Don Cheadle and Carrie Underwood took the Emmy Awards back to the 1963 with a meaningful tribute to the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination and the 50th anniversary of the Beatles performing on the Ed Sullivan Show for the first time. So moving!
Don Cheadle Presents Tribute For JFK & The Beatles
Six-time Emmy-nominee Don presented a moving tribute for the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, and the role that all of the television coverage played in marking the terrifying and fateful day on November 22, 1963.
Don started JFK’s assassination tribute by saying,”That [era] was the moment when the television generation came of age. More people got information from TV, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic march. TV gave way to laughter from Dick Van Dyke, Andy Griffith and Lucille Ball — and soon after, they shared grief.”
Don went on to speaking about a lighter moment in TV history – the first time the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, marking a huge and historic connection between television and the impact it had on its audience.
“National tragedy gave way to another event, and a dark cloud was suddenly lifted, making it ok to experience joy again. 73 million viewers [watching the Ed Sullivan Show] underscored the immediacy of TV and the impact on our society. TV has the power to engage, inform and unite. It remembers the past, celebrates the present and anticipates our future,” Don said.
Carrie Underwood Sings The Beatle’s ‘Yesterday’
Carrie performed a beautiful rendition of the Beatle’s song “Yesterday,” glittering onstage in a navy, sparkling one-shouldered gown with images of the Beatles being shown behind her.
Carrie and the Beatles have something in common — they both got to be stars with the help of TV. Since Carrie was discovered on American Idol and the Beatles got to “Beatlemania” status because of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, it was so fitting to us that Carrie sang the energetic and moving medley.
Earlier in the day on Sept. 22, Carrie tweeted her excitement for the show, saying, “I’m so honored to be performing on the #Emmys on @CBS tomorrow night! Any guesses on which Beatles song I’ll be singing? I can’t wait!”
The wait is over now and we think Carrie absolutely dazzled during her “Yesterday” performance!
What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did you love Carrie Underwood’s performance honoring JFK?