Andy Samberg Took On Hollywood Sexism, Racism And Donald Trump In His Emmys Opening Monologue
"Congratulations Hollywood, you did it! Racism is over. Don't fact check that."
The Lonely Island and Brooklyn 99‘s Andy Samberg is taking centre stage as Emmys host this year, and he kicked things off with a sharp, witty and well-received opening monologue that touched on some of the more controversial topics of the past year.
This year’s Emmys are the most diverse in the award’s history; a milestone that, while welcome, Samberg rightly pointed out is an extremely low bar to clear. “The big story this year, of course, is diversity. This is the most diverse group of nominees in Emmy history, so congratulations Hollywood. You did it!
It wasn’t until after the applause died down that the punchline came: “Yeah, racism is over. Don’t fact check that.”
Samberg then took aim at Hollywood’s ongoing conservatism in casting women, both in terms of how much they get paid compared to their male counterparts and the limited choice of roles extended to older women in the industry. “The wage gap between men and woman hired for major roles in Hollywood is still an issue. Wait, I’m sorry I misread that. The age gap between men and woman hired for major roles in Hollywood is still an issue.
“Wait, I’m sorry I misread it again. It’s both! Still both. So crappy on two fronts.”
He also highlighted the constant criticism levelled at female comedians, picking one of the year’s most popular to make his point: “Amy Schumer is nominated tonight, and I gotta say, Schumer is really, really funny. Y’know, for a person.”
But the best one-liner had to be his perfect summing-up of Donald Trump:
“Well, I’ve gotta say, sure, Donald Trump seems racist … what else?”