At the 85th annual Peabody Awards held on Sunday in Beverly Hills, winners raised concerns over threats to democratic principles, criminal justice reform, and the pursuit of diversity and inclusion.
Lorne Michaels, the head of “Saturday Night Live,” delivered an emotional acceptance speech for the Peabody’s Institutional Award, marking the sixth win for the iconic NBC sketch show since its debut in 1975.
Reflecting on the “SNL50” specials from February, Michaels shared, “Seeing all those individuals perform together in one room was an incredibly moving experience for me.”
Although Michaels hinted at ongoing speculation about the future of the show, he stated, “I’m not planning a sixtieth season. What brings me joy is continuing to do what I love, though it can also be frustrating.”
Michaels concluded by expressing gratitude to the Peabody Awards, which are managed by the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism. He noted, “The Peabody Awards are unique in making you feel like you’re in the right place. It’s a true honor to be here.”
Several awardees called for backing public media, opposing efforts by the Trump administration to cut federal support for PBS, NPR, and similar programs, emphasizing that such actions undermine essential democratic values.
Investigative reporter Dave Biscobing earned acclaim for his extensive series revealing systemic police violence and racism, underscoring the importance of accountability in journalism despite governmental pushback. Biscobing asserted, “They may retract the report, but they can never erase our achievements.”
