If Australia can’t have Sam Pang hosting Logies night, it can at least get him on stage to win the Gold Logie.
The comedian, TV host and regular panellist on Network 10’s Have You Been Paying Attention? won Most Popular Personality on Australian Television at the ceremony in Sydney just before midnight on Sunday.
For a moment, it appeared the endlessly witty Pang didn’t know what to say.
“I grew up watching television at the feet of my parents. They wouldn’t let me on the couch. But when you’re watching television in this country, you never think you’re going to be on it,” he said.
Pang warned he might forget some of the people he needed to thank in his speech.
“If I do forget you, I’m sorry. Also, maybe you have to think about how much you actually did.”
The gong was presented by Magda Szubanski, in character as Sharon Strzelecki from Kath and Kim. The beloved comedian went into remission from cancer earlier in 2026.
To open the Logies ceremony, the youngest-ever Logies host Robert Irwin fronted a high-energy dance routine and made fun of Dave Hughes and Karl Stefanovic.
Shortly after, Irwin won the Bert Newton Award for Most Popular Presenter, for co-hosting Network 10’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
But the 22-year-old wildlife warrior might be somewhat less popular after foisting slithering reptiles on unsuspecting television personalities, including Denise Scott, Simon Baker, Luke McGregor … and Sam Pang.
The awards ceremony went for about four hours, but when Have You Been Paying Attention? won Best Comedy Entertainment, Pang’s speech was mercifully brief.
“I’ll keep this short because I may have just been bitten by a snake,” he joked.
The late Sam Neill won best lead actor in a drama for The Twelve: Cape Rock Killer, which Heather Mitchell accepted on his behalf.
The beloved actor, best known for his roles in Jurassic Park and Peaky Blinders, died in July aged 78.
Brooke Satchwell won best lead actress in a drama for Stan’s Dear Life, while Deborah Mailman became the first Indigenous Australian inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame.
“I’m overwhelmed with pride to be the first Aboriginal person to receive this honour, and as I look around the room I am so thrilled to see so many of our mob being celebrated tonight,” she said.
A Country Practice was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, as was host and producer Andrew Denton.
The inaugural Bruce McAvaney Award for Most Popular Sports Presenter went to Nine’s Jelena Dokic.
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