Jimmy Kimmel faces backlash over 'disrespectful' Emmys bit during Quinta Brunson's speech


And the award for most controversial Emmys joke goes to...
Jimmy Kimmel is facing backlash for a bit during Monday's Emmy Awards that didn't go over well with fans of Abbott Elementary. The show's creator, Quinta Brunson, won for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. But Will Arnett presented the award with a bit that involved dragging Kimmel on stage and pretending he had passed out from drinking too much. "This is like the thirteenth time in a row that he's lost, and he just got into the skinny margaritas back there," Arnett joked.
It was a fairly typical awards show bit, except that when Brunson's name was read and she came up on stage, Kimmel remained there for her entire speech. "Jimmy, wake up, I won!" Brunson said, but Kimmel committed to the bit and never got up.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The joke quickly drew backlash online, with some at home arguing it was in poor taste because it overshadowed Brunson's big moment. "Jimmy Kimmel should have left the stage during Quinta's speech," HuffPost's Philip Lewis tweeted. "Highly disrespectful."
But Brunson herself didn't seem to mind, telling reporters backstage the bit "didn't bother me that much" and praising Kimmel for supporting her show — though she noted, "I don't know what the Internet thinks."
"Tomorrow, maybe I'll be mad at him," she continued, joking, "I'm going to be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. I don't know. We'll see what happens."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Critics' choice: Three takes on tavern dining
Feature A second Minetta Tavern, A 1946 dining experience, and a menu with a mission
By The Week US
-
Film reviews: Warfare and A Minecraft Movie
Feature A combat film that puts us in the thick of it and five misfits fall into a cubic-world adventure
By The Week US
-
What to know before lending money to family or friends
the explainer Ensure both your relationship and your finances remain intact
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US