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Comedian Banned from Emmys After Criticizing COVID-19 Safety Protocols
7 Oct
Summary
- Comedian Seth Rogen claims he was banned from presenting at the Emmys after criticizing the event's COVID-19 safety measures in 2021
- Rogen went off-script and called out the event for being held in a "hermetically sealed tent" despite being advertised as an outdoor event
- Emmys producers were "outwardly pissed off" after Rogen's comments, leading to his alleged ban from the show
According to a recent interview, comedian Seth Rogen believes he was banned from presenting at the Emmys after criticizing the event's COVID-19 safety measures in 2021. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in October 2025, Rogen recalled going off-script when he took the stage at the 2021 Emmys, saying there were "way too many of us in this little room" and that the event was not actually outdoors as advertised, but rather a "hermetically sealed tent."
Rogen's comments were met with applause at the time, but he says the Emmys producers were "outwardly pissed off" by his remarks. While the Emmys executive producer claimed the event had been "a safe space" with all attendees vaccinated and tested, Rogen maintained that the producers had "lied" about the outdoor nature of the event.
Now, two years later, Rogen revealed that he has not been invited back to present at the Emmys, speculating that his 2021 comments led to him being banned from the show. Emmys host Jimmy Kimmel confirmed that Rogen is indeed prohibited from presenting at the awards ceremony.
Despite the alleged ban, Rogen went on to win his first Emmy in 2025 for his work on a popular TV series. In his acceptance speech, the comedian expressed surprise at the honor, saying he had "never won anything" in his life.
