The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards, presented last night, honored the best film and TV performances of 2021. It was the first significant Hollywood awards show to be held live since the onset of Covid-19.

Celebrities were seated at tables, glamorously dressed and made up, appearing to enjoy themselves.  After two years of isolation that has affected everyone, I am sure it was a relief to sit down and have a drink (or two) with friends you had not seen for a time, maskless and shoulder-to-shoulder. Vaccinations were required, and rapid tests were administered pre-admission.

Rebecca Ford, who covers the show for Vanity Fair, said, "Everyone was crying!" Tears flowed from the lovely Korean actress Jung Ho-Yeon, who won an individual acting nod for Squid Game, a well-received Netflix acquisition. Her colleague, Lee Jung-Jae, was also recognized. The show Succession was edged out in the acting category, although it received the ensemble award for Best Acting. There were more tears when a deaf cast, including Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin, won for CODA on Apple TV. 

Jessica Chastain edged out Nicole Kidman for Best Actress for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. That might not fare well for Ms. Kidman, who played Lucille Ball with great acuity in 'Being the Ricardos' when Oscar time rolls around in April. Will Smith won Best Actor for King Richard.

Ford commented she noticed the multi-talented Lady Gaga crying-- and SAG's Lifetime Award winner, the incredible Dame Helen Mirren, was comforting her. The reporter summed it up: " I’ve got to say I haven’t seen this much emotion at an awards show in a while. I would guess it’s a combination of the global news that is weighing heavily on everyone along with the emotions that some may be feeling being back in the world after a long period of pandemic isolation."

SAG President Fran Drescher, 64, came on stage mid-show in a black dress and upswept hairstyle. The beloved 'Nanny' of TV fame said, "First, I would like to extend prayers to the people of Ukraine."

Academy Award winner Michael Douglas said, "If ever there was a time for us to appreciate what true democracy is, I’m just so proud of what these people of this country have done." Jessica Chastain remarked, "My heart is with our international family all over the world right now, who is fighting for their safety and their freedom." 

The SAG Awards ceremony came at a time when Ukraine is being invaded by Russia. The horrifying event was not overlooked by the Hollywood community. In the past, Tinseltown has been heavily criticized for making award shows too political. But celebrities know they are influencers with potentially millions of viewers watching. And they consider President Volodymyr Zelensky to be a colleague. Ukraine's President, now performing in a real-life military role, is a former actor and comic.

One uplifting tag is that the irreplaceable Betty White was posthumously honored.