Kennedy Center Honors: An emotional Garth Brooks, Julie Andrews' tribute to Dick Van Dyke, more
The Kennedy Center Honors returns to present a rainbow-ribbon threaded medallion at the entertainment icon during the celebration that airs Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Emmy, Grammy & Tony Award winner Dick Van Dyke; the great country artist Garth Brooks; multi-hyphenate Debbie Allen; Singer/activist Joan Baez and violinist Midori were honored late last month in a ceremony reconfigured for the time of the pandemic.
Typically broadcast in December, the main festival was filmed over several days, sometimes outside & in front of a small audience at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
During a 2-hour special hosted by Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Estefan, guests of the year were honored by stars such as Bradley Cooper, John Travolta, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Here are some of the best moments, tributes & performances from the evening:
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Brooks' friends lift him to a high
If tomorrow never comes, artists paying tribute to Brooks will know just how much he loved them. The high-energy artist can't help but let his emotions show in Sunday's special.
Brooks burst into tears as she began "The Dance" by Kelly Clarkson, initially performing her powerful voice without any instruments. Her beautiful tone struck Brooks, & she closed her eyes & went on to perform. When Clarkson wrapped, Brooks jumped out of his chair. "Woo!" He nodded & put his hand on his mouth in amazement to the original "American Idol" winner.
James Taylor's take on "The River" made Brooks bounce back his head in disbelief. Again, tears rolled in, as she wiped away, Taylor sang "'Unless we put off until tomorrow, it's tomorrow." And when Jimmy Allen treated the audience to "Friends in Low Places," Brooks could not help but get up from his seat. He appeared in the mouth of his wife, singer Trisha Yearwood, "Oh, I have Got To" before rising to his feet, causing others to suit & clap.
Once again, when Gladys Knight appeared to end her tribute with "We Shall Be Free", Brooks suffocated once again. The 2 exchanged I love you, & when Brooks wasn't looking hand-to-mouth, he was getting up and singing along. Knight said "I love that song!" Before Brooks blew his kiss on stage.
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Julie Andrews honors her 'endlessly kind' co-star
Pay tribute to Van Dyke's many talents, singing, dancing & accolades from past co-stars to the star.
Chita Rivera, the artist of Van Dyke's "Bye Bye Birdie", described them as "pure bliss". Lin-Manuel Miranda, who starred with Van Dyke in "Mary Poppins Returns," said: "Spend five minutes with Dyck Van Dyke and you're more alive than you were before."
And Van Dyke's praise of "Mary Poppins" co-star Julie Andrews provided all the experience. She described Pratibha as "enduringly kind, wildly imaginative, extremely talented and hilariously funny".
She reflected on their friendship that began more than 50 years ago, comparing her friend to Mary Poppins: "Although in truth, I think Dick is as magical as he is."
The "Sound of Music" star said that like his "Mary Poppins" role of Burt, Van Dyke is "a performer, a one-man bandwagonist, a profound philosopher, a high-stepping showman & a broadcaster of charm." Bringing her home she said, "Every day is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious with you, Dick."
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Sturgill Simpson's 'House of the Rising Sun'
Joan Baez, a folk singer known for her protest songs, enjoyed performances from Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell, as well as Emmylou Harris & Mary Chapin Carpenter, who sang a medley of their hits.
Sturgill Simpson's performance of "House of the Rising Sun" covered on Baez's debut album is another standout.
Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine introduced Simpson & praised Baez as "a tireless and uncompromising advocate for human rights & social justice". Simpson showed off her deeper-than-the-point-of-the-huntingly beautiful voice in the cover, and Baez swung back & forth as she listened to her singing.
It's a Family Affair for Debbie Allen
Allen's sister, "Cosby Show" star Phylicia Rashad, & Allen's daughter, dancer Vivian Nixon, joined the fray, featuring flattering words from singer/choreographer Paula Abdul, "Black-ish" star Tracee Ellis Ross and TV producer Shonda Rhimes. were also involved. As the musical numbers of "Dreamgirls" actress Anika Noni Rose & "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens.
"I have known Debbie Allen her whole life," began the older sister, Rashad, in her tribute, "as she has always been: full of love & joy. She's a dreamer who is full of determination. Through medium she makes her dreams come true & great deeds. No mountain is too high to climb, no pebble too small to be noticed."
Nixon joined a group of dancers who performed numbers on the musical "Sweet Charity", for which Allen received a 1986 Tony Award for Actress in a Musical.
Bette Midler Loves 'Powerhouse' Midori
Midler appeared to show support for his friend, with whom Midler worked at the charitable organization Midori & Friends.
"Although cutie Midori looks cute & small, make no mistake. She's a giant & a powerhouse," Midler said.
In "The Pantheon of Musical Legends, He's Standing Side by Side, Chin Rest to Chin Rest to the Greatest Violinist of All Time," the "Beach" star continued before mentioning his time in the play "Fiddler on the Roof" kept. "I am someone who knows a thing or two about fiddlers on rooftops & off," he cracked.
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