Jimmy Kimmel faced backlash during the 2024 Emmys after delivering a tribute to the late Bob Newhart that followed the “In Memoriam” segment, which honored deceased stars from the past year.
The comedian’s speech took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 15, and while some appreciated his remarks about his late friend, others found his humor to be poorly timed. Social media users were particularly critical, with many expressing discomfort over the tone and placement of Kimmel’s monologue in the emotional segment.
Kimmel opened his tribute with a joke, saying, “And the Emmy for deceased industry professional we will miss most goes to…” before highlighting Bob Newhart as someone he had been fortunate to know.
Kimmel described Newhart as someone who embodied the same personality off-screen as on-screen. He continued with lighthearted commentary about Newhart’s background, mentioning his accounting degree, and joking that Newhart didn’t have much acting range, but didn’t need it.
Kimmel went on to praise Newhart for his humility and noted how underappreciated he was by the Academy, taking over five decades to finally win an Emmy. He humorously remarked that this long wait should serve as a lesson to Jon Stewart, suggesting that Stewart should feel ashamed for saying he would retire.
Despite the jokes, Kimmel closed his speech on a heartfelt note, saying that Newhart was loved and would be missed for many years to come.
However, many viewers took issue with the timing and tone of Kimmel’s monologue. Some social media users argued that Kimmel’s joke right after the In Memoriam tribute, which featured a somber performance by Jelly Roll, was inappropriate.
They felt that his comedic remarks clashed with the emotional atmosphere of the segment, calling his joke the “worst” thing to say after such a poignant moment.
Others criticized Kimmel more broadly, saying they no longer found him funny and labeling his tribute as “tacky” and “cringy.” Despite these criticisms, Kimmel’s tribute was likely intended to honor his friend in his own comedic style, but the mixed reactions indicate that many viewers expected a more solemn tone following the emotionally charged segment.
