Nate Bargatze, the comedian set to host the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, said he will avoid making the ceremony political and will not address the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Bargatze told Entertainment Weekly that he planned the show as an "escape" for viewers and did not intend to use the broadcast for political commentary. "Not at all. I know there's heartbreaking stuff that's been happening right now, but I want this night to be an escape and I think that's why I was brought on," he said. "I think a lot of people are watching, I know they watch my stand-up for that reason, so I just don't wanna break that trust I have in them, and just make the night be a fun night."
Bargatze said there were no late script changes following Kirk's death earlier this week and that the show "was never really gonna do anything (political) to begin with." He described his aim as offering viewers relief from ongoing stress and said he planned to keep his interactions with nominees and presenters "fun and good-natured." "We're not trying to just go be mean to everybody," Bargatze said. "I want it to be a fun, silly night that everybody can have kind of an escape."
Kirk, a conservative activist and close ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot earlier this week. Bargatze did not say he would discuss the incident and reiterated that the ceremony would not be used as a forum for political debate.
Bargatze said he had sought advice from veteran awards hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, on how to manage the dynamics of a live telecast and unexpected events. He described Kimmel's counsel as practical, recounting advice to sit down when off camera and to be prepared to address anything that might occur during the show. "If something weird happens, like as a host, you gotta go out there and address it," Bargatze said. "It's nice to hope nothing like that happens, but I'm very aware of if it does, get out there, handle it."
Bargatze, 46, has been described by viewers and promoters as a comic whose material frequently emphasizes everyday life and quiet observational humor, a style he said aligns with his goal for the telecast. He told Entertainment Weekly that preserving the audience's trust was central to his approach.
The Emmys' producers have not announced changes to the show's content in response to current events. Organizers have historically said that hosts must be ready to react to breaking news or onstage incidents during a live awards show. Bargatze said he would follow that practice while keeping the ceremony focused on entertainment and celebration of television achievement.