In a striking response to the political climate at the 2025 Emmy Awards, Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean has called for British comedian Ricky Gervais to host all future awards shows. Dean expressed her sentiments on social media platform X during the live broadcast, 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 comment quickly gained traction, resonating with many users who shared their admiration for Gervais’ past performances.
Gervais, known for his sharp wit and unapologetic humor, drew attention for his memorable monologues at the Golden Globes. At the 2020 ceremony, he famously admonished celebrities not to use their platforms for political speeches, reminding them of their disconnect from the everyday realities faced by the public. “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything, you know nothing about the real world,” he stated, delivering a pointed critique that has since become iconic.
At the recent Emmy Awards, political statements dominated the evening. The Studio took home the award for Outstanding Comedy Series and made a clean sweep of several other comedy categories. Meanwhile, The Pitt triumphed over Severance to secure the title of Outstanding Drama Series. Netflix’s Adolescence also made a significant mark, winning Outstanding Limited Series among its six total awards. Notably, Severance led the nominations with a total of 27.
During the ceremony, host Nate Bargatze humorously warned that for every second a winner exceeded their speech time, $1,000 would be deducted from a $100,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club. Despite these lighthearted intentions, the night was overshadowed by a series of political remarks that drew both applause and controversy.
Hannah Einbinder, who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for her role in Hacks, used her acceptance speech to voice her support for various causes. Parts of her speech, including the phrase “Go Birds, f–k ICE, and free Palestine,” were censored during the broadcast. Einbinder later explained her commitment to authenticity, stating, “I was just really committed to the personal narrative I’ve had that it was actually cooler to continue to lose.”
Similarly, John Oliver did not hold back during his speech, which also featured censored expletives aimed at Bargatze. Oliver admonished, “F–k you, Nate Bargatze, that is a lot of money to you! And you can add the f–ks to the swear jar.” His comments highlighted the tension surrounding political discourse at entertainment events.
As the evening unfolded, it became clear that the Emmy Awards had transformed into a platform for political expression, prompting discussions about the appropriateness of such statements in the entertainment industry. Dean’s call for Gervais to return as host reflects a desire among some viewers for a different approach to award show speeches—one that prioritizes entertainment over political commentary.
With the 2025 Emmy Awards serving as a backdrop for these conversations, the future of awards shows may hinge on how they balance entertainment with the increasingly politicized environment in which they operate. Dean’s advocacy for Gervais underscores a growing sentiment for a return to comedy that entertains without veering into divisive political territory.
