The Kennedy Center Honors is a TV special.

Barbara Cook, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma, Sonny Rollins and Meryl Streep are the honorees at the 34th annual celebration hosted by Caroline Kennedy. Performers and presenters include Bill Cosby; Robert De Niro; Herbie Hancock; Anne Hathaway; Jennifer Nettles; Mike Nichols; Sarah Jessica Parker; Lionel Richie; Smokey Robinson; James Taylor; and Tracey Ullman

The Kennedy Center Honors are awarded annually for exemplary lifetime achievement in the performing arts. The Honors have been presented annually since 1978 in Washington, D.C., during gala weekend-long events which culminate in a performance for-and honoring-the Honorees at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

In a star-studded celebration on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, Carole King, George Lucas, Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa and Cicely Tyson will be saluted by great performers from Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated with President and Mrs. Obama, the Honorees will accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes. Stephen Colbert of CBS's THE LATE SHOW hosts.

The 2016 Kennedy Center Honors recipients to be honored at the 40th annual national celebration of the arts are: Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, rock band the Eagles, screen and stage actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples, and musician James Taylor.

The annual telecast that honors those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture. This year's honorees are: Cher, Philip Glass, Reba McEntire, and Wayne Shorter. In addition, Hamilton co-creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler, and Alex Lacamoire receive a special Honors for groundbreaking work.

The 2019 Honorees were saluted by today's leading performers from New York, Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world, accepting the recognition and gratitude of their peers through performances and tributes. R&B; collective Earth, Wind & Fire, actress Sally Field, singer Linda Ronstadt, children's television program "Sesame Street" and conductor and musical visionary Michael Tilson Thomas are the honorees.

Recipients to be honored at the 43rd annual national celebration of the arts are: multi-disciplinary artist, choreographer, and actress Debbie Allen; singer-songwriter and activist Joan Baez; country singer-songwriter Garth Brooks; violinist Midori; and actor Dick Van Dyke.