The Kennedy Center Honors celebrate art influencers
(CBS/AP) Meryl Streep received her next film assignment over the weekend from a friend - to play the role of Hillary Rodham Clinton in a feature film - as Streep and four others were saluted with the Kennedy Center Honors.
Pictures: The 34th Kennedy Center Honors
Screenwriter and director Nora Ephron jested with Streep, who plays British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in her upcoming film "The Iron Lady," saying her talent, versatility and resemblance to Clinton made it "inevitable" that she would one day play the secretary of state and former first lady.
Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway, who co-stared with Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada," joined Kevin Kline and Stanley Tucci for a musical tribute to Streep.
Along with Streep, pop singer Neil Diamond, Broadway singer Barbara Cook, famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins joined in receiving the nation's top award Sunday night for those who have influenced American cultures through the arts.
Caroline Kennedy, who hosts the show as part of a living memorial to her father, John F. Kennedy, acknowledged her personal connection to one honoree.
In a nod to Diamond, she said he was " a Brooklyn lad with a gift of melody who grew into a solitary man, 'reaching out touching me.'" That was enough to draw big laughs as the crowd of celebrities and politicians recalled that Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" was named for her.
Smokey Robinson sang "Sweet Caroline" with help from Kennedy and fans brought in from Boston's Fenway Park, where it's a favorite anthem.
Lionel Richie, who sang, "I am... I said," told The Associated Press he got into the music business because he wanted to be Diamond.
"He's a great storyteller," Richie said. "He's not an acrobatic singer. Basically, he told the story in a very simple voice."
Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick opened the tributes to Cook, recalling the days when they first started dating and went to hear Cook sing at the CafDe Carlyle in New York.
"I don't think Matthew at the time knew what kind of special memory he was creating for us," Parker said.
"Oh, I knew," Broderick said back.
Stephen Colbert and the puppet Elmo from TV's "Sesame Street" spoke in honor of Ma, one of the best-known classical musicians, who played for presidents Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower at age 7.
Elmo, dressed in a tux, said he came to honor his friend, Ma who taught him that "music is like a playground" that makes everybody happy.
Bill Cosby as well as former President Bill Clinton marveled at jazz saxophonist Rollins, who has shared the stage with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie among others.
"His music can bend your mind, it can break your heart, and it can make you laugh out loud," Clinton said. "He has done things with improvisation that really no one has ever done."
CBS will broadcast the show on Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Earlier, President Barack Obama lauded the actors and musicians at the White House.
"They have different talents, and they've traveled different paths," Mr.Obama said. "And yet they belong here together because each of tonight's honorees has felt the need to express themselves and share that expression with the world."