A Starry-Eyed Salute

Howard waxed scientific about his knowledge of stardom -- as a physics major in college he spent a lot of time studying celestial bodies. He then offered a frenzied suggestion: Let's name the sun after Diana!

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Chuckles.

"Mr. President!" he bellowed, looking toward the box where the Bushes sat. Apparently he was hoping for an official proclamation. "By round of applause, who is with me?!"

Nervous chuckles.

Quick -- let's move on to a Ross-a-thon medley starring "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks doing "You Can't Hurry Love," a perpetually wide-eyed Vanessa Williams inviting you to Touch Her in the Morning, and Ciara, flanked by four pelvic-thrusting dancers for "Coming Out" and "Upside Down." Woe to the epileptic -- flashing lights were on full force as the dancers leapt off the stage, trying to coax reluctant audience members into some mid-aisle freaking.

Too bad they didn't make it back to Aretha Franklin's seat, where the Queen of Soul was wearing a Day-Glo muumuu and getting her chair-groove on. Woman wanted to dance.

Yolanda Adams ended the Ross fete by leading the Joyce Garrett gospel choir in a wall-of-sound version of "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)."

Midway through that song, Ross raised one slender arm above her head, up through that glorious halo of hair, and waved it back and forth in time with the music. She looked genuinely honored.

The Honors gala will be broadcast Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. on CBS.