Donald Glover may not have picked up any Emmys this year, but he was still winning the social media game.
Viewers might have spotted a rather unusual-looking individual sitting in the front row during the ceremony, wearing a red smoking jacket and celebrating the night's winners. The unknown man appeared to be Teddy Perkins, the bizarre character from Glover's Emmy-nominated episode of Atlanta, aptly titled "Teddy Perkins."
"The only thing more intense than Teddy Perkins being in the front row of the Emmys is trying to explain to someone who doesn't watch Atlanta who Teddy Perkins is," comedian Ben Schwartz wrote.
The only thing more intense than Teddy Perkins being in the front row of the Emmys is trying to explain to someone who doesn't watch Atlanta who Teddy Perkins is.
In the episode, Lakeith Stanfield's character, Darius, attempts to purchase a piano from Perkins (played by Glover) and is drawn into a creepy and terrifying situation with the character. (It's best seen sans spoilers.)
When fans of the series realized Perkins was there, they were delighted by the bizarre character's presence.
Um... Teddy Perkins is sitting in the front row. #Emmys2018pic.twitter.com/Sofat5OceS
Teddy Perkins is at the freakin’ #Emmys! pic.twitter.com/LwRQouZ1tY
Wait, Teddy Perkins is in attendance at the Emmys so 'Atlanta' wins the whole ceremony pic.twitter.com/pRV3Rj7xpF
Was Glover playing his enigmatic character for the crowd? Many assumed he was, but Glover was also in the audience as himself for the ceremony. There were rumors that he may have dressed as Perkins first, then pulled off a quick change, but a source tells ET that the man behind the disguise was actually Saturday Night Live alum Jay Pharoah.
The comedian posted a photo of the Atlanta cast with Perkins, writing: "I'm all for it, phuckin TEDDY PERKINS N THE @atlantafx cast Ayyyyeee! #emmys"
He also snapped a selfie with Wanda Sykes and appeared to be wearing the burgundy jacket that the Atlanta character sports.
For more Emmy moments, check out the video below!
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