Emmy Awards host Anthony Anderson rocks his monologue alongside mom and Travis Barker
Emmy Awards host Anthony Anderson tickled the ivories and honored some of his favorite shows during his opening on TV's biggest night. The inexplicable appearance from Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker was more of a surprise.
"I love television," Anderson said, beginning his monologue at the 75th Emmys on Sunday night. "Simply put, television has shaped the world and more importantly shaped me."
Boasting a "local, diverse and inclusive" choir from Compton with one white guy – and pointing out that Kevin Costner is from the California town – Anderson sang theme songs from shows like the 1970s sitcom "Good Times" and '80s show "The Facts of Life." He revealed a crush on Charlotte Rae's Mrs. Garrett – "Now she could teach me the facts of life," he quipped – before moving into crooning the "Miami Vice" tune, Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight," as a duet with Barker on drums.
"Hey, Travis. You can play at my wedding, man. You missed the first one. The second," jokes Anderson, who got a divorce last fall.
Emmys play-off music replaced with Anthony Anderson's mom
Anderson announced there wouldn't be play-off music that winners would ignore if their acceptance speeches ran long. "This year I've got something no one can ignore: My mama," Anderson said. "When you see my mama coming, just thank Jesus and your family and wrap it up."
But his mother Doris stood up and told her son he needed to stop so she could get to the afterparty quicker: "Time's up, baby. Cut to the chase."