Jimmy Kimmel used his late night show Wednesday to apologize to Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson for the “dumb comedy bit” he staged at Monday’s Emmys.
Brunson began her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live by interrupting the late night star’s monologue to show off her first Emmy. She had her own bit to perform: After telling Kimmel that his interruption on Monday cost her the full 45-second length of her acceptance, he gave her the chance to share it again.
He then went on to explain that having Will Arnett drag him onto stage after losing in the Variety Talk Series category to John Oliver was a “dumb comedy bit.” Arnett did it before announcing Brunson as the winner for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy. Kimmel continued to play dead after Brunson took the stage to accept the Emmy.
“And then people said I stole your moment and maybe I did, and I’m sorry I did do that,” he said. “Also, the last thing I would ever want to do is upset you because I think so much of you. I think you know that. I hope you know that.”
“Jimmy let me just say thank you,” Brunson responded graciously. “It’s very kind of you to say that. Honestly I was in such a moment of having a good time. I won my first Emmy! I was up there like, you know, happy! And I was wrapped up in the moment, just having a good time. I didn’t see any of that ….honestly, I had a good night. It was a good night and a good time.”
Brunson taped her appearance earlier Wednesday after she and her fellow Abbott Elementary cast members met with the press to talk about the new season. During the panel, co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph indicated she wasn’t too happy with Kimmel’s now infamous stunt before Brunson accepted her Emmy.
I was absolutely confused,” she told reporters. “I didn’t know what was going on. I wish that man would just get up off the ground. Then I realized it was Jimmy Kimmel. Ooh, the disrespect, Jimmy! But that’s just me. I told him, too, to his face. He understood.”
