John Oliver made a memorable impression at the 2024 Emmy Awards with his acceptance speech for Outstanding Scripted Variety Show. During the ceremony held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 15, Oliver took the opportunity to humorously address the Emmy producers as he accepted the award.

Known for his sharp wit, Oliver’s playful jabs at the show’s organizers added a unique touch to his win, particularly since he was competing against Saturday Night Live.

In his acceptance speech, Oliver expressed gratitude to HBO for supporting his show, “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” despite the show’s decade-long run not always being a certainty. His thanks to the network were delivered with a light-hearted tone, reflecting his appreciation for their continued backing.

Oliver also took a moment to acknowledge his family, including his wife Kate Norley, and their two sons. However, he humorously stumbled over his words, mistakenly referring to his child as his “husband,” which caused a burst of laughter from the audience. He quickly corrected himself, noting that the slip-up would likely become a source of amusement in the future.

The speech took an unexpected turn when Oliver chose to honor his family’s late dog, who had been a significant part of their lives. He spoke fondly of the pet, mentioning how she had been with them through important milestones, including their wedding and the pandemic. His emotional tribute highlighted the personal connection and affection he felt for his pet.

As the Emmys producers began to play exit music to signal the end of his speech, Oliver’s reaction was both candid and comedic. He responded with a bleeped expletive directed at the producers and compared himself to Sarah McLachlan, known for her emotional animal shelter commercials. Despite the interruption, Oliver concluded with a heartfelt message dedicated to all dogs, expressing their worth and deservingness of a treat.