Anthony Anderson Kicks off 75th Emmys with Classic Bits and Surprise Guest: His Mom

After four months of delays, the Emmys are here — the historic 75th Emmys, as host Anthony Anderson quickly noted at the top of the show. The evening’s telecast was intended not only as a celebration of the best TV debuting between 2022 and 2023, but of three-quarters of a century of iconic television.

Anderson’s opening was short, sweet, and safe (the ghost of Jo Koy’s attempt to win over the Golden Globes still fresh for many in the room), strolling out onto a sitcom set to start. He expressed his love and gratitude for television and the shows he grew up with, then launched into a series of quick musical interludes with “a small local diverse and inclusive choir from Compton” (featuring a token white guy as a tribute to Kevin Costner’s Compton origins. “Yellowstone!” Anderson cried out).

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In between musical performances, Anderson name-checked shows he grew up with, including “Good Times” and “The Facts of Life,” the latter of which introduced him to his first TV crush.

Before the bit could overstay its welcome, the musical portion concluded with drumming by Travis Barker, and then Anderson moved into a traditional monologue. He informed viewers that the evening would include 27 awards — aka 27 speeches. After encouraging winners to keep their words of acceptance brief (as many awards show hosts do), Anderson introduced his secret weapon: his mother.

“When you see my Mama coming, just thank Jesus and your family…” As he vamped, right on cue, Doris Anderson stood up and called for him to stop. “Cut to the chase!” she said, to applause from the audience. And without further ado, he did.

See the full list of Emmy winners so far here.

The 75th Annual Emmy Awards took place on January 15, 2024 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.

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