The Hostless, Pre-Taped, History-Making SAG Awards Happened Last Night

And it didn’t make history because it was the first time everyone in the audience and the viewers at home said the words, “Wow, what an enjoyable and short award ceremony!“. I’m sure some people said that, due to the fact that the SAG Awards clocked in at a tight 60 minutes, as promised. And there was no doubt a lot of people appreciated that a pre-taped show cut out the middle man (the middle man being a long-winded acceptance speech that begins with at least 9 full seconds of folded paper fumbling). But the big news was that for the first time in SAG Awards history, all four film acting categories went to non-white nominees. Like the category for Female Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture, which went to Viola Davis, seen above freaking out from the comfort of her own couch.

When the nominations for the 27th annual SAG Awards were announced back in February, they had already positioned themselves against (loud n’ shady throat clear sound) some other awards shows, by nominating a diverse group of talent whose work deserved to be acknowledged. When it came time to vote, SAG Award voters ended up voting for a bunch of little naked green statue guys to go to a whole lot of actors of color. At least in the film categories. But here’s what happened last night during the pre-taped ceremony. The show opened with a pre-taped sketch starring the cast of Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso, and of course, they did that whole “I am an actor” thing, but this time it featured people who identify as actors from the comfort of their own homes.

.@TedLasso opening tonight’s #sagawards (via @tntdrama) pic.twitter.com/yTIEFJJQbl

— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) April 5, 2021

Onto the winners, it should come as no surprise that the late Chadwick Boseman won the SAG Award for Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (his award was once again accepted by his wife Taylor Simone Ledward). As mentioned above, his co-star, Viola Davis, won Female Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture for Ma Rainey’s as well. Chadwick was the fourth Black actor to win that award, while Viola’s win makes her the second woman to do so (she previously won in 2011 for The Help). Male Supporting – Motion Picture went to Daniel Kaluuya for his role as the supporting character in Judas and the Black Messiah (he dedicated his award to Chadwick Boseman). And Youn Yuh-jung, who played the very adorable granny in Minari, took home the award for Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture, making her the first Asian woman to ever do so.

Forever in our hearts 🖤 #ChadwickBoseman received the Actor® for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role #sagawards @MaRaineyFilm pic.twitter.com/tCHtxdseiU

— TNT Drama (@tntdrama) April 5, 2021

In TV, the SAG Awards voters gave the award for Male Actor in a Drama Series to Jason Bateman in Ozark, who looked like he was Zooming in from an HGTV reno that had yet to be filled with rental furniture. Catherine O’Hara took home Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Schitt’s Creek, in a sequin-coated jacket that gave me more than enough razzle-dazzle for my money, but probably would have Moira Rose asking, “Oh no dear, did they not tell you this was a formal ceremony? Why ever so subdued?”

Here’s a full list of last night’s winners:

Motion Picture Cast
The Trial of the Chicago 7

Male Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture
Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Female Actor in a Leading Role – Motion Picture
Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Male Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture
Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah

Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Motion Picture
Youn Yuh-jung, Minari

Drama Series Ensemble
The Crown

Comedy Series Ensemble
Schitt’s Creek

Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much Is True

Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Queen’s Gambit

Male Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman, Ozark

Female Actor in a Drama Series
Gillian Anderson, The Crown

Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso

Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek

Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series
The Mandalorian

Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Wonder Woman 1984

Pic: YouTube