Hannah Einbinder, Samantha Bee, John Leguizamo and More Deliver Laughs and a Few Tears for Variety’s Power of Comedy at SXSW
variety.comHannah Einbinder was moved to tears. Nick Thune was moved to sing. John Leguizamo shared hard truths. Samantha Bee rallied the crowd on behalf of womens rights.
And everyone who took part in Variety’s Power of Comedy Awards on Friday made fun of the awards themselves, now in their second year at SXSW in Austin, Texas. “Nothing is more show business-y than an award that says ‘We love that you’re here’ two years after network executives have said ‘We need you to be gone,’ ” Bee told the packed house at the famed ACL Theater, a nod to the demise in 2022 of her TBS series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.” Bee, who was honored by presenter Brooke Shields with the Comedy Innovator award for being one of very few women to host a late-night comedy series, noted that the event coincided with International Woman’s Day. “There’s no better way to celebrate women than to be surrounded by hordes of dudes who talk and dress exactly like Scooter Braun,” Bee quipped.
She and others noted that the Lone Star state has taken a disturbing turn of late on laws that restrict women’s reproduction rights. “Technically international women’s day is just what they call ‘The Purge’ in Texas.
So watch out, ladies, you’re not safe,” Bee said. “Abortion is healthcare,” she said after receiving her kudo from presenter Brooke Shields.
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