MISS ROSS chosen for Kennedy Center Honors

[markydefad]

Just read in Variety, that MISS DIANA ROSS has been selected to receive the prestigious award this year along with Martin Scorsese, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson & pianist Leon Fleischer.

This is always a great classy show with the best of the best paying tribute to a very select group of honorees; it will be taped in Washington on Dec. 2 & televised Dec 26, 2007 on CBS.

Miss Ross, being the only lady honoree this year, will no doubt turn on the GLAMOUR...and hopefully, keep the hairdo from looking like an overgrown Chia pet/ haystack.

I'm so overjoyed..I wondered when they would get around to her...Aretha's been there/ Tina's been there/ Dolly's been there [what no BARBRA??--she must have declined thus far...].....now Miss Ross!!!


Look at this list of LEGENDS who been honored ...

List of recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors

• 1978 — Marian Anderson, Fred Astaire, George Balanchine, Richard Rodgers and Arthur Rubinstein
• 1979 — Aaron Copland, Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Fonda, Martha Graham and Tennessee Williams
• 1980 — Leonard Bernstein, James Cagney, Agnes de Mille, Lynn Fontanne and Leontyne Price
• 1981 — Count Basie, Cary Grant, Helen Hayes, Jerome Robbins and Rudolf Serkin
• 1982 — George Abbott, Lillian Gish, Benny Goodman, Gene Kelly and Eugene Ormandy
• 1983 — Katherine Dunham, Elia Kazan, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart and Virgil Thomson
• 1984 — Lena Horne, Danny Kaye, Gian Carlo Menotti, Arthur Miller and Isaac Stern
• 1985 — Merce Cunningham, Irene Dunne, Bob Hope, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe and Beverly Sills
• 1986 — Lucille Ball, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Yehudi Menuhin, Antony Tudor and Ray Charles
• 1987 — Perry Como, Bette Davis, Sammy Davis Jr, Nathan Milstein and Alwin Nikolais
• 1988 — Alvin Ailey, George Burns, Myrna Loy, Alexander Schneider, Roger L. Stevens
• 1989 — Harry Belafonte, Claudette Colbert, Alexandra Danilova, Mary Martin and William Schuman
• 1990 — Dizzy Gillespie, Katharine Hepburn, Risë Stevens, Jule Styne, and Billy Wilder
• 1991 — Roy Acuff, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Fayard Nicholas, Harold Nicholas, Gregory Peck, and Robert Shaw
• 1992 — Lionel Hampton, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, Ginger Rogers, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Paul Taylor
• 1993 — Johnny Carson, Arthur Mitchell, Sir Georg Solti, Stephen Sondheim, and Marion Williams
• 1994 — Kirk Douglas, Aretha Franklin, Morton Gould, Harold Prince, and Pete Seeger
• 1995 — Jacques d'Amboise, Marilyn Horne, B.B. King, Sidney Poitier, and Neil Simon
• 1996 — Edward Albee, Benny Carter, Johnny Cash, Jack Lemmon, and Maria Tallchief
• 1997 — Lauren Bacall, Bob Dylan, Charlton Heston, Jessye Norman, and Edward Villella
• 1998 — Bill Cosby, Fred Ebb & John Kander, Willie Nelson, André Previn, and Shirley Temple Black
• 1999 — Victor Borge, Sean Connery, Judith Jamison, Jason Robards, and Stevie Wonder
• 2000 — Mikhail Baryshnikov, Chuck Berry, Plácido Domingo, Clint Eastwood, and Angela Lansbury
• 2001 — Julie Andrews, Van Cliburn, Quincy Jones, Jack Nicholson, and Luciano Pavarotti
• 2002 — James Earl Jones, James Levine, Chita Rivera, Paul Simon, and Elizabeth Taylor
• 2003 — James Brown, Carol Burnett, Loretta Lynn, Mike Nichols, and Itzhak Perlman
• 2004 — Warren Beatty, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Elton John, Joan Sutherland, and John Williams
• 2005 — Tony Bennett, Suzanne Farrell, Julie Harris, Robert Redford, and Tina Turner
• 2006 — Zubin Mehta, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, Steven Spielberg, and Andrew Lloyd Webber
• 2007 — Leon Fleisher, Steve Martin, Diana Ross, Martin Scorsese and Brian Wilson

[markydefad]

OK, here's the skinny on Barbra's absence from the list..


Posted August 12, 2007 06:03 PM August 12, 2007 06:03 PM
Who will be the 2007 recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors? They will most likely be announced at the end of August or first of September.

"If you are trying to make predictions (not easy at all), please keep in mind that it will be five performers across several types of entertainment (film, theatre, popular music, dance, classical music, television are some of the types). They always make sure to include at least one minority and at least one woman, almost always over age 50 but usually at least age 60+. The recipients must agree to attend and share the honoree platform with the current President, so that usually rules out a few (but not all) hard-core liberals who will not agree to attend (i.e., don't predict Barbra Streisand because it won't happen for at least two more years)."

hmmm...but it doesn't 'splain why she didn't get one during the Clinton years.... I thought I read she'd declined it thus far...wanting to wait for more, more, more accomplishments and that she was still too young for such honors at the time she was approached.

In the early days of this award, everyone honored had one foot in the grave....
but not so anymore...

[markydefad]

So here's the list by sorted by Black female singers...

1) Marian Anderson (opera/spiritual)
2) Ella Fitzgerald (pop/jazz)
3) Leontyne Price (opera)
4) Lena Horne (pop)
5) Aretha Franklin (soul)
6) Marion Williams (gospel)
7) Jessye Norman (opera)
8. Tina Turner (soul/rock)
9) Diana Ross (pop/soul)

she's #9/ she's #9/ she's #9!!!!

[markydefad]

In terms of Motown artists honored, she's third:

1) Stevie Wonder (1999)
2) Smokey Robinson (2006)
3) Diana Ross (2007)

[markydefad]

In terms of rock era, R&B performers...

1) Ray Charles
2) Aretha Franklin
3) B.B. King
4) Stevie Wonder
5) Chuck Berry
6) James Brown
7) Tina Turner
8. Smokey Robinson
9) Diana Ross

adding the rock era, rock performers:

1) Bob Dylan (97)
2) Paul Simon (02)
3) Elton John (04)
4) Brian Wilson (07)

[remicks]

******

Chosens who did disco :

• 1994 — Aretha Franklin,
• 1995 — B.B. King,
• 1996 —
• 1997 —
• 1998 — Bill Cosby,
• 1999 — Stevie Wonder
• 2000 —
• 2001 — Quincy Jones,
• 2002 —
• 2003 — James Brown,
• 2004 — Elton John,
• 2005 — Tina Turner
• 2006 — Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson,
• 2007 — Diana Ross, Brian Wilson...........................................Steve Martin, (???)

*****

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by markydefad

Just read in Variety, that MISS DIANA ROSS has been selected to receive the prestigious award this year along with Martin Scorsese, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson & pianist Leon Fleischer.

This is always a great classy show with the best of the best paying tribute to a very select group of honorees; it will be taped in Washington on Dec. 2 & televised Dec 26, 2007 on CBS.

Miss Ross, being the only lady honoree this year, will no doubt turn on the GLAMOUR...and hopefully, keep the hairdo from looking like an overgrown Chia pet/ haystack.

I'm so overjoyed..I wondered when they would get around to her...Aretha's been there/ Tina's been there/ Dolly's been there [what no BARBRA??--she must have declined thus far...].....now Miss Ross!!!

It's about time~!!
and I am praying as well that her hairstylist isnt smoking any Crack that night and hooks her Doo up Royally..hehe..
Everyone Knows how much i WORSHIP Diana~!!

[markydefad]

Here's an article [from the Washington Post] on the event & a photo of Miss Ross

[The show airs on CBS, December 26, 2007.]


For all the laughter and tears and generalized good vibrations at Sunday's Kennedy Center Honors, there was something missing.

Where was the Love? Beach Boy Mike Love, that is, whose voice carried many of the tunes that put the gold medal around his cousin Brian Wilson's neck. Or Mary Wilson, who recruited teenage neighbor Diana Ross into the group that would become the Supremes? Or Lorne Michaels, the "Saturday Night Live" creator who launched Steve Martin to fame?

Gallery
The Kennedy Center Honors
The stars come to Washington to honor five renowned artists: Martin Scorsese, Diana Ross, Steve Martin, Brian Wilson and Leon Fleisher.

On a night devoted to illuminating the lives and careers of beloved artists, the conspicuous absences were a reminder of ruptured relationships and messy awards-show politics.

Sources close to the production told us there was never really any thought of inviting the other surviving Beach Boys or Supremes. Brian Wilson and Love have spent years battling in court over song rights; Ross mustered a "reunion" tour without Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong. But even absent outright rancor (we think Brian's still pals with Al Jardine), it was deemed too awkward to have the less-famous honor the old pals who long ago skyrocketed past them.

But where was the SNL gang? Or memorable Martin co-stars like Lily Tomlin and Diane Keaton? They all sang his praises when the comic received the center's Mark Twain Prize just two years ago, and the Honors wanted this show to feel different.

All those stars who owe their careers to honoree Martin Scorsese-- Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco? There are only so many orchestra seats ($4,000 for paying customers) the Kennedy Center can hand out to Hollywood VIPs (who want everything gratis) on a night that raises $5 million.
No matter. Still plenty of gawking to do at the post-show dinner in the center's Grand Foyer.

"Well, hello, Senator!" Martin Short was saying to the woman in dark-green velvet who he had just discovered was Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), politely interrupting his tete-a-tete with Steve Martin.
Wilson, keeping the mingling to a minimum but summoning a genuine-looking grin for a family photo at his table. Honoree Leon Fleisher, surprisingly tucked away at a cozy, lightly trafficked table at the far end of the room. A cluster of big-money types hovering around student-loan mogul Catherine Reynolds's table, schmoozing a guest who turned out to be Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, the newest richest man in the world.

Ross left her table to greet Scorsese, and a million flashes exploded around them. Then she swept through the room, drawing waves of applause from the tables she passed.

"I have five children, and this is the actor," she told an elderly man as her teenaged son Evan (co-star of "ATL") leaned in to shake hands. Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, star of the long-running sitcom "Girlfriends," looked eerily supreme in a retro bob and an elegant white sheath worthy of a girl group. After her turn in the Ross tribute, young Jordin Sparks caught Tracee's eye: "Was it okay?" Tracee: "Oh, please ! You were fantastic."

Moments into the salad course, Ross was heading for the door, those five gorgeous children in tow, leaving Vanessa Williams, in her dazzling sea foam-green ball gown, sitting by herself with another woman at their table for 10.

Lyle Lovett introduced us to his gorgeous fiancee and told us it was "such an honor" to be asked to sing Wilson's "God Only Knows," which made us cry. Okay, so this is totally unprofessional and we never do this, but -- cellphone picture, please? Lovett politely leaned in and smiled.

Never got to compliment Ciara on her silver jumpsuit: The young A-listers, ratings-boosters for the CBS broadcast, make fleeting dinner appearances at most. Before the show was even over, Cameron Diaz was well across town, finishing a meal with a gaggle of friends at Jaleo.

No one seemed to miss her. Two hours later, the dinner plates were cleared, and the beautiful non-famous of Washington were hitting the dance floor, in no hurry to leave.

[markydefad]

Don't forget this program airs TONIGHT [WEDNESDAY, DEC. 26, 2007] on CBS at 9:00 PM

....they don't rerun it --so Tivo or tape or watch!!!!

CRITIC'S CORNER VIDEO

By Robert Bianco, USA TODAY
E-mail Robert Bianco at rbianco@usatoday.com
•TV's most reliably classy awards show, The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS, tonight, 9 ET/PT), returns for a two-hour special celebrating the achievements of this year's winners: Leon Fleisher, Steve Martin, Diana Ross, Martin Scorsese and Brian Wilson. Caroline Kennedy hosts the show, which includes appearances by Robert De Niro, Kristin Chenoweth, Cameron Diaz, Art Garfunkel, Lyle Lovett, Yo-Yo Ma, Steve Carell, Smokey Robinson and Vanessa Williams

[markydefad]

OK, saw the show and, as always, it was very well produced and the tribute segments were very moving...especially the Brian Wilson finale with a boys choir from London doing "Love & Mercy"...especially knowing all the mental illness problems he's had to overcome to be able to perform again...

So,
1) Martin Scorsese--introduced by Cameron Diaz--film clips of his best movies; Francis Ford Coppola & Robert DeNiro also paid tribute--musical selection--an aria by a gorgeous opera singer from the Met [didn't take notes on what it actually was--I was folding my laundry!!!]--opera singers didn't use to look like this when I was a kid!!!

2) Steve Martin--hilarious intro by Steve Carell, who started celebrating Martin Scorsese until Caroline Kennedy came onstage & whispered in his ear!!! ["Steve Martin is a national treasure" was his next line!!!--this is on YouTube--it is so damn clever and funny!!!]--film clips of Steve's career...some cheesy girl dancers; Ricky Jay did a card trick, Bill Irwin did a silly skit with the female dancers and a long strand of spaghetti and Earl Scruggs played a little banjo....Martin Short made a cameo under Bill Irwin's crotch--[I'm not making this shit up!!!]...very silly but good-natured tribute. [I'm sure this was Bush's fave segment--"hey Laura, that was the only good part, the banjo guy and the spaghetti guy-heh-heh-heh-heh!!!"...Condi was seated behind Laura & W...hmmm]

[ I did this from memory-- so I totally forgot a little "King Tut" homage & then Kristen Chenoweth came out to sing "Pennies From Heaven." ]

THEN...MISS ROSS [ I expected hers would be last-- but slap me and call me Beulah--I was wrong!!!]

Smokey Robinson did the intro-- I don't think he ever actually mentioned "The Supremes" by name [afterthought: I think he did say "The Supremes" were as big as The Beatles in his voiceover] although he did say "The Primettes," their early name--film clips of young Diane ["Buttered Popcorn" with Flo singing the lead underscored this]--early Supremes clips ("Where Did Our Love Go"/"Baby Love"/"Stop! In The Name Of Love"/"You Can't Hurry Love"/ "My World Is Empty Without You"/"Someday We'll be Together"---all clips from the DVD "The Supremes: Reflections"... then the solo career.."Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/ "Touch Me In The Morning"/ "Lady Sings The Blues" clips: "Ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do"/ "Endless Love" with Lionel Richie....that's all I remember... memorable audience shot: Aretha Franklin herself standing and applauding Miss Ross at the end of the filmed segment.....

Actor Terence Howard came out and suggested we rename the sun "Diana" for some reason...

Then the Tribute:
first American Idol winner, [CBS courting the kidz of America!], Jordin Sparks did an okay, got better as it went along, "Someday We'll Be Together"...followed by a gorgeous Vanessa Williams in a seafoam green gown doing "Touch Me In The Morning"...then a skanky lookin' Ciara "The First Lady of Crunk & B" [I looked this up on AMG!!!] did the Chic-produced songs "I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down"--best audience shots: Aretha, livin' large in lime green, lookin' like she was laying in a chaise lounge or a bed, snapping her fingers on one upheld hand in the air to "I'm Coming Out" and a shot of classical violinist, Itzhak Perlman, clapping in time and attempting to get down to 'Upside Down"!!!! [I always wonder what the classical musicans are thinking at times like this--THIS Is MUSIC????"]

Then the killer:

Yolanda Adams doing a stirring "Reach Out & Touch"...soon joined by a great gospel choir [200 strong!!!]...the Ross Children in the audience seemed moved and turned around to look up at the box where Mama Ross was seated with her daughter Chudney behind her; Rhonda, the oldest, wiped a tear.... awww.... it was a great moment.

Then classical pianist Leon Fleischer...moving tribute to this man who lost the use of his right hand in the middle of his career and then became a teacher until, nearing 60, a cure was found for his hand ailment and he was able to perform once again...the musical selction was by Beethoven and that's all I can say...a piano soloist, an orchestra and a choir singing in German...very rousing!!!

Last, the reclusive "lost" genius of the Beach Boys...Brian Wilson, was celebrated first by Art Garfunkel [odd choice]...then Lyle Lovett got to sing "God Only Knows" [god only knows why they chose Lyle Lovett for this tune, why not a great singer like Vince Gill?--Lovett is a fave of mine--but he didn't do this beautiful song justice] [NOTE: I just read an interview with Wilson where he said that Lovett sang the best version of "GOK" he'd ever heard!]...then another oddball choice...Beach Boys rock perfomed by everybody's favorites....HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH!!!????? [wut??? they still perform?]...actually they were pretty good with "I Get Around"/"California Girls"...maybe "Help Me Rhonda"[the mostly boomer audience was raised on this stuff and was rockin' out] ...then this angelic group of young boys took the stage and said they were from London where the sun doesn't shine much or something like that and sang Brian's later work, from when he returned to recording in the Eighties: "Love & Mercy" ....then another choir appeared behind them and it was very moving and seeing the sorta comatose and wooden Brian trying to react was emotionally stirring...beach balls fell from the rafters during the "Hootie & TBF" rock song medley and were being bounced around above the heads of the audience like ballons at a Trocadero party!!! --Miss Ross got one and gave it to Brian who looked, uh... shell-shocked, as usual...Miss Ross was lovely and acted so warmly and affectionately to all her fellow honorees. I was kvelling...

That's all folks...hope someone saw it beside me!!!???