While viewers won’t get to see the ceremony for another four weeks, the Kennedy Center Honors were Sunday night, providing President Obama with a rare chance to test his sense of humor without leaving Washington. The president paid tribute to Tom Hanks, Sting, Lily Tomlin and the other honorees of the night.
In addition to Hanks, Tomlin and the former Police frontman, Al Green and ballerina Patricia McBride were also honored for their artistic contributions. The event was hosted by Stephen Colbert.
While celebrating Hanks’ career, which includes two Oscar wins, Obama joked about his versatility, notes USA Today.
“Tom has flown a rocket to outer space, he's fallen in love with a mermaid, he's faced down Somali pirates, (and) mooned the President of the United States,” Obama said, referencing a famous scene in Forrest Gump. “I'm glad he got that last one out of his system before this evening.”
Members of the audience may have been wishing that Obama would since “Let’s Stay Together” again were disappointed. IT was a one-time thing, Obama said.
“My voice didn't crack. It was a fluke. I can sing a little, but I cannot sing like Al Green -- nobody can sing like Al Green,” the president said.
During his monologue, Colbert noted that the most influential person in the world was in attendance: First Lady Michelle Obama.
“Madam First Lady, lovely to see you, good evening. There she is, looking radiant, next to the President, which I assume means she has no future plans to run for office," Colbert joked, notes CNN. "There are a lot of Democrats who don't have that courage.”
The ceremony airs on CBS on Dec. 30. Colbert will chat with the president on The Colbert Report tonight.
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