David Tennant takes swipes at AI and Trump in BAFTAs opening monologue

Featuring jokes about 'Saltburn,' the acting industry, and the upcoming presidential race.
 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
A man stands at a lectern on an awards show stage, speaking into a microphone.
Watch Next

After arriving with a dog in tow, BAFTAs 2024 host David Tennant gave a six-minute monologue cracking jokes about Saltburn, the acting industry, and the upcoming presidential race.

"It's obviously been a tumultuous year for so many in the film industry with the writers' strike and the actors' strike, but I've been chatting to BAFTA and asking, 'Is the future for screenwriters and actors looking rosy?'" Tennant says in the clip above. "And I can tell you, they said 'Aye!' Although they do spell that "AI", so I don't..."

A short while later Tennant also gets a solid dig in about the upcoming U.S. elections.

"Poor Things, ladies and gentlemen," he says, introducing the movie, "where a child's brain is put into an adult's body. And later this year, one of those may even be re-elected president."

You can see the full list of BAFTAs 2024 winners here.

Topics Celebrities

Mashable Image
Sam Haysom

Sam Haysom is the Deputy UK Editor for Mashable. He covers entertainment and online culture, and writes horror fiction in his spare time.


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!