Vir Das asks 'who does Will Smith have to slap' to get International Emmys some views; roasts OTT giants in monologue

Vir Das took jibes at major streaming platforms, Will Smith, and even the US government in his monologue at the 2024 International Emmy Awards.

Updated on: Nov 26, 2024, 13:13:05 IST

By Abhimanyu Mathur

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Comedian Vir Das scripted history on Monday night as he became the first Indian to host the International Emmy Awards. The comedian-actor presented the 2024 edition of the popular TV and streaming awards with his trademark charm and wit. And when he was on stage, everyone was fair game. (Also read: Vir Das says he's 'nervous' about hosting the International Emmys: 'It's a weird month to be a foreigner in America')

Vir Das poses in the press room after hosting the the 52nd International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on November 25, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (AFP)

Vir Das jokes about Will Smith's slap

The full video of Vir's monologue is not out yet, as the award ceremony was not streamed or telecast in India (and much of the world) live. Vir poked some fun at that irony, addressing the OTT platform representatives in the room. In a clip shared by the comedian himself on Instagram Stories, he says, "All the major platforms are here and humbly, I feel that next year, one of you should really broadcast this show. What do you think?"

As Vir's statement was met with cheers and applause from the crowd, he added the punchline, saying, "Who does Will Smith have to slap tonight for us to get some eyeballs, guys?" The joke was a reference to the infamous incident from the 2022 Oscars when actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock, who was hosting the show, after he made a joke on his wife, Jada Pinkett. Continuing his monologue, Vir added, "I'm kidding. We are foreigners. You can't slap foreigners with anything but sanctions...sorry tariffs."

Vir Das at the International Emmys

The International Emmy Awards were held in New York City on Monday night (Tuesday morning, India time). For the mega event, he wore formal attire designed by the fashion label Salooka by Shubangi Bajpai. Like his previous stints at the International Emmys (when he was a nominee), Vir gave a new designer a chance to dress him for the red carpet and the stage.

Vir Das was nominated for an Emmy in 2021 for his special Vir Das: For India and won in 2023 for his Netflix special Landing. The comedian is currently on his international Mind Fool tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abhimanyu Mathur
Abhimanyu Mathur is Deputy Editor, Entertainment at Hindustan Times. With almost 15 years of experience in writing about everything from films and TV shows to cricket matches and elections, he inhales and exhales pop culture and news. Currently, he watches movies and TV shows and talks to celebrities for a living, while occasionally writing about them as well. A journalism graduate of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University, Abhimanyu began his career with Hindustan Times at the age of 20, swapping classrooms for newsrooms at an early age. He began his journey in the early days of digital journalism, later switching to the madness of print journalism. Work has led him to far off places like Japan and Jordan, as well as to the interiors of Haryana and the Indo-Pak border. He dabbled in city reporting in places like Meerut, Gurgaon, and Delhi, covered the Olympics and Cricket World Cups, before finding his calling in entertainment and lifestyle during the pandemic. A Rotten Tomatoes Certified Film Critic, he is equally at home covering stories on ground as he is interviewing celebrities and studios, and sometimes prefers to shepherd teams in delivering traffic through the day. Even as his role has evolved from reporter to supervisor over the years, his first love remains writing (and of late, talking on camera). With a good understanding of cinema and its trends, and a keen eye for detail, he continues to spark conversations around showbiz for readers around the world.Read More

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