Some viewers weren’t happy with Jimmy Kimmel’s In Memoriam joke and tribute to his late good friend Bob Newhart on the 2024 Emmy Awards on September 15.
On the 2024 Emmys, the late-night discuss present host took the stage at L.A. Reside’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles proper after the In Memoriam phase, which honored the celebs we have misplaced this yr, together with James Earl Jones and Shannen Doherty.
Nevertheless, Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to the late Bob Newhart, the TV icon who handed away in July at 94, obtained blended reactions on social media.
Article continues beneath commercial
Jimmy Kimmel Delivers Bob Newhart Tribute Speech
Kimmel took the stage simply because the In Memoriam phase wrapped to honor the late Bob Newhart.
“And the Emmy for deceased business skilled we are going to miss most goes to…” he started earlier than including, “That is the time within the present once we bear in mind the individuals who we have misplaced during the last yr, one I used to be very fortunate to know, and that was Bob Newhart.”
“These of you who knew Bob, who knew him personally, know he was precisely who you thought he could be,” Kimmel continued. “He didn’t have vary. He did not have to have vary. Bob had what only a few comedians have, particularly immediately: A level in accounting.”
Article continues beneath commercial
What Else Did Jimmy Kimmel Say?
Kimmel continued by commending the late “Elf” star, calling him “humble” and a “politely hilarious man” who had been neglected by the Academy for a lot too lengthy.
“He had his first Emmy nomination in 1962 and did not win one till 2013, 51 years later,” the late-night discuss present host famous. “Which is a good lesson and that lesson is Jon Stewart, you ought to be ashamed of your self. You stated you have been retiring.”
He then put all of the jokes apart and honored the late actor by concluding, “Bob Newhart was considered one of our most liked and funniest folks for greater than 60 years, and we are going to miss him for a few years to return.”
Article continues beneath commercial
Jimmy Kimmel Receives Backlash For Bob Newhart Tribute Speech
Whereas some discovered Kimmel’s joke to be humorous, many others discovered it to be “inappropriate” and “tasteless.”
“All the things @jimmykimmel stated appeared in such poor style and tremendous awkward,” one X user wrote. “I imply, to joke concerning the award for greatest lifeless particular person. Then to say we are going to miss Newhart and no applause for a number of beats. Supply appeared off.”
“Sorry. I simply don’t discover Jimmy Kimmel humorous anymore,” one other said. “It wasn’t elegant to make that joke or have him come out after such an emotional ‘In Memoriam’ efficiency by Jelly Roll like that.”
“Can we simply all collectively conform to power Jimmy Kimmel into retirement,” a 3rd expressed. “Like each award present, he does or says one thing distasteful.”
Article continues beneath commercial
Followers Say Jimmy Kimmel Ought to Be ‘Ashamed’
The social media posts continued to pour in, with one consumer expressing, “Why was that tribute from Jimmy Kimmel simply terrible??? He ought to be ashamed. That was arduous to observe.”
“Jimmy Kimmel making a really in poor style,” one other said.
“Hmm, dunno if I like that joke from Jimmy Kimmel,” a 3rd wrote.
Article continues beneath commercial
Jimmy Kimmel Has Acquired Backlash In The Previous
This isn’t the primary time the 56-year-old has obtained backlash for his appearances on award reveals. Earlier this yr, on the 96th Academy Awards, Kimmel cracked a joke about “Iron Man” actor Robert Downey Jr. and his previous struggles with dependancy. The joke quickly went viral, with many viewers disapproving of it.
“Congratulations to [Cillian Murphy’s] costar Robert Downey Jr. That is the very best level of Robert Downey Jr.’s profession,” Kimmel stated because the digital camera panned to the Marvel actor. He then added, “Properly, one of many highest factors.”
Nevertheless it did not cease there as after RDJ touched his nostril, the Oscars host, “Was that too on the nostril or was {that a} drug movement you made?”
RDJ then advised Kimmel to “wrap it up,” however the late-night discuss present host had one final punchline. “Have a look at this man, he is so good-looking, so proficient. He is received each award there may be to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you simply have a really rectangular p-nis?”
Robert Downey Jr. later addressed the Oscars joke that Kimmel made, claiming he “does not care” that he poked enjoyable at his dependancy struggles and “nonetheless loves Jimmy Kimmel.”