bwaylyric said: "Is this really such a high honor? I bet honorees are partly chosen based on who would make for a great TV special.
Whats keeping Lincoln Center from handing out their own honors?"
I think the past involvement of the President/First Lady and Kennedy family elevated the award, even though they're not the ones choosing the recipients. The telecast is also always a classy tribute to great talent. The award is diminished now that you-know-who is president, and hopefully with future administrations (both Rep and Dem) the tradition will be restored (if we all survive!)
It is indeed a prestigious honor, the ultimate life time achievement award, truly earned and not given as compensation for a competitive award the artist did not win.
Many artists have accepted awards from Presidents they have not liked. Streisand's was given during George W. Bush's administration; Charlton Heston's was given during Bill Clinton's. Streisand, who'd ridiculed Bush during all of her concerts throughout his administration, was very gracious and later acknowledged that the President had been as well. Heston seemed to be gritting his teeth during Clinton's speech praising his accomplishments, but he accepted his award and said nothing critical about the proceedings or of the President personally.
I'd love to see David Hyde Pierce receive the honor at some point. True, he's more of a supporting player than a star, but he has proven himself the ultimate supporting player in two enormous successes, "Frasier" on television and "Hello Dolly" on Broadway, was a Tony winner and nominee for two prior Broadway ventures and has been a powerful advocate for those with Alzheimer's Disease for decades. He's been a class act every step of the way.
"Many artists have accepted awards from Presidents they have not liked. Streisand's was given during George W. Bush's administration; Charlton Heston's was given during Bill Clinton's. Streisand, who'd ridiculed Bush during all of her concerts throughout his administration, was very gracious and later acknowledged that the President had been as well. Heston seemed to be gritting his teeth during Clinton's speech praising his accomplishments, but he accepted his award and said nothing critical about the proceedings or of the President personally. "
Good, that is the way it should be IMO. I am glad you used an example from both political parties.
I also changed my mind about LL Cool J after watching his tribute. Often there are artists that the general public has not heard of, but their impact in a particular genre of the arts is worthy. I had not heard of Carmen De Lavallade, but found her story and history fascinating.
Ditto on Dick Van Dyke deserving of being honored.
I also would like to see Bill and Gloria Gaither, their impact on Gospel Music should warrant recognition.
That's such a very good train of thought Tag, DVD, and LMM and Mary Poppins...I hope you're right; let's hope someone can connect the dots in this instance. I just saw "SpongeBob" last night again and they should also get Gavin Lee.
The magic that DVD had with such opposites as MTM and JA...he is such "trampoline" magical guy...
I never saw any reason why he should receive one -- where is his impressive career since Pippin, which was 44 years ago? -- but I had the same thought.
I still don't think Dick Van Dyke deserves a Kennedy Center honor. The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie. What else has he done that demonstrates excellence. I like Dick Van Dyke, but most of the movies in which he was the lead were mediocre. Right this minute, I can't think of a single excellent one.
joined:4/14/12
joined:
4/14/12
Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:55am