Kennedy Center Honors

President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, stand with 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees Morgan Freeman, left, and George Jones, second from left, at the start of the Kennedy Center in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

The 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees, from left to right, Twyla Tharp, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman and George Jones sing during the national anthem at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

Twyla Tharp and Roger Daltrey, 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees, are shown at the start of the program at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. was delivered by fellow Oscar winner Denzel Washington. The 31st annual Kennedy Center honors brought together some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics.

The 2008 Kennedy Center Honorees, from left, Pete Townshend, Barbra Streisand and Morgan Freeman during the national anthem at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney hold their hand of their hearts at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is is the background.

George Jones, right, and his wife Nancy Jones arrive for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. At a reception held Saturday, the 77-year-old said he was in a daze about being an honoree.

Robert Daltrey arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Daltrey and Pete Townshend, founding members of the English rock band The Who, were celebrated for changing the face and the future of rock and roll.

Pete Townshend arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. "I'm really excited and I'm touched about being selected as an honoree," he said.

Honoree Twyla Tharp arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Said presenter Lily Tomlin of the innovative choreographer: "Twyla's sitting up there right now alongside the President, a legendary singer, a country king, a pair of rock gods, and she's thinking: 'I could make a dance out of this.'"

Beyonce Knowles arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. During the 31st annual gala, Knowles rose from the stage floor to sing "The Way We Were" in a tribute to honoree Barbra Steisand.

Honoree Barbra Streisand arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. The show, full of star-studded tributes, will air Dec. 30 on CBS.

Clint Eastwood, right, a 2000 honoree, arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors with his wife, Dina Ruiz, at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. The honors recognize individuals who have had an impact on American culture through the performing arts, part of the living memorial to President John F. Kennedy.

Honoree Morgan Freeman arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. Freeman's tribute was delivered by fellow Oscar winner Denzel Washington. He was also honored by long-time friend and collaborator Clint Eastwood who directed "Million Dollar Baby," the film that brought Freeman his Oscar.

Barbra Streisand, right, and her husband James Brolin, arrive for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. The vocal critic of President George W. Bush was a guest at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during one of Washington's few A-list events. Before the visit she promised to play nice.

Queen Latifah arrives for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. The actress and singer opened the tribute to Barbra 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.

Quincy Jones, a 2001 Kennedy Center honoree, and his wife arrive for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008. The show will air Dec. 30 on CBS.

Singer Chris Cornell, left, his daughter, Toni, and wife Vicky arrive for the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008.

From left, Kennedy Center Honors producer George Stevens, Jr., Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser, honorees Roger Daltrey, Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, Pete Townshend, George Jones, Twyla Tharp, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman pose for a group photo after the State Department Dinner Dec. 6, 2008, in Washington.