There's no way to know for sure, but comedian Jo Koy may have been watching television Monday and taking notes on how to win over an audience at a Hollywood awards show.
Anthony Anderson, the veteran actor who spent several years as the star of ABC's “black-ish,” drew plenty of laughs and appreciative applause when he began his hosting gig at the 75th Emmy Awards with a musical monologue miming “Mr. . Rogers Neighborhood.”
In a set that resembled a classic children's show, Anderson, aided by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and a Compton choir, joked and sang tributes to “Good Times,” “The Facts of Life” and “Miami Vice” while she spoke. about how television influenced him while he was growing up.
“I love television and I learned a lot from it,” he said, joking that although he had a crush on Tootie, he speculated that he might learn the “real facts of life” from her housekeeper, the elder Mrs. Garrett.
He warned the winners that long acceptance speeches would not be tolerated. However, instead of music to entertain guests, she recruited her mother, Doris Hancox: “When you see my mom coming, just thank Jesus and your family, and be done,” she said.
Hancox, who was sitting in the audience, stood up and yelled at her son to finish the monologue, telling him she wanted to get “to the after party.” Shortly after, she made good on Anderson's promise and cut “The White Lotus” winner Jennifer Coolidge.
The reception from the star-studded audience at the Peacock Theater was a stark contrast to the cold response Koy received when he hosted the Golden Globes on January 7. Several of Koy's jokes were directed at “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer” and singer Taylor Swift. bombed; Sensing the tension, Ko, a popular comedian, blamed the show's writers for his material and emphasized how little time he had to prepare.
Although neither a professional comedian nor a singer, Anderson, who has starred in several comedies throughout his decades-long career, displayed impressive singing and comedy skills. He hosted the Emmys for the first time, but previously hosted several NAACP Image Awards. He also hosts the new Fox game show, “We Are Family.”
