Brunson, as she did backstage after her victory, told Kimmel what she remembers most from the moment was her joy — no bad feelings about him lying on the floor during his speech. acceptance for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.
“Well, Jimmy, let me say thank you. That’s very kind of you to say that,” she said. “Honestly, I was in such a good time. Like, I won my first Emmy. I was up there happy and engrossed in the moment and just having a good time. .”
Kimmel introduced Brunson’s category with Will Arnett, who dragged Kimmel onto the stage and joked that Kimmel “got into the skinny margaritas” at the theater bar after losing in a previous category.
After the “Abbott Elementary” creator and star was announced the winner for writing the popular sitcom’s pilot, Kimmel remained on the ground at the base of the mic stand. It remained there throughout Brunson’s acceptance speech and during the commercial break, nearly two minutes in total.
Kimmel remained off-camera for the duration of Brunson’s speech, which lasted about a minute.
“I’ve heard of this in years past,” Kimmel replied before giving her the floor.
On Monday night, after the internet began buzzing with anger toward Kimmel, Brunson was gracious to Kimmel backstage at post-victory press interviews, telling reporters the track “didn’t bother me that much,” adding that Kimmel was an early supporter of her and “Abbott Elementary”.
“Tomorrow maybe I’ll be mad at him. I’m going to be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face,” she joked.
This, of course, would not have been a great teaching moment.
“Abbott Elementary” returns with a new season Sept. 21 on ABC.
CNN’s Scottie Andrew contributed to this report.