As the host of the 2020 Emmys nominations announcement, Leslie Jones was tasked with telling Laverne Cox she’s up for an award this year – in what ended up being a hilarious, if slightly confusing, moment.
Cox was one of three presenters who joined the broadcast via video link, along with Josh Gad, and Tatiana Maslany.
After all three presenters were done with their respective segments, Jones told Cox: “Laverne, I’ve got something to tell you.”
Jones then tried to announce Cox’s Emmy nominations, but technological issues appeared to get in the way. The announcement had to be hosted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, making for unusual circumstances this year.
“You were nominated for an Emmy in... what category?” Jones continued, eventually adding: “Guest Actress! I was supposed to do that way smoother.”
The message didn’t seem to travel entirely smoothly to Cox, who responded from the other end of the video link: “Really? Wait, what?”
Jones then told Cox several times: “You’ve been nominated!”
Gad started clapping as Cox attempted to get clarification.
“You’re nominated for Best Guest Actress on a show,” Jones told her.
“OK, um, really?” Cox replied.
Jones tried to make it clear that she was being serious, telling Cox: “Congratulations, Laverne!”
Viewers appeared to enjoy the moment and praised Jones's enthusiasm on social media.
This is Cox's fourth Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, the result of her performance as Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black. She was also nominated in 2014, 2017, and 2019.
