Challengers might have been snubbed by the Academy Awards and tonight’s SAG Awards, but nevertheless the pulsing sports drama was definitely on some attendees’ minds — namely, that of The Good Place alums Ted Danson and William Jackson Harper, who engaged in their own jostling love triangle competing for host Kristen Bell‘s attention.
The homage to the Luca Guadagnino tennis film came after the cast of A Complete Unknown — Timothée Chalamet, Monica Barbaro, Elle Fanning and Edward Norton — introduced a clip of the film. As Bell attempted to segue, she was persistently interrupted by Danson, who claimed to have something important to say.
His point of contention? That Harper said Bell bestowed upon him the distinction of being her favorite co-star. (A missed opportunity to pan to her Nobody Wants This co-star Adam Brody here? Perhaps.)
“Did you kiss her?” Danson demanded of Harper.
Attempting to make peace, Bell planted herself in the middle of their seats, exclaiming, “Listen to me. This is not a challenge.” The tongue-in-cheek reference then, naturally, accompanied a needle drop of the film’s signature techno score, the brainchild of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
“Yes, it is,” Danson and Harper maintained, making moves to kiss — the bit mimicking the pop culture phenomenon of Zendaya’s Tashi orchestrating a makeout sesh between Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor’s characters.
Bell quickly protested, jumping from her seat to redirect the conversation, as Danson and Harper continued with the steamy moment, seemingly tussling in the background as Bell covered from the camera view what exactly was going on. Ugh, give the people what they want!
The joke came after the SAG Awards’ introduction featured a clip set in the Hacks universe, playing up the idea of an alternate reality in which the HBO comedy’s Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) brainstorms her approach to hosting the actors’ fete. In it, the cast involved laments not being able to do their own Challengers bit with Only Murders in the Building stars Steve Martin and Martin Short (now a first-time SAG awardee for the role).
Held at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles, the 31st annual SAG Awards are currently streaming on Netflix. Click here to follow along with the winners list.
