Grammys and Oscars to proceed amid L.A. fires, but will put the spotlight on first responders

Watching well-paid stars take the stage to collect awards while thousands of L.A. families are displaced and have lost their homes runs the risk of being tone deaf, but economically, these shows also provide income for thousands of entertainment workers.

As they say in Hollywood, the show must go on.

On Monday, it was announced that both the Grammys and Oscars would proceed as planned on Feb. 2 and March 2, respectively, answering a question that has been debated behind the scenes by decision makers tasked with figuring out how to proceed with award season as Los Angeles grapples with devastating wildfires.

Some stars, like Jean Smart and Patricia Arquette, have called for award shows to be cancelled in lieu of charitable telethons to raise funds for the fires.

Award season – the Golden Globes, Grammys, SAG Awards, Oscars and more – is a glitzy time in Hollywood. Watching well-paid stars take the stage to collect awards while thousands of L.A. families are displaced and have lost their homes runs the risk of being tone deaf, but economically, these shows also provide income for thousands of entertainment workers from caterers to drivers to lighting professionals who are integral to the industry.

The Grammys are the first show to announce they will proceed amid the wildfires, but the show will be reimagined to put the spotlight on first responders and also will include a charitable component.

“In challenging times, music has the power to heal, comfort, and unite like nothing else,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and chair of the board of Trustees Tammy Hurt said in a letter to Recording Academy members on Monday. “The Grammys will not only honor the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles.”

The letter said that the show will proceed as planned in close coordination with local authorities to “ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources,” and that the ceremony will “carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”