Palestinian-American stand-up comedian Mohammed “Mo” Amer, who was behind Netflix’s critically acclaimed comedy series “Mo,” will host the 86th annual Peabody Awards ceremony on May 31 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
“Heated Rivalry,” “The Pitt,” “Adolescence” and more are among the 34 winners chosen by the Peabody Awards jury to win this year’s prizes. That includes programs selected in the fields of entertainment, documentary, news, podcast/radio, arts, children’s and youth, immersive and interactive media, and public service programming. Go here for the full list.
“Mo Amer is the comedic voice we need now. His comedy is bold and refreshing because he mines his own personal, heartfelt experiences as a refugee and blends them with cultural commentary that is powerful, moving, and very funny. We can’t think of a better host for a night dedicated to the most impactful stories in media,” said Peabody executive director Jeffrey P. Jones in a statement.
Besides the Peabody winners, this year’s show will honor Amy Poehler with the Peabody career achievement award, Sterlin Harjo will be given the Peabody trailblazer award, James L. Brooks will be honored with the Peabody industry icon award and PBS Kids will be recognized with the Peabody institutional award.
“It’s a true honor to host the 86th Annual Peabody Awards. The Peabodys have always celebrated storytelling that cuts through the noise and speaks to something real,” Amer said in a statement. “As someone who grew up feeling unseen in a lot of spaces, I know firsthand how powerful those stories can be. I’m excited to celebrate the artists, journalists, and creators who continue to move culture forward — and tell stories that can make us laugh, think, cry, or see the world a little differently.”
This reps Amer’s first time hosting the Peabodys. “Mo,” named one of the best shows in 2022 and 2025 by The New York Times and New York Magazine, also landed Amer a Gotham Award, AFI Honors, and a Television Academy Honor. The standup’s three acclaimed Netflix comedy specials include “Mo Amer: The Vagabond,” “Mo Amer: Mohammed in Texas,” and “Mo Amer: Wild World.” He has also been seen in “Black Adam,” Hulu’s “Ramy” and the upcoming Season 2 of Apple TV’s “Bad Monkey.”
As for this year’s Peabodys, Liz Kelly and ROK Productions will produce. Peabody noted that this year’s event will be structured differently than in years past, “moving away from a traditional awards show structure and toward a more unified celebration of the winners. Honorees will be grouped around shared thematic categories, creating a narrative arc that carries through the evening.”
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