The most gripping performance at last night's star-studded Kennedy Center Honors was turned in by someone who never audibly uttered a word. (And no, I'm not talking about President Bush who was his typical checked-out, slumped-over self during the show.)

I'm talking, of course, about honoree Barbra Streisand, high priestess of the American Song, who throughout the evening rendered invaluable and infallible verdicts on the gala's performances. To watch her reactions was to witness Trial by Streisand. (On this Supreme Court, there is only one Justice.)

We must remember that Streisand is not, as her pedestrian intro defined her (an intro read off of note cards by Queen Latifah) simply a singer/actress/director. She is more than a skills set, more than a "multi-talented performer." Yes, she has a miraculous singing instrument. But at her core she is a master interpreter: She connects completely with her material, which is why you can't stop watching her when she sings softly or when she belts.

She is, in other words, everything that American Idol is not. And last night she stood in stoic defiance: the one true singer never to be confused with the false idol of American Idol!

Let's get down to brass tacks: During the tribute to her, she was unimpressed. It started off with Idina Menzel, Tony-winner for Wicked. Let me be clear: Idina Menzel is a tremendous singer and a terrific actress, but she tried to out-belt Barbra which is:

a. impossible
b. misses the point