As devastating wildfires continue to rage through Los Angeles, the Critics Choice Awards has delayed its 30th annual event for the second time. Although no exact date has been set, organizers are now anticipating February for the rescheduled event.
The awards show, originally planned for January 12 at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica but later rescheduled for January 26, joins other entertainment events impacted by the ongoing fire emergency.
The fires have seriously affected the area, resulting in 24 deaths and 23 unaccounted-for people. The Palisades Fire is the biggest fire, having burned 23,000 acres and is mostly uncontrolled, with only 18% contained. The Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres and is 35% contained. The smaller Hurst Fire is almost fully controlled, with 97% containment over 799 acres.
Many people have lost their homes, and tens of thousands have escaped to safety. The fires have severely affected communities in the entertainment business, especially in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
“We’re working in real-time to ensure a fast and organized recovery effort – giving Angelenos the tools they need to rebuild faster and stronger,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said in response to the crisis.
Comedian Chelsea Handler will host the event again for the third year. The show will continue to air live on E! and will be available to view on Peacock the next day as planned.
This year’s nominations are led by “Conclave” and “Wicked,” with each getting 11 nominations. “Dune: Part Two” and “Emilia Pérez” follow closely with 10 nominations, including Best Picture nods. In television, “Shōgun” has the most nominations, with six. Other shows like “Abbott Elementary,” “Disclaimer,” “Hacks,” “The Diplomat,” “The Penguin,” and “What We Do in the Shadows” each got four nominations.
The fire emergency has also impacted other business events. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended the voting time for the Oscars nominations until January 17. The nominations will now be announced virtually on January 23 without media attendance.
