Award Recipient

Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is excited to announce that stand-up comedian, writer, and actress Atsuko Okatsuka will be hosting the 2026 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE on Sunday, March 8. The ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 2:00 PM Pacific on the WGAW’s YouTube Channel (@writersguildwest) and at awards.wga.org.

"I’m honored to host the WGA Awards!” said Okatsuka. “Writers shape everything we watch, quote, and pretend we thought of ourselves. Now that’s power. They deserve the world! And at the very least, me hosting the award show."

Okatsuka—who recently embarked on The Big Bowl tour hitting multiple U.S. cities—is an award-winning comedian and actress with one-of-a-kind humor, boundless energy, and infectious charm. The New York Times named her special The Intruder the Best Debut of 2022, and her highly anticipated second stand-up special, Father, recently premiered on Hulu and internationally on Disney+, quickly becoming one of the most talked about specials to debut on the Hularious brand. 

“The Writers Guild Awards are an opportunity for writers to step back from their day-to-day work and celebrate each other’s achievements,” said WGAW President Michele Mulroney. “We’re thrilled to have an incredible performer like Atsuko hosting this wonderful event.”

Benn Fleishman and Augie Max Vargas are returning as Executive Producers on the 2026 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show. A seven-time Emmy nominee, Fleishman has worked on the Academy Awards, the SAG Awards, the Miss America Pageant, and the past two Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles shows. Vargas is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has worked on the Academy Awards, Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, the Film Independent Spirit Awards, and the 2025 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show. Also returning is Talent Producer Deborah Byrd with over 20 years of experience having previously worked on the BET Awards, the Espys, the Tonys, and the 2025 Writers Guild Awards.