Comedian and actor Deon Cole is set to return as host of the NAACP Image Awards this Saturday, with the live broadcast airing across Paramount networks including BET and CBS. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Cole emphasized the ceremony's focus on celebrating Black achievement while also addressing a troubling incident from the British Academy Film Awards.
Addressing the BAFTA Disruption
Cole described the onstage disruption at the BAFTA Awards as "terrible." The incident occurred when Tourette syndrome advocate John Davidson shouted a racial slur from the audience during a presentation by actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo. The ceremony had been prerecorded earlier in the day.
"They never really gave an apology. An official apology straight to our brothers," Cole stated. "So, tune into the award show. We're gonna deal with that. We're gonna touch on that."
Celebrating Black Excellence
The 57th NAACP Image Awards honor achievements in entertainment, culture, and public service. This year's ceremony will feature special tributes to Viola Davis, who will receive the Chairman's Award, and Colman Domingo, who will be presented with the President's Award.
"Viola is from another planet. We are blessed to have her," Cole expressed. "She is one of the most powerful actors we have in this game ever. Giving her flowers is everything."
Regarding Domingo, Cole added: "Colman Domingo is my brother. I've worked with him on several projects, and we have a brotherhood. I am so happy that my brother is getting his just due, getting his flowers and everything. He deserves it."
Preparing for Live Television
Known for his roles on sitcoms "black-ish" and "The Neighborhood" as well as his stand-up comedy, Cole discussed his approach to hosting the live event. He recalled last year's ceremony when actress Kerry Washington went off script, creating a memorable moment.
"You can't have these huge moments and expect people to really stick to the script," Cole explained. "They're gonna act the way that they're gonna act. So it's good to see that... My comedic mind is always like, 'How do I piggyback on this? How do we make it even funnier, up the ante on it?'"
The Comedian's Perspective
When asked about balancing humor with the serious tone of honoring legacy and achievement, Cole compared it to cooking: "It's just about balance. You know how much seasoning to put in there. You know how long to let it cook. It's the same thing when it comes to comedy, putting the right amount of seasoning in and knowing the right temperature."
He also reflected on comedians' role in navigating uncomfortable topics: "We live in discomfort. That's our job to make something uncomfortable comfortable, make you look at it a certain way, make you think of it a certain way. Every comic that's on stage is talking about something that's discomfort at some kind of level."
Personal Significance
For Cole, hosting the NAACP Image Awards represents recognition of his versatility across stand-up, acting, writing, and hosting. "It means a lot. It shows the versatility that one has," he said. "Being on television with certain TV shows, having success with at least four sitcoms that are still in syndication, I guess people know that I can handle network funny."
He concluded: "For people to trust me to handle it, I appreciate it. I guess it shows that we can do it all."
