Streisand, Bush Make Nice Before "Honors"

Vocal Critic Barbra Streisand, President Bush Exchange Kiss On Cheek At White House Prior To Kennedy Center Honors

(CBS/AP)  Barbra Streisand got an awkward kiss on the cheek from the president, and yes, she gave him a smooch back.

Streisand, a vocal critic of President George W. Bush, was a guest Sunday at the White House just before one of Washington's few A-list events: the Kennedy Center Honors.

"Art transcends politics this weekend," the longtime Democrat said beforehand. Still, she said it would have been "lovely" if she could have received the award while President-elect Barack Obama was in office.

The singer and actress was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, along with actor Morgan Freeman, country singer George Jones, dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who.

The honors recognize individuals who helped define American culture through the performing arts, part of the living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

The hug and kiss between Bush and Babs - who has previously said Bush's election wins in 2000 and 2004 were stolen - was replayed later on video at a Kennedy Center gala. The crowd couldn't help but laugh.

Queen Latifah opened the tribute to Streisand, saying she "threw out the rule book" to chart her own career. "She took to the stage like butter on a bagel," Latifah added in a video tribute.

Idina Menzel from Broadway's "Rent" and "Wicked" sang "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Streisand's 1964 musical "Funny Girl." She mixed in some new lyrics - "Hey there, Ms. Streisand, I am your biggest fan."

Beyonce Knowles rose from the stage floor to sing "The Way We Were." And the young musical star Ne-Yo grooved to Streisand's 1965 hit "Lover, Come Back to Me," with four male dancers.

"Barbra Streisand is the epitome of emotion in music," Ne-Yo said. "You feel every word, that's something that artists in my day and age don't really pay attention to."

Earlier, another set of stars paid tribute to The Who in front of a neon-lit backdrop of the Union Jack, in honor of the British band.

"They were legends in a time of legends. Thank you for blowing our minds and touching our hearts," said comedic actor Jack Black.

"The full impact of it is still sinking in," Townshend said of the honor. "It feels a bit iconic."

Rock singer Rob Thomas sang "Baba O'Riley," and the British flag pulled away to reveal a choir of 150 New York policemen and firefighters singing the "teenage wasteland" chorus with Thomas under an American flag. They were thanking The Who for being the first musical group to sign on for an emotional Radio City Music Hall benefit concert after 9/11.

Jones, who earned the nickname "No Show Jones" for performances he missed during his wild drinking days, promised to show up this time. The 77-year-old said "I'm in a daze" about being an honoree.

"And I'm really happy this year because George Jones is being honored and he is my all-time favorite singer," Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer, a bit of a country crooner himself, told Early Show co-ancor Julie Chen.

First lady Laura Bush took the stage to salute Jones, saying "there's no getting tired of a singer like him." Jones is a favorite on the president's iPod, said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"'Walk through this world with me,' George Jones sang, in one of the many beautiful numbers that my husband and I love to hear him sing," Bush said.

Garth Brooks, Randy Travis and Alan Jackson gave Jones a tip of the hat with performances of the country legend's work. And fellow country singer Shelby Lynne sang "Amazing Grace."

Tickets to the gala sell for as much as $4,000. Last year, the event raised $5 million to support Kennedy Center programs. The show will air Dec. 30 on CBS.

The awards were presented Saturday night at a State Department dinner. Rice addressed each honoree, beginning with Freeman, who once played the president in the movie "Deep Impact."

"I know that when you played the African-American president of the United States, most people thought that would happen when a comet hit," Rice said, drawing laughs and cheers. "But wonder of wonders, fiction has become true."

Freeman, 71, who starred this year in "The Dark Knight," also made headlines after suffering broken bones in a Mississippi car crash in August. The Oscar-winning actor said he was still recovering from nerve damage in his left hand and wore a glove to control the swelling.

"It's a big honor. So I'm trying to not to go jumping around too much," Freeman told Chen.

Denzel Washington and Clint Eastwood testified to their success working with Freeman.

"You're a great good luck charm," said Eastwood, a 2000 honoree. "Everything you touch is fine by me."

For Tharp's presentation, actress Lily Tomlin said Tharp sees dance everywhere she looks: "This is a woman who saw the Beach Boys and made a ballet."

Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser, who worked with Tharp at the American Ballet Theater, said Tharp taught him "the difference between making a ballet and making art."

[skeezix06]

Barbra is a better person than I am. I wouldn''t have done even a "stage" kiss.

[moxford0]

I wonder if Streisand went backstage and puked after kissing Bush. She should have puked on Bush. It''s the least she could have done.

[regats-2009]

CBS censored my note, and that''s sad.
*** is a word the starts with a B and ends with a D
And it''s not bad,
it''s what you are when you ain''t got a dad.

[regats-2009]

I''m ashamed of you, Barbra.
You should have slapped that incompetent, warmongering ***.

[bpai99]

I wonder how many substances were abused in total by Jones, Daltrey and Townshend in their time. Like Frank Sinatra (nowadays you never see anymore the photo of him eating scrambled eggs off a prostitute''s breasts), if you hang around long enough you can become respectable no matter what you''ve done in your past.

[ausus-2009]

torva,

By knocking President Bush''s intelligence, I take it you have at least a degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard, two universities recognized by the London Times as the best in world.

[briannorwood]

machineguy:

Examples please?

[McHineguy]

I must disagree. Barbara Streisand is an icon in the entertainment industry. Her voice is nothing but astonishing. And we have all benefited from her music and acting.

Yes, she is a liberal, but has been both a political activist, working for causes she believes in as well as a philanthropist who puts her money where her mouth is.

Like me, you may not agree with all her positions but to call her a "nothing" couldn''''t be farther from the fact.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by briannorwood at 03:26 PM : Dec 08, 2008

I dont mind that she is a liberal, some of my best friends are liberals.

I do mind that she is so rude about her opinions when the subject is so diverse. Its one thing to be a militant champion of civil rights. Its something else entirely to be rude to others who have a different idea on how to achieve those civil rights.

[briannorwood]

MissSuZQ:

I must disagree. Barbara Streisand is an icon in the entertainment industry. Her voice is nothing but astonishing. And we have all benefited from her music and acting.

Yes, she is a liberal, but has been both a political activist, working for causes she believes in as well as a philanthropist who puts her money where her mouth is.

Like me, you may not agree with all her positions but to call her a "nothing" couldn''t be farther from the fact.

[redbds]

What a total waste of time and money. did the taxpayers pay for any of this? I have nothing against singers, actors or other artists but I don''t think that they deserve these types of awards for singing songs and making movies that earn them millions of dollars. How about we change these awards to honor teachers, police officers and fire fighters.

[torva-2009]

BTW, Im no fan of Bush but Ill bet he knows more about singing than Babs knows about politics.

Posted by machineguy at 02:50 PM : Dec 08, 2008

I bet Bush knows less about everything than anyone else does!

[McHineguy]

Streisand is a wonderful singer and music artist. Which compensates for her other abilities. She should stick with what she does well and leave the thinking to others. Even worse, she should avoid public statemenst of political nature because they are always so petty and demean her stature as a performer. In short, "Shut up Babs, just sing."

BTW, Im no fan of Bush but Ill bet he knows more about singing than Babs knows about politics.

[misssuzq]

Noticed that the crazy woman did not wear the award ribbons until later for the group photo.

Sorry to tell ya, Babs, but the ribbons would not have ruined your look.

And big deal she "made nice". She is nobody.

[likeitis5050]

Streisand is a legend in her own mind only. Once great...for a short time...until she reached a place where there was room only for her and those who agree with her totally. Again...why should any one care what she thinks? Throw money at the project and shut up, Babs.

[hitoyou11]

You don''t like Morgan Freeman and Bush?

[questionnews]

I''m not sure what to think. Two of the people I dislike the most are getting buddy-buddy.
Must be one of the signs of the Apocalypse.