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Applause, like thunder.
The moment Helen Hunt appeared, the entire audience rose to their feet in applause, welcoming her in the most grand and enthusiastic way possible, with even whistles and cheers echoing through the venue.
The reason was clear—
Everyone, to some degree, had experienced the struggles Helen had faced: being told "you're not pretty enough," "you're not strong enough," "you're not good-looking enough," and so on. These criticisms of appearance would lead to repeated rejections during auditions, which also explained the booming plastic surgery industry in Los Angeles. People couldn't help but start doubting themselves.
Yet, Helen had always stayed true to herself, and after enduring countless hardships, she finally achieved her shining moment.
Since 1996, Helen had earned an unbelievable four consecutive Emmy Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy for her stellar performance in *Mad About You*. At the same time, she also claimed the Oscar for Best Actress for *As Good as It Gets*.
Triumph after tribulation.
It wasn't until last year when *Mad About You* came to an end that Helen did not receive another nomination this year, giving other actors a chance.
At this very moment, as Helen stepped onto the stage, the applause, the lights, and the cheers were both a tribute and a source of inspiration. No one was exempt from admiration.
Helen, with a smile, stood quietly in front of the microphone, calmly accepting the gaze of the entire audience. She exuded a subtle yet radiant elegance and composure—a unique aura that time had polished and refined, presenting an alternative interpretation of "beauty."
The applause gradually subsided.
"When we talk about TV series, we always focus on the characters that accompany the audience day in and day out, caring deeply about their lives, fates, and experiences, but we often overlook the surprises and unexpected moments in life. These are the strawberries on the cake."
"In TV shows, these roles are played by guest stars."
"Yes, they don't go through the endless, mind-numbing busy days like the regular cast members."
"Yes, they simply appear for a brief moment, yet effortlessly steal the audience's attention, once again proving that all humans are inherently drawn to novelty."
Ha ha, ha ha ha!
The entire audience burst into laughter.
Clearly, this was irony, and Helen injected her lively energy into the awards presentation, in her own unique way.
"Yes, you're laughing out loud because of my words, but when they show up, you'll forget all about me."
"But."
Ha ha ha, the laughter grew wild.
Helen herself paused briefly, a gentle smile spreading across her face.
"But I still love them."
"Because they are willing to take time out of their busy schedules to come and guest-star in a role, bringing us laughter and then walking away gracefully with a paycheck."
Ha! The audience roared with laughter!
"Because they are willing to use their performances to bring a catalyst to our show, reigniting our passion before we grow tired of our own work and lives."
"Hey, I think you already know by now, I'm here to present the award for Best Guest Actor."
"Here are the nominees for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series."
Filled with humor, sincerity, and warmth, the big screen began showing clips of the five nominees' performances amidst laughter and applause.
The echoes lingered.
One had to admit that Helen was truly remarkable, radiating a unique charisma from head to toe. Standing on stage, she was in her element, skillfully captivating the audience's attention, proving just how powerful her presence was even during a simple awards presentation.
Even though all eyes were already on the big screen, the temple hall was still filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, completely devoid of the anticipated tension and anxiety.
Of course, this perfectly matched the overall vibe of the guest star category—not the cutthroat, life-or-death kind, but something more laid-back.
However, a lack of tension doesn't mean a lack of intensity. This year's nominees were still outstanding, especially in the comedy category, which continues to be in its golden age. Excellent comedies are emerging one after another, all with the potential to become classics. In the competition for ratings, every show goes all out when inviting guest stars.
As a result, countless big names have made cameo appearances, and the chemistry these guest stars bring has raised the bar for acting.
This year is no exception.
The five nominees are:
Carl Reiner, *Beggars and Choosers*.
Anthony LaPaglia, *Frasier*.
William H. Macy, *Sports Night*.
Tom Selleck, *Friends*.
Anson Wood, *Friends*.
The competition is fierce.
Carl Reiner and Anthony LaPaglia are legendary Hollywood supporting actors. William H. Macy and Tom Selleck are solid veterans, and then there's Anson, who burst onto the scene like a comet.
This list of nominees perfectly spans three generations of actors—veteran, middle-aged, and new.
With each nominee's introduction, the room became lively, even more so than during the earlier supporting actor award presentations. The main reason was that every guest star was a big name, with recognition and popularity exceeding that of the supporting roles. Carl Reiner and Anthony LaPaglia had both won this award before and had been nominated multiple times, so the temple hall was buzzing with excitement.
Even the most inexperienced nominee, Anson, was benefiting from this—
Whistles and applause weren't because of his popularity but because, among the legendary veterans and established stars, his unfamiliar, fresh face stood out like a wedding crasher—a surprising delight. He was the guest star among the guest stars, like a dream becoming reality, adding a touch of humor.
When Anson's clip from *Friends* finished playing on the big screen, the live broadcast camera zoomed in on him. His cold, handsome face appeared emotionless on the screen, but his bright eyes looked directly into the camera as he gave a slight nod.
Mysterious. Dashing. Confident. Distant.
Amid the noise of the hall, his unique aura radiated from within, instantly standing out and displaying a completely different presence from the other four nominees. For a brief moment, the audience was a bit dazed—
Contrast. Difference.
The impact was palpable—clearly, Anson was different from anyone else.
The atmosphere reached a climax in another way.
So, who would win the award?
Though it didn't seem all that important, the award ceremony needed a conclusion. Would it go to Tom Selleck or William H. Macy?
Snap.
Helen opened the envelope in her hand and, without pausing, glanced at the card—
The answer was right there.
Anson, too, was a little curious.
Although he was one of the nominees, he hadn't really considered himself in the running. He figured he had the smallest chance of winning—probably not his turn.
In Anson's mind, he cast his vote for Tom Selleck, who left a lasting impression as Monica's ex-boyfriend in *Friends*.
If it were William H. Macy, that would be a slight upset, but still reasonable.
Anson's most vivid memory of Macy was from the classic series *Shameless*, where Macy played Frank, but from another perspective, *Sports Night* was the breakout show for writer Aaron Sorkin, receiving wide acclaim, especially among industry professionals.
Boom, boom, boom.
The drumbeats from the live band grew faster and faster, like a torrential downpour beating against the heart, making it hard to breathe. All the blood rushed to the heart, and even if you weren't nervous, you could feel the excitement and adrenaline surging.
Then.
Helen's voice reached his ears—
"And the winner is, Anson Wood, *Friends*."
End of Chapter One.