John Mulaney used his time on the Emmys stage to take a direct jab at the billion-dollar streamers now running Hollywood award season. His presenting slot arrived deep into a night already packed with sharp humor and unexpected callbacks. The audience had settled into a rhythm of heartfelt speeches and comic bits, and nobody quite expected the next line to land as pointed as it did.

While the ceremony rolled through its usual mix of gratitude and glamour, Mulaney's next line turned the spotlight on an entirely different kind of drama.

John Mulaney took the stage to present Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, but not before turning his attention to the platforms funding modern television.

"It's these couple of days where you find out just how much you mean to your billion-dollar streamer," he said, catching the entire ceremony off guard on live NBC television.

He built on the line with an imagined exchange, mimicking a streamer's sudden affection: "We love you. We want you to know how important you are to this storytelling family."

Before snapping into a colder tone, "Can I get a plus-one?" "Get out of here."

The joke landed inside a longer bit built around men being historically underrepresented on television, complete with a reference to Fonzie and a crack about the nominees resembling a lineup of prom kings. Mulaney also poked fun at method acting versus what he called regular, less annoying acting, keeping the tone playful rather than mean-spirited. Noah Wyle ultimately won the category for his role in The Pitt. Viewers can catch the ceremony as it continues to unfold live on Peacock, NBC's official streamer.

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While Mulaney was busy roasting the industry from the podium, another headline about his career had already been building behind the scenes.

Reports earlier this month revealed that John Mulaney is in talks to play Maxwell Smart in a Get Smart revival being developed at Warner Bros. Seth Grahame-Smith is attached to write the screenplay, while Andrew Lazar and Chuck Roven are on board as producers. Mulaney, a four-time Emmy winner, most recently hosted and executive produced Everybody's Live with John Mulaney on Netflix, and he is also set to appear as Trip Hawkins in David O. Russell's upcoming project Madden.

The original Get Smart, created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, ran for 138 episodes between 1965 and 1970 and earned seven Emmy Awards during its run. A 2008 film adaptation starring Steve Carell went on to gross more than 230 million dollars worldwide. Between a possible spy comedy reboot and a night spent poking fun at the platforms bankrolling prestige television, Mulaney's Emmy week has made clear that his sharpest material rarely misses its target.

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What are your thoughts on John Mulaney's billion-dollar streamer joke at the Emmys? Let us know in the comments.