Diana Ross really was the shining star of last night's Kennedy Center Honors telecast where she was radiant and livened up the stuffy box that also included President Bush who looked absolutely bored. He should've given his seat to one of Diana's kids since only one of them, daughter Chudney, was able to join her in the honoree box up above with her other four kids down in the front row by the stage. In addition to the singers children including actress Tracey Ellis Ross ("Girlfriends") and actor Evan Ross, Smokey Robinson was on hand to pay tribute to his childhood friend. Smokey narrated a pretty good film of her life and career with plenty of footage from the Supremes days with the ladies described as "big as the Beatles but with a better wardrobe." The group had TWELVE number one hits. Amazing. Diana went on to have SIX number ones as a solo performer but remember, some of her best solo stuff like "I'm Coming Out," "Reach Out and Touch," "It's My Turn," "The Boss" and "Chain Reaction" never reached the top spot but are classics.

Singing some of the solo hits and those as part of the Supremes was a pretty heady line-up of Jordin Sparks ("Someday We'll Be Together"), Vanessa Williams ("Touch Me In the Morning"), Ciara ("I'm Coming Out" and "Upside Down") and Yolanda Adams ("Reach Out and Touch"). All were solid with Williams faring best but it was all made so clear: there is only one Diana Ross. You wanted her to climb down from the box and start singing the songs herself!

Really, nobody does them better...