John Oliver’s Emmy Speech Goes Off-Leash

Photo Credit: YouTube/ABC News

LOS ANGELES, September 15, 2024 – At the 76th Emmy Awards, Last Week Tonight host John Oliver found himself in a hairy situation that caused the audience to both laugh and reach for the tissues. What started as a typical acceptance speech for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series quickly turned into a comedy of errors. After mispronouncing his son Hudson’s name as “Huband,” Oliver moved on through his thank yous. To finish up he wanted to pay tribute to his dog by mentioning her in his speech.

“We had the most fantastic dog,” Oliver began, his voice full of warmth. But as he continued, “She was at our wedding, she got us through a pandemic, she was with us through two pregnancies…” It was at this point that the notorious “wrap it up” music began to play, creating a perfectly ill-timed interruption.

Quick as a dog chasing a squirrel, Oliver pivoted, quipping, “Perfect choice of music! We had to say goodbye to her.” The audience caught off guard between empathy and amusement, let out a collective “aww.”

Oliver fired back with a playful “F**k you!” to the orchestra director, proving that his bark is good as his bite. He then compared himself to Sarah McLachlan, though thankfully, no soft-focus montages of sad shelter animals appeared on the screen.

Oliver managed to turn the moment into a treat for all canines, declaring, “This is for all dogs. You’re all very good girls and very good boys. You all deserve a treat!” – his closing words capping the moment with resounding applause in agreement.

As Oliver left the stage, one couldn’t help but wonder if somewhere, in doggy heaven, his faithful companion was wagging her tail, proud of her human for fetching yet another Emmy – and for handling the ruff moments with such dogged determination.

The Emmy producers, tail between their legs, owned their faux paw. “We had no idea the dog had passed away,” executive producer Dionne Harmon later whimpered to reporters. “We turned the music down the moment he said the dog had passed. We didn’t know!”

Ultimately, it wasn’t Oliver with his over-the-time-limit words, but the Emmy producers landing in the doghouse. They learned the hard way that when it comes to man’s best friend, it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie – or at least, let them finish their acceptance speeches – particularly those mentioning the passing of a man’s best friend.