If you tuned in to this year’s Emmy Awards, you might have noticed a running theme that added a unique twist to the evening. The ongoing joke about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America proved to be a successful initiative, according to producers Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jennae Rouzan-Clay. Speaking with reporters immediately after the show at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, the trio reflected on how the show's pacing contributed to its overall success. “The show wasn’t that long, so it worked,” said Rouzan-Clay, highlighting that the Emmys concluded just after 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET.
Throughout the night, winners adhered remarkably well to their speech time limits, leading to moments where the show was ahead of schedule. “Halfway through, we were hovering around just like a minute to two minutes over, and then it just started to spread a little bit,” Collins explained. This ebb and flow of timing added an unexpected layer to the evening.
The concept of incorporating the Boys & Girls Clubs into the Emmy festivities originated from host Nate Bargatze. The plan was straightforward yet effective: Bargatze kicked off the night by donating $100,000 to the charity, with a twist—he would deduct $1,000 for every second that winners exceeded their 45-second speech limit and add $1,000 for every second they concluded early. By night’s end, the total raised reached an impressive $350,000, including a contribution from CBS. “I think it worked out well,” Collins remarked, noting the significant increase from the initial donation.
Initially, winners embraced Bargatze’s challenge, keeping their speeches concise. However, as the evening progressed, some winners lengthened their remarks, promising to contribute their own funds to the charity pot. “I felt like most people spoke from the heart... There was a balance,” Harmon noted, reflecting on the diverse speech lengths throughout the event.
As the night unfolded, some unexpected changes occurred. Eric Dane, initially scheduled to present an award alongside Jesse Williams, had to withdraw last minute due to his ongoing battle with ALS. This sudden change scrapped the planned reference to the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy. “I just was told that he wasn’t able to make it,” Collins stated, emphasizing the show's adaptability in handling such situations.
The evening also included a humorous sketch titled “Philo T. Farnsworth,” reminiscent of Bargatze's previous “George Washington” skits from Saturday Night Live. This sketch, crafted by Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell, received approval from Lorne Michaels, the executive producer of SNL. Collins explained, “It was great to be able to do that... and the way they did it was brilliant.” The decision to forgo a traditional monologue in favor of this sketch allowed Bargatze to stay in character throughout the segment.
Stephen Colbert had the honor of being the first presenter of the night, handing out the award for lead actor in a comedy series. His entrance was met with a standing ovation, a moment that resonated throughout the Peacock Theatre. “He deserved that,” Harmon said, while Collins highlighted the importance of Colbert’s presence for setting the tone of the evening.
Following Colbert, Jennifer Coolidge presented the award for lead actress in a comedy series, a strategic choice aimed at keeping the audience engaged from the start. “You want to keep your audience intrigued and engaged,” Rouzan-Clay explained, underscoring the producers' intent to maintain momentum throughout the show.
This year's Emmys also featured notable reunions and tributes, including a segment dedicated to The Golden Girls, which marked its 40th anniversary. “As soon as we realized it was 40 years to the day that the show was coming on, we knew we had to do ‘Golden Girls,’” Rouzan-Clay remarked. Additionally, Collins mentioned that the tribute to Survivor involved real props from the show, courtesy of host Jeff Probst.
Looking ahead, Jesse Collins Entertainment is set to continue its involvement in major events, including the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. However, Collins playfully hinted at the uncertainty surrounding performer announcements, stating, “I don’t even know who’s playing!” As the producers await confirmation on their return for the next Emmy Awards, they reflect on the successful blend of humor, charity, and heartfelt moments that defined this year’s ceremony.
