As Hollywood’s award season unfolds, actress Jean Smart has urged networks to cancel their award show broadcasts and instead donate funds to those affected by the deadly fires ravaging Southern California.
“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,” she said. “And donating the revenue they would have garnered to victims of the fires and the firefighters.”
Many of Smart’s followers were receptive to her plea, with one Instagram user writing: “Thank you! It’s time to realign the priorities!!!”
The first fire erupted on Tuesday morning in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Subsequent blazes broke out near Altadena, directly north of Pasadena, and the San Fernando Valley’s Sepulveda Basin and Sylmar areas.
Brush fires also ignited on Wednesday near Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills and Acton, located northeast of Santa Clarita.
Some responding to Smart, however, noted that networks would be able to generate money from advertisements aired during the award shows.
“Don’t they only get the revenue if they indeed air them? If they air them they would have revenue to donate (I would think),” commented “Succession” actress J. Smith-Cameron.
Others pointed out that the canceled broadcasts could jeopardize jobs for those employed in the entertainment industry.
Award Shows Postponed
Some Hollywood award shows have already been postponed due to the fires.On Wednesday, Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, told members that the voting period for the Oscars and subsequent nominations would be delayed two days, per IndieWire. Academy Award nominations will now be revealed on Jan. 19.
Nomination announcements for the Producers Guild of America Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and the American Society of Cinematographers Awards have also been pushed out, according to Deadline.
The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards, originally slated to be held on Jan. 12 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, has also been rescheduled for Jan. 26.
“This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community,” Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association, said in a statement.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected.”
Prior to the fires, Smart took home the Golden Globe for “Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy” on Jan. 5 for her role in the comedy-drama series “Hacks.”
Fire Relief
Celebrities such as actors Billy Crystal and Jeff Bridges, R&B singer Jhené Aiko, and television personality Paris Hilton are among the thousands who have lost their homes to the fast-moving fires, which have been fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds.“As the fire still rages on and @calfire @losangelesfiredepartment and all the available first responders and agencies involved in fighting fire and saving lives are still hard at work and neighbors and friends are banding together to save each other, my husband and I and our children have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there,” she wrote.
“I’m in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact.”
