Hannah Gadsby should host Emmys, viewers say, after comedian steals show
Comedian Hannah Gadsby speaks onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California on September 17, 2018 (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty)
Comedian Hannah Gadsby has received wide praise after presenting an Emmy award for on Monday (September 17).
Viewers delighted by Gadsby’s 90-second presence on the stage and suggested she should be presenting the whole show.
Gadsby presented the award for Outstanding Director for a Drama Series.
The Australian comedian won international acclaim for her stand-up show Nanette, which landed on Netflix earlier this year and was revered for its raw, honest and hilarious jokes on a wide range of issues, from coming out as lesbian to her family, to violence against women and homophobia, sexism, and art history.
For those who haven’t seen Nanette, Gadsby’s presenting style at the award ceremony is a taste of what she’s all about.
“This is … not normal? The world’s gone a bit crazy. I mean, for somebody like me—a nobody, from nowhere—gets this sweet gig, free suit, new boots, just cause I don’t like men?” she said, entering the stage.
“That’s a joke, of course. Just jokes, fellas, calm down. #NotAllMen, but a lot of ’em.
“No, it is just jokes, but what are jokes these days? We don’t know. Nobody knows what jokes are. Especially not men!” she continued, seemingly addressing some of the criticism she received for the show Nanette by male comedians.
“Am I right, fellas? That’s why I’m presenting alone,” she added.
Hannah Gadsby speaks onstage during the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty)
She then opened the envelope, reading the winner’s name—Stephen Daldry for the “Paterfamilias” episode of Netflix’s The Crown.
“Of course, Stephen could not be with us tonight to accept the Emmy on his own behalf… cause of… probably me. So I think I’ll just leave now and… Well done him!” she said, before leaving the stage amid applause.
Several viewers and critics commented on how the comedian made a more lasting impression in her short appearance than the show’s hosts, Saturday Night Live‘s Colin Jost and Michael Che.
Che professed to not have watched Gadsby’s Nanette although he made a series of comments via Instagram stories indirectly criticising the style of comedy the stand-up show presents, as Vulture reported.
“Like honestly why would any men host awards shows when Hannah Gadsby exists,” tweeted Huffington Post reporter Emma Gray.
“Move to restart this telecast with Hannah Gadsby hosting?” echoed The Hollywood Reporter television critic Daniel Fienberg.
“Why didn’t Hannah Gadsby host the Emmys why oh why did they choose a warm bowl of oatmeal instead” quipped Entertainment Weekly correspondent Dana Schwartz.
“That Hannah Gadsby is on my TV, presenting at the Emmy’s making the jokes she’s making is like….wow. Things can get better fast,” fellow comedian Jen Kirkman wrote.
Praise for Hannah Gadsby abounded on social media (Twitter)
Gadsby’s appearance also won her new fans. “I’ll admit I didn’t know who Hannah Gadsby was before she came out to present at #EmmyAwards2018 but I will definitely be searching for any of her standup specials now. That was a really funny minute of television,” Twitter user Gannon wrote.
“I don’t know who Hannah Gadsby is, but can she host next year?” wrote Korynn.
For Franklin Leonard, founder of the Black List, there are other award shows that could do with Gadsby’s talent. “Hannah Gadsby should host the Oscars.” he wrote.
