The 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards took place on Saturday night, and it was a night filled with fashion, memorable moments, and a few F-bombs. The awards show, which aired on Netflix, provided a refreshing change from the usual network broadcasts. Instead of commercials, viewers were treated to winners talking to interviewers between awards, and there was no need to worry about being played off by an itchy orchestra conductor. Plus, with Idris Elba as the surprise de facto host, things couldn’t have been better.
One of the standout moments of the night came from Pedro Pascal, Ali Wong, and Idris Elba, who didn’t hold back when it came to dropping F-bombs. Elba, who ended up doing the opening monologue, used his expletive while giving a lesson on the use of foul language. “Don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in front of Oprah,” Elba advised, as the camera cut to a smiling Oprah Winfrey. After winning an award for “Beef,” Ali Wong thanked her 83-year-old mom in the audience and a slightly drunk Pedro Pascal, who won for “The Last of Us,” expressed his excitement and called it an incredible honor.
In a delightful surprise, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Anne Hathaway had a mini “Devil Wears Prada” reunion. Streep almost took out a microphone stand and pretended to forget her glasses, all part of a fun moment with her co-stars. Blunt compared Streep’s character to the actress herself, saying they were like twins. Streep denied being anything like her character, but Hathaway quickly shut her down. It was a short but sweet moment that delighted movie fans.
The acceptance speeches at the SAG Awards were filled with heartfelt moments. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who won for Supporting Actress, spoke about her character’s journey in “Holdovers” and called it the greatest honor of her career to be recognized by other actors. She encouraged aspiring actors to keep waiting for their chance because it’s not a question of if, but when. Lily Gladstone, who made history as the first Indigenous performer to win Best Actress, also gave an inspiring speech. She talked about the hard road she had to take and emphasized the importance of storytelling and empathy in a world that sorely needs it.
One of the funniest moments of the night came from an unexpected duo: Billie Eilish and Melissa McCarthy. They presented an award together, and McCarthy couldn’t contain her excitement about being in Eilish’s company. McCarthy asked Eilish to sign her dress, but the singer didn’t want to ruin it. Instead, Eilish agreed to sign McCarthy’s forehead, and they both couldn’t stop laughing. It was a lighthearted and memorable moment that brought laughter to the audience.
The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Barbra Streisand’s acceptance speech as she received the SAG life achievement award. Streisand, an icon in the industry, captivated the audience with her words. She spoke about her love for movies and how they provided an escape from reality during her teenage years. Streisand reminisced about seeing “Guys and Dolls” and developing a crush on Marlon Brando. She thanked her fellow actors and directors for their collaboration and expressed her dreams of a world without prejudice. It was a touching and heartfelt speech that reminded everyone of Streisand’s immense talent and impact on the industry.
The 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards were a night to remember. From the fashion to the memorable moments, it was a celebration of the best in the acting world. The show provided a refreshing change from the usual awards broadcasts, and the winners’ speeches touched hearts and inspired aspiring actors. With surprises, laughter, and heartfelt moments, the SAG Awards showcased the magic of the movies and the incredible talent within the industry.