Emmy of little surprise
Host Jimmy Kimmel didn't seem to have trouble predicting winners
Jimmy Kimmel certainly lived up to his reputation of being one of the best in the business.
The US host of late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned for a second time to preside over the 68th Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (US time) - and he was sharper than ever.
As expected, Game Of Thrones, Veep, and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story won top honours. (See report at right.)
And Kimmel, 48, helped keep the three-hour telecast light and tight.
Here are some of his buzz-worthy moments.
WINNER: Actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus with the trophies for her Best Actress In A Comedy Series title and Outstanding Comedy Series award for Veep. PHOTO: AFP
OPENING CREDIT
While Kimmel impressively hitched a ride on a fire-breathing dragon with Game Of Thrones' Daenerys Targaryen, the coolest part of the opening sketch was when he unleashed his inner Wham!, singing Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go with fellow talk show host James Corden.
Kimmel also poked fun at the industry, saying: "Here in Hollywood, the only thing we love more than diversity is congratulating ourselves for our diversity."
CRYSTAL BALL
Kimmel was uncannily spot-on when it came to predicting winners.
He handed Jeffrey Tambor an Emmy during his opening monologue before making his way to the stage, saying "that will save 22 minutes" from the show.
Tambor bagged the Outstanding Actor In A Comedy Series title.
Kimmel also said Sarah Paulson would win Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie because she turned up with celebrity lawyer Marcia Clark.
In The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Paulson played Clark, the head prosecutor who lost in the O.J. Simpson murder trial which the show was based on.
"Everyone in L.A. knows, if you want to win, sit next to Marcia Clark," Kimmel teased with irony. But he turned out to be right.
He also poked fun at Maggie Smith of Downton Abbey.
The veteran UK actress has been nominated for Emmy's best supporting actress five times since the series premiered in 2010 - she won in 2011 and 2012 - and she had never once showed up at the Emmys.
"If we call your name and you're not here to accept, the Emmy goes to the next name on the list. It's called the 'Maggie Smith rule'," said Kimmel in his opening monologue.
When Smith was announced the winner, Kimmel interrupted and accepted the trophy on her behalf, saying that it would go to the "lost and found section".
GIVE AND TAKE
Kimmel roasted the UK producer who created reality TV show The Apprentice, US presidential hopeful Donald Trump's claim to TV fame.
"Thanks to Mark Burnett, we don't have to watch reality shows because we're living in one. If Trump builds that wall, the first person we throw over is Burnett," said Kimmel.
"Who do you have lined up to fill in the spot on the Supreme Court? Miley Cyrus or CeeLo?"
Burnett had the last laugh as his reality TV singing show The Voice won Outstanding Reality Competition Program.
He got back at Kimmel during his acceptance speech by inviting viewers to watch the new season of The Voice for new judges Cyrus and Alicia Keys ("Your next Supreme Court Justices").
Kimmel also got a taste of his own medicine when his long-time "nemesis", US actor Matt Damon, came on stage to gloat over Kimmel's loss to John Oliver, who won the Emmy for Variety Talk Series.
Damon is a recurring gag on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he keeps getting rejected as a guest.
"It makes a lot of sense, but you must be really bummed out," said Damon.
"This is so humiliating. You lost, and now you've got to stand out here for the rest of the night when you probably just want to go home and curl up and cry."
LIST OF SELECTED WINNERS
Outstanding Drama Series
Game Of Thrones
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series
Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series
Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Outstanding Comedy Series
Veep
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Louie Anderson, Baskets
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Outstanding Limited Series
The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Outstanding Television Movie
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Courtney B. Vance, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Sarah Paulson, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie
Sterling K. Brown, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie
Regina King, American Crime
Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Voice
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