Emmys 2024: Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Taylor Zakhar Perez Stumble Through “Super Embarrassing” Johnnie Walker SponCon

An otherwise breezy 2024 Emmys came to a screeching halt tonight when The Bear ‘s Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Red, White, and Royal Blue ‘s Taylor Zakhar Perez found themselves trapped in an awkward sketch backstage that seemed to double as native advertising for Johnnie Walker whiskey. The moment not only didn’t feel natural, but led to an equally awkward awards presentation where there was a production snafu as Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd ‘s name was announced as the winner of the Outstanding Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie award. Naturally, fans took to Twitter to share their confusion.

Awards shows like the Emmys often bring together strange pairings to present awards, and such was the case this year. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who was the first Emmy winner of the night for his Supporting Actor work in a Comedy, and Red, White, and Royal Blue heartthrob Taylor Zakhar Perez are certainly both known for their charisma on their respective projects, but that charm was bizarrely absent in the intro to their big Emmys moment.

After a commercial break, the Emmys’s cameras followed Moss-Bachrach as he sidled up to the backstage bar. The only drink on offer? Johnnie Walker Blue Label. When Taylor Zakhar Perez arrives to meet up with his presentation partner, Moss-Bachrach defends himself, noting he’s allowed to watch the show from the bar. “This is…you know…the best seat in the house. It’s quiet, you got a great view. Join me,” Moss-Bachrach seems to either read off a card or limply improvise.

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“You know, I checked and it’s okay to have a drink and present…responsibly,” Moss-Bachrach continues, as the bartender pours two glasses of Johnnie Walker Blue Label for the actors.

As soon as they toast, the announcer calls them to do their gig. They walk up and Moss-Bachrach, laughing to himself, says, “That was fun.”

“We should do it again sometime,” Zakhar Perez says blankly.

We then get a look at the nominees and there’s an issue with the microphone as Zakhar Perez reads Baby Reindeer writer and star Richard Gadd’s name.

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So what was that? A literal bit of Emmys spon con, confirmed by the next commercial break. The announcer reads, “The 76th Emmy Awards, brought to you by Johnnie Walker Blue Label.”

Needless to say, the reactions on X (aka Twitter) were…divided to say the least. Some users called it “tacky” or “pretty embarrassing,” while others thought it was “smart product placement.”

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So was it a win for Johnnie Walker Blue Label? Or a loss for the Emmys? Maybe it depends on whether or not you now associate the drink with Richie from The Bear .

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