Why Didn't The 2023 MTV Awards Have A Red Carpet? The Writers' Strike Has Something To Do With It

There were some big winners on Sunday night at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards. Pedro Pascal was voted the Best Hero for his role in The Last of Us , Adam Sandler won Best Comedic Performance in Murder Mystery 2 , and Scream VI won Best Movie. But there was something huge missing from the event: a red carpet . Usually fans get to see what all the celebrities wore and share photos of the best and worst looks, but this year there were no photo opportunities. In fact, there was no live ceremony at all . Why Didn't the 2023 MTV Awards Have a Red Carpet? The 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, initially scheduled for May 7, has experienced a series of disruptions due to the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike. These setbacks include the cancelation of the red carpet event, Drew Barrymore's withdrawal as the event's host, and the lack of a live ceremony. Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming and Events at Paramount Global, and an executive producer of the MTV Movie & TV Awards, confirmed this change in a statement: "As we carefully navigate how best to deliver the fan first awards' show we envisioned that our team has worked so hard to create, we're pivoting away from a live event that still enables us to produce a memorable night full of exclusive sneak peaks, irreverent categories our audience has come to expect, and countless moments that will both surprise and delight as we honor the best of film and TV over the past year." The WGA labor union, which represents more than 1,000 entertainment writers working across film, television, news, and online media, announced its plan to hold a demonstration at the event amid its dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The union went on strike after the deadline for a new contract passed on May 1 without a ratified film and scripted TV contract. Entertainment writers are seeking a major overhaul in compensation for streaming residuals, higher pay overall, greater protections, and a solution to the increase of "mini-rooms," where small groups of writers pen multiple scripts for a show's potential first season before production begins. Following the contract expiration deadline, failed negotiations prompted the WGA to stop work and take action. Members of the WGA and celebrities have been picketing outside major studios in Hollywood and New York City, hoping to have their contract requirements addressed. Drew Barrymore backed out of hosting the event in solidarity with the union members, but she did agree to come back and host in 2024. She released a statement saying that she "listened to the writers" and wanted to respect them. MTV also announced that there would be no red carpet ahead of the event, and other stars who were planning to attend Sunday's awards show have since dropped out. The WGA's labor union dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has impacted several other productions. Late-night shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and Late Night with Seth Meyers are airing repeats while on hiatus, while This Week Tonight with John Oliver, Real Time with Bill Maher , and The Daily Show are also on break. The MTV Awards aren't exactly known for hosting the best fashion, but some were still disappointed to know that they missed out on their favorite celebs walking down the red carpet.