Cuomo toasted, roasted by celebs for winning an Emmy about COVID daily briefings
Denis Slattery
ALBANY ― A host of New York celebrities praised and poked fun at Gov. Cuomo Monday as he was awarded an Emmy for his daily coronavirus briefings.
Director Spike Lee, comedian Billy Crystal, Cuomo pal Billy Joel and other famous folks from the Empire State celebrated the governor during a video tribute aired as the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences bestowed its International Emmy Founders award on the governor.
Cuomo’s briefings became must-see TV for millions as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged New York earlier this year and he sought to keep the public informed on the latest developments and measures being taken to stem the spread of the virus.
Actor Richard Kind, host of the 48th International Emmy Awards, is seen onstage and watching New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, recipient of the 2020 International Emmy Founders Award, on screen at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York on Monday.
Actor Richard Kind, host of the 48th International Emmy Awards, is seen onstage and watching New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, recipient of the 2020 International Emmy Founders Award, on screen at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York on Monday. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/)
“The Governor’s 111 daily briefings worked so well because he effectively created television shows, with characters, plot lines, and stories of success and failure,” said International Academy President & CEO, Bruce Paisner. “People around the world tuned in to find out what was going on, and New York tough became a symbol of the determination to fight back.”
Prior recipients of the award include Oprah Winfrey and the former US vice-president Al Gore.
A video montage included actress Rosie Perez, who appeared at one of Cuomo’s briefings, as well as actor Ben Stiller, who took a different tact as he ribbed the governor over his newfound celebrity.
“I was trying to think of something that I could say to you that would be funny, so I called your brother Chris who could not understand why you were getting an Emmy when he’s the one on television,” Stiller said, mentioning the governor’s CNN host brother Chris Cuomo.
“He also said that now that you’re the love guv, you’ve kind of transcended politics,” the “Something about May” star went on. “And now you’re really more like a national sex symbol You’ll probably get more dates than votes. That’s him saying that, not me.”
Actor Ben Stiller is seen on screen congratulating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday.
Actor Ben Stiller is seen on screen congratulating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Monday. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/)
Cuomo’s popularity soared during the pandemic, earning him a legion of fans and leading to the term “cuomosexual.”
Not everyone was pleased that the governor was being praised for his on-screen performances.
Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean, an outspoken critic of New York’s handling of coronavirus in nursing homes after losing both of her in-laws to the virus, ripped the governor over the award.
Andrew Cuomo, 31, the son of New Yorks Governor and the head of help Inc., a non-profit organization which builds transitional housing for homeless women and children, joins John F. Kennedy Jr. during a radio interview in New Rochelle, New York Tuesday, May 17, 1989. Kennedy told listeners he would have no complaints if housing for the homeless was arranged in Hyannisport. Mass.
Former Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, center, arrives at the Byram Hills Central School District Administrative Offices with his wife, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, and their daughters, Cara, 6-years-old, left, Michaela, 3-years-old, 2nd from left, and Mariah, right, Friday, June 22, 2001, in Armonk, N.Y. Cuomo enrolled his twin daughters in the first grade in the Byram Hills public school after buying a home in Westchester county.
Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, left, and her husband Andrew Cuomo holding their newborn twins Mariah Matilda Kennedy Cuomo, left, and Cara Ethyl Kennedy Cuomo at their suburban Washington home. The twins were born Wednesday Jan. 11, 1995 at Georgetown University Hospital. Cara Ethyl arrived at 7:22 p.m. weighing 6-pounds 13 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long. Mariah Matilda arrived at 7:42 p.m. weighing 5-pounds 14 ounces and was 19 inches long.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. Albert Gore, left, talks with New York Mayor Ed Koch, center, and Andrew Cuomo at a hearing on aid for the homeless, Monday, March 28, 1988 in Brooklyn, N.Y.. A range of politicians joined the congressional hearing to condemn a proposed federal regulation that would limit funding for families in welfare hotels.
Former congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, left, speaks during a news conference as Andrew Cuomo, right looks on at City Hall Thursday May 4, 2006 in New York. Ferraro endorsed Cuomo in his run for New York State's Attorney General.
Actor and president of the Creative Coalition William Baldwin, left, speaks to reporters as US Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Andrew Cuomo, right, looks on during a press conference in Dec. 1999 at The House of Ruth, a transitional housing facility for homeless families in Washington, DC .
John F. Kennedy Jr., left, Andrew Cuomo and Kerry Kennedy, at Maguire's Cafe, for a fund-raiser for H.E.L.P., Cuomo's organization that builds low-income housing.
Vice President Al Gore, right, shakes hands with Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo, left, Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at the Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, N.Y. Gore was in the economically distressed area of upstate New York as he sought to pump new energy into his presidential campaign.
New York Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Cuomo, left, is trailed by his father former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, right, during a campaign stop in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo press conference at 26 Federal Plaza on July 5, 1995.
New York Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Cuomo, right, campaigns with wife Kerrey Kennedy Cuomo, left, in Brooklyn, New York, on April 16, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo, the son of former Governor of New York Mario Cuomo, announces his candidacy for Governor of New York State on April 16, 2002 as his supporters look on outside the Supreme Court Building in Mineola , New York.
US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo addresses the Democratic National Convention on its fourth and final day in August 2000 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Donald Trump, left, and Andrew Cuomo on Dec. 12, 1989.
Andrew Cuomo is congratulated by his wife Kerry Kennedy Cuomo (far right) as she holds their daughter Kara, 2, after Cuomo was sworn in as the new HUD Secretary, Feb. 10, 1997, during a ceremony in the Indian Treaty Room at the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. Cuomo's brother Chris (right) holds their daughter Mariah, 2.
New York Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks about his support of raising the state minimum wage at a rare event with fellow Democratic candidate Carl McCall May 2, 2002 in New York .
Andrew Cuomo at his confirmation hearing for HUD Secretary on Jan. 22, 1997.
Andrew Cuomo, left, with daughter Michaela, announces his run for governor at the Genesis Homes in East New York, Brooklyn.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Andrew Cuomo during an interview in his Washington DC office on April 4, 1997.
Chris Cuomo, left, and Andrew Cuomo at the bachelor party for Andrew on June 3, 1990. Andrew Cuomo married Kerry Kennedy on June 9, 1990.
Andrew Cuomo, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary as he met with the Editorial Board of The New York Daily News at our offices at 450 West 33rd Street in Manhattan, on Jan. 4, 2000.
Gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo looks over his 1968 Pontiac GTO and his 1975 Corvette at his Mount Kisco, N.Y., home in 2002.
Candidate Andrew Cuomo at HS for Teaching in Manhattan announces his education plan for the state on April 11, 2002.
Andrew Cuomo arrives at the funeral of Rose Kennedy on Jan. 24, 1995 in Boston.
President Clinton, left, made a trip to Baltimore on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998, with HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo on the subject of homelessness. Christa Spangler, center, who introduced the President and Andrew Cuomo.
Andrew Cuomo, and daughters Cara, Mariah and Michaela attend the release party for "Crossroads," a book of essays he edited, at Osteria del Circo on Nov. 17, 2003.
Former Mayor Ed Koch, center, endorses Andrew Cuomo, left, in his bid for the office of New York State attorney general during a news conference on the steps of City Hall.
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch announces the union's endorsement of Andrew Cuomo for state attorney general during a news conference at PBA offices in lower Manhattan.
Andrew Cuomo gives a thumbs-up as he arrives at Radio City Music Hall for "A Concert for John Kerry: A Change Is Going to Come." The event raised funds for the campaign of presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and his freshly minted running mate, Sen. John Edwards.
Democratic mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer and former HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo discuss affordable housing during a campaign stop at Kenmore Hall in 2005.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act on Tuesday, July 17, 2019 in Manhattan, New York as his ex-wife Kerry Kennedy, left, and daughters Cara Kennedy Cuomo and Mariah Kennedy Cuomo.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks to the press before he marches up Fifth Avenue in the annual Salute to Israel Parade.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks with the Daily News Editorial Board at the Daily News' offices on Jan. 19, 2012.
Andrew Cuomo, with Sandra Lee, receives the nomination for Governor at the New York State Democratic Committee 2010 State Convention.
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Andrew Cuomo marches at the Salute to Israel parade with daughter Cara on May 23, 2010.
Andrew Cuomo waves as he speaks to supporters at Democratic Headquarters in the Sheraton New York Hotel on election night after winning the race for state attorney general over his Republican opponent, Jeanine Pirro.
Democratic state attorney general candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks outside the 1st Precinct stationhouse on Ericsson Place as incumbent Sen. Hillary Clinton looks on during a campaign stop with labor leaders before tomorrow's general election.
Andrew Cuomo laughs as he sits onstage at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during his swearing-in ceremony as the 64th State Attorney General.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks on the steps of City Hall as he receives and endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice New York.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks on the steps of City Hall as he receives and endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice New York.
President Bill Clinton with gubenatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo at Klitgord Center, New York City College of Technology.
Mario Cuomo,left, and son Andrew look over family car on May 8, 1977.
Gov. Mario Cuomo ,left, acknowledges applause at inauguration as wife Matilda and son Andrew look on, on Jan. 1, 1987.
Andrew Cuomo with sister, Maria on Nov. 4, 1988.
Gov. Mario Cuomo shares breakfast with son Andrew on Jan. 30, 1983.
Mario Cuomo, right, rides in car as son Andrew drives on Jan. 20, 1983.
Mario Cuomo and family at their home in Queens, New York on May 18, 1977.
Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks with the Daily News Editorial Board at the Daily News' offices in 2012.
New York Attorney General Elect Andrew Cuomo, left, joins hands with his father former New York Governor Mario Cuomo during a rally held by New York Democrats, in New York, on Nov. 7, 2006.
“I heard that to get an Emmy Award, you have to send a videotape of yourself to the board members,” Dean said on “Fox & Friends.” “And so to think that the governor was going through some of his TV appearances talking about deaths in New York and submitting those videos to the Emmy folks really makes me physically sick.”
Singer Billy Joel is seen on screen congratulating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, recipient of the 2020 International Emmy Founders Award, at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York.
Singer Billy Joel is seen on screen congratulating New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, recipient of the 2020 International Emmy Founders Award, at the Hammerstein Ballroom at Manhattan Center in New York. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/)
Cuomo, after thanking the ”everyday heroes” including doctors, nurses and food store employees who worked through the worst of the crisis, joined in the fun.
“I take it in good stride,” he said. “And to Ben Stiller, whose teasing took liberal license, testing the boundaries of decorum and good taste, I only say New York tough means one more thing — it means, Ben, I know where you live.”
