WASHINGTON
— George Stevens Jr. knew he created something special in 1978 when he saw the audience at the Kennedy Center react to old black-and-white footage of Marian Anderson singing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
“We had not anticipated it, but they all turned and stood with this huge long ovation for her,” Stevens said. The singer had been turned away from performing at Constitution Hall near the White House in 1939 because she was black. But in 1978, she was being honored by her country at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This year, it’s Diana Ross receiving the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Steve Martin, Martin Scorsese, Brian Wilson and pianist Leon Fleisher.
Stevens, now 75, continues producing the show he created three decades ago. Over the years, the Kennedy Center Honors — airing tonight on CBS — have evolved and grown in stature.
Beyond the president and all the Washington power players, the show, which was taped Dec. 2, seems to attract more A-listers every year.
Ciara was on stage singing and dancing to the Ross hit “Upside Down,” right after tributes from Smokey Robinson, actor Terrence Howard, Jordin Sparks of “American Idol” fame and Vanessa Williams. Yolanda Adams sang “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” with a 125-member choir, bringing tears to Ross’ eyes.
The honors have become the consummate Washington event. Tickets now go for $4,000 for orchestra seats — way up from the $150 charged that first year.
After 30 years, the show still draws more than 8 million television viewers.
This year, actress Cameron Diaz has a touching tribute for Scorsese.
And viewers will see Steve Carell, star of NBC’s “The Office,” feigning confusion over whom he’s there to honor. He starts a tribute to Scorsese until Caroline Kennedy whispers something in his ear. Then he switches gears ever so naturally.
“Steve Martin is a national treasure,” Carell says.
Art Garfunkel calls Beach Boys founder Wilson “our Mozart of rock ‘n’ roll.” Wilson and Ross can be seen on their feet clapping and dancing along with the audience when Hootie and the Blowfish performs “I Get Around” and “California Girls.” Even President Bush was groovin’ — in a presidential way, of course.
The glitz and glam began earlier this month, when the awards were bestowed at a black-tie dinner at the State Department.
“It’s probably my favorite event of the year,” said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, a pianist herself, after she greeted all 250 guests at the dinner Dec. 1. “I really think the arts have a marvelous role in being a unifying force across the world.”
“KENNEDY CENTER HONORS”
8 p.m. today, KCNC-Channel 4 The 30th annual celebration honors Leon Fleisher, Steve Martin, Diana Ross, Martin Scorsese and Brian Wilson.
