With over 100,000 people affected by the devastating Southern California wildfires, getting excited about awards season feels out of touch.
The 97th Academy Awards have already adjusted their schedule by delaying nominations and extending voting deadlines, but some think that’s not enough.
Stephen King, who is one never to hold back on his thought, suggested canceling the event altogether. He wrote on Bluesky:
“Not voting in the Oscars this year. IMHO they should cancel them. No glitz with Los Angeles on fire.”
Honestly, he’s got a point. How do you roll out the red carpet while so many are dealing with such loss? I’m with King on this one. It doesn’t really seem like the time to celebrate and feed the egos in Hollywood.
Meanwhile, the Academy announced this week that nominations will still drop Thursday, Jan. 23, at 5:30 a.m. PT. The voting period has been extended to Jan. 17, giving members extra time amid the chaos.
Actress Jean Smart also chimed in, offering a thoughtful compromise. She suggested networks airing awards shows could “donate the revenue they would have garnered to victims of the fires and the firefighters.”
It’s a tricky balance to celebrating creativity and achievement while others face crisis. Maybe Hollywood can hit pause on the Oscars and do something meaningful instead.
What do you think?
