But it was Dame Maggie Smith, doyenne of British acting, who got special attention during Kimmel’s opening monologue.
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One such victor was the ever lovely Dame Maggie Smith who won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for her role on Downton Abbey. He advised Kimmel that “if you run a positive campaign, the voters will ultimately make the right choice”- then told Kimmel curtly it was a joke. If we call your name and you’re not here to accept the Emmy goes to the next person on the list – it’s called the Maggie Smith rule. She’s won the Emmy three times. How many times do you think she turned up to accept the award?
He added, “This year she had a Sunday ceramics class she couldn’t get out of”.
Sagging ratings have also hit other big entertainment awards shows, including the Oscars, which in February was watched on TV by just 34.3 million Americans compared with 43.7 million in 2015.
Kimmel opened the show with a video of him trying to get to the Emmys, finding himself in a white Bronco during a vehicle chase, a minivan with the Dunphys of “Modern Family” (2009 – present), a carpool with James Corden complete with karaoke, a limo with President Meyer of “Veep” (2012 – present) that was driven by Jeb Bush (who asked Kimmel what it was like to actually be nominated for something) and ending on a dragon with Daenerys Targaryen of “Game of Thrones” (2011 – present). She showed up at the Tonys. McKinnon tearfully accepted her award, thanking Ellen Degeneres and Hillary Clinton – both of whom she impersonates on SNL – along with her late father. But is she here in this audience tonight?
“I can’t walk, but thanks”, the actress, nominated for her role in a comedy series for Amazon’s “Transparent”, said as she responded to shouts and cheers from fans in the red-carpet bleachers.
But Maggie has fired back with a witty response her “Downton Abbey” character Violet Crawley would be proud of. For the ninth time. What is wrong with us why do we keep nominating her? Her home is in the United Kingdom, and she seems to be a genuinely quiet private person who doesn’t fancy the spotlight altogether much. “If you want an Emmy, you better hop on a plane right now and get your Dowager Count-Ass over here”.
Biting political satire “Veep” is seeking its second consecutive best comedy series award, and bleak political drama “House of Cards” is looking for its first major win, as are its stars, Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright.
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“I was very astonished and pleased to win the award. I feel the Emmys have been overly generous to me”, she wrote.
