From where we’re sitting, it appears a censor at ABC got a little trigger-happy during the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards show Sunday night. That’s the only explanation that makes any sense as to why audio to Laverne Cox‘s speech momentarily cut out during the network’s broadcast of the ceremony.
Cox appeared to present the award for Writing in a Drama Series, and dropped an “eff-bomb” that was apparently too much for network television. Huh…
Here’s how it went on ABC:
“Good evening everyone. I am living proof of the American dream that anyone in this country can lose the Emmy four years in the same category and yet somehow end up on this stage presenting an award to someone who probably didn’t … What happens to an American dream deferred? Does it shrivel up like a raisin in the sun? Stick to the script Laverne, stick to the script. And now here are the nominees for Writing in a Drama Series.”
Laverne Cox #Emmy #Emmys pic.twitter.com/klks5MYcnR
— ? Misunderstood (@erikay84) September 21, 2020
It was an odd moment, seeing as the Orange is the New Black star didn’t curse. In the unedited clip, which was shared to YouTube by the Television Academy, Cox says, “yet somehow end up on this stage presenting an award to someone who probably didn’t effing vote for me.”
Jake123
She sounds like a bit of a sore loser to be honest. Her performance in Oitnb was good but it wasn’t even the strongest on the show let alone Emmy winning standard!!
ShiningSex
Not a sore loser, just transgender actors get passed over quite often. Look at POSE. Many great women that should have been nominated, but still have yet to be. Same old crap every season.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
She sounds like an ungrateful sore loser. I mean really, what has she done that makes her think being asked to be a presenter isn’t an award in itself? I’ll bet she didn’t do it for free either.
LumpyPillows
To have an ego as big as Laverne’s (many entertainers do, btw)! Even a trans, black woman can have entitlement issues.
ShiningSex
How is wanting transgender actors to be noticed entitlement?
Look at POSE. Only ONE gets nominated. None of the transgender actors do. NONE!!!!
How is that fair? Listen to what is being said. L I S T E N ! ! ! ! This is NOT just a black issue you fool.
Cam
Always ready to blame the victims.
Polaro
@cam how is Laverne a victim? Seems like a sore loser to me.
ShiningSex
More transgender actors of color should be nominated. Where are they???? I’ll wait for the list???
Kevan1
Maybe not the best time to address the issue, but it is past time trans actors become recognized. Like@ShiningSex said. Look at Pose and other Trans actors in the few others shows. Laverne Cox has earned an award, and will hopefully get one soon.
Dymension
Art is so subjective. There is nothing that says you HAVE to nominate someone of a certain demographic. There are very specific categories people are being nominated and it just so happens someone else one. Personally, on OiTNB I thought Uzo Aduba was the best actress and she has one for that show.
Wheelerman
I’m not a fan of Laverne Cox ever since she totally ruined Rocky Horror Live. She’s more a “personality” than an actress . Those POSE ladies, however, are killer on that show, especially MJ Rodriguez, who absolutely deserves accolades & awards.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
You think it would do any good to tell her that big booty queen wearing the American flag stretch pants in that liquor commercial that ran all summer outshined her prancing in that fur and boots? He was the one who caught your eye, not her.
jayceecook
Um, Queerty. Did you even watch both versions? The only thing they edited was the “effing” part by bleeping it out. Admittedly that is dumb as she didn’t actually use a swear word. However both versions contain the same speech.
Also, she’s a terrible actress. That’s why she lost four years in a row. She lost to better people.
As others have said, many of the women on POSE can act circles around her yet they focus on Billy Porter.
edsearl
The show was boring.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
Laverne, when you live in a glass house its best not to start throwing stones. When you asked to play in some one else’s back yard and they said yes, you play by their rules. When you need a job and auditioned for one you agreed that if told to stand on your head in the closet with the door closed you would do it.
If they chose to offer you a chance for world exposure and you blow it dont be surprised at how long the phone stops ringing. In my opinion you are what you are, a person of color who is transgender and was needed at the moment. You’ve done nothing praise worthy except being a role model for others who too seem to lack any real talent other than being a queen made up for the camera. Don’t let an overpriced apartment in NYC convince you that you really are a queen deserving more. Your acting and singing skills say different. Don’t forget that Rupaul made a near fatal career mistake twenty years ago when he insulted Milton Berle in a comment that wasn’t in the script at the Oscars. If you feel that overlooked then quit. Why hang around and whine and kiss as if you have that much talent and organizational skills?
JessPH
She isn’t even deserving of the nominations and she’s questioning why she can’t win? Ugh.
Jack
Almost 100% guaranteed that “joke” was written for Laverne. I think she is a good actress and if you watched OITNB she did have some really outstanding moments. I’d have to see her in other roles to make a full assessment (hello Jennifer Hudson), but she’s not horrible. It was a joke, people. Totally agree about the actresses in Pose, though.
jayceecook
Of course it was a joke written for her. I don’t know many people who are arguing otherwise. The problem is her delivery of said joke comes off as an authentic rant and not the witty jab it was intended to be.
Multiple entertainment sites mentioned in their coverage of the Emmys that her bit felt “off”. A couple even rewatched the segment again because they couldn’t tell for sure. It’s been included in a lot of “the worst” lists that get pumped out the next day.
And sorry but she’s not that good enough of an actress to say she nailed the joke. Her character and casting on OITNB may have been groundbreaking but her performance wasn’t.
She lost to Alexis Bledel for The Handmaid’s Tale. That performance was exceptional and deserving of all the praise it got. Plus she was up against the likes of Cicely Tyson and Ann Dowd. Then she lost to Cherry Jones from THT as well. Her career speaks for itself. That year she was again up against Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, and freaking Jessica Lange. This year she lost again to Cherry Jones but for Succession. Also up against Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad, Alexis Bledel, and Harriet Walter. All extremely gifted women who are simply stronger performers. That’s 3 not 4 so I’d like to know where her imaginary fourth nomination came from. It’s also another thing that had astute viewers confused as to if it was scripted bit or not.
Besides she has a Daytime Emmy so it’s not like she hasn’t been honored before.
As to seeing her take on other roles she has. Mostly as a guest star or small bits in films. There was her series regular role on Doubt that got canceled after just two episodes because it bombed hard. She has an action film coming out at some point. Though I’m sure COVID-19 has seriously delayed that. But if you really want to see her in another role to “assess her” just check out her performance as Dr. Frank-N-Further in TRHPS remake. That one alone speaks loud and clear to her abilities as a performer.
skyboy63
I admire LaVerne Cox.