
From war documentaries in Ukraine and Gaza to the endearing charm of 'Bluey', the 84th Peabody Awards showcased a rich tapestry of storytelling that resonates with today's turbulent times.
- Jun 10, 2024
AceShowbiz - The 84th annual Peabody Awards ceremony held on Sunday at the Beverly Wilshire hotel marked a significant shift for the respected event, which has traditionally been hosted in New York. Administered by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications, the awards recognized a diverse array of standout TV programs, movies, documentaries, podcasts, video games and more.
The event, hosted by Kumail Nanjiani, opened with a quip that highlighted the rarity of Los Angeles hosting an awards show. Throughout the evening, the high volume of conflict-both global and domestic-was a recurring theme. Reflecting on issues such as school shootings, hate crimes and political extremism, many award-winning documentarians, producers and filmmakers used their platforms to sound alarms about the dangers of misinformation and deepfakes.
"It's not only the people who are getting killed in war-it's the truth," said Mstyslav Chernov, director of "20 Days in Mariupol", which also won an Oscar for feature documentary in March.
Local broadcast journalist Phil Williams echoed this sentiment while accepting the Peabody for "Hate Comes to Main Street", stressing the crucial role of local journalists in the fight for truth.
The Peabodys also acknowledged the upheaval within the entertainment industry, driven by the digital transition and the onset of the AI era. Ron Nyswaner, honored for the period drama "Fellow Travelers", emphasized the importance of provocative and ambitious art over algorithm-driven content.
On a lighter note, the popular Australian cartoon series "Bluey" was celebrated for its depiction of a family of dogs. Melanie Zanetti, the voice of Mum, charmed the audience by ending her thank-yous with the show's signature Aussie slang, "Wackadoo."
The legendary Mel Brooks received the Career Achievement Award, with Billy Crystal delivering a heartfelt tribute. Brooks, despite his advancing years, captivated the audience with his humor and wit.
Quinta Brunson, the creator of "Abbott Elementary", was honored with the Trailblazer Award. She highlighted the inspiration behind creating a show centered around teachers at underfunded public schools, aiming to make content suitable for all ages.
The ceremony concluded on a high note with the "Star Trek" franchise being honored with the Institutional Award. J.J. Abrams recognized the legacy of the franchise for projecting the best of humanity into the future, while Alex Kurtzman touched on the series' enduring vision of hope and unity.
2024 George Foster Peabody Award Winners (Entertainment):
- "The Bear" (FX) FX Productions
- "Dead Ringers" (Prime Video) Amazon MGM Studios, Annapurna Television
- "Fellow Travelers" (Showtime) Showtime Presents a Fremantle and Showtime Studios Production
- "Jury Duty" (Amazon Freevee) Amazon MGM Studios, Picrow, The District, Piece of Work Entertainment
- "The Last of Us" (HBO | Max) HBO in association with Sony Pictures Television Studios, PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog
- "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Israel-Hamas War" (HBO | Max) HBO in association with Peyance Productions and Avalon Television
- "Reality" (HBO | Max) HBO Films presents a Seaview and 2 Sq Ft production in association with Burn These Words, In The Cut Productions, Fit Via Vi, Cinereach, Tanbark Pictures
- "Reservation Dogs" (FX) FX Productions
- "Somebody Somewhere" (HBO | Max)