On today’s episode of “Daily Variety” podcast, we’ll hear from Jon Brockett, who is executive producer and showrunner of Sunday’s Actor Awards. The kudocast veteran discusses producing a live event for Netflix without strict time limit considerations, showcasing host Kristen Bell, paying tribute to Harrison Ford’s long career and invoking vintage Hollywood glamour.
The Actor Awards will have its third outing on Netflix this year. Brockett says the move to the streaming giant has “given us much more freedom because there was always this pressure that we had to come in at 11 o’clock eastern time, that we could not go any later. the goal for us with Netflix was let’s give the show a little bit of room to breathe.”
At the same time, Brockett emphasizes, producers are cognizant of not wearing out their welcome with viewers.
“There’s no one asking for another three or three and a half hour award show, in my opinion. I love that we’re around two hours because we’re sort of a sprint. We’re not a marathon — people can get in and and have a great entertaining time and watch the show and then they’re done. It’s not this long slog of other awards that may not be what people want to watch. We’re all actors. We’re what everybody wants to see. That’s one of the things that we’re really leaning into,” Brockett says.
Brockett promises that Kristen Bell, who is on her third hosting stint, will again open the show with a musical number featuring timely lyrics about the state of Hollywood and sundry things.
“The goal is to make it even better than last year’s opening number,” Brockett says. “We’re really excited about it because she’s just so charming and funny. She’s just the whole package.”
Another element that Brockett hopes will stand out to viewers this year is a conscious effort invoke old-school Hollywood glamour as a theme that extends through the night, on the set and in the frocks and formal wear donned by guests.
“Part of our approach with the show this year is escapism,” he says. “Just sit back for two hours — or three hours if you include the red carpet show — and enjoy all the moments on the carpet, enjoy the moments from the show. Get away from thinking about what’s going on in the world and just enjoy this night of TV, live on Netflix.”
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