Michael Che Is Roasting His Own Emmy Award

While John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight continues to kick Saturday Night Live’s ass, taking yet another Outstanding Scripted Variety Show prize at the Emmy Awards, Lorne Michaels and SNL’s 50th anniversary show did pick up a trophy for Outstanding Variety Special (Live). Several of the show’s producers and stars stood behind Michaels as he accepted the award, including Colin Jost, Tina Fey and Bowen Yang.

But where was Michael Che? Las Vegas, according to his Instagram Story. He was watching fights, losing thousands at the casino and reveling in not having to wear a tux. He expressed surprise on the platform after someone told him that he’d won an Emmy on Sunday (he’s listed as a producer on SNL50), so he asked his followers to Photoshop him enjoying his award.

That “yeaaa..” sums up Che’s enthusiasm for his medium’s highest honor. “dont have the trophy yet, per se,” it now says in his Insta bio. “think they mailing it soon.” 

But Che wasn’t done thumbing his nose at anyone who believes trophies are for winners.

“ya kno, since i never cared about awards.. i wanted to donate my emmy to the community center where i ate free lunch every day so the kids in the projects may be inspired and follow their dreams like i did,” he began. 

Then he yoinked the rug out from under those impressionable youth: “but i think im gonna just keep it. i like trophies now.”

Always a master troll, Che responded to the haters out there who say he’s gotten too big for his britches. Starting with an eye-roll emoji, Che explained himself. “see this is why i dont like posting stuff here.. cause im already getting a lotta hate in my DMs and i know the blogs are going to try to run with this.. so let me just be clear.. OBVIOUSLY, winning one stupid trophy isnt enough to change me or make me forget where i come from.”

Che’s weekend win actually makes it three. And the kids in the community center probably aren’t going to get that one either.