The 2024 Emmy Awards remembered the best of the best in television – and Joshua Jackson got the shock of his life when he went on stage to present the Governors Award to Greg Berlanti.
Jackson, 46, joined forces with Matt Bomer to present the award on Sunday, September 15, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As the acting duo entered the stage, “I Don’t Want to Wait” by Paula Cole played in the background.
“Ah, yes, that song,” Jackson joked with a broad smile, referring to the title that became famous as Dawson’s Creek: The mysterious setting Theme song. Jackson played the role of Pacey Witter in the series from 1998 to 2003.
“Television history was written on Dawson’s Creek: The mysterious setting because Greg was the first writer and producer to show a gay kiss between two teenagers in prime time, and that was in 2000,” Jackson said onstage. “I remember being so proud to be part of that show, and at the same time not understanding how big it was. Greg gave us a beautiful, relatable and, yes, the first portrait of a gay teenager pursuing his desires with the same fear that everyone has before their first kiss.”
The kiss Jackson was referring to was between Jack (Kerr Smith) and Ethan (Adam Kaufman) during the third season of the series.
“Like all visionary producers, he is always one step ahead of the audience with his shows,” Jackson continued of Berlanti. “He opens the door and as we walk through, we find ourselves more comfortable with characters who have real life experiences than we ever could have imagined.”
Berlanti is also known for his work on Brothers and sisters, Everwood, Political animals, Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina And You.
Smith, 52, previously recalled his Dawson’s Creek: The mysterious setting Storyline in which Jack is “largely” an extension of Berlanti.
“We were the first to do it,” the actor told TooFab in 2019. “It was a crazy experience at the time, and you’re right, watch every single show now, it’s pretty amazing.”
Smith continued, “It was an intense experience and I remember calling everyone I respected and saying, ‘Hey, should I do this?’ I remember the first kiss between two men being very intense. I’m glad we did it and it’s become part of history.”