Host Anthony Anderson and his mother, Doris Bowman, had quite the time at the 2023 Emmys on Monday.
Anderson announced last week that his mother would be attending television’s biggest night with him and that he and the producers were looking for “smart ways to incorporate her” in the evening’s festivities.
What they found was that, instead of the award show’s notorious play-off music, Bowman would be the one letting people know when their acceptance speeches were going over the allotted time, and she did her job so well that the broadcast ended exactly when it was supposed to.
Jennifer Coolidge, who received the Emmy Award for best supporting actress in a drama series for The White Lotus, was the first person Bowman had to warn that time was up. Anderson’s mother put up a cardboard sign with a drawing of a clock on it and a red “X,” letting Coolidge know it was time to leave the stage.
“Baby. Baby. Time,” Bowman told the actress.
John Oliver, while accepting the award for best scripted variety series, purposely ran out his clock so that Mama Doris could tell him it was time to wrap up. Once she let him know, he thanked Jesus and his family, playfully referencing Anderson’s opening monologue in which he explained how the “play-off mama” would work.
“If you see my mama, just thank Jesus and your family, and wrap it up,” the night’s host said. “I don’t want anyone to get disrespectful with my mama, because she is from the west side of Chicago.”
For her final play-off, Bowman created a colorful sign that read “Wrap it up now. Love, Mama,” which she showed to The Bear cast as they accepted the award for best comedy series at the 2023 Emmys.
Earlier in the monologue, Anderson noted that everyone tends to ignore play-off music during major awards shows, which is why they tend to run over time. “Now I’ve got something no one can ignore: My mama,” he joked.
When the news broke that the host would be involving his mother in the show, he teased the bit to The Hollywood Reporter and explained that he and the producers wanted to make sure they could have fun with it without stepping on anyone’s toes.
“We know people have points to make, thank-yous to make and mission statements to make during an acceptance speech,” he told People. “We have to be courteous to all the other nominees and actors who may be winning that night and courteous to the audience members who are watching at home.”
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight about Bowman’s involvement, Anderson said she would have one other role in the evening: She will be going on a date with whoever wins the award for lead actor in a comedy series. “So, Ted Lasso, watch your ass. Alright, Jason Sudeikis,” he said. “I’m not gonna call you daddy. But seems like you might be on a date with my mama that night.”
Ultimately, Sudeikis didn’t win the award this year (like he had the previous two Emmys Awards). However, Doris Bowman and Jeremy Allen White may be seen on a date soon.
See the full list of winners here.
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