Kennedy Center Honors: The Scene -- And the Unseen

For all the laughter and tears and generalized good vibrations at Sunday's Kennedy Center Honors, there was something missing.

Where was the Love? Beach Boy Mike Love, that is, whose voice carried many of the tunes that put the gold medal around his cousin Brian Wilson's neck. Or Mary Wilson, who recruited teenage neighbor Diana Ross into the group that would become the Supremes? Or Lorne Michaels, the "Saturday Night Live" creator who launched Steve Martin to fame?

On a night devoted to illuminating the lives and careers of beloved artists, the conspicuous absences were a reminder of ruptured relationships and messy awards-show politics.

Sources close to the production told us there was never really any thought of inviting the other surviving Beach Boys or Supremes. Brian Wilson and Love have spent years battling in court over song rights; Ross mustered a "reunion" tour without Mary Wilson or Cindy Birdsong. But even absent outright rancor (we think Brian's still pals with Al Jardine), it was deemed too awkward to have the less-famous honor the old pals who long ago skyrocketed past them.

But where was the SNL gang? Or memorable Martin co-stars like Lily Tomlin and Diane Keaton? They all sang his praises when the comic received the center's Mark Twain Prize just two years ago, and the Honors wanted this show to feel different.

All those stars who owe their careers to honoree Martin Scorsese -- Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco? There are only so many orchestra seats ($4,000 for paying customers) the Kennedy Center can hand out to Hollywood VIPs (who want everything gratis) on a night that raises $5 million.

No matter. Still plenty of gawking to do at the post-show dinner in the center's Grand Foyer.

"Well, hello, Senator!" Martin Short was saying to the woman in dark-green velvet who he had just discovered was Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), politely interrupting his tete-a-tete with Steve Martin.

Wilson, keeping the mingling to a minimum but summoning a genuine-looking grin for a family photo at his table. Honoree Leon Fleisher, surprisingly tucked away at a cozy, lightly trafficked table at the far end of the room. A cluster of big-money types hovering around student-loan mogul Catherine Reynolds's table, schmoozing a guest who turned out to be Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim Helu, the newest richest man in the world.

Ross left her table to greet Scorsese, and a million flashes exploded around them. Then she swept through the room, drawing waves of applause from the tables she passed.

"I have five children, and this is the actor," she told an elderly man as her teenaged son Evan (co-star of "ATL") leaned in to shake hands. Daughter Tracee Ellis Ross, star of the long-running sitcom "Girlfriends," looked eerily supreme in a retro bob and an elegant white sheath worthy of a girl group. After her turn in the Ross tribute, young Jordin Sparks caught Tracee's eye: "Was it okay?" Tracee: "Oh, please ! You were fantastic."

Moments into the salad course, Ross was heading for the door, those five gorgeous children in tow, leaving Vanessa Williams, in her dazzling sea foam-green ball gown, sitting by herself with another woman at their table for 10.

Lyle Lovett introduced us to his gorgeous fiancee and told us it was "such an honor" to be asked to sing Wilson's "God Only Knows," which made us cry. Okay, so this is totally unprofessional and we never do this, but -- cellphone picture, please? Lovett politely leaned in and smiled.

Never got to compliment Ciara on her silver jumpsuit: The young A-listers, ratings-boosters for the CBS broadcast, make fleeting dinner appearances at most. Before the show was even over, Cameron Diaz was well across town, finishing a meal with a gaggle of friends at Jaleo.

No one seemed to miss her. Two hours later, the dinner plates were cleared, and the beautiful non-famous of Washington were hitting the dance floor, in no hurry to leave.

THIS JUST IN . . .

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