The Las Culturistas Culture Awards brought a refreshing twist to the typical awards show experience, with its unique comedic approach showcased in the “In Absentia” segment, highlighting celebrities who humorously declined their invitations. Hosted by comedians Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers at the Orpheum Theatre, the segment featured amusing slides that recounted the excuses from high-profile figures like Charli XCX, who jokingly responded that she was not reachable, and Anne Hathaway, who sent a witty video stating, “I’m not over it.”
As the show aired for the first time on television via Bravo, it underscored the transition of “Las Culturistas” from a podcast to a cultural phenomenon, in part due to the rising recognition of its hosts. Yang and Rogers, who began their podcast in 2016 as an insightful yet laid-back discussion of pop culture, have now opened doors for A-list celebrities to engage candidly and humorously in a format that feels authentic and inviting.
The awards show embodies the spirit of their podcast, focusing on diverse and quirky categories such as “best breakfast” and even “worst sticky feeling,” which provides viewers with a humorous lens through which pop culture can be appreciated. Yang and Rogers’ combination of genuine curiosity about their guests’ lives and sharp, relatable humor makes them a standout in the realm of pop culture commentary.
This year’s ceremony also welcomed various star-studded attendees, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Mindy Kaling, capturing the essence of community and connection within the industry. The playful sarcasm interwoven throughout the awards serves to remind audiences that entertainment, while often serious, can also be enjoyed with lightheartedness and joy.
As the Culture Awards continue to grow, Rogers expressed enthusiasm about future possibilities for celebrity involvement, hinting that the concept may become even easier to convey to publicists. Their ability to create an engaging celebration of pop culture, rooted in authenticity and humor, is a testament to both the podcast and the awards show’s potential influence in the entertainment landscape.
In a world where awards shows can sometimes seem repetitive or overly dramatic, the Las Culturistas Culture Awards stand as a compelling reminder that laughter and camaraderie are equally crucial components of the entertainment experience.