John Oliver’s Emmys Speech Censored Twice During Live Broadcast

Comedian John Oliver won a major award at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards. His acceptance speech was abruptly censored during the live television broadcast. The incident occurred on Sunday, September 14th, in Los Angeles. It sparked immediate confusion and speculation among viewers.

Oliver won for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series. His show “Last Week Tonight” has a long history of Emmy success. The live feed muted his audio not once, but twice.

What John Oliver Reportedly Said at the Emmys

The broadcast bleeped out parts of Oliver’s brief speech. Social media users quickly attempted to decipher the comments. According to widespread reports on platform X, Oliver made a joke aimed at fellow comedian Nate Bargatze.

He reportedly used explicit language in the joke. Oliver allegedly referenced a significant amount of money and a “swear jar.” The exact phrasing shared online contained strong profanity.

Reuters provided photographic coverage of the event’s winners. The nature of live awards shows often leads to unexpected moments. This incident was no exception.

Hannah Einbinder’s Political Statement Also Censored

John Oliver was not the only winner to be censored that night. Hannah Einbinder of “Hacks” also had her speech partially muted. She won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Einbinder concluded her speech with a shout-out to her favorite football team. She then made a sharp political statement that was cut from the live feed. Reports confirm she expressed a strong opinion on immigration policy and the conflict in Gaza.

The dual censoring events became a major talking point. They highlighted the challenges of managing live, unscripted television.

The unexpected censoring of two winner speeches became a defining moment of the 2025 Emmy Awards ceremony, generating more online discussion than many of the awards themselves.

Info at your fingertips

What award did John Oliver win?

John Oliver won the Emmy for Outstanding Scripted Variety Series. His show “Last Week Tonight” has won this category multiple times.

Why was John Oliver’s speech censored?

His speech was censored for using strong profanity live on air. He reportedly made a joke about fellow comedian Nate Bargatze that included explicit language.

Was anyone else censored at the Emmys?

Yes, actress Hannah Einbinder was also censored. Her speech included a political statement about immigration and Palestine that was bleeped out.

Where did the uncensored quotes come from?

Attendees at the event and quick social media posts reported the uncensored quotes. These reports spread rapidly on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).

How did people react to the censorship?

Many viewers expressed confusion and curiosity online. They took to social media to ask what was said and why it was cut from the broadcast.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press