Emmys Host Nate Bargatze Jokes About TV Industry Struggles in Hilarious Attempt to Shorten Acceptance Speeches

LOS ANGELES (AP) — This year’s Emmy Awards kicked off with Nate Bargatze at the helm. The stand-up comedian, known for his laid-back humor, delivered a series of playful jabs at the television industry.

The evening opened with a skit featuring Bargatze as Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of television. He was joined on stage by familiar faces from “Saturday Night Live,” including Mikey Day, Bowen Yang, and James Austin Johnson. The comedian added a whimsical touch by suggesting that future TV shows would attract viewers watching on their phones.

“We create a world where the finest artists craft stories that millions watch while on the toilet,” he quipped. His approachable style, typical of his stand-up sets, had the audience laughing in no time.

Bargatze humorously remarked that this 77th Emmy ceremony isn’t as monumental as others but holds a special place for him. He confessed, “I’m a stand-up comedian. I’ve not had a ton of success in Hollywood, but everything else is going great.”

His jokes reflected the oddities of television today. In a sketch, he suggested future channels would feature shows about “hoarders” and bizarre interests like couch cushion eating. When asked if there would be a network just for white people, he cleverly replied, “Why, CBS of course.”

Bargatze also touched on the rise of streaming services, humorously stating they would create “real-life murderers” as stars. This reflects a broader trend in media where unscripted content, particularly true crime, has gained immense popularity. According to a recent report, nearly 90% of Americans stream TV content, with true crime shows leading the charts.

The Emmy Awards haven’t had a routine host, unlike the Oscars or Golden Globes, which have popular returning hosts like Conan O’Brien and Nikki Glaser. Bargatze, who wrapped up three Denver shows just days before the Emmys, has become one of the most sought-after comedians, selling over 1.2 million tickets in 2024 alone.

To keep acceptance speeches concise, he creatively announced he would donate $100,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs, deducting $1,000 for every second a winner went over the time limit. Seth Rogen’s speech, however, kept it brief, raising the donation to $106,000. Bargatze joked, “Don’t go wild; I’m paying for this.”

As the night progressed, the total donation amount fluctuated dramatically. It started at $106,000 but dropped to a negative $60,000 by the end. After “The Pitt” won for Best Drama, CBS contributed $100,000, and Bargatze promised an additional $250,000, boosting the final tally significantly.

This year’s Emmys show reflected both the evolving landscape of television and the humorous lens through which we can analyze it. With comedians like Bargatze leading the way, the future of awards shows seems bright and entertaining.

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