Lorne Michaels and Bette Midler are among this year's Kennedy Center honorees

Entertainment Weekly

The Saturday Night Live creator, Emmy-winning singer, songwriter, comedian and actress Bette Midler, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, Motown founder Berry Gordy and operatic bass-baritone Justino Díaz are this year's Kennedy Center Honors recipients. Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein said in a statement that "Lorne Michaels created the most enduring 'must-see television' with Saturday Night Live, a show that is both mirror and muse for life in America." The 44th Kennedy Center Honors Gala will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5 and air on CBS at a later date.