Sonia Kruger’s cheeky shot during Logies victory speech
The 2023 Logie Awards ceremony was filled with memorable moments, both triumphant and awkward. Sam Pang took on the role of the host, becoming the first in 11 years to do so. He kicked off the proceedings with a pointed and humorous monologue, highlighting the win for diversity as the first-ever host representing both Channel 7 and Channel 10.
“I would like to acknowledge a win for diversity tonight. I am the first host in the history of the Logies to be half and half - half Channel 7 and half Channel 10,” Pang began.
“Let’s be honest, it’s just be great to have an Asian on Channel 7 who isn’t trying to smuggle live birds through border security,” he continued, telling viewers to strap in for the “two-day” ceremony.
One of the night's obvious highlights was the announcement of the Gold Logie winner, Sonia Kruger. Overwhelmed with joy, Sonia expressed her gratitude and thanked everyone involved in her shows, including Big Brother, Dancing With the Stars, and The Voice.
She also playfully teased last year's Gold Logie winner, Hamish Blake, for sharing the same agent and their agent's hopes for concentrating on her in the future.
Kruger quoted a conversation with the agent who had allegedly told her “I think people are a little over Hamish [Blake].”
She added that the man had told her “Frankly I am hoping that he will leave the agency, so I can concentrate all of my efforts on you, Sonia”.
Karl Stefanovic, on the other hand, faced a challenging moment during his appearance. Trying to add some impromptu humour to introduce a tribute to Barry Humphries, his joke about David Koch's favourite show, Bump, fell flat with the audience.
“I did want to just check something... I am pretty sure before I heard Kochie say he loves Bump’s.... season 3. Did anyone mishear that? Because I am pretty sure I did. Anyway, those are the headlines tomorrow morning...” Karl said.
The cameras caught Kochie looking bewildered to say the least.
Sam Pang then by saying “I don’t want to say Karl’s joke about Kochie sank, but OceanGate are offering expeditions to visit it.”
Following the In Memoriam segment, Sam Pang dedicated another In Memoriam to TV shows that had low ratings in the past year. This included Seven's Blow-Up, lacking the entertainment, artistry, and family fun it aimed for, and Ten's The Real Love Boat, which seemingly did not receive favourable reviews.
Throughout the night, Sam Pang entertained the audience with a series of witty remarks. He thanked those who declined the hosting gig, including Hamish Blake: “I appreciate it, mate, some of us have a mortgage,” said Pang. “By the way, a mortgage is when the bank loans... Ah,don’t worry about it.”
He joked that Kenny star Shane Jacobson said yes to hosting, “before even knowing what the question was.”
“Karl Stefanovic said yes, as long the show was held in a park in Noosa.”
"Eventually, it came down to two candidates, but “Rolf Harris said no, so here we are.” Then he took aim at the stars of MAFS, seated in the audience - he welcomed them to their “last-ever Logies."
“The Voice is nominated tonight," continued Pang, "despite Peter Dutton’s strong opposition to the nomination...”
“The Block shows Australians what it is like to own their own home, making it the greatest fantasy series since Game of Thrones.”
He said I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! is “a wonderful show where we find out which Australian celebrities haven’t been adding to their super. Hi Kerri-Anne!”
He noted that Hamish Blake is up for his second Gold Logie this year, while comedy partner Andy Lee... “is mates with Hamish.”
He paid tribute to recently retired Sunrise host David Koch, who “changed breakfast television forever. Warmth, humour, personality... you needed none of those.”
And then Today host Karl Stefanovic, sat with co-host Sarah Abo. Or as Pang put it: “Sitting next to your co-host - who do you have this year, Karl?” He said Karl’s table would only be more fun if “Michael Clarke was on it.”
While Pang's monologue ended on a controversial note with a joke about being an Asian on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, the overall ceremony was filled with moments that kept the audience entertained.
He also advised audience members “not to mix beer and wine, and make sure that you don’t mix your acceptance speech with an active court case.”
Images: Channel Seven