![\"Nate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2RDQTDDD3NBMFDRLUMFAD2OZJQ.jpg\")
Nate Bargatze was condemned for the “crass and insufferable” money countdown gimmick. Christopher Polk\/Variety via Getty Images <\/p>\nComedian Nate Bargatze has defended his Emmy Awards stunt in which he warned he would reduce a $100,000 charitable donation for every second a winner\u2019s acceptance speech ran over time.<\/p>\n
Speaking on his Nateland podcast, the host of the ceremony said the idea to deduct $1,000 for every second beyond the 45-second timeframe \u201ccame from a real place of heart\u201d and was meant to make the show \u201cfun,\u201d according to CNN.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to put anyone on the spot,\u201d he said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t trying to make someone donate money. But in my head I kind of thought, like \u2018Make it fun.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Nate Bargatze was condemned for the “crass and insufferable” money countdown gimmick. Christopher Polk\/Variety via Getty Images <\/p>\n
He added that he thought some stars might use the gimmick to purposely over their allotted time just so they could pledge even more to the Boys & Girls Club of America.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my head, I pictured it as they could then go long, but then be a hero. So it was like a win-win,\u201d Bargatze said. <\/p>\n
He also thought some of the night\u2019s winners would purposely give rapid speeches to boost his own promised contributions, as the host had said he would add money if their speeches clocked in at under 45 seconds.<\/p>\n
One of those who accepted the challenge was Last Week Tonight host John Oliver<\/a>, who told Jimmy Kimmel Live that he kept one of his Emmy acceptance speeches to a brisk 19 seconds just to \u201ccost Nate Bargatze money personally.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that it went to the Boys & Girls of America is great, but, again, it would have been fine if it was just set fire to,\u201d Oliver said.<\/p>\n The fluctuating donations bit was still widely criticized, with the Daily Beast\u2019s Kevin Fallon blasting the stunt<\/a> as the \u201cworst bit I\u2019ve ever seen on an award show\u201d and saying Bargatze\u2019s name will be forever associated with the \u201catrocious, insufferable gimmick.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking on his podcast, Bargatze admitted that he didn\u2019t explain the good-natured intentions of the stunt \u201cenough in the room.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had it in my head one way. It kind of came out another way, but the reasoning was there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The host added that he was never \u201cnot gonna not\u201d give money to the kids\u2019 charity, even if the $100,000 was reduced to zero.<\/p>\n Ultimately, CBS, which broadcast the Emmys, provided an additional $100,000 on top of Bargatze\u2019s increased donation of $250,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/OZM27L5DUZGS3EX3EJCVZ2H464.jpg\")
John Oliver won Outstanding Scripted Variety Series and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series for “Last Week Tonight at the September 14 Emmy Awards. Amy Sussman\/Getty Images <\/p>\n