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Emmys 2018: Michael Che Handed Out 'Reparation Emmys' to Iconic Black Actors
Recipients included Tichina Arnold and Jaleel White
Many were excited at prospect of the potential history to be made at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, with Sandra Oh in the running to become the first Best Drama Actress winner of Asian descent for her work in Killing Eveand Donald Glover seemingly poised to become the second black man to win Best Comedy Actor twice, let alone twice in a row, for his starring role in Atlanta. However, neither Oh nor Glover won during Monday's ceremony, a reminder that for all the strides the Emmys are taking to embrace diversity, there's still a long way to go.
Throughout the Emmy's 70-year history, plenty of talented black actors and actresses have been passed over for their white peers and Emmys co-host Michael Che decided to right some of those wrongs. In a skit that will either make you laugh and nod your head in agreement or make you feel wholly uncomfortable, Che gave out Reparation Emmys to television greats who he felt were deserving of an award.
Emmys 2018: The Complete Winners List
The funny skit saw Che hand out trophies to likes of Marla Gibbs for her role as no-nonsense maid Florence Johnston in The Jeffersons; dynamite Good Times actor Jimmy Walker, who called the award "dynamic"; and A Different World's Kadeem Hardison. "I don't think you realize how many young brothas you inspired to go to college," Che said, before awkwardly side-stepping the fact that he isn't one of those people who went to college.
Other recipients included Jaleel White, whom Che called "the OG black nerd" for his role as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, and legendary actor John Witherspoon for his role as Pops on The Wayans Bros. "If it wasn't for you, there'd be no Donald Glover. There'd be no Kanye West. There'd be no Obama," Che said of White's scene-stealing work on the '90s family sitcom.
Che also recognized Tichina Arnold, whom he described as "pound for pound the best sitcom actress I have ever seen" with iconic roles such as Pam on Martin and Rochelle on Everybody Hates Chris.
Check out the killer sketch in the video above let us know who else you think deserves a Reparaton Emmy!