The 73rd annual Writer’s Guild Awards Show Ceremony was held virtually on Sunday, March 21. This year acclaimed actor, writer, and producer Kal Penn hosted the ceremony. It was hosted at an AirBNB theatre in Toronto, Canada. This year was the first time the show was a collaboration between the Writers Guilds East and Writers Guilds West.
However, the awards show opened up with a montage of different nominees naming television shows and movies that inspired them to work in the industry. The writers also listed what they thought they would grow up to become when they were twelve years old.
Tonight’s theme of the show was “unity”. The acceptance speeches were pre-recorded but the votes were released live. Rachel Broshanan set the comedic tone of the show by announcing the first award of the night while wearing a Rodarte ballroom gown paired with koala bear slippers.
In total, 26 awards were presented tonight, in categories such as “New Series”, “Original Series”, and “Daytime Drama”. Frequently nominated shows included Ozark, Better Caul Saul, Queen’s Gambit, and The Simpsons. Some shows received multiple nominations in one category. Due to many movie theaters across the world being temporarily shut down because of COVID, a new trend was revealed.
Both 2020 and 2021 have shown a large increase in feature films being available to watch at home on streaming services. Judas and the Black Messiah, the Trial of the Chicago 7, and I Care A Lot all were released on premium streaming services and some select theaters. This majorly affected their box office earnings. For example, the Trial of the Chicago 7 had a $35 million budget but made around $115,700 in the international box office. Nonetheless, many of these films received nominations and wins.
The Writer’s Guild Award Show had many discussions on current events and politics. “The Store That Called the Cops on George Floyd” won a Digital News Award. Judas and the Black Messiah won the Paul Selvin’s award. After a preview and explanation of the film aired, the camera alluded to a panel of African-American writers who discussed the importance and relevance of this film.
The ceremony ended with a cameo from Sasha Baron Cohen who won Best Adapted Screenplay for Borat Subsequent Movie film.
Some winners from tonight:
Documentary Screenplay: The Dissident, Written by Mark Monroe and Bryan Fogel
Best Drama Series: The Crown, Written by Peter Morgan, Jonathan Wilson
Comedy Series: Ted Lasso, Written by Jane Becker, Leann Bowen, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence, Jamie Lee, Jason Sudeikis, Phoebe Walsh, Bill Wrubel
New Series: Ted Lasso, Written by Jane Becker, Leann Bowen, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence, Jamie Lee, Jason Sudeikis, Phoebe Walsh, Bill Wrubel
Original long form: Mrs. America, Written by Tanya Barfield, Joshua Griffith, Sharon Hoffman, Boo Killebrew, Micah Schraft, April Shih, Dahvi Waller
Adapted Screenplay: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern, Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad
A full list of award winners from the 2021 Writers Guild Awards can be found here.
