Hannah Einbinder, Nick Thune, John Leguizamo, and Samantha Bee were among the notable personalities who graced Variety's Power of Comedy Awards at SXSW in Austin, Texas. The event, now in its second year, saw attendees poking fun at the awards themselves, creating a light-hearted atmosphere.
Samantha Bee, honored with the Comedy Innovator award, humorously remarked on the industry's fickle nature, referencing the end of her TBS series. She highlighted the importance of celebrating women, especially in light of recent restrictive laws in Texas.
The evening featured a joint appearance by the stars of 'Hacks,' drawing applause from the audience. Award recipients included actors Andrew Rannells and Nick Kroll for Comedy Duo, Lilly Singh for Comedy Crossover, and John Leguizamo for Comedy Actor.
The event also recognized talents behind the camera, with Pamela Adlon receiving the Comedy Director award and Cazzie David honored as the Comedy Breakthrough Artist. Jaboukie Young-White was awarded the Comedy Connoisseur title, emphasizing the subjective nature of humor.
Netflix's Robbie Praw was lauded as the Comedy Champion for his contributions to stand-up and comedy formats, including the successful live-streamed special with Chris Rock.
The awards ceremony showcased the diversity and talent within the comedy industry, with honorees expressing gratitude for the recognition and reflecting on the power of humor to address challenging topics.
