Dan Levy reveals text messages from father Eugene Levy about baby reindeer at 2024 Emmys opening

Eugene Levy and Dan Levy opened the 2024 Emmy Awards with their typical humor.

Emmy winners for their roles in Schitt’s CreekThe two actors are the first father-son duo to host the show.

In the opening monologue, Dan joked that the performance was a “big gamble for us” as “actors are acting as hosts.” If it goes “well,” he added, “My name is pronounced Levy, not 'Leevie.'” Eugene then joked, “And if something goes wrong, my name will be pronounced 'Martin Short.'”

Elsewhere, Eugene recalled that he had played “a lot of dads” in his career, but his “most satisfying father role ever was being your dad,” he told Dan – before quickly adding: “In Schitt’s Creek. Because it got me my first Emmy for acting.” Amidst the audience's applause, Dan quipped, “Why do we applaud bad parenting?”

Eugene, 77, and Dan, 41, also joked about FX's The bear is categorized as a comedy series, the plus sign on streaming platforms such as Apple TV+ as representation for the LGBTQ+ community and about the Baby reindeer-style texts that Eugene showered Dan with before the ceremony.

Dan said his father “still hasn't mastered the art of texting,” judging by the joke messages on the screen behind them. The typo-filled text read: “Let's host Emmys. Colin Farrell will be there. Do you still have a crush?”

“I didn’t think these would be made public…” Eugene said as Dan read a few more.

They also joked that they were confrontation-averse Canadians and had to give the floor to the evening's winners whose speeches lasted too long.

“Canadians don't like to interrupt others. It's against our nature,” Eugene explained, and Dan added, “Confrontations in general cause fear, especially for my 77-year-old father, okay?”

“…Make it brief, because the pressure is on me alone,” Eugene said. Dan said to those present, “I don't want to sound alarmist here, but having to interrupt you could kill this man.”

Eugene and Dan have each won four Emmy Awards: Eugene won two for SCTV Network 90 and two for Schitt’s Creekwhile Dan earned his statues for Schitt’s Creek as creator, writer, director and supporting actor of the popular comedy series.

In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of Sunday's ceremony, Dan explained that he and his father would approach their hosting duties from a “very different position” compared to many past Emmy presenters.

“My dad and I aren't stand-up comedians, so we have a very different approach,” he said. “But we both work really hard and are determined to make it as great as possible. We want to create an atmosphere where you feel really welcome and celebratory. This is a big night in so many people's lives and we just want to be there to make it as celebratory as possible for everyone.”

Eugene, for his part, told PEOPLE that the couple tried to approach the evening with respect and humor.

“As this is our first time, we hope this year's show will provide enough laughs, enough charm, enough goodwill and enough love for the medium that got both my son and me started in this business,” he added.

Although they are first-time Emmy presenters, the pair were confident that the evening would go smoothly thanks to a talented team of writers.

“We're working with some very funny writers who seem to be in tune with our sensibilities. And both Daniel and I have spent a few years writing comedy, by the way, so I think we're all in good sync so far,” Eugene explained.

When asked who would give the other more constructive feedback, Eugene replied, “My son. He's a perfectionist.”

Watch PEOPLE's full coverage of the 76th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on ABC.