Emmy Night: Strange Acceptance Speeches That Made Us Scratch Our Heads
The Emmy Awards are a night of celebration for the best in television, but they're also a night for the unexpected. From awkward silences to bizarre tangents, acceptance speeches have a history of going off script in ways that leave us both entertained and perplexed.
Here are some of the strangest Emmy acceptance speeches that have gone down in history:
1. The "We Did It!" Chant - The Cast of Game of Thrones (2019)
The cast of HBO's epic fantasy series "Game of Thrones" seemed a bit too excited to win the award for Outstanding Drama Series in 2019. While accepting the award, they spent a significant portion of their speech chanting, "We did it!" This, combined with a few awkward moments of silence, made for an acceptance speech that was as perplexing as it was memorable.
2. The "We're Going to Have Sex" Speech - Jon Hamm (2015)
Jon Hamm's acceptance speech for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2015 was both hilarious and cringe-worthy. After thanking his co-stars and producers, Hamm delivered a line that caught everyone off guard: "I'm going to have sex with this award!" The audience erupted in laughter, and Hamm quickly backtracked, but the moment was already etched in Emmy history.
3. The "I'm Not a Woman" Speech - Sarah Paulson (2017)
While accepting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her role in "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story," Sarah Paulson made a strange and seemingly unnecessary statement about her gender identity. She thanked her partner, Holland Taylor, but added, "Just so we're all clear, I am a woman... I mean, I'm a woman." The statement sparked confusion and speculation, but Paulson later clarified that she was simply trying to make a lighthearted joke.
4. The "I Don't Know What to Say" Speech - Bryan Cranston (2014)
Bryan Cranston, known for his meticulous portrayal of Walter White in "Breaking Bad," surprised everyone with a rather simple and hesitant acceptance speech when he won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2014. "I don't know what to say," Cranston admitted, before thanking his cast, crew, and family. The simplicity of his speech, compared to the complexity of his performance, was a stark contrast that made it memorable.
5. The "We're All Going to Die" Speech - Alec Baldwin (2017)
Alec Baldwin's acceptance speech for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in "Saturday Night Live" in 2017 was a bit more somber than most. After thanking his colleagues and family, Baldwin went on to reflect on the current political climate, saying, "We're all going to die. We're all going to die eventually." While Baldwin's speech was undeniably profound, it was also a bit jarring in its dark tone.
What makes an Emmy acceptance speech strange?
While there's no clear-cut definition, strange Emmy acceptance speeches often share a few common traits:
- They go off script: These speeches deviate from the expected, often with unexpected jokes, emotional outbursts, or unconventional topics.
- They're awkward: The speaker may feel uncomfortable, fidget, or struggle to find the right words.
- They're memorable: Whether for their humor, awkwardness, or profoundness, these speeches stick with us long after the Emmys have ended.
These strange acceptance speeches remind us that even on the biggest stage in television, anything can happen. They also add a unique and sometimes unpredictable element to the Emmy Awards, keeping the ceremony entertaining and surprising year after year.
