Tom Hanks is set to host a primetime special next week in honor of Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration, according to Variety. Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Jon Bon Jovi, and Ant Clemons are so far scheduled to perform during the 90-minute “Celebrating America” special.
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris also plan to speak. According to organizers, their speeches will highlight America’s diversity and wealth of talent. The idea is to emphasize how America needs to come together.
“This inauguration presents a unique opportunity to spotlight the resilience and spirit of an America United,” Tony Allen, CEO of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said. “We have witnessed countless heroes this past year step up to the frontlines and serve their fellow Americans, so we are telling their stories, spreading their collective light, and celebrating the best of our country and its people with this prime-time program.”
Other performers are also expected to be added to the special, according to Deadline. As a result of safety concerns after last week’s riot on Capitol Hill coupled with the pandemic, officials are discouraging people from actually traveling to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration. The goal now is for the mostly virtual format to allow all Americans to be able to participate.
Most major networks plan to carry the special, including: ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and MSNBC. It will also be live streamed on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW from Fox, U-verse, and AT&T DirectTV. The special will air at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on January 20.
