Stephen Colbert attends Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights 2013 Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on December 11, 2013 in New York City.
If it ain’t broke, and it’s still on CBS …
Stephen Colbert is set to return as host for the 39th annual Kennedy Center Honors. It’ll be his third year in a row as face of the show. Prior to his hosting run, the “Colbert Report” alum appeared at the Kennedy Center Honors during a 2011 tribute to Yo-Yo Ma.
As previously announced, the recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors will be Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, rock band the Eagles, actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and musician James Taylor.
Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment are executive producers of the special. The Kennedy Center Honors’ Founding Producer is George Stevens, Jr.
The gala doesn’t just give out awards — it also gets them: “The Kennedy Center Honors” have won the Emmy for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program 10 times.
These 39th Kennedy Center Honors take place Sunday, Dec. 4 at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. They’ll air on CBS Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Kennedy Center Honors Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman, Led Zeppelin (Photos)
The Kennedy Center honorees (clockwise from back left): Led Zeppelin members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, late-night host David Letterman, actor Dustin Hoffman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and jazz guitarist Buddy Guy.
Actor Robert De Niro, with Grace Hightower.
Alec Baldwin (with wife Hilaria Thomas) honored Letterman with a dig at Jay Leno during a Top 10 tribute.
Morgan Freeman gave Buddy Guy a moving tribute that was followed by musical performances by Tracy Chapman, Jeff Beck and Bonnie Raitt, all of whom ended up jamming together on stage.
The Hoffman clan gathered for a family photo before attending the ceremony.
The queen of soul, Aretha Franklin
Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy.
Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl (with wife Jordyn) joined the musical tribute to Led Zeppelin.
Jack Black (with Tanya Hayden) honored Led Zeppelin, calling the group the best band of all time, beloved by everyone “from Oliver Stone to Paul Ryan and everyone in between.”
Actress Glenn Close.
Jimmy Kimmel (with fiancée Molly McNearney) called Letterman a “hero to everyone of us in this room with the possible exception of those who came to see the ballerina.”
Evelyn McGee-Colbert and Stephen Colbert.
Tina Fey said that when she was growing up, she couldn’t figure out if Letterman was “a parody of a talk-show host … or a Midwestern goon that was just a little bit off.”
Dancer, choreorgrapher, actress and director Debbie Allen.
Kid Rock, who attended with his mother, was part of the musical tribute to Led Zeppelin.
Singer Lenny Kravitz also participated in the tribute to Led Zeppelin.
Ray Romano (with wife Anne) drew big laughs from Obama when, discussing how he was inspired by Letterman to become a comedian, he said: “It’s very surreal that I am talking to the president and first lady … I really wish I had voted,” he said.
Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the band Heart.
Actor Kyle MacLachan.
Guitarist Jeff Beck was part of the musical tribute to Buddy Guy.
TV's "Big Brother" host Julie Chen.
President and Michelle Obama welcomed guests to the reception at the White House.
The Kennedy Center honorees, from left: Plant, Page and Jones of Led Zeppelin; Makarova; Letterman; Hoffman, and Guy.
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2012 Kennedy Center honorees also included bluesman Buddy Guy and dancer Natalia Makarova
The Kennedy Center honorees (clockwise from back left): Led Zeppelin members John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, late-night host David Letterman, actor Dustin Hoffman, ballerina Natalia Makarova and jazz guitarist Buddy Guy.
