‘Abbott Elementary’ Creator Quinta Brunson Reacts To Jimmy Kimmel’s Emmys Joke During Her Speech

Quinta Brunson, the Abbott Elementary creator, became the second black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in Comedy Series during the 2022 Emmys on Monday – it wasn’t without controversy.

Before Brunson accepted her trophy onstage, comedian Jimmy Kimmel presented an award with Will Arnett. Kimmel pretended to be unconscious and stayed on the floor throughout Brunson’s acceptance speech and into the commercial break, nearly two minutes in total.

During her speech, Brunson dug at Kimmel: “Jimmy, wake up. I won!”

But Kimmel remained out of the camera’s frame for the duration of Brunson’s speech, sparking backlash on social media, many of whom commented that it was disrespectful to her.

Brunson reflected on the incident backstage with a reporter immediately after her speech.

“I know Jimmy Kimmel, and I don’t know, I felt like the bit didn’t bother me that much,” she said. “I don’t know what the internet thinks, but I know him. Jimmy gave me my first big late-night spot and was one of the first people to see Abbott.”

She also joked that she might be angry at him tomorrow and punch him in the face on his show on Wednesday.