Los Angeles
#1 Award Show
The culmination of a growing award season, the 86-year-old show is still tops in prestige, glamor, fashion, and buzz. This year saw host Ellen DeGeneres set records for retweets after she posted a selfie with several A-list stars including Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Lupita Nyong’o. Next: February 22, 2015
Los Angeles
#2 Award Show
The Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences’ Grammy awards, billed as “Music’s Biggest Night,” get praise for pairing musicians in unexpected collaborations. This year it went further when Queen Latifah officiated the marriage of 33 couples as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis performed “Same Love.” The ceremony was immediately followed by a performance by Madonna. Next: February 8, 2015
Los Angeles
#3 Award Show (up from #4)
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ awards have become more competitive than ever as original programming options increase and more movie stars sign on for TV projects. Late Night’s Seth Meyers hosted the 66th annual edition of the awards, which was followed by the Governors Ball—billed as the largest formal dinner in the country—and network-hosted parties. Next: 2015
Los Angeles
#4 Award Show
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association hosts its annual awards with a dinner ceremony in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton. The event—with its dinner setup and free-flowing alcohol—has a looser feel than the Oscars. Co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are set to return in 2015. Next: January 11, 2015
Los Angeles
#5 Award Show
The celebration of music videos returned to Los Angeles after a one-year stint in Brooklyn. MTV continued to innovate the way it announces the nominees for the big event, this year using the social media app Snapchat. Next: Summer 2015
New York
#6 Award Show
Power brokers and celebrities from the worlds of politics, media, entertainment, and science pay tribute to one another at the magazine’s flashy event. Seth Meyers hosted this year’s gathering at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Next: Spring 2015
Los Angeles
#7 Award Show
The network’s award show, now in its 22nd year, attracts top athletes from major sports, honoring them in categories such as Best Championship Performance and Best Upset. Rapper Drake hosted the evening at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live this year. Next: Summer 2015
Los Angeles
#8 Award Show (new to the list)
The civil rights organization’s event honors people of color in film, television, music, literature, and writing and directing, as well as people in creative fields who promote social justice. The N.A.A.C.P. marked its 45th show in 2014. Next: February 2015
