She wasn’t the first to bring up the dire situation in Australia. Early on, Russell Crowe won best actor in a limited series for “The Loudest Voice.” But he wasn’t there to accept: He opted to remain at his home in Australia out of concern for the fires. Instead, he sent a message that was read on his behalf by Jennifer Aniston.

“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate-change-based,” he wrote. “We need to act based on science, move our global work force to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way we all have a future.”

Later, Ellen DeGeneres, accepting the Carol Burnett Award for lifetime achievement, began by saying: “Australia, I love you; my heart goes out to everyone who is suffering in Australia, all the animals that we’ve lost.”

And winning one of the final awards of the night, best actor in a drama for his twisted turn in “Joker,” Joaquin Phoenix said he didn’t want to rock the boat, but that the boat had already been rocked.