#3: Sean Spencer’s Joke Fell Flat
When: 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, 2017
At the 2017 Emmy Awards, host Stephen Colbert stirred up controversy by welcoming an unexpected guest to his opening monologue: former White House press secretary Sean Spicer. Rolling in behind a replica of his notorious podium, Spicer’s entrance mirrored Melissa McCarthy’s iconic SNL portrayal. He quipped, “This is the largest audience to witness the Emmys, period,” referencing his infamous lie about the inauguration attendance.
However, Hollywood and its fans weren’t amused. Celebrities like Kumail Nanjiani, James Corden, Kal Penn, and Seth Rogen expressed disgust on Twitter, criticizing Spicer’s appearance. Even Harry Potter’s Jason Isaacs didn’t hold back, calling Spicer a “poisonous purveyor of lies” while sharing a photo of him at the Netflix party.