Stars who deserve a Kennedy Center Honor- Page 3

[Jarethan]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:43am

Some of these suggestions seem a little over the top to me.  Go back and look at the names of the people who have won, and consider their extensive contributions to entertainment over decades.

Lea Solanga is talented; she will never receive one and will never deserve one, unless she becomes a lot more prolific in leading roles than she has been for the last 25 years.  Unless Hugh Jackman returns to Broadway in a big way or broadens his movie career extensively and with high quality results, i.e., more than just Wolverine, he is not going to get one.  Where is the broad portfolio of excellence?  Diana Rigg will not get a Kennedy Center honor based on RSC productions performed in London, Emma Peel, and random works.  Besides Medea, what are her great stage works in this country?  What are her great film performances?

 

I know that I am coming off as an old fart, but c'mon.  Maybe this year was a little off, but this is arguably the most prestigious award given for work in the arts in this country.  Most years, everyone on the list is a deserving heavyweights with decades of consistent contributions, not all great, but many of which are great.  What exactly is Carrie Fisher's broad portfolio of excellence -- a talented, likable person but a Kennedy Center Honor?

PS -- Jane Fonda absolutely should have one already and will probably never get one, due to politics; but you never know, I was surprised when she finally received the AFI Award.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 12:55am

I know he is probably a jerk personally but I think Tom Cruise has built a pretty good film career and would be deserving.

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 2:00am

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!)

Lincoln Center actually does have their own honors, but it's a quieter affair for people who have been involved with LC and does not have the frills of a televised extravaganza. I think their award is only 2 years old: https://www.lincolncenter.org/show/the-performing-arts-hall-of-fame-at-lincoln-center-induction-ceremony 

[The Other One]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 7:25am

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.

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 9:18am

"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.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 9:27am

Yes, but there are Republicans and then there’s THIS Republican.

I don’t think you’d see near this level of pushback were we dealing with a President Kasich, President Romney, or President McCain.

[The Other One]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 9:43am

adamgreer said: "Yes, but there are Republicans and then there’s THIS Republican.

I don’t think you’d see near this level of pushback were we dealing with a President Kasich, President Romney, or President McCain."

I doubt you'd see any.

 

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 12/29/17 at 6:47pm

And the Presidents could laugh at themselves, here is Steve Martin telling a Barbara Streisand/George Bush joke...starts at 2:59  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrjdgOHlemI

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 1:23am

Just watching on Demand. I think I have to retract my comment on L.L.

Although I didn't buy all of his music, the show reminded me that he is a hip hop/rap legend.

[Far From Home]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 12:30pm

Dick Van Dyke

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 12:39pm

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.

[The Other One]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 12:55pm

Hard to believe Dick Van Dyke hasn't already been so honored.  Yes, of course, let's hope he is on next year's list.

[Tag]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 2:30pm

^Would fit well with the release of Mary Poppins Returns around the same time.  And Lin should do the introduction.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 12/31/17 at 4:17pm

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...

[The Other One]

Posted: 1/5/18 at 7:09am

poisonivy2 said: "Ben Vereen?"

RIP to that thought.

 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 1/5/18 at 10:44am

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.

[mrCellophane]

Posted: 1/5/18 at 10:53am

Mark Morris. What other modern dance choreographer doesn't have one?