Nate Bargatze<\/a> kicked off the 2025 Emmys<\/a> with a unique proposition for the night’s biggest stars.<\/p>\n The comedian, 46, who is hosting the awards ceremony<\/a> for the first time, revealed that he planned to donate $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of America. But for every time the night’s winners<\/a> exceeded their allotted 45 seconds, he would deduct from the amount.<\/p>\n The announcement drew some uneasy laughs from the star-studded audience,<\/a> who no doubt have a laundry list of thank yous listed out in case of a win.<\/a><\/p>\n “That’s tough, it’s brutal,” Bargatze told the crowd<\/a>, feigning exasperation. “What are you gonna do, though? I can’t change it \u2212 this is a game I made up and these are the rules.”<\/p>\n Nate Bargatze speaks onstage during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theatre at LA Live in Los Angeles on Sept. 14, 2025.<\/p>\n “I want to give money to the Boys & Girls Club, (but) this is my money,” the comedian explained in an interview with USA TODAY.<\/a> “Go over a little bit. Let’s not be insane. It could get out of control. I’ll be sweating that, if some reason we find out they just all become super, super nice Sunday night.”<\/p>\n Emmys 2025 live updates: <\/strong>Seth Rogen nabs first-ever win, Colbert gets standing ovation<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Early signs on social media showed mixed reactions to Bargatze’s bet, with some users lauding his decision to donate, while others chided him for gamifying philanthropy. Others also chided his strategy for robbing stars of their time in the spotlight.<\/p>\n “I like Nate Bargatze and I loved the opening but that donation money counter is really rude to people who are experiencing a once in a lifetime moment and it got annoying real fast,” one user wrote on X.<\/a><\/p>\n 1<\/span> of 103<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n All your favorite TV celebrities glammed up for the red carpet! See which stars wowed Sunday night at the 2025 Primetime Emmys Awards in Los Angeles, starting with Jenna Ortega.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “As much as I love the jokey pressure Nate Bargatze put on winners at the #emmys by taking money off a charity donation when they speak too long,” another user added<\/a>, “the fact is, the most compelling moments in most awards ceremonies comes from winners saying something unexpected and moving.”<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
Bargatze’s Boys and Girls Club bit gets mixed reactions<\/h2>\n
Jenna Ortega, Selena Gomez, more stars wow on Emmys red carpet<\/h2>\n