LOS ANGELES – Nate Bargatze‘s hosting debut at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards โon โSunday proved a steadyโฃ hand guiding a ceremony thatโ balanced celebratory moments with โคpointed acknowledgements of currentโค events. The comedian navigated the three-hour show at the โคPeacock Theater โwith a down-to-earth style, even incorporating a running gag stemming from his pre-show pledge to donate $100,000 โto the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for everyโฃ minute the show ran over time – ultimately contributing a total of $350,000.
The evening wasn’t solely focused on lightheartedness. Academy Chair and CEO โขCris Abrego used his platform to address recent political challenges to public broadcasting, stating, “Congress had voted to defund it and silence yet another cultural institution.” He emphasized โขthe unifying power of storytelling, notably “in times of cultural regression,” and championed shows that challenge the status quo, declaring, “In a moment like this, neutrality is not enoughโฆ Culture does not come from the top down, it rises fromโค the bottom up.”
Highlights included a warmly received โreunion of “Everybody โขLoves Raymond” stars ray Romano โand Bradโ Garrett,who presented the award for comedy series. Jennifer Coolidge’s presentation of the award for supporting actress in a comedy was particularly memorable,deliveringโค a rambling,characteristically offbeat monologue about a role she’d played – “I played a horny grandmother having a colonoscopy during a power outage and I had to play a lot of levels” – and lamenting her removal โฃfrom a groupโค chat with fellow nominees.
Hannah Einbinder won the โaward for supporting actress in a comedyโ series for โข”Hacks.” While Bargatze’s charity gimmick initially created pressureโ for concise โฃacceptance speeches,โ the show eventually settledโค into a natural rythm, with โขwinners delivering โขheartfelt remarks.