Nate Bargatze Addresses Criticism of Emmys โDonation Bit, Says Idea Came From Network โขRequest
Los โAngeles – Comedian Nate Bargatze is defending teh donation-based time limit he โฃimplemented during his hosting of the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, after the bit receivedโฃ widespread criticism for reportedly rushing winners and creating an โawkward atmosphere.Bargatze revealed on his podcast that the concept originated from a request โฃby the network to find a โคsolution for shortening the broadcast.
As part of the experiment,โ Bargatze โannounced atโฃ the start of the show he wouldโ deduct money from โคa planned $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for each second a winner exceeded the 45-second โtime โขlimit for acceptance speeches, and add money if speeches were shorter. A counter displaying the fluctuating donation amount appearedโข on screen throughoutโฃ the night.
By the end of the evening, Bargatzeโข declared the final โขcount “embarrassing” and announced CBS would donate $100,000, and he would personally donate $250,000, bringing the total contribution to $350,000.He later confirmed on his podcastโค that he followed through โwith the donation.
Theโ bit was largely met with negative reactions on social media and in reviews. Time’s Judy Berman wrote the “ill-conceived gimmick weighed down” โthe evening, while Variety’s Aramide Tinubu noted winners appeared “flustered and rushed, almost racing through their big moment.”
Bargatzeโฃ explained on his podcast that the idea “cameโ from a real place of heart” and that heโฃ genuinely attemptedโ to “reallyโฃ find a solution” to the show’s length. He acknowledged the negative feedback, stating, “y’all don’t want any of thisโฃ messed with.”
despite the controversy, the broadcast concluded in approximately three hours, adhering to the scheduled runtime.
