CULTURE: Winfrey, McCartney Among Kennedy Center Honorees

Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney were among the latest group of celebs to receive Kennedy Center Honors in a star-filled night that included tributes from Julia Roberts and John Travolta, among others. Merle Haggard, Broadway composer Jerry Herman, and dancer Bill T. Jones were also honored, as they sat with the president, first lady, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. CBS will broadcast the ceremony Dec. 28, the AP reports.

Roberts, Travolta, and Barbara Walters feted Winfrey, with Travolta actually hosting a mock version of her show with Walters as a guest—and Walters calling Winfrey “the best interviewer ever. No one comes close—not even me.” Gwen Stefani, Steven Tyler, Dave Grohl, Norah Jones, James Taylor, and Mavis Staples performed Beatles hits to honor McCartney, while Broadway and Nashville legends came out for Herman and Haggard. President Obama noted that all five were “being honored for their unique ability to bring us closer together.”