Quinta Brunson received the award for outstanding writing for a comedy series at the 2022 Emmys. Brunson, who also stars in "Abbott Elementary," made history with the win, becoming the third Black writer and second Black female writer to receive the honour, per E! News.
During her speech, Jimmy Kimmel continued a bit he began earlier in the show, when Will Arnett dragged the comedian's "dead body" across the Emmys stage and joked that it was the "13th time in a row that he's lost and [Kimmel] just got into the skinny margaritas back there." Kimmel remained lying onstage as Brunson came up to receive her award, staying there during the entirety of her speech. Brunson addressed the late night host, saying, "Jimmy, wake up. I won."
Backstage, Brunson addressed the debacle, which has generated some backlash online from fans of the "Abbott Elementary" star. "I don't know! I know Jimmy Kimmel," she said in the press room. "I felt like the bit didn't bother me that much. I don't know what the Internet thinks." She added that previously, Kimmel has been supportive of her work. "Honestly, Jimmy gave me my first big late night spot, and was one of the first people to see 'Abbott,'" she said. "He Instagram messaged me that he saw this comedy, and thought it was one of the greatest comedies of all time and he was so excited. . . . In that moment I was just really happy that it was Jimmy up there. I kind of consider him one of the comedy godfathers. I'm a huge fan of Will Arnett. So I was wrapped up in the moment."
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However, she said that she is still making up her mind about how she feels about the incident. "Tomorrow, maybe I'll be mad at him," Brunson said. "I'm gonna be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. I don't know. We'll see what happens."
She went on to discuss the incredible importance of "Abbott Elementary," saying that she hopes that the show continues to help teachers receive better pay. "It's not Abbott's responsibility," she said. "But it's an important profession that needs to be respected."