Michael Che presented "Reparation Emmys" to black actors who have "gone unrecognised" over the years.
The 35-year-old comic – who co-hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards with Colin Jost on Monday (17.09.18) – joked he wanted to "right some wrongs" and in a pre-taped sketch, he handed out trophies to the likes of
Marla Gibbs from ‘The Jeffersons’, Jimmy Walker from ‘Good Times’, ‘A Different World’s Kadeem Hardison, ‘Family Matters’ star Jaleel White, Tichina Arnold from ‘Martin’ and John Witherspoon of ‘The Mayans Bros.’.
He said: "You know, for so many years, our TV legends and heroes have gone unrecognised.
"So this year as host, I took it upon myself to finally right some of those wrongs."
Handing over a statuette to Jaleel, he described his character as "the OG black man" and added: "Without you there’d be no Donald Glover, no Kanye West. There’d be no Obama."
He also commiserated with Jermaine Fowler about the lack of awards ‘The Wire’ had received as they sat in a cafe.
Jermaine said: "Did you know that nobody from ‘The Wire’ ever won an Emmy?"
Referencing Geoffrey Owens, the former ‘Cosby Show’ actor who was photographed working at a Trader Joe’s, Michael said: "I know, and Bryan Cranston won like six for Breaking Bad.
"You know he only won because he’s white, right? If he was black he’d probably be bagging groceries somewhere."
Bryan himself could be seen scowling in the background as the pair chatted.
The show opened without the hosts, who came in after a musical number called ‘We Solved It’, which focused on the diversity problem in Hollywood and featured the likes of Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Aidy Bryant, Tituss Burgess, Kristen Bell, Sterling K. Brown, RuPaul, Andy Samberg, Ricky Martin and John Legend.
The ‘Weekend Update’ hosts then gave a political monologue addressing various high-profile issues.
On the issue of diversity, Colin quipped: "There’s even more diversity coming to TV. There’s a ‘Latino Magnum, P.I.’, there’s gonna be a black Samantha in a reboot of ‘Bewitched’.
"But it’s gonna get balanced out – it’s gonna get balanced out by an all-white reboot of ‘Atlanta’ called ’15 Miles Outside of Atlanta’, and it focuses on white women who call the police on the cast of ‘Atlanta’."
And commenting on the allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood – which were spearheaded by Ronan Farrow’s investigative journalism, Colin said: "Netflix, of course, has the most nominations tonight. That’s right, and if you’re a network executive, that’s the scariest thing you could possibly hear except maybe, ‘Sir, Ronan Farrow is on line one.’ "
They hosts also highlighted the fact the evening’s guests were allowed alcohol within the theatre for the first time.
Michael said: "You know, it is an honour to be here sharing this night with the many talented and creative people who haven’t been caught yet."
Colin quipped: "This year, the audience is allowed to drink in their seats. Hope you’re excited about that. Because the one thing Hollywood needs right now is people losing their inhibitions at a work function."
Later in the show, the pair took a moment to acknowledge director Glenn Weiss’s on-stage proposal to girlfriend Jan Svendsen.
Michael quipped: "My girl is actually here too. I want to ask her something. Shall we eat later, or…?"
Colin added: "There’s so many guys who didn’t win with engagement rings in their pockets right now!"
But the ‘Saturday Night Live’ stars also took a moment to get serious for an important issue, appealing for help for those affected by Hurricane Florence last week.
Colin said: "If you’re watching right now at home, please during this commercial break, consider going online and donating or texting giveflorence to 41411 to support the American Red Cross Direct Relief and Team Rubicon.
"These charities have helped so much to rebuild in Houston and in Puerto Rico and they are ready to help in the Carolinas and Virginia now."
Michael Che gave out Reparation Emmys
