Behind the Scenes at the Emmys: Jeremy Allen White, John Oliver’s Dog Tribute, and That Awkward Johnnie Walker Ad
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The 76th Emmys brought its fair share of memorable moments, from Jeremy Allen White being unexpectedly censored to a heartfelt tribute from John Oliver that nearly got played off by the orchestral music. Producers discuss the challenges of creating a live show, including unexpected ad integrations, stage malfunctions, and emotional tributes.
One of the toughest jobs for an awards show producer is knowing when to cue the music and cut a speech. During Sunday night’s 76th Emmys, John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight, won his second consecutive award for scripted variety series. But his acceptance speech quickly spiraled, leading the production team to start the playoff music.
Oliver, already flustered after accidentally calling his son “Husband” instead of “Hudson,” began to talk about his dog. The producers thought it was time to wrap things up, so they started the playoff music. Then, as the orchestra played, Oliver revealed that his dog had passed away.
“I was like, ‘Oh no, turn the music down!’” said executive producer Jesse Collins. “You make a call, and then John Oliver mentions his dog!”
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Dionne Harmon, president of Jesse Collins Entertainment, shared her reaction: “We were thinking, ‘Wait, his dog died? No, stop the music, give that moment some respect!’” she said, laughing at the unexpected turn of events.
Thankfully, Oliver took the mishap in stride. “It was great TV!” Collins added.
Collins, along with Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, senior VP of specials at Jesse Collins Entertainment, spoke with The Cinema Group immediately after the 76th Emmys aired to share behind-the-scenes details. The team had just wrapped their second Emmys of the year, having also produced the January event.
This year’s broadcast brought a unique blend of reunion moments (from Happy Days to The West Wing) and tributes to iconic TV characters, like doctors and cops. Despite the show running around 10 minutes late, no significant segments were cut for time.
“It wasn’t any one thing that caused the delay,” said Collins. “Every great moment added a little extra time, but we were happy with how it turned out.”
Key Moments from the 76th Emmys:
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Hosts Eugene and Dan Levy
The father-and-son duo led with a joke-heavy stage opening instead of a traditional production number, which was their idea. “It was never about a big song and dance number,” said Collins. “It was about coming out with comedy and showing off their relationship.”
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Jeremy Allen White’s Bleeped Remark
Comedy actor winner Jeremy Allen White caused confusion when his “Jesus Christ” remark was bleeped. But it wasn’t the production team’s decision—Harmon explained that a network censor, separate from the production, was responsible for the quick bleep. “We don’t control the button,” Harmon said. “We’re on a delay, so we only see what happens after the fact.”
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The Johnnie Walker Ad Moment
The unusual backstage moment where Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Taylor Zakhar Perez were seen at a bar talking about Johnnie Walker Blue Label was a paid product integration. Collins laughed it off: “It was riveting television! But it was a partnership with ABC, the Academy, and Johnnie Walker.”
Moss-Bachrach, a spokesperson for the brand, flew in to participate in the segment. “At least it wasn’t a broom,” Harmon joked, noting that it fit the upscale theme of the night.
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Jelly Roll’s In Memoriam Tribute
The team had heard Jelly Roll’s song I Am Not Okay before it was officially released and knew it was perfect for the In Memoriam segment. “It was a brave performance,” Collins noted. Jelly Roll, who often performs the song on tour with fans holding posters of loved ones, opted for a more formal look—wearing a blazer and skipping his signature hat.
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The Bob Newhart Tribute
Jimmy Kimmel’s tribute to Bob Newhart, which followed Jelly Roll’s performance, came about when the producers realized that both would be giving speeches. “It seemed tough to have Jimmy talk and then go straight into Jelly,” Collins explained. Ending with Newhart felt like a fitting close to the segment.
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Eugene Levy’s Audience Segments
Much of the comedic banter between Eugene and Dan Levy was based on real-life preferences—like Eugene’s well-known reluctance to perform segments in the audience. “That was 100% real,” said Rouzan-Clay. The father-son dynamic played perfectly into the setup, with Dan in the audience and Eugene on stage.
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Set Design Secrets
Several set pieces, including tributes to classic shows like Saturday Night Live, relied heavily on screen images. According to Harmon, the screen was so realistic that even producers were surprised. “The SNL steps were so convincing, I thought I could walk off them,” she said.
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The Happy Days Jukebox
One of the hardest set pieces to find? A 1950s-style jukebox for the Happy Days reunion between Ron Howard and Henry Winkler. “We finally found one at a prop shop,” Collins revealed.
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West Wing Reunion
The much-anticipated West Wing reunion was poorly kept under wraps when ABC accidentally revealed the cast members in a press release. While the producers had invited the entire cast, not everyone could attend. “It was always meant to be a smaller reunion,” Collins explained.
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No Friends Reunion
Despite rumors, there was never a plan to reunite the cast of Friends on stage. “A Friends reunion would have been amazing, but it wasn’t something we pursued,” Collins noted, particularly after the recent passing of Matthew Perry.
Microphone Malfunctions
At times during the broadcast, presenters struggled with microphone issues. “We had some pop-up mic challenges,” Collins admitted. Despite the technical difficulties, the production team managed to keep things running smoothly.
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Catherine O’Hara’s Envelope Gag
At the end of the night, Catherine O’Hara ripped up the envelope announcing the winner for Outstanding Comedy Series. ABC executives were briefly panicked, fearing a repeat of the Oscars envelope mishap. Fortunately, the correct winner was still announced—although Hacks’ surprise win over The Bear raised a few eyebrows.
The 76th Emmys was a night of emotional highs, technical challenges, and memorable moments. From John Oliver’s unexpected tribute to his late dog to the reunion of Ron Howard and Henry Winkler from Happy Days, the broadcast delivered its share of surprises. Despite minor hiccups like microphone malfunctions and Jeremy Allen White’s bleeped-out speech, the producers managed to maintain the flow of the live event, providing a balance of humor and heartfelt moments.
As the Jesse Collins Entertainment team reflected on the night, they expressed pride in how the show came together, especially given the unique challenges of live television. With a mix of tributes, reunions, and unscripted surprises, this year’s Emmys reminded viewers of the excitement and unpredictability of live award shows, ensuring that this year’s event will be remembered for more than just its winners.
Source: Variety
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