The show folks: Mr. and Mrs. Smith

OSLO, Dec. 11, 10:32P, local time

Can't say that I have ever been a raving Will and Jada fan. Sometimes their smiles are just a little too broad, a little too Hollywood for a couple who came from hard-scrabble cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore, respectively. But tonight, I have to say they made me proud on a lot of levels. Consummate hosts and well-deserving to be on the world stage, they kept the show lively and props firmly on President Obama.

There had been some grumbling around town because the guest of honor skipped out on his own party. Some folks just called it rude. So whenever Will and Jada mentioned his name, there was a less-than-enthusiastic ovation . . . at first.

In the wisdom of the Nobel committee -- and I'm sure its public relations arm -- the live concert was interspersed with taped interviews Will and Jada conducted with the president, along with well wishes from fellow laureates, such as Archbishop Tutu, Al Gore, and Wangari Maathi. It all warmed up the crowd and soon, they were near their feet with applause. It was deft handling.

Excerpts:

Will Smith: This is the first time I've been nervous to be in front of a camera in a long time.
President Obama: Just think back to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Smith: At your address yesterday, you spoke about "moral imagination." Could you speak further about that?
Obama: That speaks to my ability to stand in your shoes.  To see through your eyes. That kind of ability, to imagine ourselves in different situations, helps us connect with other people. Hopefully, it helps drive us to do better on a whole host of other things.
Smith: Yeah, but if one guy understands you, and you understand the other guy, there's still only enough water for one of y'all.
Obama: Hopefully, it will bring us together to see how we can build a new well, rather than fight over the one we've got. Not only do we have to consider the consequences of action, but also the consequences of inaction.

Another segment brought even greater applause after Obama responded to Jada's question about what First Lady Michelle Obama brings to his decision-making.

Obama: She's the most honest person I know.
Will Smith: I was also going to say she looks good, too.
Obama: Well, you could have.
Smith: Michelle is very, very fine.
Obama: I know. What could I do?
Jada: You did the right thing.
Obama: That's right.
Smith: Yeah, you analyzed the information. Then you made the right decision.
Obama: Yeah, I married her.
[Laughter.Then back to serious business when asked if he's relishing this moment.]
Obama: The truth of the matter is, this is one of those things, I suspect, that you will appreciate more in retrospect.The pace has been so hectic. I haven't had a chance to pull back and say, 'This is extraordinary.' But I don't think it's time to pat yourself on the back. If I'm able to execute, make things a little bit better internationally and domestically, then I'll be able to savor this a little bit more.


Whereas the audience started off stiffly, even snorting at times, when Obama's name was mentioned, these taped segments started a sea change. Suddenly, applause crept up at the sound of "Obama." Guess they got over the hurt.

(Photo courtesy of the AP)

The concert: an intermission-sized review

OSLO, Dec. 11, 9:28P, local time

The announcers have paged audience members to return to their seats about three times now. I'm  waiting for a giant hook to go out and scoop everybody up or for the doors to just shut down with massive metal gates shooting up, barring the heathens from re-entering! You have been warned!!!!

This is definitely a fashionable event, though some folks, as is always the case, just missed the mark. By that much.

Here are the quick takes on the show so far:

Stage

Lighting design is incredible, reflecting the passion and prose of each song with color flooding the lit N-O-B-E-L signage on stage. Makes for a dramatic backdrop. The production team truly is first rate. Awards shows at home could take note (are you listening BET?).

Artists

• Alexander Rybak. The EuroVision winner (think European "Idol") opened with a bang, between his rapid-fire strums on violin to his dreamy pleas on vocals. But his background dancers nearly stole his thunder with their acrobatic movements that coupled traditional Russian hat dance-type steps with Flying Karamazov Brothers-looking choreography. Oomph! My knees ache just watching them pop up and down like that, all the way to the floor on one leg, and popping up again like a Jack-in-the-box.  And then swinging in the air and climbing those cloths, and flipping backward and forward? Yeah. The Belarus-Norwegian Rybak is definitely a hometown pleaser. And that Jada said he was "cute" was enough to raise Will's comic eyebrow, and wit.
• Westlife. Pleasant enough pop. An offering from the UK, they are reminiscent of the Backstreet Boys, but with better range and writing. "You Raise Me Up" was a tender flourish, and "What About Now" had shades of Creed. Which is not a bad thing.
• Lang Lang. First of all, cuter than cute Willow Smith comes out and welcomed him to Oslo in Mandarin, since the family spent four months in China recently. It's assumed filming something. Kudos to the Family Smith for introducing multilingual comfort in their home. Sassy Willow, with a long bob on one side, shaved down cut on the other, has her mother's presence. But Lang Lang quickly took over with "Rhapsody in Blue." Backed by the Norwegian Radio Orchestra, the Chinese classical superstar sent the crowd to the skies for sure.
• Natasha Bedingfield. I'm embarrassed to say I wasn't up on her, though her single "Pocketful of Sunshine" sounded somewhat familiar. Strong vocals. But I wanted her to brush her hair. Badly.
• Wyclef Jean. Definitely got "Wyclectic" in that piece. As he sang "Gunpowder," the lyrics hit especially hard: Because the war is not over until you can feel love, peace, and hear the silence. But I smell gunpowder (gunpowder). Philly's gunpowder. Brooklyn's gunpowder. . .. He admitted that he was awed dumb-tonged when he was in the Oslo City Hall with President Obama. He then offered a spoken word piece dedicated to peace, sprinkled with "what-ifs" and slain world figures. Kennedy. King. Malcolm X. Princess Diana. But he brought down the house trying to get the mostly stiff crowd to jam. Especially when he sought out the royals. Priceless moment that defies words. Just watch. 

More in a moment!