Jennifer Hudson's emotional tribute to Whitney Houston at last night's Grammys still gives us goosebumps. She sang the cover "I Will Always Love You," a hit from "The Bodyguard" soundtrack, in honor of the pop-legend who passed away unexpectedly on the eve of the awards ceremony. Hudson changed the lyrics at the end, singing "Whitney, we love, we love you." The performance was spot-on, and Houston was one tough act to follow.
Her death clouded over the 54th annual Grammy Awards. LL Cool J opened the show with a prayer, addressing "our sister Whitney" and "the death in our family."
Police confirmed the 48-year-old was found in the bathtub of her Beverly Hilton Hotel room on Saturday afternoon, underwater and unconscious. She was supposed to attend a pre-Grammy party later that night.
It was announced today prescription pills were found in the room, but it will take a few more weeks for the toxicology reports to determine the exact cause of death. She fought a very public battle with drug addiction over the years.
Funeral arrangements are now underway. The ceremony will reportedly take place at the end of week in New Jersey.
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PLEASE! No more about Whitney Houston!! That's all I've heard about for 24 hours! I tune into your channel for real news, please leave this trifle for the entertainment channels. After working unbelievable hours for weeks and finally having a chance to kick back and watch MSNBC in the hopes of important, life changing information, I get more Whitney Houston!!!!! Please let it go. I have turned the channel, and am now watching the dog show on CNBC. The Dalmatian just won best in his class. Good Boy!
There are some hate filled comments on this site which is very disturbing to me. How could you not feel anything not just because it's Whitney Houston, but because it's a human being? What has happened to the people of this Nation, so full of hate, rage and selfishness? At the end of the day, we ALL are someone, maybe not a celebrity as Whitney Houston, but we are somebody! How would you feel if that were your sister, daughter, mother, friend? I shutter to think if you'd feel nothing! If so, you're a hopeless case and a disgrace to the human race.
I was actually quite moved by the loss of Whitney Houston; I'm old enough to remember when she was elegant and articulate.
But this is a completely improper subject for this show, and a real embarrassment to see otherwise serious people act like TMZ.
Well Burbmouse, it's unfortunate that you possess some venom against MSNBC's reflection of Ms. Houston. My question to you is this, "Why did you watch it?" I found it touching. I found it reaffirming as a cautionary tale. I'm sorry that you could not get something out of it.
burbmouse, with all due respect, I am very grateful to Lawrence for skipping the usual coverage of what I consider the Republican clown show to honor the most successful female singer in music history.
Having watched this spectacularly gifted artist's precipitous decline in sometimes public view was depressing and deflating for me and millions of her fans. It was proper and classy for Lawrence to focus discussion on what she gave us and the positive aspects of her as a person by interviewing those who knew her well.
Besides her magnificent and sublime instrument, she was a trailblazer for other artists, breaking through color barriers and reaching a vast and diverse audience around the world. So, she certainly deserved the coverage she received on Lawrence's show last evening.
Sorry to offend, but I do not watch MSNBC for celebrity news. All the shows and time spent for what? Nobody cared enough when she was a drug abusing drunk and was an embarrassment just a few nights ago, the day before she died. Who intervened? NOBODY!
They made a reality show fercrissakes! So spare me the wasted eulogies, she killed herself with all her so called friends help. I have heard enough of this constant blather!
CLICK!
Normally I would agree that MSNBC should stick to political news. However, the coverage of Whitney Houston's death on Lawrence is not just the same repetition of sentiment over and over again. What Kelly Price said is both life-affirming and art-affirming.
So show it on TMZ or E!
Another dead druggie! Now they cry! A little late, eh?
TYT, don't let me down!
Brian, many cried and prayed for her during the spiral downward. But that's over and many will simply remember the good in her and the greatness she shown to us. Sometime politics should take a backseat.
As much as I enjoy the political bantering back and forth, I truly believe what Lawrence did last night was classic. Listen, we are not Fox viewers...yes?
Hour after hour after hour after day after day.
Make a special because a tribute show is not news, it's a tribute show.
Couldn't ditch one prison show? Overkill hardens the heart and this, like MJ and OJ and so many others has overplayed my ability to care.
Thank you TRMS for NOT pandering to the easy story, not news!
The country is on the verge of being run by the Vatican and womens health care stripped by men. No more free contraception for you, but hey? Whitney's dead!
Pay attention to what is really important!
Thank You So Much Lawrence.....The first real tribute that means something.....Your guest were the very best that will ever have cable at one time in tribute on topic...You did the right thing...I watch every night...KUDDO's ...Be with G-d Whitney.
I am grateful that you, Lawrence, and your producers have chosen to talk about Whitney Houston in a thoughtful and respectful manner, and not with the ghoulishness that has been looped incessantly throughout other media. Thank you. Thank you.
Lawrence, your show tonight was awesome. Thank you so much for bringing true friends on to talk about Whitney Houston. Your show is what I have been seeking for two days. A respectful loving tribute to an incredible talent. May god bless her.
How wonderful it would have been if this kind of tribute, a well-deserved tribute, could have been given to Ms. Houston prior to her death. So much was said about her demons, but I do not recall a tribute of this kind that she could have heard.
Lawrence, thank you so much for taking the time in your show to talk about Whitney Houston. You could have just gave a few seconds and moved on but you chose not to do so. You are the best Lawrence and for that I appreciate you. For after all when we are done, people will move on and forget. Thank you for paying your last respect for a women who was so gifted. It is sad that we lost her. And yes people say she fell and judge her so badly mocking her inhumanely, but like all of us who fall she was human too. My favorite song from Whitney is "I will always love you".
Lawrence I loved you before this and I love you still for being so kind. You are the best and you remind us that we are human and not to forget that. I appreciate you for your kindness and soulful love.
We have just nine months until a Presidential election that could define the future of this country, "managers" are being unconstitutionally appointed in place of officials elected by the people, billionaires are buying our electoral process, bankers threw millions out of work by perpetrating a fraud motivated by greed, and you are taking an hour of the time you could be using to advocate meaningful change to fawn over celebrity news.
This is complete nonsense, a really disappointing waste and a setback in my respect for you.
You don't get Lawrence...what a shame you didn't see what I saw. I feel bad for you.
Sorry, but I really don't understand what you're trying to say.
.
I watch your show just about every night and I have 2 say I LOVE YOU Lawrence O'Donnell 4 the beautiful show 2night. What a Wonderful tribute 2 Whitney Houston! Your compassion this day and every night makes me PROUD 2 be a Liberal, we are truly loving and compassionate individuals!!! I am deeply saddened by the passing of Whitney Houston and so many annointed and gifted people of GOD. It reminds me of a scripture from the Bible "To much given, much is required" a true testament even in this day and age. I feel enormous gratitude that I had the privilege of witnessing a piece of heaven here on earth. What a magnificent annointed voice, one that will never be emilated!!!!! Great show and keep up the Great Work that You do representing Liberals like me all over this Country and beyond!!!!!
Thanx for your tribute to Whitney Houston tonight. Thanx for not bringing up her low moments. God Richly Bless You and make you Great in all your endeavous. Wishing you God's Best.
I appreciate the current discussion re: Whitney Houston and other artists that have such need of and pay so highly for the rendered results of the modern "celebrity" machine. It blows up the artist's personality but in a packaged, false way that is always at odds with art, even though our egos step up for more. The celebrity and fame machine grinds up artists, generally. Almost no one will have the personality charististics needed to survive that grinding. Why would they? What evolutionary process has had time to evolve a strategy for that soul wrenching machine? It is another evil that our species' fascination with super wealth has to answer for. Gifted artists were better off with smaller circles of admirers and performance without the overwhelming riches and exposure of the latter 20th and early 21st centuries. And maybe the "culture" was as well. Enough of the rant. It isn't alleviating my sorrow or my appreciation of Ms. Houton's gift.
I really appreciate your coverage of this on your show Lawrence. My mother and Iu watch everyday regardless. Great job with your guests, and just as important of a day to watch your show as any other. Thank you and your staff so much for their time and care.
Thank you Lawrence for a wonderful show. Whitney was a very beautiful person inside, and out I never heard her speak bad about anyone. No matter what she did in life we have a very forgiving God, and after hearing her real friends talk about her I know she's in Heaven with him. As for all these mean spirited people calling her a drunk, druggie etc. May God continue to bless you, because your day will come!
Lawrence, You did a fantastic job tonight! You were gracious and kind! You had the best guests that were also all very loving and caring and you all did the right thing in the right way to have a correctly done tribute to Whitney Houston!
I loved the entire show, Thank You All!
I am so greatly pleased of the coverage that Mr. O’Donnell gave Ms. Whitney Houston. To speak of her with a panel of people who had a “real” and sincere relationship with Ms. Houston made my heart lighter. I thank you, Mr. O’Donnell, you are appreciated!
I liked Witney Houston but she was not royalty.CNN had about 36 straight hrs.of coverage on her death.This is not what us political junkies tune in to The Last Word for.Lawrence could have had maybe half his show devoted to her,but C'mon the whole hour.The media even has a camera at the airport trained on the plane that holds her remains.Enough is Enough.
Wow..."political junkie"...sorry you were going through "Cold Turkey" and needed your fix. Lawrence doesn't do political junkie stuff for the sake of politics that is only part of him...your another one who doesn't get him. I feel sorry for you as well.
Well Scott, you appear to think that you have a special bond with Lawrence. One that only you and he share. We don't mean to get between you two.
But I'm curious -- what's next? Cooking segments? Coldplay live? Psychic predictions? Baby mommas and paternity tests?
Hump, your complaining about the way "The Last Word", Lawrence O'Donnell's show handled THEIR hour of programing...I guess your the one who has a special bond since you believe you can complain too him, he would listen and actually take your opinion to heart. You should call him on the phone next time because your going find fans of his here and fans support the people they believe in.
>Hump, your complaining about the way "The Last Word", Lawrence O'Donnell's show handled THEIR hour of programing...
Uhmm, yes. I am obviously a fan of the show and I am criticizing this celebrity nonsense as a waste of the resource they've been given.
I'm not sure why you maintain the assumption that they should be immune from criticism when they make bad decisions, or that feedback from fans, both positive and negative, wouldn't be useful to them.
Lawrence, thank you so very much for this insightful and heartfelt program showcasing Whitney as a whole human being beyond her stardom and her issues. This has been by far the best memorial I have seen and you are to be commended for your sensitivity.
I'm sure that the political dog and pony show will be there in all it's glory tomorrow and I'm glad you will be there to hold their feet to the fire, but tonight many important points about the pitfalls of fame and the humanity of artists were covered with a depth that is not often seen. Thanks again.
Well said Peach!
Thank you, somethingnew! It was a great show.
When I saw the topic of your first story tonight, I turned off the sound assuming you'd get to actual news for the second segment.
I was *very* disappointed that you devoted an entire hour of primetime to what is, essentially, now just entertainment news.
People are dying in Syria.
The state of Washington just moved into the 21st century, while the governor of NJ threatened to keep his state in the early 20th.
A GOP Rep is claiming that women getting reproductive rights will hurt homeless vets.
Facebook will pay no taxes this year despite making about $1B in profits.
There are riots and devastation in Greece over austerity.
The Keystone XL Pipeline is back in the news.
All of these were ignored by you tonight to devote one more hour to a single sad story about a woman who succumbed to addiction.
Why?
Thanks for the news update...well done. Funny I heard all that already...all day long. Tonights "Last word" was in the tradition of "great television" on point...couldn't be better.
I'm just glad that I didn't watch this "news" program last night. I guess it's good to have a change of conversation given that all MSNBC seems to be covering of late is the Republican primary. But using the entire block to discuss any celebrity (and I'm including Steve Jobs) is way too long -- and one of the reasons why I stay away from CNN. It's sloppy, lazy "journalism." I'm glad that you seemed to do a much better job reporting on this topic than other "news" outlets, but that's like being the skinniest kid at a fat camp. Put that prowess to use on topics that will change people's lives, not headlines that people born before 1975 "really appreciate." I want to hear about news (hard news), it can be political, breaking, legal, environmental, business, etc. but it should actually be news (not soft news). Leave the eulogies to the families.
I am literally in awe because the tribute you gave Whitney Houston blew me away! I am not even a big fan of hers, but you dug deep into the spirit and the soul of the music. You are an incredible class act sir.
Lawrence you did a wonderful show tonite. Thank you. Very respectfully done.
Me too. Sound off for the first segment and after that, click!
I hopped off the treadmill when Rev Al also pandered to the dead celeb crowd.
Pre-empt a few of the prison shows if you feel a burning need to pander.
Now go intervene in a drunken druggies life. Courtneys still alive! So's Lohan. Save them!
Lawrence thank you for the best show you've ever done. Respectfully done, I loved it.
thank you for the tribute and lengthening it to the rest of the program. I did look up the BET duet and this is it in case people want to hear it. There are three different youtube versions... the one with about 87,000 viewers has the best sound quality. (since I can't post the path I guess. Anyway, it's special and I wouldn't have known to go look for it. I loved this tribute and it was top notch, it made me see Whitney and everyone's love for her better.