The 34th Kennedy Center Honors 2011 (FULL): Cook/Diamond/Ma/Rollins/Streep

Barbara Cook died from respiratory failure at her home in Manhattan on August 8, 2017, at age 89. The marquee lights of the Broadway theaters were dimmed for one minute in tribute to her on August 9. She was a great artist.

best show on TV annually

This Kennedy Center Honors is my favourite. Barbara Cooks honor from her fellow Broadway's performers was truely beautiful. Neil Diamond was also wonderful but the Yo Yo Ma tribute was incredible. Sonny Rollins tribute was fantastic. Whole program very well done .

The biggest and longest applause was for our Icon - Neil Diamond - every single person in that hall knew every one of his unforgettable songs, that are so singable, so giving to other artists, voices and interpretations. That says a lot about this beautiful man and his beautiful music. All great honorees, but Neil’s songs and music was just outstanding. Of course, Yo-Yo Ma is in a class unto himself. Have a few albums of his which I love! Steven Colbert, unfortunately, was an already an ass. Such stupid comments that aren’t funny at all. But, love his Silk Road Ensemble. Even Neil was so into it, he was leaning forward. Yo-Yo Ma is truly a classical musician of multiple colors and a creator of new genres. All in all a smashing evening! Thanks for sharing this.

Wow wee the love for Yoyo Ma was incredible

Wow, I am thrilled to see that Barbara Cook received this honor - they give a powerful tribute that is so richly deserved. Ever since I was a kid, she's been one of my favorite singers - downright inspiring. Her voice has a richness borne of a deep connection to her heart, as reflected in the narrative (by the way, the intro by Matthew and Sarah Jessica was pitch-perfect - no pun intended). The musical tribute was one of the best I've seen via the KC Honors, but the best moments were brought by Glenn Close (who really held her own with "Losing My Mind," bringing Anne Hathaway to tears); and of course, the great Audra McDonald, who brings powerful emotion, rich vocal quality, solid technique, and class to everything she does - "Till There Was You" into "Make Our Garden Grow," which was the perfect choice to close with. It's just wonderful to see a lovely talent, whom I've always treasured, receive such deep recognition...

On a night of great performances, Lionel Richie still stands out. This is the hallmark of a great vocalist - the ability to tell a story in just a few verses of song. It's nothing more than a snippet - and yet he takes you into the story and the mood. Even Barbara Cook goes, "Woo!" at the end of his performance.

Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Kelli O'hara, Rebecca Luker, Glenn Close, Sutton Foster, and Laura Osnes in one stage... WOW!!!!!!!!❤👏🙌

Very cute that Caroline came out for sweet Caroline

Barbara Cook tribute WOW. What I love about these shows is everyone is surprised at who comes on the stage. I try and predict who the performers will be. This was amazing. Yo Yo Ma is a treasure.

MERYYYYL STREEEEEEEEEEP😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

i love Meryl streep and niel diamon always . love love this two

Love how Meryl is enjoying the entire show!

Neil the real Diamond 💎 Thank you for those words "Im a believer". And many thanks for the messages in your songs. Much love ❤️

Neil Diamond not sure if you read these but I took my mom to her first concert, this is when people flick their Bic lighters, she was mad we didn't bring her one...also when people shouted More More and you came back and did another song we couldn't get my mom out of there till the venue had completely emptied because she thought you would come back just for her. Mom passed away 8 years ago but one of my best memories was taking her to see you in the late 70's

j'ai connu neil diamond en 1969 sur une radio que nous entendions en algerie : RTL en anglais, qui diffusait des chansons anglosaxonnes en 1969 . Depuis ce chanteur m'accompagne non stop à ce jour. Mon souhait était de pouvoir me rendre à un de ses concerts .. Je continue à l'écouter, ça me garde ma jeunesse il est l'un des plus grands !!!!

i wonder what took them so long to realize just how wonderful you are neil i was so proud of you and still am i love you neil!!!!😍😍😍😍😍

This is the way to watch these - the full episode. The reason these honorees are selected and honored together is in the hope that if you love the work of Cook, you might just learn to appreciate some glorious jazz. If you admire the talent of Streep, and happen upon some Cello by Ma, you will admire both. Maybe, just maybe, while waiting for the Neil Diamond segment, you could hear some of the phenomenal musical theater work represented , and end up wondering if maybe you should buy a ticket to the next production and surprise your wife - and yourself with a great night. Its about exploring the connections in fine artistic performance, and learning to see these greats as not so very different, and their disciplines as not so very different.

Meryl Streep is a marvelous actress from the Garden State. She is our "State Flower". As a mother of four children, I have related to every , single mother's role Meryl played. So real! So true!

wonderful. especially tribute to Yo Yo. such a united group of inspired talent.