Celebrating America

Celebrating America was a television special which aired as part of the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 20, 2021.

Celebrating America
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Release
Original releaseJanuary 20, 2021 (2021-01-20)

Description

Traditional inaugural balls, which often gather hundreds of dignitaries to see the president and extend late into the evening, were not held due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A primetime television special, Celebrating America, aired as a substitute in simulcast across most major television networks and other cable and streaming outlets. Hosted by Tom Hanks, the evening event opened with a performance of "Land of Hope and Dreams" by Bruce Springsteen on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.[1] Hanks then addressed viewers, emphasizing the "promise of our promised land", and introduced four guests, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dolores Huerta, Brayden Harrington, and Kim Ng who, respectively, recited lines from the inaugural addresses of presidents Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan, reflecting on their speeches' emphasis of national unity, confidence, patriotism, and peace.[2]

Anthony Gaskin, a Virginia UPS deliveryman, introduced Jon Bon Jovi, who performed an acoustic rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles.[2] Yo-Yo Ma performed a cello solo sampling "Amazing Grace", "Goin' Home" from Dvořák's 9th symphony, and "Simple Gifts". Biden was then introduced by Hanks to the U.S. Navy Band Brass Ensemble's playing of four ruffles and flourishes and "Hail to the Chief"; he spoke inside the Lincoln Memorial and emphasized the importance of "opportunity, liberty, dignity, and respect". Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake then performed their song "Better Days" in Memphis, Tennessee.[3] Mackenzie Adams, a Washington elementary school teacher, then introduced Foo Fighters; frontman Dave Grohl opened the performance by acknowledging the "creative ways" educators have dealt with teaching modality challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic,[2] and then the band performed "Times Like These".[4] A cavalcade of Broadway stars performed "Seasons of Love" and "Let the Sun Shine In".

Fireworks from the finale of the program

Chef and philanthropist José Andrés discussed the food insecurity crisis in America, and introduced Morgan Marsh-McGlone, a Wisconsin elementary school student who raised over US$52,000 for the hungry by creating an online lemonade stand.[2] Lin-Manuel Miranda then recited Irish poet Seamus Heaney's "The Cure at Troy",[5], with Biden joining him to in unison recital of the final line, "And hope and history rhyme". It is a poem one often quoted by Biden, such as in his address at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. American members of the Expedition 64 mission on the International Space Station then greeted viewers from orbit. Sarah Fuller, the first woman to play in a football game for a Power Five conference team, introduced Vice President Harris to four ruffles and flourishes and "Hail, Columbia"; she characterized the American people as "bold, fearless, and ambitious", exemplifying the Apollo 11 moon landing and civil rights and women's suffragette movements. John Legend then performed his rendition of "Feeling Good".[4]

Sandra Lindsay, a nurse who is the first U.S. citizen to receive the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine,[6] introduced Tyler Hubbard and Tim McGraw, who performed their collaborative song "Undivided" on a Nashville rooftop.[7] Former presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, appearing in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater, remarked on the importance of uniting America and witnessing the peaceful transfer of power;[2] they also offered words of support for Biden and Harris. Demi Lovato then celebrated frontline healthcare workers in her performance of Bill Withers's song "Lovely Day".[4] In closing the special, Katy Perry performed her song "Firework" during a fireworks show over the Washington Monument, with views of Biden, Harris, and their spouses watching from the White House and Lincoln Memorial.[1]

Critical response and ratings

The event was acclaimed by critics. Caroline Framke of Variety wrote, 'Celebrating America perfectly encapsulates President Joe Biden'.[8]

Production

Ricky Kirshner served as producer.[9]

References
  1. Lejeune, Tristan (January 20, 2021). "Bruce Springsteen kicks off 'Celebrating America' special with 'Land of Hope and Dreams'". TheHill. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  2. Arkin, Daniel (January 20, 2021). "Top moments from Biden's 'Celebrating America' inauguration special". NBC News. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  3. "Ant Clemons on Performing 'Better Days' with Justin Timberlake During the Inauguration Special". NBC Los Angeles. January 20, 2021. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  4. Weprin, Alex (January 13, 2021). "Tom Hanks Hosting 'Celebrating America' Inaugural Special With Performances From Demi Lovato & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  5. Chamlee, Virginia (January 18, 2021). "Lin-Manuel Miranda Joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, José Andrés and More for Biden Inaugural Special". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  6. Otterman, Sharon (December 14, 2020). "'I Trust Science,' Says Nurse Who Is First to Get Vaccine in U.S." The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  7. Freeman, Jon (January 19, 2021). "Tim McGraw, Tyler Hubbard to Perform on Joe Biden's Inauguration TV Special". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  8. https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/celebrating-america-inauguration-special-tv-review-biden-1234889202/
  9. Gardner, Chris (22 January 2021). "'Celebrating America' Inauguration Special Producer on How They Pulled Off the January Event". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
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