It’s a busy day in awards season news as the New York Film Critics Circle anointed “Killers of the Flower Moon” as Best Film of 2023 and both Film Independent and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had major announcements. The latter revealed that “Saturday Night Live” and “Shrill” star Aidy Bryant will host the 39th Independent Spirit Awards on February 25. She becomes the sixth “SNL” veteran to host or co-host the ceremony after Sarah Silverman, Andy Samberg, Fred Armisen, Kate McKinnon, and Melissa Villaseñor.
In a statement from Film Independent, organization president Josh Welsh remarked, “We’re thrilled to have the incandescently talented Aidy Bryant joining us to host the 39th annual Spirit Awards. Through her humor, skill, and seemingly endless supply of energy she has been entertaining audiences for years, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us as we celebrate independent artists on February 25th.”
Bryant is a three-time Emmy Award nominee whose credits also include “Human Resources,” “The Big Sick” and the upcoming Peacock series “Lonely Hearts Club.”
In other news, the AMPAS and ABC made a big change to the 96th Academy Awards announcing the telecast will now officially begin an hour earlier at 7 PM ET/ 4 PM PT. The pre-show will begin at 6:30 PM ET/ 3:30 PM PT. According to The Academy, this is the first time the Oscars have started this earlier. Over the years the ceremony has started as late as 8:30 PM or 9:00 PM ET. AMPAS and ABC have no doubt made this change hoping the earlier Sunday start time will lead to a rating increase and/or encourages more watch parties on the East Coast.
Additionally, a new episode of the critically acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning “Abbott Elementary” will air right after the ceremony so, no pressure to end on time AMPAS.
AMPAS and ABC previously announced that Jimmy Kimmel will return to host for the fourth time. Raj Kapoor is the telecast showrunner and executive producer, while Molly McNearney and Katy Mullan will serve as executive producers. Hamish Hamilton is set to direct the telecast.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on Sunday, February 25th at its historic tent on Santa Monica Beach. The 96th Academy Awards will occur on Sunday, March 10 at the Ovation complex in Hollywood.