JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

This 12 months’s Kennedy Center honorees are Billy Crystal, Dionne Warwick, Renee Fleming, Queen Latifah and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees. They had been in Washington, D.C., earlier this month for a splashy celebration. And tonight is your likelihood to see that star-studded occasion on TV. NPR’s Elizabeth Blair was there in individual and has a preview of what to anticipate.

ELIZABETH BLAIR, BYLINE: For Kennedy Center honoree Queen Latifah, it was an all-ages tribute.

SAVANNAH MCCONNEAUGHEY: Sure. My title is Savannah Zoe McConneaughey, aka, VanVan.

BLAIR: Earlier than the present, 5-year-old VanVan informed me she’d be performing one of her favourite Queen Latifah songs.

SAVANNAH: (Singing) U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “U.N.I.T.Y.”)

QUEEN LATIFAH: (Singing) Right here we go. Right here we go. U.N.I.T.Y., you bought to allow them to know. U.N.I.T.Y., c’mon, c’mon. Right here we go…

BLAIR: Yearly, the Kennedy Center gathers A-list expertise to salute the honorees with performances. They preserve the lineup a secret. And one thing particular about the broadcast is that you simply get to see the honorees react. They sometimes sit in field seats with the president and first girl. This 12 months, when The Clark Sisters carried out for Queen Latifah, she was on her ft, beaming and singing alongside.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “YOU BROUGHT THE SUNSHINE”)

THE CLARK SISTERS: (Singing) You made my day. You got here my manner.

BLAIR: Honoree Dionne Warwick is not only recognized for her impeccable vocals, she’s additionally received an enormous following on social media. “Saturday Evening Reside” forged member Ego Nwodim joked that Warwick is rarely at a loss for phrases.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

EGO NWODIM: Even now, when individuals ask about all that she’s achieved, she says, I do not know why persons are so interested by my life. They should get their very own.

(LAUGHTER)

BLAIR: Musical performances for Warwick included Mickey Guyton and The Spinners.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “THEN CAME YOU”)

MICKEY GUYTON AND THE SPINNERS: (Singing) Oh, I by no means knew love earlier than. Then got here you. Then got here you.

BLAIR: Barry Gibb was celebrated for having written a whole lot of songs. He and his brothers, the late Robin and Maurice Gibb, began performing as the Bee Gees in 1958. Their songs for the 1977 film “Saturday Evening Fever” are iconic.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “NIGHT FEVER”)

BEE GEES: (Singing) Hearken to the floor, there may be motion throughout. There’s something taking place, and I can really feel it.

BLAIR: Motion pictures, TV, theater – Billy Crystal has achieved all of it. He was honored by his buddy Rob Reiner. He directed Crystal in “This Is Spinal Faucet,” “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

ROB REINER: Not solely was he nice as Harry Burns, however Invoice wrote what I imagine is possibly the funniest line in all of film historical past – I am going to have what she’s having.

(LAUGHTER)

BLAIR: Lin-Manuel Miranda supplied this musical tribute to Crystal.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA: (Singing) Making us chuckle on that present with three letters, courting Meg Ryan in cable knit sweaters, internet hosting the Oscars, we stated, oh, he sings. These are just a few of our favourite issues.

BLAIR: The Kennedy Center Honors acknowledge creative excellence. Renee Fleming is a world-renowned opera singer and an advocate for psychological well being. She made her Broadway debut in “Carousel” in 2018. In her honor, Tituss Burgess carried out one of the musical’s most well-known songs.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

TITUSS BURGESS: (Singing) Once you stroll by way of a storm, maintain your head up excessive and do not be afraid of the darkish.

BLAIR: The Kennedy Center Honors airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+ tonight.

Elizabeth Blair, NPR Information, Washington.

(SOUNDBITE OF LYLE SONG, “PINKTREE”)

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