The 76th Emmy Awards have been met with a less than impressed reception from viewers across the globe after it premiered on Sunday evening.
Fronted by Schitt’s Creek duo Dan and Eugene Levy, the annual ceremony arrived to honour the stars on and off-screen in the world of television this past year.
Shogun, Baby Reindeer and The Bear were just three of the big winners on the evening while there were also victories for Jodie Foster, Lamorne Morris, Elizabeth Debicki and many more.
However, while some of the online chatter surrounding the show went to congratulate the winners, others were left unimpressed with the three-hour-long extravaganza.
In fact, several factors led some to switch off the ceremony altogether after branding it “woke” and “boring” following the themes of some of the speeches from performers and the lack of any respite from the actual award-giving.
Actor John Leguizamo was one star who sparked a mixed reaction from audiences at home when he delivered a speech accusing Hollywood actors of “brownface” when he was growing up.
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THE ACADEMY
The Colombian-born actor said that he “didn’t know that people like me could be actors” before taking aim at Marlon Branda, Emiliano Zapata and Al Pacino for the roles they’ve portrayed on-screen.
“Everybody played us except us,” the Hispanic actor said. “I used to watch Star Trek and think, ‘Wow, in the future there ain’t gonna be no Latin people.”
Leguizamo then referenced an article he’d written “complaining” about the supposed lack of roles offered to “LatinX” actors before adding: “What I see here tonight makes me, well, almost happy. And certainly less angry because tonight is among the most diverse list of nominees in Emmys history…
“But we need more stories from excluded groups: Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+ and disabled, and this show tonight has proved our industry is making progress.”
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The Hollywood crowd applauded Leguizamo but it’s safe to say some viewers at home weren’t on-board with being preached to by the actor.
Complaints also rained in over the fact the ceremony’s organisers failed to offer an abundance of pre-recorded sketches or musical numbers to offer levity from the awards.
On X, formerly Twitter, one fan hit out: “Here we go, our woke part of the evening by non-italian actor John Leguizamo. There go the viewers… #Emmys.”
A second added: “I wasn’t going to talk about the #Emmys (the gala was… decent), but what John Leguizamo did was… Man, shut up. You make us Latinos look bad.”
The Leguizamo criticism kept coming from another who penned: “John Leguizamo is sure rich and famous for not having any opportunities and nobody asked you to call us LatinX. #Emmys.”
Elsewhere, a fourth hit out at another segment: “Jesus Christ, more woke BS. I guess Actor and Actress was too gender specific for the snowflakes, so now everyone in the Memoriam was referred to simply as ‘Performer’. #Emmys.”
And a fifth raged: “#Emmys are complete garbage and way too woke. Tried to watch but can’t. They cut the winners off after 30 seconds in their acceptance speeches, but let the woke presenters ramble for 5 minutes. You can tell 1/2 the crowd hates it but puts up with it.”
“This is the most BORING #Emmys EVER!!!!” a sixth hit out before another said: “What a snooze fest of an emmys, like the awards were great and I’m happy with most the results but just production wise the Show was boring. Especially after a home run of an oscars it just felt so flat..no prerecords, no real bits..just some stage vignettes? #emmys.”
https://t.co/RYD1YVnoHT pic.twitter.com/4Qv1Cd9I8Y
— Television Academy (@TelevisionAcad) September 16, 2024
However, there was still some support for the annual awards do and Leguizamo amid the mixed reception.
One person defended the actor: “John Leguizamo out here calling folks out to their face with the receipts.
“(It’s truly awesome that this year is the most diverse list of nominees – however, we’re still not seeing that many wins for people of color.) #Emmys.”
A second echoed: “Loving this speech from John Leguizamo advocating for and celebrating diversity in the television industry. Would love to see him get a meaty role to sink his teeth into in the near future. Guy has been crushing it for years #Emmys.” (sic)
Source Agencies
