FIRST LADY SINGS IN GERSHWIN PROGRAM AT THE WHITE HOUSE

The season premiere of “In Performance at the White House” (Channel 50 tonight at 8, and Friday at 9 p.m. on Channel 28) may be stiff, self-serving and often embarrassing. But there is a reason to sit through it.

Nancy Reagan sings.

The program salutes George Gershwin, and during the grand finale--a group rendition of “Love Is Here to Stay”--host Marvin Hamlisch does some carefully rehearsed coaxing, and the First Lady “gives in.” Her diction is good, her way with a microphone is exemplary, but the sustained tones are a bit weak. Who’s complaining? Her brief serenade of the President provides the program’s only moment of charm.

Hamlisch comes off as a nervous, phony emcee, “y’know”-ing his way through a series of anecdotes, aided by Kitty Carlisle Hart, who breathlessly tells us that Gershwin liked to play the piano.

The Manhattan Transfer scats through a few beloved ditties and Sarah Vaughan has her special way with another group of favorites. Everyone seems more interested in showing off their own vocal prowess than in paying homage to the composer’s melodic gifts.

Only Priscilla Baskerville and George Merritt show Gershwin proper respect, singing the greatest hits from “Porgy and Bess.” Baskerville does chicken out on the final high note in “Summertime,” but at least nothing is butchered.

As the first of four “Tributes to American Music,” the Gershwin program does not offer high hopes for the remaining three.