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The Sydney Sweeney Joke at the Emmys That Almost Everyone Missed
Sep
Most viewers watching the 2025 Emmy Awards probably missed the joke aimed at Sydney Sweeney—including many Americans paying close attention.
Comedian Nate Bargatze, this year’s Emmys host, wasn’t in top form, but still outperformed many comics on an average night. His material varied in impact, and one joke in particular quietly slipped past almost everyone.
Midway through the ceremony, Bargatze quipped:
“I have a blue jean tux on for some reason. We had, like, a joke. There’s a cummerbund, and I forgot what it — I don’t know.”
He was wearing a full Canadian tuxedo — blue denim jeans, jacket, bowtie, and cummerbund. Then, he introduced:
“Alright, please welcome two-time Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney.”
Sweeney, in a sleek red gown, walked onstage to present the Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series award.
At first glance, the moment didn’t seem significant. But upon closer inspection — and some insider knowledge — it turns out that Bargatze was making a joke. It just lacked a punchline.
The Joke That Wasn’t Said
A backstage source later confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the bit was meant to reference Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle ad campaign. The campaign, which went viral earlier this year, featured Sweeney posing with the tagline:
“Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”
The ad, a play on words between jeans and genes, was criticized by some for seemingly promoting a narrow standard of beauty. Although it sparked online debate, Bargatze avoided directly referencing the ad. Instead, he let his denim outfit serve as the subtle setup, with Sweeney’s entrance as the silent punchline.
Still, the joke didn’t land.
Too Subtle for the Spotlight
Bargatze’s comedic style is famously clean and controversy-free. In this case, that restraint may have worked against him. Without explaining the reference, his “denim tux” came off as merely eccentric — not satirical.
Denim is everywhere in fashion. Without context, his outfit didn’t clearly parody Sweeney’s ad. Multiple people at the ceremony missed the joke entirely. A source backstage confirmed that the moment got little to no reaction.
Even after learning the background, many in the press still didn’t consider the bit “clever.” As the article notes, “The best comedy needs more than setup — it needs a payoff.”
Sweeney herself gave no reaction. She walked onstage, did her job, and exited—without any interaction with Bargatze. Whether she missed the reference, chose to ignore it, or was instructed not to engage is unclear.
Final Thought
The Sydney Sweeney joke may have had a clever concept, but it needed clearer execution to work in a live broadcast. A denim tux alone — no matter how unusual — wasn’t enough to make the audience connect the dots.
Sometimes, a joke needs more than a setup. It needs an actual joke.
Copy Right By Hornnastee
