Comedy, politics merge at SAG event

LOS ANGELES Lily Tomlin offered advice and a hearty dose of humour in accepting the Screen Actors Guild’s Life Achievement Award.

Dolly Parton presented the 77-year-old Tomlin with the statuette at Sunday’s SAG Awards at the Shrine Auditorium.

“Live your life so that when you are being honoured for your achievements, the people called upon to make laudatory remarks can feel reasonably honest about their comments,” Tomlin said.

“Otherwise, in these times, all their words or phrases might be perceived as alternative facts — or worse yet, fake news.”

Here are some other notable remarks from the event:

“This story is of unity, this story is what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together as a human race. We win, love wins, every time.” — Taraji P. Henson, accepting ensemble cast honours for Hidden Figures.

“Whether the Russians did or did not hack the voting of tonight’s SAG Awards, I look out on the million or probably even the million and a half people in this room and I say this award is legitimate and I won. I won, the winner is me. Landslide.” — Julia Louis-Dreyfus, best comedy series actress for Veep.

“A lot of people are saying right now that actors shouldn’t express their opinions when it comes to politics. But the truth is, actors are activists no matter what, because they embody the worth and humanity of all people.” — Kerry Washington, nominated for the TV movie Confirmation.