Emmys: Why Fans Aren’t Happy With Jimmy Kimmel’s Bob Newhart Tribute
2024 Emmys: Fans React to Jimmy Kimmel’s Bob Newhart In Memoriam Tribute
Jimmy Kimmel is once again on the receiving end of some award show backlash.
During the 2024 Emmys on Sept. 15, the comedian took the stage at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles immediately following the In Memoriam segment honoring the year’s fallen stars. However, his tribute to late friend and TV icon Bob Newhart—who died in July at the age of 94—was met with mixed reviews on social media.
Kimmel kicked off his speech with, “And the Emmy for deceased industry professional we will miss most goes to…” before adding, “This is the time in the show when we remember the people who’ve we’ve lost over the last year, one I was very lucky to know, and that was Bob Newhart.”
“Those of you who knew Bob, who knew him personally, know he was exactly who you thought he would be,” the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host gushed. “He did not have range. He didn’t need to have range. Bob had what very few comedians have, especially today: A degree in accounting.”
Kimmel went on to praise the late Elf star as “humble” and a “politely hilarious man” who was long under-recognized by the Academy.
“He had his first Emmy nomination in 1962 and didn’t win one until 2013 51 years later,” Kimmel noted, “which is a great lesson and that lesson is Jon Stewart, you should be ashamed of yourself. You said you were retiring.”
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All jokes aside, Kimmel concluded, “Bob Newhart was one of our most loved and funniest people for more than 60 years and we will miss him for many years to come.”
After the appearance, some viewers called out Kimmel’s light-hearted monologue following the In Memoriam segment.
“Jimmy Kimmel literally just said the worst joke after a sad moment recognizing everyone in the industry who’ve unfortunately passed,” one X (formerly known as Twitter) user wrote while another posted, “Sorry. I just don’t find Jimmy Kimmel funny anymore… it wasn’t classy to make that joke or have him come out after such an emotional ‘In Memoriam’ [performance] by Jelly Roll like that.”
Meanwhile, another user commented, “Jimmy Kimmel remains not funny. Like that was cringy. Like what are you saying? Ugh, tacky.”
However, Newhart’s children were pleased by the honor.
“We were all so touched by the Emmy tribute tonight. Dad would have been so honored,” read a tweet from his X account. “Thank you to @jimmykimmel and @TelevisionAcad.”
Keep reading to see all the winners of the 2024 Emmys.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Matt Bomer, Fellow Travelers
WINNER: Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
Jon Hamm, Fargo
Tom Hollander, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Andrew Scott, Ripley
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
WINNER: Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country
Brie Larson, Lessons in Chemistry
Juno Temple, Fargo
Sofía Vergara, Griselda
Naomi Watts, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
Dakota Fanning, Ripley
Lily Gladstone, Under The Bridge
WINNER: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer
Aja Naomi King, Lessons in Chemistry
Diane Lane, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer
Kali Reis, True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie
Jonathan Bailey, Fellow Travelers
John Hawkes, True Detective: Night Country
Robert Downey Jr., The Sympathizer
WINNER: Lamorne Morris, Fargo
Tom Goodman-Hill, Baby Reindeer
Treat Williams, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series
WINNER: Baby Reindeer
Fargo
Lessons in Chemistry
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Outstanding Talk Series
WINNER: The Daily Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Late Night With Seth Meyers
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Outstanding Reality Competition Program
The Amazing Race
Top Chef
RuPaul’s Drag Race
WINNER: The Traitors
The Voice
Outstanding Drama Series
The Crown
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Fallout
WINNER: Shogun
The Gilded Age
Slow Horses
The Morning Show
3 Body Problem
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
Curb Your Enthusiasm
WINNER: Hacks
Only Murders In The Building
Palm Royale
Reservation Dogs
What We Do In The Shadows
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Christine Baranski, The Gilded Age
Greta Lee, The Morning Show
Nicole Beharie, The Morning Show
Lesley Manville, The Crown
WINNER: Elizabeth Debicki, The Crown
Karen Pittman, The Morning Show
Holland Taylor, The Morning Show
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Tadanobu Asano, Shogun
WINNER: Billy Crudup, The Morning Show
Mark Duplass, The Morning Show
Jon Hamm, The Morning Show
Takehiro Hira, Shogun
Jack Lowden, Slow Horses
Jonathan Pryce, The Crown
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Carol Burnett, Palm Royale
WINNER: Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Meryl Streep, Only Murders in the Building
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Lionel Boyce, The Bear
Paul Rudd, Only Murders in the Building
Paul W. Downs, Hacks
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
WINNER: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Idris Elba, Hijack
WINNER: Hiroyuki Sanada, Shogun
Walton Goggins, Fallout
Dominic West, The Crown
Donald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show
WINNER: Anna Sawai, Shogun
Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age
Imelda Staunton, The Crown
Maya Erskine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Maya Rudolph, Loot
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
WINNER: Jean Smart, Hacks
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Kristen Wiig, Palm Royale
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Matt Berry, What We Do In The Shadows
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Steve Martin, Only Murders In The Building
Martin Short, Only Murders In The Building
WINNER: Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tie, Reservation Dogs
Head to E! Online’s 2024 Emmy Awards page for a full recap of the night’s jaw-dropping fashions, shocking wins and every must-see moment from the ceremony.
