“It is quite nice, very nice, to see the presidential box once again being occupied,” said David Letterman in kicking off the Kennedy Center Honors Sunday night. The crowd gave that a standing ovation. (Remember, Trump snubbed the ceremony in all his years in office. )

President Biden had a little pre-party for the five honourees; opera singer Justino Díaz, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels, actor and singer Bette Midler and folk music singer Joni Mitchell.

In introducing SNL’s Lorne Michaels, Biden joked:

“And Lorne Michaels – Mr Wise Guy over here. He’s trying out seven guys to play me. As we say in our family: bless me father for I have sinned. I don’t know what’s going to happen. And, finally, it’s my turn to say something about him.”

Then Biden introduced Steve Martin, sitting in the crowd, who quipped, “Do you want me to play you?” which brought the house down.

“Steve, I’m afraid that you understand me too well,” Biden replied.

A return to civility and tradition indeed.