Jimmy Kimmel Apologizes for Stealing Quinta Brunson's Emmys Moment: "I Think So Much of You"

On Sept. 12, Quinta Brunson received the award for outstanding writing for a comedy series at the 2022 Emmys. Brunson, who also stars in "Abbott Elementary," made history with the win, becoming the third Black writer and second Black woman writer to receive the honor, per E! News. And while her victory is still being celebrated, a different aspect of her big moment has gained attention since the ceremony: the way Jimmy Kimmel laid on the floor as she delivered her acceptance speech. Now, Kimmel has officially apologized for his blunder.

During Brunson's speech on Emmys night, Kimmel continued a bit he began earlier in the show, which saw Will Arnett drag the comedian's "dead body" across the stage and joke that it was the "13th time in a row that he's lost and [Kimmel] just got into the skinny margaritas back there." Kimmel remained lying on the stage as Brunson came up to receive her award and stayed there during the entirety of her speech. Brunson addressed the late-night host, saying, "Jimmy, wake up. I won."

Backstage, Brunson spoke about the debacle, which has generated some backlash online from fans of the "Abbott Elementary" star. "I don't know! I know Jimmy Kimmel. I felt like the bit didn't bother me that much," she said in the press room. "I don't know what the internet thinks." She added that previously, Kimmel has been supportive of her work. "Honestly, Jimmy gave me my first big late-night spot and was one of the first people to see 'Abbott,'" she said. "He Instagram messaged me that he saw this comedy, and thought it was one of the greatest comedies of all time and he was so excited. . . . In that moment, I was just really happy that it was Jimmy up there. I kind of consider him one of the comedy godfathers. I'm a huge fan of Will Arnett. So I was wrapped up in the moment."

However, she said she was still making up her mind about how she feels about the incident. "Tomorrow, maybe I'll be mad at him," Brunson said. "I'm gonna be on his show on Wednesday, so I might punch him in the face. I don't know. We'll see what happens."

On Sept. 14, prior to Brunson's appearance on Kimmel's late-night talk show that same day, the "Abbott Elementary" creator addressed the incident during her show's panel at ABC's Television Critics' Association press tour, which POPSUGAR attended. "I've talked with Jimmy since and I think, no matter what, it's important to showcase that 'Abbott Elementary' is premiering next week," she said. But Brunson's Emmy-winning costar Sheryl Lee Ralph stepped in with more to say about Kimmel's bit.

"I was absolutely confused. I didn't know what was going on," said Ralph. "But I was like, I wish that man would just get up off the ground. And then I realized it was Jimmy Kimmel and then I was like, 'Oooh, the disrespect, Jimmy.' But that's alright . . . It was lovely that he was lying on the floor during her wonderful acceptance speech," Ralph added sarcastically. She also said that she told Kimmel what she thought of his bit "to his face" and said "he understood."

When Brunson appeared on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" the night of Sept. 14, he apologized during their sit-down and via another bit. Toward the end of his opening monologue, Brunson came out and interrupted him. "You're a little bit early for your interview. It's after the commercials," Kimmel said to her. Brunson responded, "I know, but I just have a little favor to ask. You know how when you win an Emmy, you only have 45 seconds to do an acceptance speech, which is not that much time? And then you get less time because someone does some dumb comedy bit that goes on a bit too long?" As the crowd laughed, Kimmel jokingly responded, "You know, I have heard of that happening in previous years."

Concluding the moment, Brunson asked, "I was wondering, or more demanding, if I could have a couple extra minutes to thank a couple of extra people I couldn't on Monday night?" Kimmel then gave her the floor to do another acceptance speech. Check out the moment below:

Later, during their interview, Kimmel took the opportunity to offer Brunson a more traditional apology. "People said I stole your moment," Kimmel said. "And maybe I did, and I'm very sorry if I did do that. I'm sorry I did do that, actually. And also the last thing I would ever want to do is upset you because I think so much of you. I think you know that. I hope you know that."

Brunson responded graciously, saying, "Thank you. It is very kind of you to say that. I, honestly, was in such a moment of just having a good time. Like, I won my first Emmy. I was up there happy and I was wrapped up in the moment and just having a good time."

It looks like we can all consider the hatchet buried between Brunson and Kimmel at this point, but hopefully the comedian won't crash anyone else's Emmys acceptance speeches in the future.