Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Emmys 2016: Jeb Bush made fun of himself in the opening sketch. It was great.

Alex Abad-Santos
Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at The Atlantic.

Turns out Jeb Bush can be really funny when he wants to be.

Bush, the former governor of Florida and “low-energy” adversary to eventual Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, made an appearance at the 2016 Emmys and was actually the best part of the ceremony’s opening bit.

Bush, playing himself as a $12-per-hour Uber driver between jobs, was one of the television personalities who helped host Jimmy Kimmel get to the Emmys in the opening sketch.

“Are you nominated?” Jeb asks Kimmel. And when Kimmel responds that he is, Bush responds, “Wow, what’s that like?”

There’s a whiff of sadness in Jeb’s honest eyes, but also some dark humor there.

“If you run a positive campaign, the voters will ultimately make the right choice,” Jeb says.

“It’s funny you say that, my psychi—” Kimmel begins to respond before getting cut off.

“Jimmy, that was a joke,” Jeb says.

The scene ends with Jeb driving off and a last glance at a Jeb! bumper sticker. It’s the perfect amount of self-awareness.

Perhaps it’s the craziness of this election, or maybe we’re just tired of all the politics, but Jeb actually seemed really funny tonight. Finally, instead of laughing at him, we were laughing with him.

Go, Jeb! go.

More in Culture

Life
What is an aging face supposed to look like?What is an aging face supposed to look like?
Life

When bodies and appearances are malleable, what does that mean for the person underneath?

By Allie Volpe
Video
What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?What would J.R.R. Tolkien think of Palantir?
Play
Video

How The Lord of the Rings lore helps explain the mysterious tech company.

By Benjamin Stephen
Climate
The climate crisis is coming for your groceriesThe climate crisis is coming for your groceries
Climate

Extreme heat is already wiping out soy, coffee, berries, and Christmas trees. Farm animals and humans are suffering too.

By Ayurella Horn-Muller
Future Perfect
The surprisingly strong case for feeling great about your coffee habitThe surprisingly strong case for feeling great about your coffee habit
Future Perfect

Your morning coffee is one of modern life’s underrated miracles.

By Bryan Walsh
Good Medicine
Do health influencers actually know what they’re talking about?Do health influencers actually know what they’re talking about?
Good Medicine

Most health influencers don’t have real credentials — but they are more influential than ever.

By Dylan Scott
Life
Why banning kids from AI isn’t the answerWhy banning kids from AI isn’t the answer
Life

What kids really need in the age of artificial intelligence.

By Anna North