Nate Bargatze, the comedian hosting this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards, said he will not make the ceremony political and does not plan to address the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The 46-year-old told Entertainment Weekly that he had not intended to use the telecast for political commentary even before Kirk’s death earlier this week, and that there have been no late script changes in response. "Not at all," Bargatze said when asked how political the Emmys would be. "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."
Bargatze said he aims to preserve the trust of viewers who watch his stand-up for relief and levity. He added that the tone of the night will be "fun, silly" and "good-natured," and he does not intend to use jokes that would make the evening uncomfortable for nominees and attendees. "Everybody has to deal with that stress all day long. So I wanna be just that one escape where they can turn something on and hopefully relax and just have fun," he said.
The comic also described seeking guidance from veteran awards host Jimmy Kimmel, who advised him on practical hosting tactics, including remaining seated off camera and being prepared to respond if an unexpected event occurs. "He is like, look, you gotta be ready for when something happens and you gotta be ready to go out there. If something weird happens, like as a host, you gotta go out there and address it," Bargatze said.
The Emmys will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday. Bargatze’s remarks follow a season of awards shows that have at times mixed entertainment with political statements; Bargatze signaled he plans to keep his performance focused on comedy rather than commentary. He also emphasized a desire to treat attendees with decency and said he did not want winners or presenters to feel mistreated after the show.
Producers have not announced any changes to the broadcast schedule or content related to Kirk’s death. Bargatze’s approach underscores a broader choice facing awards-show hosts and producers about how to balance acknowledgment of current events with providing an entertainment-focused broadcast.