In an alternate reality, Taylor Swift could have hosted the show at the 2023 CMA Awards!
During the 57th annual CMA Awards on Wednesday night, returning hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning came prepared with plenty of jokes — and Swift and Travis Kelce’s new romance was certainly not on the table.
The duo’s opening monologue in Nashville included jokes about Jelly Roll’s face tattoos, Manning’s sports family and some singing between the two. But they started it all with the hilarity of Kelce and Swift.
“We’re back and you know what that means,” Manning, 47, told the crowd at the start of their monologue.
“Yeah, Travis and Taylor weren’t available,” Bryan, 47, replied.
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And the jokes kept flying for the quarterback and the country music star as they continued to throw punches at each other throughout the night.
“Luke, do you know the difference between Taylor Swift and the New York Jets,” Manning asked before his co-host replied, “Uh, Taylor can sell out a stadium.”
“You did it,” Manning replied. “I asked you to do that punchline, Luke, so I wouldn’t get in trouble.”
The New York Jets organization doesn’t seem to have taken the joke lightly on X (formerly Twitter), where the franchise is finally clapped back in Manning with a picture of what appeared to be a sold-out MetLife Stadium.
“talking about Peyton,” the team wrote.
Bryan and Manning then warmed up the crowd for what would end up being a night of memorable performances from the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, K. Michelle, Post Malone, Tanya Tucker, and more.
Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning speak on stage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards.
Terry Wyatt/Getty
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The fun extended beyond the laughs on stage, as Jelly Roll rocked the show by surprising the audience with a special appearance by Wynonna Judd.
For his role in the annual village festivities, the rising star, 38, performed his hit single “Need a Favor” while being joined by Judd, 59, in an updated rendition meant for two. The duo played together because the stage itself was decorated like a church.
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Judd later spoke about the performance to reporters in the CMA Awards press room. “It was too much. He’s so powerful and great at what he does,” she said. “I was so nervous and so excited.”
“I don’t know how many more of these moments I have left, but I can tell you — that was definitely a top 10 for me,” Judd added. “Jelly Roll is a force to be reckoned with.”
The 2023 CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 8 at 8:00 PM ET on ABC and stream exclusively on Hulu the following day.
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Source: HIS Education