Behind the scenes at the Emmys: Unscripted moments and unexpected tributes
The art of timing: When to play off a winner
One of the most challenging decisions for an awards show producer is determining the right moment to start playing a winner off the stage. During the 76th Emmys, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” clinched another award for scripted variety series. As John Oliver’s acceptance speech began to stretch, he mistakenly referred to his son Hudson as “Husband” and then started talking about his dog. The team at Jesse Collins Entertainment decided it was time to cue the playoff music.
However, as the music swelled, Oliver revealed that his dog had just passed away. Executive producer Jesse Collins recalls, “I was like, ‘Oh, take the music down!’ It was an unexpected and poignant moment.”
A night of tributes and reunions
This year’s Emmys, produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, aimed to build on the success of their previous event while adding unique elements. The show featured segments honoring TV moms, villains, doctors, and cops, along with cast reunions for “Happy Days” and “The West Wing”.
Despite running about 10 minutes late, the producers were pleased with the outcome. “It was about adding great moments and comedy,” Collins said. “we were happy with it.”
The Levy duo: Comedy and connection
Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy drove much of the creative direction for their interactions. They opted for a traditional joke-heavy stage open rather than a taped piece or production number. “It was about coming out with comedy, connecting with the audience, and showcasing their relationship,” Collins explained.
Rouzan-Clay added, “We were setting up what you were going to see for the rest of the night. Their relationship was the marquee thing about them hosting.”
The bleeped moment: Jeremy Allen White’s remark
When comedy actor winner Jeremy Allen White’s “Jesus Christ” remark was bleeped, it wasn’t the producers’ doing. An overzealous network censor, operating independently from the production team, made the call. “We don’t control the button, and we don’t hear it,” Harmon noted. “We’re on a delay, so we see what happens, but we don’t have a feed to the real show.”
Product integration: Johnnie Walker Blue Label
The moment where Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Taylor Zakhar Perez discussed Johnnie Walker Blue Label scotch at a backstage bar was a paid product integration. “It was an integration opportunity with ABC, the Academy, and Johnnie Walker,” Collins chuckled. Moss-Bachrach, a spokesperson for the brand, participated in the segment, adding a touch of sophistication to the evening.
In Memoriam: A brave performance by Jelly Roll
Collins had heard Jelly Roll’s song “I Am Not Okay” before its release and knew it would be perfect for the In Memoriam segment. “He was phenomenal. It was a different type of artist to perform on this show,” Collins said. Jelly Roll’s performance was a heartfelt tribute, with fans often bringing posters of loved ones who had passed during his tours.
Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to Bob Newhart
Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to Bob Newhart at the end of the In Memoriam segment was strategically placed. “It seemed tough to have Jimmy talk and then go into Jelly,” Collins explained. “Bob Newhart was such an iconic person to end with, so it made sense for Jimmy to come out.”
Eugene Levy’s audience aversion
Many of the Levys’ bits were based on truth, including Eugene’s reluctance to do a segment from the audience. “That was a real thing,” Collins said. “The setup where Dan is in the audience and Eugene is far away, that was all them and so iconic.”
Set design: Blending reality and screen images
Some set pieces for the tributes were built out, while others relied on screen images. “A lot of it is timing,” Harmon said. “Where we had time, we were able to build out those moments. Where it needed to move faster, we leaned more heavily on the screen content.”
The elusive 1950s jukebox
The hardest piece to find for the sets was a 1950s-style jukebox for the “Happy Days” reunion between Ron Howard and Henry Winkler. “We finally found it at a prop shop,” Collins said. The tribute focused on Howard and Winkler, avoiding a larger cast reunion.
The not-so-secret “West Wing” reunion
The “West Wing” reunion was perhaps the most poorly-kept secret of the night. An ABC press release announcing Emmy presenters included the show’s cast, making it easy to guess what was coming. “They announced all the names!” Collins said. Not all cast members could attend due to availability issues, but the reunion was a highlight of the evening.
Technical glitches and memorable moments
The stage microphone occasionally failed to rise in time for presenters, causing minor hiccups. “We had pop-up mic challenges,” Collins admitted. Despite these technical issues, the show delivered memorable moments, including Catherine O’Hara’s envelope-ripping gag, which gave ABC execs a moment of panic.
The 76th Emmys showcased the delicate balance of live television, blending heartfelt tributes, comedic interactions, and unexpected moments. For more details on the shows and performances mentioned, check out the trailers for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”, “Happy Days”, and “The West Wing”.