Top 100 Events in the United States 2018 - Award Shows
September 18, 2018
1. Academy Awards
Los Angeles
#1 Award Show
There were no best picture mix-ups at the 90th annual Oscars, but this year the ceremony made headlines by weaving in the #MeToo movement through host Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, a Time’s Up video montage, and best actress winner Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech, which introduced the public to the term "inclusion rider." Other event highlights included Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi love story The Shape of Water taking best picture and a massive proscenium on the Dolby Theatre stage that incorporated 45 million Swarovski crystals. The ratings hit a historic low, however, drawing 26.5 million viewers—a drop that moved the Academy to announce major changes to future ceremonies, beginning with a shortened telecast in 2019. Next: February 24, 2019
#1 Award Show
There were no best picture mix-ups at the 90th annual Oscars, but this year the ceremony made headlines by weaving in the #MeToo movement through host Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue, a Time’s Up video montage, and best actress winner Frances McDormand’s acceptance speech, which introduced the public to the term "inclusion rider." Other event highlights included Guillermo del Toro’s sci-fi love story The Shape of Water taking best picture and a massive proscenium on the Dolby Theatre stage that incorporated 45 million Swarovski crystals. The ratings hit a historic low, however, drawing 26.5 million viewers—a drop that moved the Academy to announce major changes to future ceremonies, beginning with a shortened telecast in 2019. Next: February 24, 2019
Photo: Mark Ralston/Getty Images
2. Primetime Emmy Awards
Los Angeles
#2 Award Show (up from #3)
The 70th edition of the ceremony was hosted by Saturday Night Live duo Colin Jost and Michael Che, and broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater on NBC. Netflix narrowly topped HBO with the most nominations this year, which was the first time in 17 years that the latter network didn’t receive the most nominations. However, HBO series Game of Thrones received the most nominations with 22, and took home the award for best drama at the end of the night. Other big winners included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Next: September 2019
#2 Award Show (up from #3)
The 70th edition of the ceremony was hosted by Saturday Night Live duo Colin Jost and Michael Che, and broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater on NBC. Netflix narrowly topped HBO with the most nominations this year, which was the first time in 17 years that the latter network didn’t receive the most nominations. However, HBO series Game of Thrones received the most nominations with 22, and took home the award for best drama at the end of the night. Other big winners included The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Next: September 2019
Photo: Jerry Hayes
3. Golden Globes
Los Angeles
#3 Award Show (up from #4)
The 75th anniversary of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s celebration of film and television was the first award show of the season to address sexual harassment scandals that affected Hollywood following the accusations against Harvey Weinstein. Many attendees wore all-black attire as a form of silent protest, while high-profile celebrities also wore “Time’s Up” pins that supported the new anti-harassment initiative. Seth Meyers hosted the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, where Oprah Winfrey received a standing ovation for her electrifying speech as she received the Cecile B. DeMille award. Next: January 6, 2019
#3 Award Show (up from #4)
The 75th anniversary of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s celebration of film and television was the first award show of the season to address sexual harassment scandals that affected Hollywood following the accusations against Harvey Weinstein. Many attendees wore all-black attire as a form of silent protest, while high-profile celebrities also wore “Time’s Up” pins that supported the new anti-harassment initiative. Seth Meyers hosted the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton, where Oprah Winfrey received a standing ovation for her electrifying speech as she received the Cecile B. DeMille award. Next: January 6, 2019
Photo: HFPA Photographer
4. Grammy Awards
New York
#4 Award Show
The Grammys returned to New York to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary after 15 years in Los Angeles, with a ceremony hosted by James Corden that took place at Madison Square Garden. The show, which saw a 24 percent drop in ratings from the 2017 broadcast, received criticism for its lack of equal gender representation with best new artist winner Alessia Cara the only woman to receive a major award, and Lorde, the only woman nominated for best new album, was the only artist in that category who didn’t perform. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow drew backlash after saying women in the music industry needed to “step up,” and announced he’d be stepping down as president when his contract expires next year. The ceremony will return to Los Angeles in 2019. Next: February 10, 2019
#4 Award Show
The Grammys returned to New York to celebrate the show’s 60th anniversary after 15 years in Los Angeles, with a ceremony hosted by James Corden that took place at Madison Square Garden. The show, which saw a 24 percent drop in ratings from the 2017 broadcast, received criticism for its lack of equal gender representation with best new artist winner Alessia Cara the only woman to receive a major award, and Lorde, the only woman nominated for best new album, was the only artist in that category who didn’t perform. Recording Academy president Neil Portnow drew backlash after saying women in the music industry needed to “step up,” and announced he’d be stepping down as president when his contract expires next year. The ceremony will return to Los Angeles in 2019. Next: February 10, 2019
Photo: Andre Maier
5. ESPY Awards
Los Angeles
#5 Award Show (up from #6)
The 26th annual ceremony celebrating the best in sports had a major female presence in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Danica Patrick was the show’s first female host, and ESPN awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to the female survivors of sexual abuse by former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. 2018 Winter Olympics breakout star Chloe Kim won best female athlete, while Alexander Ovechkin won best male athlete. Next: July 2019
#5 Award Show (up from #6)
The 26th annual ceremony celebrating the best in sports had a major female presence in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Danica Patrick was the show’s first female host, and ESPN awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to the female survivors of sexual abuse by former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. 2018 Winter Olympics breakout star Chloe Kim won best female athlete, while Alexander Ovechkin won best male athlete. Next: July 2019
Photo: Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
6. Tony Awards
New York
#6 Award Show (up from #7)
Bucking a recent trend for televised live events, the 72nd edition of theater’s biggest night saw an increase in ratings from the previous year—the CBS broadcast drew 6.3 million viewers compared to 6 million in 2017. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles co-hosted the ceremony, which featured an emotional performance by the drama students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting—and a profanity-laced speech from Robert DeNiro, who called out Donald Trump. The Band’s Visit took home multiple awards, including best musical. Next: June 2019
#6 Award Show (up from #7)
Bucking a recent trend for televised live events, the 72nd edition of theater’s biggest night saw an increase in ratings from the previous year—the CBS broadcast drew 6.3 million viewers compared to 6 million in 2017. Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles co-hosted the ceremony, which featured an emotional performance by the drama students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—where 17 people were killed in a mass shooting—and a profanity-laced speech from Robert DeNiro, who called out Donald Trump. The Band’s Visit took home multiple awards, including best musical. Next: June 2019
Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
7. Time 100 Gala
New York
#7 Award Show
Time hosted its 14th annual gala, honoring the magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people, at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Jennifer Lopez and Shawn Mendes performed at the event, which honored Maxine Waters, Tarana Burke, Nicole Kidman, José Andrés, Adam Rippon, Trevor Noah, Lena Waithe, and more. Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, Citi, Victor, and Airtable sponsored the gala. Next: April 2019
#7 Award Show
Time hosted its 14th annual gala, honoring the magazine’s list of the world’s most influential people, at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York. Jennifer Lopez and Shawn Mendes performed at the event, which honored Maxine Waters, Tarana Burke, Nicole Kidman, José Andrés, Adam Rippon, Trevor Noah, Lena Waithe, and more. Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker, Citi, Victor, and Airtable sponsored the gala. Next: April 2019
Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Time
8. N.A.A.C.P. Image Awards
Los Angeles
#8 Award Show
Celebrating outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, the 49th annual award show drew 2,400 attendees to the Pasadena Convention Center. Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year, and also won outstanding actor in a comedy series for the role. His co-star Tracee Ellis Ross won outstanding actress, and the ABC series took home the award for best comedy. Girls Trip won the award for outstanding motion picture, while Ava DuVernay was awarded entertainer of the year. Next: January 2019
#8 Award Show
Celebrating outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, the 49th annual award show drew 2,400 attendees to the Pasadena Convention Center. Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the ceremony for the fifth consecutive year, and also won outstanding actor in a comedy series for the role. His co-star Tracee Ellis Ross won outstanding actress, and the ABC series took home the award for best comedy. Girls Trip won the award for outstanding motion picture, while Ava DuVernay was awarded entertainer of the year. Next: January 2019
Photo: Courtesy of N.A.A.C.P.
