2018 Emmy Awards co-host Michael Che took time out of his hosting gig to present a number of “Reparations Emmys” to famous black actors from iconic television shows over the years.
Che began the taped segment — filmed at a coffee shop, where the Emmy co-host was seated with Superior Donuts star Jermaine Fowler — by presenting The Jeffersons star Marla Gibbs with an award. He also gave out Emmys, which he explained he “stole” from Bill Cosby, to A Different World‘s Kadeem Hardison, Martin‘s Tichina Arnold, Jimmie Walker from Good Times, The Wayans Bros. John Witherspoon and Jaleel White from Family Matters.
When presented with the award, Walker was so excited he could only sum up his feelings in one word: “Dynamic!” Not quite the iconic line from his famous 1970s sitcom.
Che told White that he inspired black nerds everywhere with his portrayal of Steve Urkel, including notables like Donald Glover, Kanye West and even former President Barack Obama. “Did I do that?” White responded.
At one point, the discussion between Che and Fowler turned to HBO’s The Wire, and how it never won any acting Emmys during its five-season run. “If Bryan Cranston got six Emmys, Idris Elba should have 10 Emmys,” said Fowler.
“He only won because he’s white,” Fowler went on. “If he was black he’d probably be bagging groceries at Trader Joe’s somewhere,” he said, a reference to former Cosby Show star Geoffrey Owens, who was the subject of a news story recently after someone spotted him working at the supermarket chain.
After Che and Fowler shared a laugh at Cranston’s expense, it was revealed the Breaking Bad star was seated behind them.
