The world of pop culture is abuzz with excitement as Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers prepare to host the annual Las Culturistas Culture Awards on June 17 at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo and Peacock. This unique event, which began as a live gathering five years ago, has evolved into a televised spectacle that honors the year’s most memorable and quirky moments in music, film, and television.
The awards show is a testament to the duo’s love for pop culture and their ability to blend humor, performances, and unapologetic specificity. It’s a variety show that caters to die-hard consumers of music, film, and television, particularly reality TV enthusiasts. The ceremony is a spoof of traditional awards shows, packed with song-and-dance numbers and a celebration of queer obscura.
The Magic of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards is not your typical awards ceremony. It’s a love letter to pop culture that skewers the seriousness of traditional awards shows. The ceremony features a mix of song-and-dance numbers, topical jokes, and a celebration of the year’s most obscure moments. The opening monologue, for instance, includes a full-on song-and-dance number that sets the tone for the rest of the show.
Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers have a clear vision for the show. They aim to pack the opening moments with pure entertainment, checking all the boxes with a light tasting menu of topical jokes and a song-and-dance number that ties it all together. The duo has studied various awards shows and created an amalgamation of the best elements, making the Las Culturistas Culture Awards a unique and entertaining experience.
The Best of Pop Culture
Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers have a deep appreciation for pop culture, and they have shared some of their favorite moments. Matt Rogers praised Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” music video, calling it the best of 2026. He admired Grande’s acting skills and the video’s ability to harken back to another time. Bowen Yang, on the other hand, highlighted Alysa Liu’s performance of “Stateside”praising her fun and energetic exhibition.
The duo also shared their love for live performances, with Matt Rogers praising Kelly Preston’s iconic performance in Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” and Bowen Yang admiring Cher’s timeless performance of “Let Me Entertain You”. They also discussed their favorite music videos, with Matt Rogers praising Mariah Carey’s “Honey” and Kelly Clarkson’s “Behind These Hazel Eyes”.
The Deep Cuts
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards is not just about the big names in pop culture. The duo also celebrates the deep cuts, the obscure moments that only true pop culture enthusiasts would appreciate. They discussed the Barbara Cook Kennedy Center Honors, praising the performances of Sutton Foster, Patti LuPone, and Audra McDonald. They also highlighted the Best Tony Awards performance of all time, Jennifer Holiday’s performance of “It’s All Over” from Dreamgirls.
The duo also shared their love for comedy, with Bowen Yang praising the SNL sketch “Deep House Dish” and Matt Rogers highlighting the best of Jane Krakowski in 30 Rock. They also discussed their favorite girl group parodies, with Bowen Yang praising Girls5Eva and Matt Rogers highlighting Josie and the Pussycats.
The North Star
At the heart of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards is the deep friendship between Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. The duo has synchronized their sensibilities over the years, creating a unique dynamic that resonates with their audience. They shared their love for Tracey Ullman’s impersonation of Helen Mirren, calling it a moment of alignment that reminds them of the deepness and specificity of their friendship.
The duo also discussed the importance of community and support in the world of pop culture. They highlighted the significance of passive contacts, people you would see out and about, and the role they play in fostering creativity and acceptance. They emphasized the importance of showing up for people you care about, a value that they have embodied throughout their careers.
The Las Culturistas Culture Awards is more than just an awards show. It’s a celebration of pop culture, a testament to the deep friendship between Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, and a reminder of the importance of community and support in the world of entertainment.
