SAG Awards: A night of female empowerment
‘We are living in a watershed moment in time’
Adapted from a story by The Washington Post’s Emily Yahr.
At the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, where movie and television stars gathered on Sunday night, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was the big winner.
Viewers also took notice of missing celebrities. Netflix’s “Master of None” star Aziz Ansari, accused of sexually inappropriate behavior by a woman in a story that engulfed the Internet last week, was a no-show. (The actor responded that his encounter with the woman “by all indications was completely consensual.”) Ansari, nominated for best actor in a comedy series, lost to William H. Macy of Showtime’s “Shameless.”
James Franco of “The Disaster Artist” did attend, and he lost to Gary Oldman, who won for his role in “Darkest Hour.” The Los Angeles Times recently published a story in which five women accused Franco of sexually exploitative behavior. (Franco has called the accusations “not accurate.”) He skipped the SAG red carpet, though E!’s Giuliana Rancic asked actress Alison Brie — married to Franco’s brother, Dave — about the allegations.
“I think that, above all, what we’ve always said is it remains vital that anyone who feels victimized should and, you know, does have the right to speak out and come forward,” said Brie, nominated for her role on Netflix’s “GLOW.” “I obviously support my family. And not everything that’s been reported is fully accurate. So I think we’re waiting to get all of the information. But of course now is a time for listening and that’s what we’re all trying to do.”
In case you missed the two-hour telecast that aired on TNT and TBS, here are six other things to know — a complete list of winners is below.
1. Kristen Bell’s monologue
For the first time ever, the SAG Awards enlisted a host: NBC’s “The Good Place” star Kristen Bell. She only showed up a few times during the ceremony and kicked things off with a politics bit.
“There has never been a host for this award show before. It’s the first time. First person. First lady . . . I think my first initiative as first lady will be cyberbullying because I have yet to see any progress made on that problem quite yet,” Bell said, poking fun at Melania Trump’s initiative. Bell followed up with a joke about a “Veep” actor: “I’m looking at you, Tony Hale. You’re a bully! Guys, he is a savage on Twitter.”
Bell ended her monologue on a serious note. “Everyone’s story deserves to be told, especially now,” she said. “We are living in a watershed moment in time. And as we march forward with active momentum and open ears, let’s make sure we are leading the charge with empathy and diligence, because fear and anger never win the race.”
2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s win
The “Veep” star won again for her starring role on the HBO show, which was also named best comedy ensemble. Louis-Dreyfus just completed chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year, and tweeted that she was watching the show in her pajamas.
Presenter Connie Britton accepted the trophy for her fellow actress. “Julia, we’re thinking of you and we love you,” she said.
3. Sam Rockwell’s speech
After the Golden Globes, many people criticized actors for wearing Time’s Up pins — which support a legal fund to fight sexual harassment — while not actually talking about the issue. When Sam Rockwell of “Three Billboards” accepted his prize for supporting actor, he alluded to the movement while praising his co-star.
“Frances McDormand, you’re a powerhouse! I’m in awe of you,” he said. “And I stand shoulder to shoulder with you and all of the incredible women in this room for trying to make things better. It’s long overdue.”
4. Nicole Kidman’s speech
Kidman, who attended despite battling the flu, also was thrilled. “To receive this at this stage in my life is extraordinary and at this time in the industry when these things are going on,” she said. “How wonderful it is that our careers today can go beyond 40 years old. Twenty years ago, we were pretty washed up by this stage in our lives.”
She also urged Hollywood to keep funding female-centric projects: “We have proven, and these actresses and so many more are proving, that we are potent and powerful and viable. I just beg that the industry stays behind us because our stories are finally being told. It’s only the beginning.”
5. Morgan Freeman’s lifetime achievement award
The 80-year-old actor thanked all the important people in his life — including Rita Moreno, his friend since they starred together on “The Electric Company” in 1971. Then, he called out SAG for its statue.
“I’m going to tell you what’s wrong with this statue. It works from the back. From the front, it’s gender-specific. Maybe I started something,” he said.
6. References to the cultural reckoning in Hollywood
Presenters Rosanna Arquette and Marisa Tomei honored people who have spoken out about traumatic experiences and sexual harassment. “We are honored to be a part of this supportive and creative community and we are inspired that so many powerful voices are no longer silenced by the fear of retaliation,” Arquette said. “We can control our own destiny.”
“Rosanna, you are one of those voices. You are one of those silence breakers and we all owe you a debt of gratitude,” Tomei said of Arquette, who told the New Yorker about a disturbing encounter she had with Harvey Weinstein. They listed others who have spoken out: Asia Argento, Annabella Sciorra, Ashley Judd, Daryl Hannah, Mira Sorvino, Olivia Munn and Anthony Rapp.
Later, presenter Brie Larson announced that the Time’s Up initiative and members of SAG are working together on a new code of conduct for the industry “to ensure there is safety on set so that we can continue to be vulnerable, continue to be empathetic, and do the strong and brave performances that we’ve seen brief glimpses of tonight.”
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris also gave a speech. “I am inspired by the women and men across the country who have shared their truths with such courage and such candor. Truth is power. And women are stepping into their power. We are in the midst of a massive cultural shift,” she said. “With brave voices saying ‘me too’ and advocates who know time’s up, we are making a difference . . . we can and we must create an environment in which discrimination, harassment, and abuse are no longer tolerated.”
TV winners
Male Actor in a Comedy Series
William H. Macy, “Shameless” (Showtime)
Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” (HBO)
Ensemble in a Comedy Series
“Veep” (HBO)
Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Alexander Skarsgård, “Big Little Lies” (HBO)
Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies” (HBO)
Male Actor in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us” (NBC)
Female Actor in a Drama Series
Claire Foy, “The Crown” (Netflix)
Ensemble in a Drama Series
“This Is Us” (NBC)
Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
Movie winners
Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”
Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Actor in a Leading Role
Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”
Actress in a Leading Role
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri”
Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“Wonder Woman”
