The Emmys hit a new historic low in audience numbers after drag queens and “hell goblins” stole the show Monday night.
At least 4.3 million viewers watched the Fox-hosted Emmy Awards show, according to Nielsen data.
Reported deadline:
While other awards ceremonies have managed to bounce back (at least a little) from their pandemic lows, the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards hit another discouraging milestone. Just 4.3 million viewers watched Monday night's ceremony on Fox, according to early Nielsen data.
That's a significant drop from its previous all-time low last year, when fewer than 6 million people tuned in to the show on NBC. The awards show was also down more than 37% from the last time the Emmys aired on Fox in 2019, when viewership fell to a then-historic low of 6.9 million.
All of the above was well below last Monday night's ceremony in 2018, when NBC had 10.17 million viewers.
Maybe Americans aren't interested in being lectured by drag queens and literal demons.
RuPaul Charles defended Drag Queen Story Hour during his Emmy speech.
“Listen, if a drag queen wants to read you a story at the library, listen to her,” RuPaul said from the stage as he accepted the award.
“Knowledge is power, and if someone tries to limit your access to power, they are trying to intimidate you,” he said.
RuPaul added: “Listen drag queen!”
“If a drag queen wants to read you a story in the library, listen to her because knowledge is power, and if someone is trying to limit your access to power, they are trying to scare you. So listen to the drag queen!”
—RuPaul #Amy letter pic.twitter.com/14VLicse38
-Spencer Althouse (@spenseralthouse) January 16, 2024
Then a literal “goblin from hell” joined the drag queens on stage.
He watches:
RuPaul Tells People Not to Be Afraid of Drag Queens as Princess Poppy Takes the Emmys Stage as a Literal Imp from Hell I Scream pic.twitter.com/hR2VehRcOE
-Joey Nolfi (@joeynolfi) January 16, 2024
