Social media isn’t taking kindly to Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to late comedian and actor Bob Newhart at the 2024 Emmy Awards – see what he said and social media’s reaction below.
READ MORE: What now for ‘Shōgun’ after that life-and-death finale?
During the Emmy Awards earlier today, Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to the late Bob Newhart, who died in July at the age of 94. Kimmel’s tribute came immediately after a touching ‘In Memoriam’ segment that included a performance from Jelly Roll.
During the ‘In Memoriam’ segment, the Emmys honoured late actors, comedians, producers and other contributors to the TV industry, including James Earl Jones, Shannen Doherty, Chance Perdomo, Donald Sutherland and more.
Newhart was the final actor to be honoured during the segment, followed by Kimmel walking onstage to talk about the beloved comedian. However, Kimmel’s tribute was deemed to be in poor taste by netizens after several jokes fell flat following Jelly Roll’s touching performance.
“And the Emmy for deceased industry professional we will miss most goes to…” Kimmel started, before adding: “This is the time in the show when we remember the people who’ve we’ve lost over the last year, one I was very lucky to know, and that was Bob Newhart.”
“Those of you who knew Bob, who knew him personally, know he was exactly who you thought he would be. He did not have range. He didn’t need to have range. Bob had what very few comedians have, especially today: A degree in accounting.”
Then, Kimmel turned his attention to Jon Stewart, who won an award earlier in the night: “He had his first Emmy nomination in 1962 and didn’t win one until 2013, 51 years later, which is a great lesson and that lesson is Jon Stewart, you should be ashamed of yourself. You said you were retiring.”
Following the segment, viewers took to X/Twitter to share their thoughts on Kimmel’s tribute.
Sorry. I just don’t find Jimmy Kimmel funny anymore… it wasn’t classy to make that joke or have him come out after such an emotional ‘In Memoriam’ performace by Jelly Roll like that. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/5MYhTY3HMf
— I’m Just a Girl (@HotMessBless) September 16, 2024
Jimmy Kimmel literally just said the worst joke after a sad moment recognizing everyone in the industry who’ve unfortunately passed.
— Ryan (@It_is_Doom) September 16, 2024
Jimmy Kimmel remains not funny. Like that was cringy. Like what are you saying? Ugh, tacky. #Emmy
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) September 16, 2024
That In Memoriam segment was all kinds of weird. First, just play an instrumental because what was this song choice? Then, you just get done with this and go right to a Bob Newhart tribute. Like RIP to those people, but especially Bob. Mess! #Emmys
— Cynthia Toulouse (@Cyn16734) September 16, 2024
i was so naive to think jimmy kimmel wouldn’t joke about losing just cause he’s not hosting
— (5’7) (@ihaveplanned) September 16, 2024
That Jimmy Kimmel joke was so wrong like read the room douche
— Emma⸆⸉ is seeing Gracie!!!! (@basedfangirl171) September 16, 2024
Can we just all collectively agree to force Jimmy Kimmel into retirement.. like every award show he does or says something distasteful #Emmys
— Sasha Fierce is A Creole Banjee Bitch (@theprincessoftx) September 16, 2024
Everything @jimmykimmel said seemed in such poor taste and super awkward. I mean, to joke about the award for best dead person. Then to say we will miss Newhart and no applause for several beats. Delivery seemed off. #Emmys
— Dr. Kelli S. Burns (@KelliSBurns) September 16, 2024
why do we even let him go to these things anymore? he’s not funny. he often says such distasteful things (like this). i have moved past the need for jimmy kimmel. https://t.co/MXQTcyQxlR
— sydney⁸¹ | cillian murphy’s agent ༄ؘ ˑ (@redliptruth) September 16, 2024
Elsewhere at the Emmys, Shōgun and The Bear broke the records for the most wins in their respective fields. The Bear shattered the record for most wins in the Comedy series category, while Shōgun dominated the Drama series category – see the full list of this year’s winners here.
The Bear would win a total of 11 awards including Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeremy Allen White), Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Liza Colón-Zayas) and Best Directing for a Comedy Series. With Colón-Zayas’ win, she also became the first-ever Latina to win in the category. With its 11 wins at the 2024 Emmys, The Bear is now the most-awarded comedy series in a single year at the awards, breaking its previous record of 10 wins.
Shōgun, however, walked away as the night’s biggest winner, taking home a total of 18 awards, including Best Drama Series, Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Best Directing for a Drama Series. With its 18 wins, Shōgun is now the most-awarded series in a single year in Emmys history, as well as the winningest drama series at the Emmys.
The post Emmys 2024: Social media slams Jimmy Kimmel for “distasteful” jokes during Bob Newhart memorial segment appeared first on NME.
