While Joanna Lumley might be something of a national treasure, whoever was writing her jokes as she hosted the BAFTAs last night definitely didn’t deserve any award.
The Absolutely Fabulous star made a series of cringe-worthy dad jokes throughout the night held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, which unfortunately were only received with a stony and highly embarrassing silence from the audience.
The most notable terrible gag was when Lumley spoke about Spike Lee’s nominated movie BlackKkKlansman, saying:
It’s an incredible film. It’s already won many awards. If I’m honest, I’m surprised it did so well at the Klannes film festival
As no one laughed and the joke fell flat, Lumey awkwardly brushed over the silence by saying:
Yes, alright
The 72-year-old actor, who was the first woman to present the BAFTAs alone, continued with the bad jokes throughout the night, joking at one point about how actor Claire Foy needed to take a "small step and one giant leap" to reach the stage (Foy stars in the outer space drama First Man).
It seems like Lumley's “jokes” not only made everyone in the theatre uncomfortable but those watching from home too.
People on social media just couldn't handle the cringe, bringing back some of the internet's greatest memes.
Joanna Lumley is absolutely bombing this #BAFTA #baftas2019 https://t.co/rAKixOyyQG— Erin Mason (@Erin Mason) 1549833399
joanna lumley’s jokes are all flopping and i’m uncomfortable #BAFTA https://t.co/7tGNHPFjyR— kelly macdonald’s translator (@kelly macdonald’s translator) 1549833308
Did Joanna Lumley really say the Klan Film Festival as a joke? Oh dear lord #BAFTA https://t.co/hBcSY1KjmM— Barry Leslie (@Barry Leslie) 1549833410
The #baftas is painfully British. Cringing with every punchline, Joanna Lumley, nearly hits... https://t.co/t6r2g1CcJK— Kimberley Walker (@Kimberley Walker) 1549833892
Joanna Lumley cracks a joke #BAFTA https://t.co/MbL0NwwYma— Malcolm Tucker (@Malcolm Tucker) 1549833470
Wow. Joanna Lumley is failing to land every single joke. Truly painful... #BAFTA https://t.co/uWMANVuphK— igmorrison #WearAMaskSaveLives (@igmorrison #WearAMaskSaveLives) 1549833341
But most of all, they questioned who was responsible for the terribly-scripted jokes.
God love Joanna Lumley, national treasure. She's doing her best but who the f*** wrote that script?!?! #BAFTA— Sam Logue (@Sam Logue) 1549880412
Whoever is making Joanna Lumley do these jokes please stop immediately & apologise to all concerned #Bafta2019— tom jamieson (@tom jamieson) 1549834281
I love Joanna Lumley but this is embarrassing who wrote these diabolical jokes I feel for her #BAFTAs— Arlene Woollard (@Arlene Woollard) 1549834514
Oh my!! I ADORE Joanna Lumley but who on earth is responsible for her dire script!!!! I’m cringing!! #bafta— Denise Welch (@Denise Welch) 1549833405
I love Joanna Lumley, but not quite sure the script writer quite got the measure of her style in this monologue. I… https://t.co/EwXzcAZiYk— Martin Lewis (@Martin Lewis) 1549833421
Oh my lord, whoever wrote Joanna Lumley’s jokes needs to kiss their future BAFTA ambitions goodbye. Shockingly bad. #BAFTAs #baftas2019— #POP (@#POP) 1549833679
Piers Morgan also chose to chime in on the cringey-ness, calling the whole thing a "train wreck".
Jeez, who wrote these jokes for Joanna Lumley? This is a train wreck. 🙈 #BAFTAs2019— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1549833436
But the best reaction by far was by comedian Steve Coogan, who sat through the opening monologue visibly in pain from all the awkwardness.
I think we’re all with Coogan on that opening monologue #BAFTA https://t.co/RcAgyKWytB— Alice Jones (@Alice Jones) 1549833667
Same Steve, same.