https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/john-oliver-played-off-emmys-speech-dead-dog-1236145021/
John Oliver won the Emmy for 'Last Week Tonight' and was played off by the orchestra while in the middle of honoring his family's dog who died.
Video of the speech from ABC. The award was for best scripted variety series. Music starts at 0:58, so I guess they're allotted a minute.
The Sarah McLachlan joke is presumably because she's an animal rights activist, and appeals for donations are normally set over somber orchestral music?
Theres a famous SPCA commercial with her and her song "I will remember you"
So yes because she is, but this commercial has been referenced and spoofed so often its a pretty well known comedic reference but a sincere message as well
Hah, he's so popular they basically waited for him to say when they can play him off the stage.