman’s music and life, Kelsey Grammar came out to speak on Herman. Responsible for such hit shows as Hello Dolly, La Cage aux Folles, and Mame; Herman started writing musical in college and made his Broadway debut at age 25. The musical tribute to Jerry Herman began with Carol Channing singing a few lines from her signature song Hello Dolly” only she replaced the name Dolly with Jerry. The musical tribute continued featuring songs from Herman’s musicals; performers included Matthew Morrison, Chita Rivera, and Angela Landsbury.
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