Anthony Anderson skips jabs at the 2024 Emmys, employs mom to keep winners’ speeches short in hilarious monologue

Anthony Anderson opened Monday night’s 2024 Emmy Awards by playing it safe. The comedian, actor, and game show host, 53, began the 2024 Emmys by honoring several past shows that he said shaped him during his childhood. Joined by a choir, Anderson sat at a piano and sang the theme songs for various historic shows such as “The Facts of Life” and “Miami Vice.” He also gave a hat tip to Norman Lear, who died in December at age 101.

He still snuck in some jokes – when the choir entered, he compared this moment to his TV experiences growing up. “It was just me, my TV my piano, And a small local diverse and inclusive choir from Compton.” The crowd laughed as a choir shuffled in and stood next to Anderson. “Yeah, you’re probably wondering why I have the white dude in the choir,” he said, pointing to the singers.

“Fun fact, Kevin Costner is from Compton. I wonder if he was a Crip or a Blood..who knows. Yellowstone!” When Anderson segued into singing “In the Air Tonight” after talking briefly about how “Miami Vice” taught him how to be cool, the camera panned to “Blink 182” and newest Kardashian family member, Travis Barker, accompanying Anderson and the choir on drums.

Anderson is best known for starring in “Black ish,” “Law & Order,” “Transformers,” and “Scream 4,” as well as hosting game shows such as “To Tell the Truth.” Unlike Golden Globes host Jo Koy, who quickly alienated the audience by taking potshots at them — and oddly scolding them for failing to laugh at his jokes — Anderson kept his jokes to a minimum and barely singled out any celebs in the room.

Aside from the Costner joke, his opening was mostly earnest and musical. After the musical tribute to older shows, he gave a more traditional – albeit short – monologue. “Normally in awards shows, we do what’s called, playoff music,” he said. “This year, I’ve got something that nobody can ignore: my mom.” The camera panned to his mother, Doris Hancox, 70, sitting in the audience next to Harrison Ford, 81.

“She’s going to be the Emmys playoff mom,” Anderson explained. “When you see my momma coming, thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up,” he said, referring to acceptance speeches. His mom then interrupted his monologue to stand up from her place in the audience and shout, “I wanna go to the after party.

Hurry up!” He scolded her for heckling him, saying, “You’re supposed to be yelling at the other people, not at me! Not in the middle of the monologue!’” Overall, Anderson’s opening was a little boring and staid. It wasn’t particularly memorable, bold, or hilarious – but, it also wasn’t a train wreck like Jo Koy at the Golden Globes.

Anderson played it safe, honored television history with his musical tribute, and got in a cameo from a trendy star of the moment (Travis Barker) and a Kevin Costner joke that wasn’t particularly cutting to Costner. He did the job like a pro, delivering a mildly entertaining opening that was thematically appropriate, and didn’t overstay its welcome.

The 2024 Emmys aired Monday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. on Fox..