Comedian and late night show host Jimmy Kimmel has been accused of “white privilege” after performing a skit at the Emmy Awards Ceremony on Monday night.
The skit took place during the award presentation for Writing for a Comedy Series at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on Monday night. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host was dragged onstage while laying on his back by fellow actor and award presenter Will Arnett.
“Jimmy couldn’t be here tonight,” an out-of-breath Arnett told the audience. “This is like the 13th time in a row that he’s lost.”
Kimmel, who lost to Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, has been a nominee in the Outstanding Variety Series category every year since 2012.
“You okay there, buddy?” Arnett asked the inert Kimmel before telling the audience, “He really didn’t want to miss this.”
After Arnett announced writer and creator Quinta Brunson won for her show Abbott Elementary, Kimmel remained in place as Brunson took the stage.
Where’s Will Smith when you need him? 👋🏾
Jimmy Kimmel throws temper tantrum for losing during Quinta Brunson’s Emmy Win 🏆 Congratulations Queen #Emmys2022 #AbbottElementary pic.twitter.com/FACTwfM4VX— CHURCH GYAL 🪩 (@mel_b_hood) September 13, 2022
Once the first-time Emmy winner accepted the award, she leaned over Kimmel and said, “Jimmy, I won!”
Kimmel proceeded to lie onstage during the entirety of Brunson’s speech. Once the speech concluded, Arnett dragged the late night host offstage.
Twitter users expressed their anger over the comedian’s stunt, claiming it took away from Brunson’s moment in the spotlight.
Glen Weldon, host of National Public Radio’s (NPR) Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast tweeted, “BREAKING: White bro literally won’t move out of the damn way to let the black woman have her moment alone. #Emmys”
BREAKING: White bro literally won’t move out of the damn way to let the black woman have her moment alone. #Emmys
— Glen Weldon (@ghweldon) September 13, 2022
“I really don’t know how to define white, male privilege more clearly than Jimmy Kimmel not getting out of the way of Quinta Brunson’s moment. #Emmys2022,” said another user in response to Weldon’s tweet
I really don't know how to define white, male privilege more clearly than Jimmy Kimmel not getting out of the way of Quinta Brunson's moment. #Emmys2022 https://t.co/YIQrway5cg
— Adam Bonin (@adambonin) September 13, 2022
“Jimmy Kimmel was also part of the stolen moment from Moonlight winning the Oscar…” said New York Times best-selling author George M. Johnson.
Jimmy Kimmel was also part of the stolen moment from Moonlight winning the Oscar… https://t.co/FndDBQmAJu
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) September 13, 2022
Writer and host of the Walk-Ins Welcome podcast Bridget Phetasy tweeted, “Good morning to everyone just realizing Jimmy Kimmel sucks.”
Good morning to everyone just realizing Jimmy Kimmel sucks.
— Bridget Phetasy (@BridgetPhetasy) September 13, 2022
When Brunson was asked about the incident in a press conference, she said, “I know Jimmy Kimmel and I don’t know — I felt like the bit didn’t bother me that much. I don’t know what the internet thinks, but I don’t know.”
