Mohammed “Mo” Amer, the Palestinian-American stand-up comedian behind Netflix’s acclaimed comedy series “Mo,” will host the 86th Peabody Awards ceremony on May 31 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
“Heat Rivalry,” “The Pitt” and “Adolescent” are among the 34 films selected by Peabody Awards judges to win this year’s award. This includes selected programs in the areas of entertainment, documentaries, news, podcasts/radio, arts, children’s and youth, immersive and interactive media, and public service programming. Visit here for the complete list.
“Mo Amer is the voice of comedy we need right now. His comedy is bold and refreshing as he mines his own personal and heartfelt experiences as a refugee and blends them with powerful, moving, and highly entertaining cultural commentary. I can’t think of a better host for a night featuring some of the most influential stories in media,” Peabody Executive Director Jeffrey P. Jones said in a statement.
In addition to the Peabody winners, this year’s show will also honor Amy Poehler with the Peabody Career Achievement Award, Starlin Harjo with the Peabody Pioneer Award, James L. Brooks with the Peabody Industry Icon Award and PBS Kids with the Peabody Group Award.
“It is truly an honor to host the 86th Peabody Awards. The Peabody family has always celebrated storytelling that cuts through the noise and speaks to the real thing,” Ammar said in a statement. “As someone who grew up feeling unseen in many spaces, I know firsthand how powerful those stories are. I’m excited to celebrate the artists, journalists, and creators who continue to move culture forward. And I’m excited to tell stories that can make us laugh, think, cry, and see the world a little differently.”
This is the first time Ammar has hosted Peabodies. He won for “Mo” and was nominated again this year. Mo was named one of the best shows of 2022 and 2025 by The New York Times and New York Magazine, and Amer also won a Gotham Award, an AFI Honor Award, and a Television Academy Award. The stand-up’s three acclaimed Netflix comedy specials include “Mo Amer: The Vagabond,” “Mo Amer: The Vagabond,” “Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas,” and “Mo Amer: Wild World.” He also appears in “Black Adam,” Hulu’s “Ramy” and the upcoming second season of Apple TV’s “Bad Monkey.”
This year’s Peabodies will be produced by Liz Kelly and ROK Productions. Peabody said this year’s event will have a different structure than in past years, saying, “We are moving away from the traditional awards ceremony structure and toward a more unified celebration of honorees. Winners will be grouped based on common thematic categories, creating narrative arcs that will continue throughout the evening.”
