LOS ANGELES — Emmy Awards host Kenan Thompson and the ceremony’s producers are predicting a conflict-free zone, in contrast to the Oscars present that was marred by an on-stage slap.
Thompson stated the confrontation final March during which Will Smith attacked presenter Chris Rock over a joke directed at Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, was each unsettling and avoidable.
“It sort of simply threw your entire world off guard, mainly, and that gained’t occur once more,” Thompson informed The Related Press. “Even when I’m roasting (somebody), it shouldn’t come throughout as any kind of malice.”
If a joke finally ends up stinging, he stated, an apology and dialog could also be so as. However Rock – who “doesn’t have a imply bone in his physique,” Thompson stated – or another comedian shouldn’t anticipate a response like Smith’s to a quip.
A primary-time Emmy host, the veteran “Saturday Evening Stay” forged member is following within the footsteps of different “SNL” colleagues together with Michael Che, Colin Jost and Andy Samberg.
Thompson stated he slept on the provide earlier than saying sure. The ceremony airs 8 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 12, on NBC and can stream reside on Peacock, with dramas “Succession” and “Squid Sport” and comedies “Ted Lasso” and “Hacks” among the many main nominees.
“It’s an enormous deal, and it’s not essentially one thing that I wish to drop the ball on. So I used to be like, ‘Let me sit with this,’” he stated. After speaking with producers, he knew that he wished to do it and the method to take.
“This needs to be an evening of appreciating artistry and creativity and eradicating the stress of all of it out. I get it – it sucks to lose, and all people’s choosing outfits and making an attempt to do the purple carpet factor,” Thompson stated. “However on the similar time, it’s an superior factor to be within the room on Emmys night time, and I don’t need that to get misplaced within the stress.”
Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart, returning as govt producers for the ceremony, think about Thompson good for the job.
“He’s beloved, and from the time we introduced him there’s been nothing however optimistic responses,” Hudlin stated. “He has these nice connections with everybody, and we’re going to maximise these connections…..He’s the unofficial mayor of Hollywood.”
Whereas Rock was the primary participant at a serious awards present to pay bodily for a joke, Ricky Gervais has drawn his share of superstar frowns for the insult humor he routinely employed as Golden Globes host.
Stars participating within the Emmys needn’t fear about being within the line of comedic fireplace with Thompson, Stewart stated.
“If you happen to went to Kenan’s home for a celebration, you already know it’s simply going to be a enjoyable, simple time with quite a lot of laughs,” he stated. “There’s nothing that may be in any approach aggressive or acerbic. He’s not that man.”
Viewers have come to know Thompson’s fashion from “SNL,” the place he’s an everyday a part of music video send-ups and performs vivid characters together with the spotlight-hogging host of “What Up With That.” He additionally starred within the just-ended sitcom “Kenan.”
Is there part of him as a performer he’s desperate to showcase on the Emmys? “How fast I could be on my toes,” he replied, then turned the query outward.
“We all know the people who find themselves within the classes,” he stated, however there might be the welcome shock of, say, a legendary actor in attendance.
“We needs to be conscious, and level that out and have fun them,” he stated. “I actually need the neighborhood side of all of it to be within the forefront.”
Requested if he’ll participate in any musical numbers, Thompson stated it’s greater than doubtless.
“I feel we have to open with a bang…. (and) there’s some some concepts cooking on that stage. However no matter it’s, it’s got to be tight, and it might probably’t seem to be it’s simply there to fill time,” he stated. “We’ve got their (viewers) consideration. It’d higher be price having.”
