Why Christina Applegate Joked That Emmys Crowd Was "Shaming" Her

At the 2023 Emmys, Christina Applegate made light of her battle with multiple sclerosis and joked about the audience "shaming” her by giving her a standing ovation.

By Gabrielle Chung Jan 16, 2024 3:01 AMTags
Watch: 2023 Emmys Recap: Must-See Moments & Emotional Wins!

Christina Applegate's got jokes.

In fact, the Anchorman actress—who is battling multiple sclerosis—couldn't help but to crack a few self-deprecating ones after she was warmly welcomed on stage at the postponed 2023 Emmys with a standing ovation. (Click here to see all the red carpet fashion.)

"You're totally shaming me with disability by standing up," she quipped to the crowd. "It's fine."

Clad in a red velvet Christian Siriano gown with a cane in her hand, Applegate went on to poke fun at Hollywood's latest weight-loss trend, joking while gesturing to her torso, "Body not by Ozempic."

And when she started detailing her decades-long TV career, prompting claps from the audience, Applegate hilariously noted, "We don't have to applaud every time I do something."

But clearly touched by the sweet gesture, the Married With Children alum tearfully added, "I'm gonna cry more than I've been crying." 

Applegate was at the star-studded event not only as a presenter, but as a nominee in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for her portrayal of Jen Harding in the third and final season of Dead to Me. Her fellow nominees included Wednesday's Jenna Ortega, Poker Face's Natasha LyonneAbbott Elementary's Quinta Brunson and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel's Rachel Brosnahan. (Click here for the full list of winners.)

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See the Winners of the 2023 Emmys

Her appearance at the Emmys, which was pushed back from September due to the actors' and writers' strike, was especially significant since Applegate previously expressed doubts in ever being nominated for an award again. In February, she said that the 2023 SAG Awards would be "my last awards show as an actor probably."

 

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"Right now, I couldn't imagine getting up at 5 a.m. and spending 12 to 14 hours on a set," she told the Los Angeles Times, alluding to retiring from acting amid her MS battle. "I don't have that in me at this moment."

Applegate—who was diagnosed with MS in 2021—continued, "I don't like seeing myself struggling. I gained 40 pounds because of inactivity and medications, and I didn't look like myself, and I didn't feel like myself."

However, the 52-year-old noted that her role on Dead to Me did help "distance myself from my own ego, and realize what a beautiful piece of television it was."

For more star sightings at the Emmys, keep reading.

Suki Waterhouse

in Valentino and Tiffany 7 Co. jewelry. 

Jessica Chastain

in custom Gucci & Reza jewelry.

Jeremy Allen White

in custom Giorgio Armani and a Vacheron Constantin watch.

Taraji P. Henson

in custom Atelier Versace, Alexandre Birman shoes and Simon G jewelry.

Selena Gomez

in Oscar de la Renta and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Camila Morrone

FIJI Water and JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery returned as the Official Water and Official Wine Partners at the Emmys.

James Marsden

FIJI Water kept stars hydrated with the company's iconic bottles.

Meghann Fahy

in custom Armani Privé & Bulgari jewelry.

Evan Peters

in Dior Men.

Bella Ramsey

in Prada.

James Marsden

in Canali. 

Bill Hader

in Dior Men.

Abby Elliott

in Alexander McQueen.

Jason Sudekis

Priscilla Presley

Jessica Williams

in custom Rodarte.

Kathryn Hahn

in Christian Dior.

Calista Flockhart

in Armani Privé.

Leo Woodall

Lauren Ambrose

Mychal Bella Bowman

Zawe Ashton

Tracee Ellis Ross

in Sportmax and Pomellato jewelry.

Natasha Lyonne

in Schiaparelli.

Kaitlin Olson

in Monse.

Lizzy Caplan

in vintage Yohji Yamamoto and Fred Leighton jewelry.

Kumail Nanjiani

in Brunello Cucinelli and IWC Schaffhausen watch.

J. Smith-Cameron

in Christian Siriano.

Ellen Pompeo

in Monique Lhuillier and REZA jewelry.

Christina Ricci

in Saint Laurent.

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View More Photos From Emmys 2023: Celebrity Red Carpet Fashion
For a full recap of the 75th Emmy Awards, check out E! Online's Emmys homepage here.