The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards aired live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The most nominated movie of the 2015 SAG Awards was Birdman and the most nominated television program was Modern Family, but Modern Family went home empty-handed.
Robert Duvall did a mini-monologue from his seat as did Mahershala Ali, and Orange is the New Black 
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston opened the SAG Awards ceremony on stage and announced the nominees for Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Television and the SAG Award went to Uzo Aduba. She was shocked and could hardly close her mouth when her name was called.
“Oh, my God, I really truly do not know what to say. I really truly want to thank the Screen Actors Guild for this incredible honor.” She was in tears by the time she thanked her cast, “Thank you so very much, God, bless you all.”
Claire Danes were up next to announce the nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for Television, and the SAG Award went to William H. Macy for Shameless. His first win and a ninth nomination for Macy, he said: “I’ve written so many speeches that I was never able to give, but not tonight.” ‘Thank you, I’m proud to be an actor.”
Lenny Kravis took over the honors to announce the nominee for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and the award went to the cast of Orange is the New Black. It’s their first nomination and first win as this very large group made their way to the stage. Winner Uzo spoke for the group and thanked everyone who tuned in and watched their show. “Thank you very much.”
Colin Farrell was up next to announce the nominees for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and the SAG Award went to Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. She is a six-time nominee and this was her first win. She was crying before she could get her first word out as she read from her notes. She thanked all her teachers and coaches and her fellow nominees, and ended with “To my mother Olivia you are my hummingbird you are always with me.”
The next presenter was Reese Witherspoon to announce the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. The award went to J. K. Simmons for Whiplash. He thanked the 49 actors who appeared with him in Whiplash, and ended with “Thank you to the Screen Actors Guild and thank you, mom and dad.”
Lupita Nyong’o and Jared Leto were the next presenters and they announced the nominees for Outstanding Male Actor in Television Series or Movie. The award went to Mark Ruffalo, who was not there and they accepted the award for him.
SAG-AFTRA President gave his necessary speech of the evening and gave special recognition to America’s Armed Forces.
J.K. Simmons and Viola Davis were the presenters for Outstanding Female Actor in a Television Series or Movie. The award or the ‘Actor’ went to Frances McDormand for Olive Kitteridge. This was her first win and she ran to the stage to get the award. She said she loves what she does, and “If you haven’t seen Olive Kitteridge you need to.”
Carrie Fisher presented the Life Time Achievement Award to her mother Debbie Reynolds. Carrie joked, “She has been more than a mother to me, not much but more.” Debbie Reynolds looked fabulous as she survived her daughter’s jabs during her monologue. The Unsinkable Molly Brown she said was her mother’s favorite role. Singing in the Rain was her first leading role, and she wasn’t even a dancer and had only weeks to learn how. Debbie Reynolds has certainly achieved much in her 66-year career.
The audience gave her a much-deserved standing ovation. Carrie stood by as her mother mentioned her role in Star Wars as Princess Leia, and as Carrie tried to nudge her mom to wrap up her speech. Debbie took a line from her movie The Unsinkable Molly Brown when she did wrap up by saying, “I ain’t down yet, well I ain’t. Thank you very much.”
Emmy Rossum and Eric Dane announced the nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, and the award went to Kevin Spacey for House of Cards, and unfortunately, Kevin couldn’t be there so they accepted the award in his honor.
The award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Drama Series went to Viola Davis for How to Get Away With Murder. Viola said she would like to thank those at the top who could see a 49-year-old African American woman as a sexualized character. “Thank you to all the people who love me exactly as God made me.”
The annual In Memoriam segment of the SAG Awards was next and showed us all the actors we lost. So many, and heartbreaking.
Andy Sandberg and Rashida Jones were next for the nominees of Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The award went to the cast of Downton Abbey. This is their second win. “Thank you for the best bad boy slash bad girl award ever” as they passed the award from one to another for a few words at the mike. “Thank you we’ve had the best time thank you very much.”
Julia Roberts came to the podium to announce the nominees for Outstanding Male in a Leading Role, and she presented the award to Eddie Redmayne for The Theory of Everything. He held his hand over his mouth in shock as his name was announced. He dedicated the award to the many people struggling with the disease of ALS.
Matthew McConaughey was next with the nominees for Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role, and he presented the award to Julianne Moore for Still Alice. It’s her second win and 11th nomination. She thanked her partners in the movie and wished that they were with her.
Up next was Kevin Costner with the nominees for Outstanding Performance for the Cast in a Motion Pictures, and he read the names himself before giving the award to the cast of Birdman. Probably the smallest cast of the evening. Michael Keaton said, “This is the ultimate team sport, what we do for a living.” Each took a turn at the mike to say thank you.
Kevin Costner said thank you for joining us and Goodnight.
They got it done in two hours. The show was tight, held your interest and flowed very well for awards shows. The SAG Awards are one of my favorites. I never miss the red carpet.
See you next year!
Tanya Hart
Aurn.Com