Kennedy Honors: Selection Secrets
Here’s some more information about the roundabout way in which Kennedy Center honorees are chosen. In spite of efforts to de-politicize the process, do you really think Oprah Winfrey’s selection this year wasn’t unduly influenced by powerful people in Washington? The article tells tales of past efforts to woo artists — usually five are chosen per year — to the awards. The best one: The pianist Vladimir Horowitz said he would accept the award, but only if the show were at 4 in the afternoon and he were the only person honored. I’d rather have one Horowitz than 5 Winfreys.
