Veteran actor Jean Smart clinched the prestigious award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the hit show 'Hacks' at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, took place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
A Speech on the Artist-Critic Dynamic
Accepting the honour, Smart used her platform to deliver a witty and insightful reflection on the perennial, often fraught, relationship between artists and their critics. She addressed the audience directly from the stage, acknowledging the complex history.
"What I'll just say about the relationship between critics and artists has obviously been sort of a love, hate thing over the years," Smart remarked. She kicked off her observations by quoting the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw, who once said, 'A critic is a man who leaves no turn unstoned.'
Referencing Legendary Critics and Their Impact
Smart then turned her attention to the influential and formidable film critic Pauline Kael. She noted that while Kael was known for both scathing and glowing reviews, people often found her negative critiques more entertaining.
To illustrate the profound impact of criticism, Smart shared two anecdotes. She recalled that after receiving a particularly harsh review from Kael, the acclaimed director David Lean declared he would never make another movie. He eventually returned to filmmaking after a 14-year hiatus for what would become his final project.
In another instance, director George Roy Hill, who received similar treatment from Kael, reportedly sent her a personal letter that began with the words, 'You miserable...'
The Critic's True Responsibility
Shifting to a more philosophical tone, Smart highlighted a significant quote about the critic's duty. "Ultimately, as critics, our responsibility is not to the emotional well-being of a specific artist," she quoted. "Our responsibility is to the reader, the art form and our work. In so doing, I believe we pay the artist respect. Our honesty and standards are an argument that the art they make matters."
She concluded this part of her speech by thanking the Critics Association for their appreciation of 'Hacks'.
Gratitude for Fellow Nominees
Jean Smart also took a moment to acknowledge her talented fellow nominees in the category. She described them as "brilliant, beyond brilliant" and named Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), Rose McIver (Ghosts), Edi Patterson (The Righteous Gemstones), and Carrie Preston (Elsbeth).
While 'Hacks' was also in the running for Best Comedy Series, that award ultimately went to 'The Studio'. Other nominees in the top comedy category included popular shows like Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, and Ghosts.
The 31st Critics Choice Awards celebrated the best in film and television, with Jean Smart's win and her memorable, thought-provoking speech becoming one of the standout moments of the evening.
