Mel Brooks Attains PEGOT Status through Career Achievement at Peabody Awards
Mel Brooks achieved a new milestone on Sunday as he received the Career Achievement Award at the 84th annual Peabody Awards, upgrading his EGOT to a PEGOT. Brooks joined the ranks of Barbra Streisand, Rita Moreno, and Mike Nichols as one of the few individuals to have won a Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Billy Crystal presented Brooks with the prestigious honor at the ceremony in Los Angeles. (It’s worth noting that a PEGOT can also refer to winning a Pulitzer instead of a Peabody, a feat achieved only by Richard Rodgers and Marvin Hamlisch.)
Crystal acknowledged Brooks’ genius in pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through his comedy. He highlighted the impact Brooks has had on his own career, describing him as a guiding light in the world of comedy. Crystal humorously noted that Brooks had become the fourth PEGOT winner, jokingly referring to himself as just an ET in comparison.
In his acceptance speech, Brooks humorously expressed his initial confusion about the Peabody Award, joking that he thought it was for being the best-looking guy in showbiz. He playfully rejected the notion of humility, emphasizing his lack thereof. Reflecting on the esteemed individuals who have received the Career Achievement Award in the past, Brooks questioned his place among such dignified company, eliciting laughter from the audience. He concluded by promising not to sell his newly acquired award.
The Peabody Awards ceremony, which had relocated to Los Angeles for the first time, saw Kumail Nanjiani as the host. The event honored outstanding work in TV, radio/podcasts, and digital media, with notable winners like The Bear, The Last of Us, and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
In a departure from the lighter TV winners, the ceremony also recognized impactful journalism and podcasts addressing weightier themes such as politics, racism, and conflicts in regions like Ukraine and Gaza. Special honors were bestowed upon Quinta Brunson, Star Trek, and nonprofit organization Witness. Donald Glover presented Brunson with the Trailblazer Award, praising her contributions to the industry.
Brunson expressed her disbelief at receiving a Peabody Award and credited her team for their hard work on shows like Abbott Elementary. Hasan Minhaj and J.J. Abrams also presented awards at the event for global impact and institutional excellence, respectively.
Alex Kurtzman, accompanied by a cast of Star Trek actors, reflected on the franchise’s enduring legacy and the responsibility of passing on its core ideals to future storytellers. He emphasized the message of hope and unity embedded in Star Trek, underscoring the importance of preserving these values for generations to come.