This Actress Is Over Award Shows, Asks for Donations ‘to the Victims of the Fires’ Instead
By Movieguide® Contributor
Actress Jean Smart asked television networks not to air award shows amidst the LA fire tragedies.
“ATTENTION! With ALL due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope any of the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them and donating the revenue they would have garnered to the victims of the fires and the firefighters,” said Smart, a former Teddy Bear Award® winner who brought a Golden Globe award home days before the fires broke out.
There have been numerous large fires in the LA area. The Critics Choice Awards has chosen to postpone the airing of its award show until Jan. 26.
“This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community,” Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin said. “All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.”
“The rescheduled event will remain at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, and will broadcast live on E! and around the world,” he said. “It will also be available on Peacock the next day.”
The Academy Awards and the SAG Awards will also make changes to their programs. The Academy Awards will air on Jan. 19 instead of Jan. 17. The SAG Awards canceled its live event to announce its nominees, which was supposed to air on Wednesday. It announced the names online, instead.
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“We want to take a moment to acknowledge the devastating fires affecting Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted — the residents, first responders, and all those working tirelessly to protect the community,” SAG Awards organizers said. They asked listeners to “consider donating to a charity of your choice to help those in need.”
“The postponements come as production halted for multiple TV shows, including THE PRICE IS RIGHT, hosted by Drew Carey; JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!; and AFTER MIDNIGHT. Universal Studios also canceled shooting for numerous series, including HACKS, TED LASSO and SUITS: LA,” Fox News reported. “Movie premieres were also affected by the raging Palisades Fire, which has now burned more than 17,000 acres. Premieres for Jennifer Lopez’s UNSTOPPABLE and Blumhouse’s WOLF MAN were canceled on Tuesday evening.”
Over 1,900 homes and businesses have burned down, and at least five people have died. Evacuation orders are in place for 130,000 people, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena.
Several celebrities have lost houses in the fires, including Anna Faris, Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Cameron Mathison, Leighten Meester, Spencer Pratt, Ricki Lake and Heidi Montag.
“Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph in some spots,” Fox News reported. “The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly.”
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