One of the comedians hosting the Emmy awards last night has been heavily criticized for a set of bizarre remarks about people who “thank Jesus” when accepting an award. Michael Che, a comic known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” made the remarks in his opening monologue at the 70th Prime Time Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Downtown Los Angeles.
“My mother is not watching,” Che said. “She says she doesn’t like watching white award shows because you guys don’t thank Jesus enough.” A tired smattering of applause broke out among the audience, so Che clearly thought he’d labor the joke, awkwardly stumbling over his words, adding: “That’s true. The only white people that thank Jesus are Republicans and ex-crackheads.”
His comments prompted a swift backlash on Twitter. “Okay @DaytimeEmmys #MichaelChe I am not a Republican neither an ex-crackhead do I get to thank #Jesus according to your standards? I’m a believer any and WILL thank JESUS! Really bad writing,” one user posted.
Let the #Emmys begin!
Watch @ColinJost & Michael Che's full monologue.? pic.twitter.com/AdeCloNr6X
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) September 18, 2018
“More Colin Just and Michael Che’s opening monologue bombed harder than I ever could have dreamed,” another added. “Michael Che – do not knock JC – Jesus is just all right with me.”
One of the recipients of the coveted award, Thandie Newton, remarked that even though she personally didn’t believe in God, she would still thank “her.”
“I don’t even believe in God, but I’m going to thank her tonight,” Newton, who won an award for the hit TV series “Westworld,” declared to the audience. “I am so blessed.”
The criticism kept coming. “Very poor taste and not funny at all!” one woman tweeted. “By the way Michael Che, I am white, I thank Jesus all day, I am not republican and I have never done crack in my life.”
Michael Che’s disresptful comment involving Jesus during the Emmy Awards on live television only solidifies my opion that Hollywood’s anti-Christian attitude is a plague on our society.
— John D Otley (@JohnDOtley) September 18, 2018
Others were simply less than impressed with Che and co-host Colin Jost’s performance at the award ceremony.
Petition to never let Colin Jost and Michael Che host anything ever again #Emmys
— Nic (@CloneNic) September 18, 2018