2025 Primetime Emmy Awards Cold Open: A SNL-Style Sketch Takes a Hilarious Jab at TV Networks and Streaming Services
The 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards kicked off with a hilarious cold open that had strong Saturday Night Live vibes. Host Nate Bargatze enlisted SNL stars Mikey Day, Bowen Yang, and James Austin Johnson for a sketch called "Washington's Dream," poking fun at television networks and the evolution of TV. The sketch humorously envisioned a future with specialized channels for different interests and the rise of streaming services, featuring witty exchanges and clever jabs at the entertainment industry.
Bargatze's period-style monologue set the tone for the sketch, highlighting the absurdity of TV programming and the emergence of streaming as a new way for companies to lose money. The comedic banter between the characters, played by Day, Yang, and Johnson, added to the humor, with jokes about murderers becoming the new stars of streaming shows and the audience's appetite for true crime content.
Social media buzzed with positive reactions to the sketch, with fans praising Bargatze's comedic timing and the clever writing of the segment. The callback to Bargatze's previous "Washington's Dream" sketch, which humorously depicted George Washington's vision for America, added an extra layer of humor to the cold open. The sketch was a hit with viewers, sparking calls for more SNL-style comedy to open future awards shows.
Overall, the cold open for the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards was a hilarious and entertaining start to the show, showcasing the comedic talents of Bargatze and the SNL stars. The sketch cleverly lampooned the television industry and the changing landscape of entertainment, setting the stage for a night of laughter and celebration.