Dave Chapelle used his turn as presenter at the 2017 Prime-Time Emmys to joke about what host Stephen Colbert had said is the most diverse group of Emmy nominees ever.
Taking the stage to present the Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series Emmy with Melissa McCarthy, Chappelle said he was honored, as a winner along with McCarthy, to be at the ceremony.
“It is an honor to be amongst you all,” Chappelle said. “And I’m truly amazed how many Black people are here. I counted 11 on the monitor.”
Colbert had earlier mentioned during his opening monologue that the Emmys had its most diverse group of nominees for the third year in the row. He mentioned several of the Emmys’ African American nominees, adding Bill Maher to the list in a reference to his controversial use of the n-word on “Real Time With Bill Maher” earlier this year.
As laughs rippled through the audience, Chappelle leaned into the microphone to add a quick caveat to his turn as an Emmys presenter.
“I should also tell you that I skipped rehearsal,” Chappelle admitted.
“You can’t tell at all,” said McCarthy, quipping along with him. “This is going exactly how we planned it to go.”
Chappelle dispelled a little more of the magic of the Emmys in his last moments on stage before reading the nominees for the award.
“We’re dancing, Melissa. Now we’re going to read this teleprompter. Shout-out to DC Public Schools,” Chappelle said, referencing the fact he grew up in Washington D.C.
Donald Glover took home the Emmy for Best Directing in a Comedy Series for his work on his FX Network show, “Atlanta,” for the episode “B.A.N.” “Silicon Valley” directors Jamie Babbit and Mike Judge and “Veep” directors Morgan Sackett, David Mandel and Dale Stern were also nominated for the Emmy.
Emmys 2017: Nominees From 'Veep,' 'This Is Us' and 'Black-ish' Do Drinks Together (Photos)
2017 Emmy nominees Tracee Ellis Ross and Kathryn Hahn were among an impressive turnout of nominated actors at a TV Academy cocktail party hosted by their peers on Monday night, August 21.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
RuPaul, Tony Hale, and Michelle Visage have a lot to smile about. For one, RuPaul and Visage's "Drag Race" on VH1 scored 8 Emmy nominations.
Some years at this annual event, part-time Montage resident Justin Bieber has popped in. Not this year.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Patrika Darbo (who won an Emmy last year) and Lily Tomlin are the "Governors" of the Performers Peer Group. That means they lead this branch of the TV Academy.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Here is a partial group shot of the 2017 acting nominees. On Friday night of Emmy weekend, a larger grouping of the nominees who are in town will pose for another class photo.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Allison Janney (with Leonardo Nam) spent time getting to know "This Is Us" lead Chrissy Metz when they took the stage together.
Dr. K. on "This Is Us," Gerald McRaney, is a first-time Emmy nominee. He's up for Guest Actor in a Drama Series against two other guest stars on the same show. "This is a little nerve- racking. I like being on the set and the process of doing the work," he said. On working the Emmy campaign trail, McRaney told The Party Report, "It's weird, but it's a damn good weird."
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Real friends alert: "Veep" co-stars Tony Hale and Matt Walsh drove off together at the end of the event.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
"Television has never been better. Television rivals motion pictures," actor and voice of Porky Pig, Bob Bergen (right) told The Party Report. "I think the Amazons and the Hulus have brought the networks up a notch."
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Salvador Camarena and Ross Matthews
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Mindy Sterling (left, with Alan Tudyk) is nominated against herself in the Short Form Comedy or Drama Series.
Jordan Strauss for the Television Academy
Darbo and new TV Academy Chairman and CEO Hayma Washington have more than 20 more peer group receptions to attend before the ceremony on September 17.
Chrissy Metz, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kathryn Hahn, and the ‘Veep’ guys (who drove together) descend on Beverly Hills in the midst of Emmy voting
2017 Emmy nominees Tracee Ellis Ross and Kathryn Hahn were among an impressive turnout of nominated actors at a TV Academy cocktail party hosted by their peers on Monday night, August 21.