Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean has called for British comedian Ricky Gervais to host all future award shows in light of the political speeches that dominated the recent 2025 Emmy Awards. During the live broadcast of the event, Dean expressed her frustration on social media platform X, stating, “Every time I see a celebrity using their acceptance speech to be political and divide the country even more, I remember @rickygervais and wish he could host everything.” Her comments quickly gained traction, resonating with many who recall Gervais’ memorable monologues at previous ceremonies.
Gervais gained notoriety during his tenure as host of the Golden Globes, notably in 2020 when he advised recipients against using their platforms for political messages. During that ceremony, he remarked, “Don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything; you know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.” This sentiment appears to have resurfaced as viewers reacted to the political tone set at the Emmy Awards.
At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on March 15, 2025, political commentary took center stage. The evening saw The Studio win Outstanding Comedy Series, while The Pitt claimed the title of Outstanding Drama Series, edging out Severance. Netflix’s Adolescence made a significant mark, winning Outstanding Limited Series among a total of six awards. Severance led the nominations with a total of 27 nods.
Host Nate Bargatze, in his debut as emcee, introduced a humorous recurring theme regarding time limits for speeches. He stated that for every second exceeding the limit, $1,000 would be deducted from a $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club. Despite this, many speeches deviated into political topics, overshadowing the intended celebratory atmosphere.
Hannah Einbinder, who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role in Hacks, used her acceptance speech to make a political statement. She exclaimed, “Go Birds, f–k ICE, and free Palestine,” with part of her remarks censored during the broadcast. Upon reflection, she shared her commitment to her personal narrative, saying, “I was pretty committed to that. But uh, this is cool too! This is also punk rock!”
In a similar vein, John Oliver also included politically charged comments in his acceptance speech, which led to several sections being bleeped out. He directed a pointed message towards Bargatze, saying, “‘F–k you, Nate Bargatze, that is a lot of money to you! And you can add the f–ks to the swear jar.”
As the event concluded, the emphasis on political discourse raised questions about the appropriateness of such messages during entertainment awards. The prominent reactions from viewers and celebrities alike suggest a growing divide on the role of political commentary in celebratory environments.
Janice Dean’s call for Ricky Gervais to return as host highlights the ongoing conversation around the intersection of entertainment and politics, reflecting a desire for a more traditional awards experience free from divisive rhetoric.