Glitzy ‘American Celebration’

ABC’s telecast (tonight at 10) of “An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre,” the glitzy performance gala held annually at Washington’s historic theater, is a rushed hour of all the music, comedy, narrative and sentiment that can fit between numerous commercial breaks.

The black-tie gathering of politicians and corporate bigwigs -- President Bush, the first lady and Disney Chairman Michael Eisner share the front row -- is politely amused by host Kelsey Grammer’s observation that it’s a challenge “to appear before a crowd of people who, if they wished, could have you deported, or worse.”

A similar reaction greets George Lopez’s edgy stand-up about the nation’s reluctant acceptance of Latinos.

“You probably couldn’t have gotten elected without us,” he says, looking at a seemingly bemused commander-in-chief.

The variety sampler also includes performances by Grammy winners LeAnn Rimes and Alison Krauss and Union Station, pop artist Brian McKnight and 6-year-old soul-singing phenom Jamia Simone Nash.

Actors Sam Waterston and Michelle Lee pay tribute to President Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd.

Country music’s Lone Star accompanies a photo tribute to armed services personnel and their families with a heartstring-tugging rendition of “I’m Already There.”

After the finale -- in which the cast, the Naval Academy Glee Club and Tom Scott and the American Celebration Orchestra sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” -- the president gives a short thank you speech, followed by Grammer’s goodnight to the audience, nearly clipped by an airline promo.