Logies 2023 as it happened: Sonia Kruger wins Gold in a night of upsets

After another marathon broadcast, Daryl Somers took to the stage well after 11pm. Somers was dusted off to present the award, the former Hey Hey It’s Saturday! presenter indulging in a too-long monologue before finally getting it underway.

If we’re being honest, and it’s nearly midnight so we must be, Daryl’s entire bit was much like his career, a bit awkward and something we’d rather not discuss in depth.

After a long but mostly enjoyable ceremony once again the Logies couldn’t get out of its own way, fixating on the past, rather than embracing the future. Somers’ entire speech was tiresome, unnecessary, and (the biggest crime), just not that funny.

Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for, Kruger’s golden win and a win for Channel Seven too. To her credit, the 57-year-old was quick to pay tribute to the powers that be.“I’d like to thank God, AKA [Seven CEO]James Warburton, who had the genius idea of stealing an idea from Channel Nine [The Voice] and making it better,” she joked.

“I’d also like to thank my family, whose names escape me, and if my dad was here, he would just be so proud.”

Kruger was initially introduced to Australian audiences in the role of Tina Sparkle in Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 breakthrough hit, Strictly Ballroom, and that appearance morphed into a long and successful career in TV.

It’s often become an easy gag that Sonia Kruger hosts everything in TV, and during her acceptance speech, Kruger spoke warmly about the value of presenting.

“I read a sign backstage that said, ‘Hosting is not about what you do, but how you make other people feel,’ and you have made me feel so good.”

Kruger’s career has not been without controversy. In 2016, during an appearance on the morning show Today, Kruger called for a complete ban on Muslims entering Australia, in agreement with an opinion piece by commentator Andrew Bolt.

The statement triggered widespread debate and condemnation. Fast forward to 2023 and Kruger has won the Gold Logie, handed out to the most popular personality on Australian television.

Kruger kept her acceptance speech short and sweet, perhaps conscious of the long run time, signing off with a simple: “Thank you so much, I don’t know what else to say.”

Brammall thanks everybody who made the show and implores his parents to not fall asleep as they watch along at home.

Colin from Accounts is emerging as the big winner from the Logies, sweeping the biggest categories. It’s a massive result for the Brammall/Dyer powerhouse duo.