LOS ANGELES – “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson said she would rather focus on the show than the Jimmy Kimmel comedy that overshadowed her Emmy acceptance speech and drew criticism.
But Sheryl Lee Ralph, who won her own Emmy for the rousing song-and-speech sitcom, didn’t shy away from the question during a panel discussion with TV critics on Wednesday.
“I was like, ‘Oh, no disrespect, Jimmy,'” Ralph recalled. She sarcastically called it “awesome that he was on the floor during her wonderful speech.
“I told him to his face, too, and he got it,” said Ralph, who was honored at Monday’s ceremony as best supporting actress in a comedy for her role in the heartwarming comedy set in a Philadelphia school.
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Brunson won the Outstanding Comedy Series Writing Emmy and found herself onstage at the Emmys with Kimmel — who was lying on his back being dragged along by co-host Will Arnett because the late-night host allegedly ate too much “thin Marguerite”. Kimmel had plenty of praise for Brunson for her award, but didn’t budge. Some called the decision rude and thoughtless online, while others cited it as an example of white male arrogance.
Brunson was scheduled to appear later Wednesday as a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Both share a home on ABC.
“I expect we’re going to have a good time,” Brunson said Wednesday. “I’ve been talking to Jimmy since then and I think that regardless, it’s important” to demonstrate that “Abbott Elementary” returns on Sept. 21 for a second season.
Backstage Monday, Brunson said it doesn’t bother her too much and noted that Kimmel was a booster for her and “Abbott Elementary.” If she decides she’s mad at him, a smiling Brunson added, she can “punch him in the face” during her appearance on his show.
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