The glitz and glam of award season continued with the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) that aired live on Netflix on February 24th. This year’s ceremony marked a big milestone. It is the first since the historic strike. The strike brought Hollywood to a standstill for over 100 days. While the anticipation remains high, many viewers might be surprised to find out the SAG Awards operate from other award shows – they don’t have a host.
Hosting History at the SAG Awards
Unlike most award shows that rely on a charismatic host to guide the audience through the evening, the SAG Awards have traditionally steered clear of this approach. Since their start in 1995, they’ve primarily relied on award presentations and acceptance speeches to move the ceremony along. This only changed in 2018 and 2019, when celebrities like Kristen Bell and Megan Mullally took the helm as hosts.
Yet, by 2020, the SAG Awards returned to their roots and have remained host-free ever since. Instead, they rely on a star-studded lineup of presenters to keep the ceremony engaging. This year, Ted Lasso’s charming Phil Dunster and Red, White & Royal Blue’s heartthrob Taylor Zakhar Perez serve as ambassadors, adding a youthful touch to the event.
Reasons Behind the Choice
The decision to ditch the host boils down to two key factors: efficiency and maintaining focus on the actors themselves. In 2020, producers told Variety magazine they were inspired by the success of the hostless Oscars in 2019. The hostless show saw a rise in viewers. This shift in format aimed to keep the SAG Awards running, avoiding the potential pitfalls of lengthy monologues or comedic routines that can sometimes disrupt the flow of the ceremony.
The SAG Awards are voted on by actors. They focus on celebrating acting and acknowledging actors’ contributions to film and TV. With a host at the helm, there’s always a risk of the focus shifting toward the host’s personality or humor, overshadowing the achievements of the nominees and winners.
Keeping It Short and Sweet
The SAG Awards strive for a concise and engaging ceremony, aiming for a runtime of around two hours. This keeps the focus on the 13 awards presented throughout the night. These awards recognize great performances in film and television. This year’s event holds extra significance as it also features the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed upon the legendary Barbra Streisand.
A Star-Studded Lineup of Presenters
While a host might be absent, the SAG Awards shine brightly with an impressive roster of presenters. Leading the pack is the enigmatic Idris Elba, who will begin or start the ceremony. The evening will also witness Jennifer Aniston gracing the stage to honor Barbra Streisand with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Fans can expect to see a diverse lineup of acclaimed actors taking on presenting duties. It starts with Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy from “Oppenheimer.” Then, there’s Margot Robbie of “Barbie.” And the list goes on. Other notable names include Michael Cera and Issa Rae. Also, America Ferrera, Sterling K. Brown, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Jeffrey Wright are included.
The SAG Awards offer a unique experience in the world of award shows. They focus on a streamlined format that highlights the talent and achievements of actors. The ceremony will be exciting. It will focus on the actors. It will have short, captivating presentations and moving speeches. It will also have the well-deserved recognition of Hollywood’s finest.