ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty ImagesWhen a television drama depicting the O.J. Simpson trial is sweeping the Emmys, it's just begging for a bit. A very, very sarcastic bit about O.J. himself.
And that's exactly what host Jimmy Kimmel gave us. He took the opportunity to poke fun at the former football player's saga, as well as the characters of everyone involved in said saga. He started off with a bit about Simpson's onscreen alter ego, quipping "He played O.J. so well, I now believe Cuba may have done it."
He also poked fun at Sarah Paulson (who of course played lead prosecutor Marcia Clark), saying "Everyone in L.A. knows, if you sit next to Marcia Clark, you win."
And then came the award for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Courtney B. Vance took home the prize for his depiction of Simpson's defense attorney to no one's surprise, but the best part of it came at the end of his acceptance speech. Kimmel came out to announce the next presenters and couldn't resist the quip, "I have to believe Johnny Cochran is smiling up at us tonight."
Ba doom boom ching.
All these O.J. jokes played well for the audience, except for one person: John Travolta. No, Mr. Travolta was all kinds of uncomfortable. We're not sure if it was the provocative nature of the jokes that bothered him or if perhaps he was simply in a suit one size too tight. But either way, he showed it all on his face. Things started out just peachy keen with John, as you'll see here.
He was jazzed! Over the moon! Simply delighted to watch his friend and former colleague accept an award. He was clapping and smiling, and feeling no discomfort whatsoever. Then it all dissolved from there. First he had to accept one of Jimmy Kimmel's mom's peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which may have made him self-conscious.
Then the edgy jokes started, and a grimace surfaced on Travolta's face. You could tell he was trying to stifle something, but just what he was stifling was slightly unclear.
His hands may have been saying, "I'm clapping," but his eyes were saying, "I'm not sure I want to be clapping." And his pursed lips were saying, "Move on, Kimmel, you're treading a dangerous path right now."
But a man can only act for so long. His face gets tired. He loses his concentration. He decides he just DGAF about pretending to like these stupid O.J. Simpson bits. And he does this:
Yes, ladies and gentleman, that is a disapproving head shake. A disapproving head shake that says, okay, I'm done pretending to clap and I'm officially no longer finding this a tiny bit funny. In fact, I'm downright dismayed that we're even doing this right now. Also I wish I hadn't accepted that PB&J.
As uncomfortable as Travolta may have been, we for one are pretty happy this all happened. Because there's nothing better than a disapproving GIF. We can't wait to bust this out the next time a friend texts us asking whether she should get bangs.