Gloria is certainly deserving but perhaps a little young, no? And LL Cool J? Really? Several very deserving entertainers come to mind who (correct me if I'm wrong) never were honored in their lifetime or have yet to be honored.
Ethel Merman (Mary Martin but not Ethel?) Bette Midler Cher
I think I could easily list 50 or more people that should be honored before LL Cool J.
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
The filmed package for LL Cool J in tonight's telecast more than justifies his inclusion. Any opinions to the contrary just demonstrate the extreme ignorance of music history from some members of the board.
ACL2006 said: "I think I could easily list 50 or more people that should be honored before LL Cool J."
Agreed. I would love to see George Clinton get honered. Also I think Rod Temperton should have gotten one although he is from England and not sure he was eligible. He wfote some of Michael Jackson's grsatest hits and worked with Quincey Jones. He wrote a lot of classic R&B songs.
BroadwayConcierge said: "Betty and Bette for sure."
I agree with Bette, but Betty? Because she has lived so long? She is a supporting player in a bunch of TV shows.
Carol Channing's portfolio is too narrow. Never gonna happen and shouldn't.
Re Broadway regulars / occasionals, where are Glenn Close, Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters, Sally Field, Jessica Lange, (a stretch) Kevin Kline and Rosemary Harris?
I also agree re Cher...absolutely. Don't agree re Liza...she sorta destroyed her career at some point and has been a caricature since then IMO. In don't think Tommy Tune will get it, but -- had he not essentially retired X years ago -- I imagine he would have been a serious candidate.
Jarethan said: "I agree with Bette, but Betty? Because she has lived so long? She is a supporting player in a bunch of TV shows."
Betty has been an icon of American culture for decades. She may not have had a bona fide leading role, but her career is unbelievable, and if a Kennedy Center Honor is about contributing to American culture, Betty White—from Mary Tyler Moore to Golden Girls to everything else—has done just that.
Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald and Lin Manuel Miranda seem the strongest contenders of people who are currently and regularly working in theater. Harvey Feinstein, Bernadette Peters and Bryan Cranston are definite possibilities. Frank Langella would be a great choice, but he just might be too "New York."
By the way, Mary Martin was nearing the end of her life when she received her Kennedy Center Honor, and Ethel Merman had passed away several years earlier.
Dancingthrulife2 said: "Hopefully whoever is going to be honored can stick out a little longer so they don't have to be honored by you know who."
None of this year’s honorees were honored by the Idiot, as at least two of them claimed they would have declined the honor had he participated.
The sitting President has no official role in selecting or honoring anyone. He has, historically, until this year, held a White House reception and attended the ceremony. This year, there was no White House reception and Rex Tillerson and the State Department hosted the dinner.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
Away from the theatre, I believe RuPaul could deserve it. He's been a household name and it takes someone very special to bring the art of drag to the mainstream
I wasn't saying LL Cool J didn't deserve to be honored. Just that there's a long list of people that should have been honored before him. LL probably could've waited 10 years or so before being honored(he's only 49).
A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.
My favorite moments were the tributes to Norman Lear, Carmen de Lavallade, and Lionel Richie.
I agree with Cher. Bette, and many of the Broadway names mentioned.
It’s a shame that Prince was never honored (I believe I’m correct in that).
Has Bruce Springsteen been honored? He should be.
I know she is polarizing but I also think Madonna deserves to be honored for the breadth of her career as well as her bravery in tackling issues related to sexuality especially LGBT rights. But even now, she may be too controversial for the Kennedy Honors.
Also, from last night, I wondered, has Harry Belafonte been honored? If not, they better jump to it! He’s 90!