Amidst the devastating wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, acclaimed actress Jean Smart has urged television networks to forgo broadcasting upcoming awards ceremonies.
She has said that they should instead donate the funds to fire relief efforts.
JEAN SMART’S CALL TO ACTION
Smart, who recently secured a Golden Globe for her role in Hacks, took to Instagram to voice her appeal, according to Variety.
“With all due respect, during Hollywood’s season of celebration, I hope the networks televising the upcoming awards will seriously consider NOT televising them.
They should instead donate the revenue they would have garnered to the victims of the fires and the firefighters,” the 73-year-old actress shared.
JEAN SMART AND THE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES
The Los Angeles wildfires have wreaked havoc across the region, leading to significant loss of life and property, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Reports indicate that at least ten people have perished, and nearly 10,000 structures have been destroyed.
The fires, exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds, have forced the evacuation of approximately 180,000 residents. This included numerous celebrities.
Notably, Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal have lost their homes to the inferno.
In response to the crisis, several entertainment industry events have been postponed or cancelled.
THE CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
The Critics Choice Awards, initially scheduled for this Sunday, will take place on 26 January, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Similarly, the Academy Awards and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards have delayed their announcements.
Additionally, producers have halted production on multiple television shows, including The Price is Right, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Hacks, due to safety concerns.
Smart’s proposal has sparked a dialogue within the entertainment community and among the public.
Some suggest that networks could proceed with airing the award shows but allocate the advertising revenue to support fire relief efforts.
URGENT NEEDS
This approach would maintain the celebratory events while contributing to the urgent needs of those affected by the wildfires.
The financial implications of such a move are substantial. For instance, ABC’s broadcasting of the Oscars generates approximately $110 million (around R2 billion) annually.
Redirecting even a portion of these funds could provide significant assistance to relief operations.
The wildfires have not only caused immediate destruction but have also raised concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.
JEAN SMART AND A TIME OF CRISIS
Air quality in the region has deteriorated due to pervasive smoke and ash, posing risks to residents’ respiratory health.
Moreover, the fires have disrupted power supplies, with over 360,000 people experiencing outages.
Los Angeles grapples with this unprecedented disaster. The entertainment industry’s response could set a precedent for how communities rally together in times of crisis.
RELIEF EFFORTS
Whether networks will heed Smart’s call remains to be seen. Her advocacy underscores the potential for collective action to support those in dire need.
In the meantime, residents and supporters worldwide are contributing to relief efforts. They will do this through donations and by raising awareness about the ongoing crisis.
The resilience and solidarity demonstrated during this challenging period will play a crucial role in the region’s recovery and rebuilding process.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT JEAN SMART’S CALL FOR NETWORKS TO SKIP AIRING AWARD SHOWS AND DONATE THE REVENUE TO FIRE RELIEF?
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