Many felt tonight's Emmys hit a bum note by making Sofia Vergara take place in a bit that reduced the four-time Emmy nominee to nothing more than a spinning piece of meat to distract from a boring speech given by the chairman of the Television Academy, Bruce Rosenblum.
While he talked about the impressive unions that help produce our favorite television shows, Vergara rotated on a platform in front of him as the audience nervously chuckled at the unexpectedly misogynistic stunt.
The bit was less tolerated by viewers, who flooded Twitter with outrage.
I don’t need fimesm because Sofia Vergara was just treated like a literal human statue for us to ogle performance art is amazing #emmys
What the fuck are they doing putting Sophia Vergara on a turning stage. Disgusting.
Wow. Could that Sofia Vergara bit been any more gratuitously sexist? #Emmys
did that Sofia Vergara bit really just happen? where am I? #Emmys
Modern Family wins every award it's ever nominated for but apparently that's not enough for Sofia Vergara to be treated as more than a prop.
But do we really need to objectify Sofia Vergara anymore? She's got a great sense of humor, not just t and a
Still a little queasy about that Sofia Vergara bit. #Emmys2014
So last night, Beyonce shows her talent. Tonight, the #emmys show us Sophia Vergara's boobs. Great.
Beyoncé's FEMINIST sign photoshopped behind rotating Sophia Vergara Barbie in 5...4...3...
Bring back Beyoncé's FEMINISM for Sofia Vergara to rotate in front of! #Emmys #VMAs
Sophia Vergara on a lazy Susan. Just why, #Emmys?
I wish they did that rotating Sofia Vergara joke with a guy.
Sophia Vergara. Warning. You are treading close to Charo territory. #Emmys
On the plus side, the Vergara bit has magically united everyone in my Twitter feed in mutual sorrow and shame.
The whole I'm Sofia Vergara & I'm hot but wait I'm funny bc I make fun of how hot I am is lost on me. #itsnotfunny #letsmoveon #Emmys2014
THIS IS THE MOST TONE-DEAF THING THE EMMYS HAS DONE YET THIS YEAR.
Yeah, that was rough.
After Modern Family's Outstanding Comedy Series win, Vergara responded to the hubbub (via EW) in the press room, saying: “I think it's absolutely the opposite. It means that somebody can be hot and also be funny and make fun of herself. I think it’s ridiculous that somebody started this — I know who she was — who has no sense of humor [and should] lighten up a little bit.”