Jimmy Kimmel to host Emmys for the first time

LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Kimmel has been picked to host the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air on Sept. 23 on ABC.

It is the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” host’s first time performing those duties for the Emmys, which is surprising considering the amount of hosting work he’s done for other awards show, including the American Music Awards and ESPN’s ESPY Awards.

Don Mischer will be executive producer of the show for a record 12th time. In a statement he said, “We love television and look forward to working with the Television Academy and ABC in creating a show that is fast-paced, humorous, unpredictable and at times irreverent, but clearly celebratory of our incredible industry.”

Kimmel has been on a bit of a roll himself lately. His positioning on ABC makes his live post-Oscars show a must-see event, and his fake trailer for “Movie: The Movie” became a viral sensation earlier this year. His show’s YouTube channel just surpassed half a billion views.

He’s also set to host the White House Correspondents Dinner in April, another high-profile gig made most notable by Stephen Colbert’s scathing routine in front of President George W. Bush in 2006. However, no one expects Kimmel to go all Colbert on President Obama.

The Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on both coasts.

Los Angeles Times (MCT)