Critics’ Choice Awards Ceremony Postponed Due to Omicron Concerns

The Critics’ Choice Association has announced that it has postponed its individual awards ceremony amid growing concerns about the COVID and Omron editions. The winners were to be revealed by hosts Ty Diggs and Nicole Bayer on Sunday, January 9. The ceremony will still air live in person on The CW and TBS, but it will not take place on the date as originally planned, reports Variety.com.

“After thoughtful consideration and frank conversations with our partners at The CW and TBS, we have collectively come to the conclusion that the prudent and responsible decision at this point is to postpone the 27th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, originally scheduled for 9 was scheduled for January, 2022,” the organization said in a statement.

“We are in regular communication with LA County public health officials, and we are currently working diligently to find a new date during the upcoming awards season to celebrate our annual gala with everyone’s safety and health. Hosting is our top priority.

“We will be sharing additional details with our friends and colleagues throughout the entertainment industry as soon as possible.”

The decision is almost a face-off from earlier this week, when the Critics’ Choice Association said it would go ahead as an in-person event at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on January 9 with stricter Covid protocols as cases continue to rise in the country. are. ,

“The Critics’ Choice Association is working with LA County public health officials and a premier COVID compliance service, and at this time, we are still following the strictest and safest protocols to host the 27th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards. plans, which include mandatory proof of vaccination, negative PCR test 48 hours in advance, appropriate social distancing and masking requirements,” the organization said in a statement on Monday.

“We will continue to carefully monitor the situation as events progress.”

Last year, the Critics’ Choice Awards turned out to be a hybrid show, with both in-person and virtual appearances. Host Ty Diggs and some presenters broadcast from a stage in Los Angeles, while the nominees appear from afar from various locations around the world.

The Critics’ Choice Awards are considered a major precursor to the Academy Awards and are one of the first major film awards of the new year.

The Palm Springs Film Awards have also canceled their upcoming ceremony scheduled for January 6 due to concerns about the rising COVID-19 cases.

Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” and Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” lead the field for this year’s crop of nominations for the Critics’ Choice Awards. “West Side Story” received nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, while Ariana Debos and Rita Moreno nominated for Best Supporting Actress, and newcomer Rachel Ziegler is nominated for Best Young Actor or Actress.

“West Side Story” received nominations for its ensemble cast and approval for its screenplay, costume design, production design, editing and cinematography.

“Belfast” also has eleven nominations, including Picture, Original Screenplay, Director, Cinematography, Editing and two Supporting Actor slots for Jamie Dornan and the Jackal in Hinds.

‘Dune’ and ‘The Power of the Dog’ received ten nominations each.

“Licorice Pizza” and “Nightmare Alley” garnered eight nominations, while “King Richard” and “Don’t Look Up” earned six nominations.

In a Critics’ Choice TV nomination, the third season of “HBO’s Succession” cleared all eight contenders.

Other top nominees include another HBO program, “Mare of Easttown” — which is still competing in limited series territory because a potential second season has yet to be announced.

“Mare” and Paramount Plus “Evil,” the Robert and Michelle King drama that previously aired on CBS, each received five nominations.

HBO leads the network pack with 20 nominations, ahead of rival Netflix (which scored 18).