Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel has officially apologized for remaining onstage during “Abbott Elementary” creator Quinta Brunson’s Emmys acceptance speech.
The writer was a guest on Kimmel’s show Wednesday night, and they addressed the failed gag, which has become a topic of contention on the internet since it happened. Brunson interrupted the host’s monologue during her appearance to make a point.
“I have a little favor to ask,” she said. “So you know how when you win an Emmy you only have 45 seconds to do an acceptance speech, which is like not that much time. And then … you get less time because someone does a dumb comedy bit that goes on a bit too long?”
“I have heard of that happening in previous years,” Kimmel replied.
“Well, I was wondering, or no, more demanding if I could I have a couple of extra minutes to thank, you know, a couple of extra people,” Brunson continued. Kimmel stepped aside and let her speak.
Later on, the host made a more formal apology.
“That was a dumb comedy bit that we thought it would be funny,” Kimmel explained, per NPR. “Then people got upset, they said I stole your moment. And maybe I did. I’m very sorry if I did do that. I did do that, actually. … The last thing I would ever want to do is upset you, because I think so much of you. I think you know that. I hope you know that.”
“It’s very kind of you to say that,” Brunson responded. “Honestly I had a great night. It was a good night and a good time.”
Kimmel mentioned how he’s been to the Emmys multiple times and never won, while Brunson noted how she’s only attended once and won.
The late-night host said again, “I was dumb, and I’ve got news – It’s gonna happen again.”
Kimmel was apologizing for lying on the stage, pretending to be passed out drunk, during Brunson’s entire acceptance speech after being dragged there by actor Will Arnett. The “Abbott Elementary” creator said right afterward that she wasn’t offended by the gag, but the internet was appalled on her behalf.
“I don’t know of a better example of invasive white male privilege than Jimmy Kimmel laying in the middle of Quinta Brunson’s #Emmys2022 speech. He had no business/right to take up space in the way that he did,” one person wrote.
“Jimmy Kimmel owes Quinta an apology but the messed up part is every image of her accepting her award has his ass in it,” a third person shared. “White men really are insufferable.”