Emmys 2012 host Jimmy Kimmel: How did he do?
Josh Groban and host Jimmy Kimmel perform onstage during the 64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 23, 2012, in Los Angeles.
/ GettyThe show started with bathroom humor: A filmed bit with Kathy Bates, Zooey Deschanel and other nominated actresses prepping in the restroom, then discovering a weeping Jimmy Kimmel lamenting a Botox reaction he said would keep him off stage as host.
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"You look beautiful," he was reassured. "You look like a 'Real Housewife."'
Kimmel then launched into his opening monologue, which had a few zingers.
"If you're going to the HBO [Emmy] after-party, don't eat the sliders," referencing the horse racing drama "Luck," which was cancelled after horses died on the set.
He also took a dig at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. "'Downton Abbey' is an amazing show ... It really gives you a sense of what it must have been like to grow up in Mitt Romney's house," Kimmel said.
"Being a Republican in Hollywood is like being a Chick Fil A sandwich on the snack table on the set of 'Glee,'" Kimmel added.
He also called out President Barack Obama: "Does it bother anybody else that President Obama said his favorite show is 'Homeland?' I don't think the president should be watching 'Homeland' for the same reason Charlie Sheen shouldn't be watching 'Breaking Bad.'"
But Kimmel also had a few kind words, too. He praised Lena Dunham for her ability to act, direct and write. But he said she makes the rest of Hollywood look bad.
Perhaps his most notable achievement was a prank: Inviting "30 Rock" star Tracy Morgan to lie on the stage, then asking viewers to post on Facebook and tweet that Morgan "just passed out" and turn on ABC right now to see it. It worked, with the message going viral and maybe even boosting the Emmy audience for a few moments.
Otherwise, Kimmel kept the show moving, with a few forgettable jokes greasing the skids.
He offered up a parody of the "In Memoriam" fixture that's a part of all awards shows. But this one was meant to salute someone still living, "to the life and work of someone everyone in this room admires, respects and loves."
The person, of course, was Kimmel, who was displayed in slow-motion video clips while Josh Groban sang a sonorous song.
Emmy show highlights 2012
The late-night TV host also set up one of the night's best filmed comedy bits by musing on what "Breaking Bad" would have been like, had it aired in a G-rated, pre-cable era.
The answer: a spoof of the opening to "The Andy Griffith Show," with "Breaking Bad" stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, fully suited up to cook crystal meth, out at the lake with their fishing poles as the "Andy Griffith" whistling theme song was heard.
Tell us: How do you think Kimmel did as host?
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- I thought that Jimmy did a pretty good job, except with that spoof memorial sketch. I thought it was just a little disrespectful and not funny enough to justify it. I think that he was really relatable, kept it light, and moved things along well. I missed the broadcast because I work late nights at DISH, but I was able to catch it off of a recording that my Hopper automatically made for Primetime Anytime. It is great not having to set up any timers or worry about space on my hard drive and I can be confident that all my favorite shows are there when I get home. I think that Jimmy Kimmel did a good job, but I think that they should try Jimmy Fallon next time.
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