Television

The SAG Awards 2012 – Who took home the Top awards??

by Jenny Aluning on January 31st, 2012 · posted in Television · No Comments

The Oscars race just got interesting. Just when I thought the only reason I would watch the Oscars telecast on February 26 is for Billy Crystal, last night’s SAG Awards gave me a few more reasons to tune in.

SAG stands for Screen Actors Guild. The award nominees and winners are decided among the many movie and TV actors and actresses who make up the guild. In other words, it is your peers who are deciding whether you should win or not. It is for this reason that many an actor and actress highly value this recognition. Last night’s awards were held in the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and like the Golden Globes, both television and movies are in the spotlight. The first awards night was held only 18 years ago and since then, the prestige of the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards has grown exponentially. So much so, that many within the industry now regard the SAG Awards as a much more accurate predictor of the Oscars next month.

Hence, my earlier statement that the Oscars race just got interesting. Up until last night, the Oscars winners for the Big Three – Best Actor, Actress and Film – seemed to be a foregone conclusion as George Clooney, Meryl Street and “The Descendants” respectively. Not anymore. Last night, Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for “The Artist”, Viola Davis won Best Actress for “The Help” and then she and her fellow cast mates later went up on stage to receive their award as Best Ensemble Cast. Suddenly, no one’s sure whose name will be called out on Oscars night!

The telecast itself had a lovely ambience. I really enjoyed it. It was truly just a night when actors and actresses enjoy each other and enjoy the chance to highlight the outstanding work that was achieved in the last year. There was no wisecracking host, no glittering stage props, no lame jokes. Just wonderful moments like Betty White proving that age really doesn’t matter when it comes to talent; Dick Van Dyke’s response to the impromptu standing ovation he received when he appeared on stage: “I’m just a presenter!” Then him saying: “Hello. I’m what’s left of Dick Van Dyke.”; The Bridesmaids cast of Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Maya Rudolph encouraging everyone to take a drink when someone says Martin Scorsese; the Modern Family cast allowing their child stars to take the mic after their win; every single other nominee in the Best Actor category standing for Jean Dujardin as he accepted his award and then every single other nominee in the Best Actress category crying for Viola Davis as she accepted hers! There was just so many other lovely moments in a great night.

Bring it on, Oscars!

By: Jenny Aluning

The full list of winners from E! Online.

Red carpet photos from TV Guide

FILM

Male Actor, Lead: Jean DuJardin, The Artist