Aubrey Plaza To Host 2019 Independent Spirit Awards

Film Independent announced the host of the 34th Independent Spirit Awards this morning and, surprise, it was not a third go-around of celebrated duo John Mulaney and Nick Kroll.  Instead, former Spirit Award winner Aubrey Plaza will take the reins of entertaining the intoxicated guests at the annual soiree in Santa Monica.

Best and Worst of the 2018 Spirit Awards: “Get Out,” Greta Gerwig, Elisabeth Olsen

In a statement released by Film Independent Plaza remarked, “I am truly honored and delighted to host the Spirits Awards this year. It is a dream come true to host a show that celebrates my greatest loves… independent film, the people that make them possible and live television!”

Film Independent President John Welsh added, “The search for a great Spirit Awards host is never easy. This year we said, let’s find someone funny, smart, a cinephile, being a great actor wouldn’t hurt, and it would be an added bonus if they’ve previously won a Spirit Award. Then we realized, oh wait, that’s Aubrey Plaza! So thank you Aubrey, for hosting the Spirits!”

IFC will once again broadcast the ceremony live and the networks Executive Director Blake Calloway noted, “As the awards season slogs to the end, let’s raise a glass to the infectious enthusiasm that only Aubrey Plaza will bring to this party.”

Besides Kroll and Julaney, previous Spirit Awards hosts have included Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani (fantastic), Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell (disappointing), Patton Oswalt (a shocking misfire), Andy Samberg (knocked it out of the park), Joel McHale (forgettable), Sarah Silverman (irreverant) , Samuel L. Jackson (fine), Eddie Izzard (didn’t read the room), Queen Latifah (long time ag0) and John Waters (Spirits show favorite), among others.

Plaza won a First Feature Film Spirit Award for “Ingrid Goes West” and was also nominated for Best First Screenplay. She currently stars in the critically acclaimed series “Legion” which will return for a third season on FX in 2019. Her next big screen effort will be Lars Klevberg’s remake of “Child’s Play” where she’ll star opposite Brian Tyree Henry. That film opens in theaters on June 21.

With the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences and ABC still mum on a potential Oscar host (or hosts) this news opens the door slightly that Kroll and Mulaney could jump to the mothership of all awards shows. Their lack of international recognition doesn’t help their chances, but you can still hold out hope.

The 2019 Independent Spirit Awards will aired live on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET on Saturday, February 23.