Latest news with #Peabodys
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Roy Wood Jr. Mocks White House, CNN and Patti LuPone in Peabody Awards Monologue
After announcing its full list of winners last month, the Peabody Awards celebrated those honorees in person Sunday night with a ceremony hosted by Roy Wood Jr. in Los Angeles. The comedian kicked things off inside the Beverly Wilshire by joking, 'Last year's host was Kumail Nanjiani, so that is back-to-back years with a minority host. The Peabodys standing up for diversity, how about that? Which means in a few months, the White House will cut their funding and so they'll have John Mulaney, that's on y'all.' More from The Hollywood Reporter How Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch Put Together the Greatest Call Sheet Ever Are Music and Other Celebrity Films Killing the Documentary? Questlove Reveals the Standout Musical Performance He Omitted From 'Ladies & Gentlemen ... 50 Years of SNL Music' - And Why The event honored 34 winners across entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children'sand youth, public service, and interactive and immersive programming, with a focus on storytelling that reflects the social issues and emerging voices of today. Baby Reindeer, Ripley, Shogun and Will & Harper were among the recognized Hollywood projects. 'We're celebrating the fact that everyone in this room has done one of the boldest things you can do in these times, and that is just straight up tell the truth,' Wood told the crowd, acknowledging the stress of having to know all of the horrible things going on in the world to tell the truth. 'It's hard to create stuff about terrible things without knowing all of the terrible things. It's hard — that's why I quit The Daily Show, it was too much stress.' He then deadpanned, 'I work at CNN now [with comedy show Have I Got News for You], I ain't got to do nothing but plug Jake Tapper's book.' Elsewhere in his monologue, Wood told the winners — who knew they'd be winning ahead of time — to be short and sweet, joking, 'We want your acceptance speeches tonight to be brief and full of sincerities that you don't really mean, like an apology from Patti LuPone.' (The Broadway star apologized Saturday for previous comments she had made about Kecia Lewis and Audra McDonald.) 'We're celebrating the storytellers who risk, who did, who investigate, who create and illuminate,' the comedian declared before launching into the categories, which featured a star-studded roster of presenters including Aloe Blacc, Anna Kendrick, Andrew Lack, Benito Skinner, Indya Moore, Joel KimBooster, Jurnee Smollett, Linda Perry, Mandy Moore, Marissa Bode, Michael Schur, Nava Mau, Niecy Nash, Randall Park, Stephen Merchant, Uzo Aduba, Van Jones and Yvonne Orji. The night also featured two special honors, the first being the Peabody Institutional Award, given to Saturday Night Live. Jon Hamm presented, musing the 'secret sauce of the show has always been 'holding up a mirror and reflecting America's culture to us — politics, contradictions, all of it, right back at you. Yes, SNL is wigs and cue cards and gigs and gags and all of this stuff, but it's always something that dares to confront who we really are.' Lorne Michaels was on hand to accept, accompanied on stage by alums Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon and Fred Armisen. 'I don't really deserve this, but in a way I do,' Michaels teased, noting, 'During SNL 50 this year, which is stunning to even say, all of those people coming back from the first season on, all being in one room, performing and applauding, I think was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I'm not planning a 60th, but I think that getting to do what I get to do is sort of everything that makes me happy; it also makes me angry.' To close out the night, Andrea Mitchell was given the Career Achievement Award, as she reflected on her early days in news and how far women have come in the business. She added, 'All of us journalists have to be fearless. It is no exaggeration to say that strong journalism, providing accurate information to the American people, is critical to the survival of our democracy. As Thomas Jefferson wrote to the continental Congress in 1787, 'Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.'' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
The Hill
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hill
Roy Wood Jr. knocks White House, CNN at Peabody Awards
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. on Sunday went after the White House and CNN at the Peabody Awards, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. 'Last year's host was Kumail Nanjiani, so that is back-to-back years with a minority host. The Peabodys standing up for diversity, how about that?' Wood said during the event, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'Which means in a few months, the White House will cut their funding and so they'll have John Mulaney, that's on y'all,' he added, according to the outlet, appearing to reference the Trump administration's recent attempts to target diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Back in January, President Trump issued an expansive executive order stating that 'illegal DEI and DEIA policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, they also undermine our national unity.' The president added that the policies 'deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system.' According to its website, the Peabody Awards does not have any 'set criteria for judging the winners,' but 'recognize stories that illuminate social issues with depth and complexity as much as stories that entertain and inspire through their art or voice' in fields including streaming, television, digital media and radio. Wood also seemingly referenced the recently released book 'Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again,' by his CNN colleague Jake Tapper and Axios's Alex Thompson, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 'It's hard to create stuff about terrible things without knowing all of the terrible things. It's hard — that's why I quit 'The Daily Show,' it was too much stress.' Wood, the host of CNN's 'Have I Got News For You,' said, per the report. 'I work at CNN now, I ain't got to do nothing but plug Jake Tapper's book.' The Hill has reached out to the White House and CNN for comment.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
John Oliver delights in revealing the absurdity in the obscure in the U.S., his adopted homeland
At 47 years old, comedian John Oliver has won 21 Emmy awards, three Peabodys, and was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people. He's earned the accolades for his unique brand of meticulously researched political humor. His Sunday night show, "Last Week Tonight," is now in its 12th season on HBO, giving him a perch to unleash searing, satirical takes on America, his adopted homeland. So how did a British-born, middle-class, grade school cut up become one of this country's sharpest comedians? We traveled near and far to find out. This past summer, we returned with John Oliver to his comedic launching pad – Edinburgh, Scotland, where modern life is set against a medieval backdrop. Bill Whitaker: So tell me about this place. John Oliver: Well, as you can see, this is controlled mayhem. Every August, the city hosts the world's largest performing arts festival — a month-long free-for-all known as the Fringe. Artists from 60 countries perform nearly 4,000 shows. No act is turned away. John Oliver: Some of it will be great. Some of it will be otherworldly bad. But the fact that the two can exist concurrently is kind of the point. The fringe is a magnet for comedians. As a 20-year-old studying English at Cambridge University, John Oliver felt the pull. He went and tried his hand at stand up. John Oliver: And I remember walking offstage thinking, "Oh boy, I wanna do that again right now." Bill Whitaker: Almost sounds like it's addictive. John Oliver: Oh it's-- absolutely addictive. He came back year after year and headed to the Royal Mile, a picturesque cobblestone street that turns into a competitive marketplace for attention. Bill Whitaker: Were you doing this? John Oliver: I was absolutely doing this. When you're first coming up here, the only way to do it is to almost beg for people to come and see you. He doesn't have to beg people any more. He was welcomed with open arms at this basement club where he cut his comedic teeth. John Oliver (during stand-up): I want you to know that I've befouled this stage so many times before, there's no guarantee this will go well. He told us he learns from his mistakes and, starting out, he made a lot of them. John Oliver: It's the best place– But nowhere worse than at this tiny, 55-seat venue called Pleasance Below. John Oliver: This room was in many ways my comedic Waterloo. Bill Whitaker: Did you fill all the seats? John Oliver: All of this was empty-- apart from those four seats and I thought, "Fine, that's fine. I can do an hour to four people." And that was my intention going in. (laughter) But his plans went awry. About 10 minutes in, two people walked out, then a third, leaving one woman … alone. John Oliver: I saw her hand slowly move down to her bag. And I said to her, "Are you leaving?" And she said, "Yeah, I-- yeah, I think I'm going to." Got up, walked out and it's just me and a sound technician in the room. And he said, "Do you wanna keep going." I-- I said, "No, I think we're done here." And also when you say, "Do you wanna keep going?" "Do you mean this show or this career? Certainly it feels like I've got some decisions to make." He decided to stop going for the easy laughs. John Oliver: When I started off I just wanted to make people laugh. Then I wanted to make people laugh about things I cared about. And for me that was politics in its broadest form. Bill Whitaker: Did it f-- feel like a risk at the time? John Oliver: It felt like a risk worth taking. And it worked. On his weekly HBO show taped in New York City, his unique take on politics and intrinsic problems is what sets him apart from just about every other comedian on TV. He delights in revealing the absurdity in the obscure — always, we noticed, with a twinkle in his eye, and a mischievous smile. John Oliver: Our main story tonight is the threat of nuclear annihilation. Bill Whitaker: You tackle topics: hospice care, bail reform, organ donations. It's not your typical comedy fare. John Oliver: No. I know those don't sound funny, but it's because fundamentally, they're not. But there are funny things about how entrenched some of those problems are. And sometimes I think comedy is the best, most illuminatin' way to talk about them. John Oliver has been making people laugh since he was a kid in the suburbs of Birmingham, England. His dad was a school principal, his mom a music teacher. Young John excelled as the class clown. Later, as a young comedian, he couldn't get enough of "The Daily Show." So in 2006, he sent a sample of his work and was called in to try out. This is the audition tape. On Oliver's first trip to New York, he riffed with Jon Stewart about the time Vice President Dick Cheney shot and injured a friend on a quail hunt. John Oliver: I'm sure right now those birds are laughing maniacally at us in one of those little coveys of theirs. Jon Stewart: I don't- I don't- I don't think birds can- can laugh, John. John Oliver: Well, whatever it is that they do do then. Warble. Tweet. Coo. They're, they're they're coo-- they're cooing at us right now, Jon… He was hired on the spot and, over the next seven years, showed his range. In 2013, Jon Stewart stepped away to direct a movie, and tapped John Oliver to step in. Bill Whitaker: Was that kinda like taking daddy's car for a joyride? John Oliver: Oh yeah. That very first day the Edward Snowden news broke. And it was really fun to sit behind the steering wheel and think, "Oh, how fast does this thing go?" Oh, pretty quick, it turns out. His turn at the desk caught the eye of HBO, which gave him carte blanche to create his own show. He asked Tim Carvell, head writer at "The Daily Show," and comedy producer Liz Stanton to join him. They were given the 11 o'clock slot on Sunday nights. Bill Whitaker: Did that seem like a gift or like they were-- hiding you someplace? Tim Carvell: No. I mean, we-- we were on after "Game of Thrones." Like, it was -- like, it was more of a sense of, "Oh, we-- we're going to let some people down." John Oliver: Yeah. But it's his take downs that seem to delight him the most. He pounced on news reports that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas had not disclosed lavish gifts from rich friends and a generous deal on his prized motor coach. He offered Thomas a new motor coach, plus $1 million a year out of his own pocket if Thomas would resign from the Supreme Court. Thomas' lawyer says the justice met the terms of the RV agreement and any other omissions were strictly inadvertent. Bill Whitaker: You seem to have few limits-- on how far you'll go to get a laugh. John Oliver: With Clarence Thomas, the main point with that we're saying that there are not enough guardrails on people giving them money. I can prove that to you by offering this guy a million dollars a year to get the f**k off the Supreme Court. That should be a crime. The very fact that it isn't is a problem. And that felt like the most visceral way to prove that fact. Facts are fundamental to Oliver's humor. His deep dives into serious topics are painstakingly crafted. Bill Whitaker: I've seen your show described as satirical journalism, investigative comedy. How would you describe it? John Oliver: In general, it is just a rigorously researched comedy show-- both because we want it to be right, and for self-preservation purposes. We don't wanna be sued into oblivion. Oliver's staff of 83 includes former journalists as well as comedy writers. They churn out 30 shows a year. It starts with this: hundreds of pages of research on each main story. Oliver, Carvell, and the writers turn those into outlines and then a script, which is tested at a table read. John Oliver (During table read): I do not want to see a headline tomorrow that says John Oliver blasts expensive detention camps. On taping day, we watched them rehearse. John Oliver: But there are much more humane ways to do that and even– Make last minute changes, and get signoff from the lawyers. Finally, it's showtime. Liz Stanton: There's a little bit of bated breath when he says the – "Tonight's story is." Like, you know, they've been waiting for maybe a year to come to the show. And they're gettin' a real dark one. John Oliver: Like you've lined up in the cold. You've maybe taken a flight, and you're being told, "The main story is organ donation." It's like oh– Bill Whitaker: And this is my trip to New York. Liz Stanton: Yeah. John Oliver: That's right. Liz Stanton: Have a nice dinner. To balance things out, Oliver likes to close the show with something zany. The productions are Stanton's department. Liz Stanton: I try and do to my best ability anything we can do to make something happen just 'cause we love the dumb. The dumb stuff is stuff we all love to do. Bill Whitaker: Some of the-- segments are pretty elaborate. John Oliver: Yeah. Bill Whitaker: They can't be cheap. Liz Stanton: We don't talk about that. John Oliver: We don't talk about that. They'll never find out how much any of it costs. We're- we're cheaper than dragons. As far as we're concerned, that's the financial bar. Oliver has devoted fans and passionate critics. He takes aim at both sides of the aisle. Bill Whitaker: Last season, you told your viewers, "Do not vote for--" John Oliver: Yes. Bill Whitaker: --"Donald Trump." John Oliver: Absolutely. I'm not gonna sit here and say that that is not a partisan thing to do, to say, "Don't vote for Donald Trump." I think it's good advice. Bill Whitaker: But more than 77 million people voted for Donald Trump. Does your show speak to them? John Oliver: I really hope it speaks to some of them, yes, because most of those main stories that we talk about are not actually party political. Those are lasting problems that have been there before the last two or three presidents, and may well be there for-- after the next two or three. Though he highlights America's shortcomings, he told us he fell in love with this country as soon as he immigrated. He's now a U.S. citizen who fell for an Iraq War veteran. John Oliver: I married someone who's very American, yeah. She was a medic in the-- in the U.S. Army. And now we're married with two American kids. Bill Whitaker: You do love to poke fun at America. John Oliver: Yeah. Bill Whitaker: Does it trouble you that some people think that criticizing this place means you don't love it? John Oliver: Yeah. I mean, I just think that's utterly absurd. I think you can criticize something because you love it. Because you love it and you want it to get better. John Oliver: That's our show– He told us, in his personal life, he's risk averse. But when it comes to comedy, John Oliver loves to stir up trouble. Bill Whitaker: So if you were to look into your crystal ball, what's next? John Oliver: Other than-- living in the president's gulags in the future? That's what my crystal ball is showin' me right now. What's next? I've no idea. Hopefully, just more of this. Bill Whitaker: Keep doin' what you're doin'? John Oliver: Yeah. It's so fun. I can-- it's incredibly hard, not infrequently stressful, but it's really, really fun. As long as America has systemic problems, we'll be there poking fun at them.
