Branson, as she did backstage after her win, told Kimmel that what she remembered most about that moment was her joy — not the bad feelings about him lying on the floor during her speech about great writing at a comedy series. “Well, Jimmy, let me say, thank you. It’s very kind of you to say that,” he said. “Honestly, I was in such a moment where I was just having a good time. Like, I won my first Emmy. I was up there happy and I was wrapped up in the moment and I was just having a good time.” Kimmel introduced Brunson’s class with Will Arnett, who dragged Kimmel onstage and joked that Kimmel “got into the skinny margaritas” at the theater’s bar after losing an earlier class. After the “Abbott Elementary” creator and star was announced as the winner for writing the pilot of the hit sitcom, Kimmel was left on the ground at the base of the microphone stand. It remained there throughout Branson’s acceptance speech and the commercial break, nearly two minutes total. Kimmel remained off camera during Branson’s speech, which lasted about a minute. During Kimmel’s opening monologue on Wednesday night, Brunson had little time to say a few more words of thanks after walking on stage and asking for a favor, joking that sometimes “you get less time (on stage) because someone does something stupid comedy. it goes on more or less.” “I’ve heard of this happening in previous years,” Kimmel replied before giving her the floor. On Monday night, after the Internet began buzzing with outrage at Kimmel, Branson was polite to Kimmel backstage in post-victory press interviews, telling reporters that the bit “didn’t bother me that much,” adding that Kimmel was too early. supporter of Abbott Elementary as well. “I might be mad at him tomorrow. I’ll be on his show on Wednesday to punch him in the face,” she joked. This, of course, would not be a very instructive moment. “Abbott Elementary” returns with a new season on Sept. 21 on ABC. CNN’s Scottie Andrew contributed to this report.
