The Emmy Awards this year had a lot more going on than shiny dresses and top-notch entertainment. The night became a stage for addressing the heated political climate and how cultural institutions are under attack both on-screen and off, even if some of these bold statements were bleeped out!
One of the highlights came when Hannah Einbinder, who snagged the Emmy for supporting actress in a comedy for her role in “Hacks”, dropped some serious truth bombs during her acceptance speech, shouting “F**k ICE” and condemning the government’s treatment of immigrants. She didn’t stop there; she also brought up Palestine and stood out amongst her peers who sported pins calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Megan Stalter, also from “Hacks”, was seen carrying a bag that boldly stated “Cease Fire”.
Following this impactful moment, the writing team from HBO’s “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” took the stage to accept their award for writing in a variety series. Senior writer Daniel O’Brien expressed a blend of gratitude and concern, stating how pleased they were to be the last remaining type of show that still gets to exist in today’s atmosphere.
Television Academy President Cris Abrego took time to honor the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which received the Governors Award last week. He pointed out the unfortunate news that Congress had cut its federal funding, leading to the imminent closure of CPB, which was met with resounding boos from the audience.
Abrego emphasized the role of CPB as the key support system for American public media, providing essential content ranging from “Sesame Street” to “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood”. He stated, “In many small towns, these stations didn’t just provide culture; they were vital lifelines and emergency alert systems.”
He also highlighted storytelling’s power stating, “When our headlines are filled with division, stories have the ability to bring people together. Television and its creators do more than reflect society — they influence culture. During challenging times, they remind us what’s crucial.”
As the awards rolled on, Bryan Cranston decided to make waves by addressing the recent controversial decision by West Point to cancel the Sylvanus Thayer Award for Tom Hanks, a known critic of President Trump. Though the school didn’t give any official reason, many viewed the cancellation as politically charged.
Cranston quipped on the essence of a great talk show being the ability to spark discussions with various types of guests, remarking that the line-up could range from the brilliant Neil deGrasse Tyson to the more controversial Tom Hanks.
The Emmy for talk show then went to Late Night With Stephen Colbert, which is scheduled for cancellation next year as CBS winds down its season. Some speculated that Colbert’s critical stance towards Trump might also be a factor in the show’s end, despite financial reasons cited.
In his acceptance speech, Colbert reflected on how the show, which started with themes of love, had grown into one focused on loss, saying, “It’s only when you sense you might lose something that you realize how much you love it.” He expressed hope that this wouldn’t mark the end of the late-night talk show tradition.
This story first appeared in Los Angeles Times.
