Willie Nelson 2002ＤＶＤ："Willie Nelson & Friends :LIVE AND KICKIN'" .

The way to televise an all-star 70th birthday tribute to Willie Nelson might seem obvious. Have him play his typical marathon concert and let guest stars sing his songs with his flexible band.

But television producers and celebrity musicians have other notions, and ''Live and Kickin','' which was taped on Wednesday night at the Beacon Theater -- to be shown on May 26 on the USA Network -- was a series of set pieces that was grueling for the paying audience and barely warmed up the musicians.