Emmy winner John Oliver thanks his dearly departed dog

“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” won outstanding scripted variety series at the 76th annual Emmy Awards on Sunday which prompted Oliver to dedicate the award to – checks notes – his dead dog.

“We had the most fantastic, silly dog,” Oliver said after thanking his coworkers, his wife and his sons. “She was at our wedding. She got us through the pandemic.”

The Emmy orchestra started to play Oliver off, but he wasn’t having it.

“Perfect choice of music – we had to say goodbye to her,” he continued, laughing as the audience cheered. “I feel like Sarah McLachlan now.”

The play-off music ended, allowing him to finish.

“This isn’t just for her, this is for all dogs,” Oliver added as more cheering erupted. “You’re all very good girls, you’re all very good boys. You all deserve a treat.”

Earlier, “The Traitors” won outstanding reality competition series, toppling perennial favorite and frequent winner “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Host Alan Cumming thanked the production team, the contestants who he noted were frequently sodden by the wet Scottish weather, and then took a left turn to thank Holland. As in the Netherlands.

“Because I don’t think we thank Holland enough,” Cumming said, explaining that “The Traitors,” like other reality shows before it, was adapted from a Dutch reality series. “There must be something in the water, so lets find it, lets drink it, and all of America’s problems will be solved.”