Awards shows and political commentary often make inevitable co-presenters at major awards shows, and the 2024 Emmys were no exception.
Candace Bergen, who presented the award for the award for outstanding actress in a comedy (to Jean Smart, who won for “Hacks” for the third time), used her time at the mic for wry yet cutting political humor.
The five-time Emmy winner and star of shows like “Murphy Brown” and movies like “Miss Congeniality,” mentioned the time during the run of her beloved sitcom when then-Republican Vice President Dan Quayle spoke out against “Murphy” after the unmarried character, played by Bergen, became pregnant and decided to raise her baby on her own.
She then lobbed a loaded joke at current GOP VP nominee JD Vance, without even mentioning his name.
“Today a Republican candidate for vice president would never attack a woman for having kids. So as they say, my work here is done. Meow.”
The double-barreled joke played Vance’s past comments noting that only women with families cared about the fate of the nation. He also bemoaned the nation being run by “a bunch of childless cat ladies.”
Other Emmy presenters and winners couldn’t resist using their time in the limelight for their own political jabs, many riffing on the same feline theme.
“The Bear”’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who won for best supporting actor, said: “Thank you to my parents. They’re taking such nice care of my cat.”
When Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez took the stage, the “Only Murders In The Building” stars also riffed their way into a cat joke.
“Steve, let me just say what an honor it is for me to be working with someone who looks like he’s fallen and can’t get up,” Short said.
“And let me say what an honor it is for me to be working with someone who looks like a former women’s tennis champion.” Martin said.
And then Gomez: “And let me say what an honor it is work with two guys who are this far away from being childless cat ladies.”
Others took a more direct approach to politics. Liza Colón-Zayas, who plays cook Tina Marrero on “The Bear,” got emotional after winning the Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy series. It was considered an upset after most pundits had predicted either Meryl Streep (“Only Murders in the Building”) or Hannah Einbinder (“Hacks”).
Colón-Zayas seemed equally surprised, admitting she did not prepare a speech despite her husband encouraging her to do so. But after thanking many co-workers and some friends, she ended her speech with an simple bipartisan appeal: “Thank you for giving me a new life with this show, and to all the Latinas who are looking at me, keep believing and vote. Vote for your rights.”
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, Brendan Morrow and Laura Trujillo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Political jokes and cats make appearance at 2024 Emmys