Kennedy Center Honors 2019

[TonightsMarquee]

R&B collective Earth, Wind & Fire
actress Sally Field
singer Linda Ronstadt
childrens television program Sesame Street
conductor and musical visionary Michael Tilson Thomas

[Kad]

How does Liza keep getting overlooked for this?

[JSquared2]

Much better selections than the last couple of years, but...Earth, Wind & Fire???

At least they're more deserving than LL Cool J!

[DAME]

zero interest.

 

[bwaylyric]

Seems like they always reserve a slot for whomever can end their televised special with a bang.  Can't wait to see Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell get up and dance to Boogie Wonderland.

[Mike Barrett]

Liza should be there but idk, I love Earth Wind & Fire. 

[AADA81]

There used to be a much better balance between the various arts for the KCH.  Since George Stevens, Jr. retired as producer, the selections seem to be much more pop culture oriented, hence some less-than-deserving honorees.  The fine arts have been marginalized.

[SisterGeorge]

I know press releases are normally a mixture of fact and hype but apparently the KC chairman thinks "Linda Ronstadt is the defining voice of a generation..." Can a KC-produced LR jukebox musical be far behind?

[Jarethan]

I think Sally Field is a great choice, long overdue.

Dont think Lia will ever get it...at some point, she sorta self-destructed her career, and I bet that keeps her from getting it.

[Miles2Go2]

Maybe not the most exciting list, but all quite deserving (I admit I had to look up Michael Tilson Thomas).

I recently wondered if they’d ever honor Michael J Fox. Not necessarily for his career so much as for his advocacy on behalf of Parkinson’s Disease.

[AADA81]

Liza has won 3 Tony's, an Oscar, an Emmy and an honorary Grammy.  For an honor that's for the performing arts, I think she's is far more than deserving.  Her personal life has been a bit of a train wreck, which the fairly conservative KC may hold against her, but she deserves the honor.  I hope she receives it one day.

[Jarethan]

AADA81 said: "Liza has won 3 Tony's, an Oscar, an Emmy and an honorary Grammy. For an honor that's for the performing arts, I think she's is far more than deserving. Her personal life has been a bit of a train wreck, which the fairly conservative KC may hold against her, but she deserves the honor. I hope she receives it one day."

It's been decades since her career was healthy.  I saw her in a lot of things in which she was terrific, butI think the train wreck pretty much destroyed her credibility.  I don't see it.

[Miles2Go2]

Her private life and career trajectory notwithstanding, I think Liza is well deserving of being honored. Other artists who haven’t been “relevant” (whatever that means) for many years have been honored. And they’d have to revoke many honors if they excluded any who have had disastrous relationships and/or addiction issues.

[theatreguy12]

I'd have to look at a list of all the recipients of this award but is it fair to assume that they are all free from having a train derailment at one point in their careers or another?  

I know Liza has had several, and I've seen the words "train wreck" mentioned a couple of times regarding her troubles. But has she not bounced back from that to a certain degree?  I know there have been a couple of revisits to treatment centers in the last couple of decades, but she's made it beyond 70 and hasn't given up. She seeks help if she needs it.  That says a lot for her despite her weaknesses.

I also understand she has been out of the spotlight for quite a while, but she is a product of Hollywood royalty who despite that fact has made a real name for herself based on her talent.  She has gone on to receive a lot of awards and is a performer in multiple mediums to match almost any performer.  I think it would be a nice honor for her.

As much as I love Sally Field and though some might see this award as a long time coming, Liza is an icon and this award has been a long, long time coming.  

Apparently those in charge don't see it.  I do though.  Despite her challenges, I love Liza.

[Miles2Go2]

For those who think Liza doesn’t deserve the honor because of her personal life/struggles, I encourage you to google 2012 honorees Led Zeppelin and “mudshark.” Incidentally, their last studio album was in 1979.

[AADA81]

Miles2Go2 said: "For those who think Liza doesn’t deserve the honor because of her personal life/struggles, I encourage you to google 2012 honorees Led Zeppelin and “mudshark.” Incidentally, their last studio album was in 1979."

I think many of us are agreed that Liza Minnelli has more than enough merit to receive the Kennedy Center Honor.  I'd add that the last Tony recognizing her was in 2009 for 'Liza's at the Palace', which was almost 50 years into her career.  That sounds like staying power.

[Tag]

How crazy - the Honors are bestowed & taped tonight.  Sesame Street is one of the recipients, and Caroll Spinney passed away this morning.  I wonder if/how they will tribute him.

[Dollypop]

Once again they overlook Carol Channing

[BWAY Baby2]

Liza does deserve this honor- by any measure, IMO- and so does Dick Van Dyke. How do they keep overlooking him?

[nsguy45]

"Once again they overlook Carol Channing"

 

They do not honor the deceased.

[Highland Guy]

In addition to being superbly talented, all of these honorees share something else in common:  their political activism.  I hope that aspect of their careers will be highlighted.

And Sally, Linda and Michael share one other thing in common:  they are all in their early 70's.  Let's hear it for the Boomers!

[JBC3]

Don't forget ... the Honors air tonight (12/15) instead of their usual post-Christmas slot.

[JBC3]

I hate how in the past few years, the directors and CBS have killed off the distinctive feel and voice of the Honors, seeming to turn it into "just another awards show." LL Cool J as host? Please.

[ACL2006]

Did anyone else cry like Cynthia Erivo did during the Sesame Street tribute?

https://twitter.com/i/status/1206397492113412097

[NYadgal]

Audra.

That is all.