This week the Kennedy Center announced the recipients of this years Kennedy Center Honors, and among them is none other than the Queen of Everything herself, Oprah Winfrey.
In spite of the fact that the honors are traditionally given to those for their contributions to American culture in the performing arts, Oprahs selection is not completely groundbreaking. In 1993, Johnny Carson received the honor for his work as a television personality.
Wow-zee! was the response from Winfrey when she learned the news.
The humbled talk show host continued: This feels like an official American citizenship in a very exclusive club of artists and contributors to the nation in a very special way. It feels like an elevated kind of award and there aren't many in this category. They look at your work, your life work, who you are as a human being and the spirit of who you are as a human being. Not many honors look at that depth.
Among other honoreeswho will undoubtedly get less pressare Paul McCartney, Merle Haggard, composer-lyricist Jerry Herman and dancer-choreographer Bill T. Jones.
McCartney was actually invited to receive the honor in 2002, but had to withdraw due to a family obligation. Producer of the event, George Stevens Jr. joked, We first asked if he had any relatives getting married the first week of December.
