The Screen Actors Guild Awards, which this year replaced the Golden Globes and might also serve instead of the Oscars, were today described by the New York Times as "dignified." Is that to say that, in years past, the SAG Awards had been undignified? Perhaps.

The show, which was allowed by the Writers Guild, went on without a preening master of ceremonies or any long production numbers. No winners felt the need to weep about their mothers or their political opinions. Even the salutes to the guild’s 75-year history were for the most part brisk and entertaining.
…
The evening was so speedy that viewers were not given a chance to linger over movie stars decked out in designer finery…

The Times concludes that "when it comes to award-show writing, less is more." We completely agree, and, prompted by the tepid viewer response, posit this: maybe nothing is best.