We're just four weeks from the Oscars and, now the Golden Globes have lost their shine, the Screen Actors Guild Awards have become the best gauge for Oscars' acting glory.
This afternoon Jane Campion's The Power of the Dog threw out three strong contenders - but they came back empty-handed.
After two years of merely virtual self-congratulation, they're back - frocked up and dripping with jewellery and sincerity, but no host and a bit of a false start.
But the night got back on track with a crowd-pleaser. Troy Kotsur, who's deaf, won best supporting actor for his role in CODA and finally feeling part of the family.
However Kotsur's win was a disappointment for The Power of the Dog's Kodi Smit-McPhee, while West Side Story's Ariana DeBose beat Smit-McPhee's co-star Kirsten Dunst for best supporting actress.
Will Smith gained the whip hand over Benedict Cumberbatch for best actor while Jessica Chastain scooped best actress.
We waited a while but Ukraine eventually took centre stage, thanks to Succession's Brian Cox.
"In particular the artists and I think we should join in celebrating them and hoping they can actually make a shift as I believe they can, thank you," he said.
Meanwhile British legend Helen Mirren got lifetime achievement recognition.
"Thank you SAG for this award, I hate to say the word 'sag' at my age," she said.
TV's big winners were Squid Game for best actor and actress, while Ted Lasso netted a couple for the noisy nice guys.
And Succession got one back for the bad guys while CODA moved ahead in the running for best film - winning best ensemble cast.
The 2022 SAGs notching wins for diversity and aroha.
