Jimmy Kimmel to return as Emmys host

Jimmy Kimmel will return to the stage of the Microsoft Theater as host of the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC has announced. Kimmel previously hosted the Emmy Awards for ABC in 2012, the last time the network featured the broadcast.

New president of ABC Entertainment Channing Dungey had nothing but the highest praise for Kimmel in a statement from the network released Monday, saying, “Jimmy Kimmel is the consummate showman. With [him] at the helm, expect to be at the edge of your seat for a bigger, bolder, and better-than-ever Emmy event.”

“I am excited to be hosting the Emmys again,” said the host of long-running ABC late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” of his new side gig, adding, “I have a feeling I’m going to be great.”

It’s not a complete surprise that ABC would opt to go with Kimmel again as a host, given that networks often lean on in-house talent to host the awards when it is their year to broadcast the event, including Andy Samberg, star of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” hosting for Fox last year, Seth Meyers of “Late Night With Seth Meyers” hosting for NBC in 2014 and Neil Patrick Harris, then of “How I Met Your Mother,” hosting for CBS in 2013.

In addition to the hosting news, the Television Academy also announced that the Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place over two nights, Sept. 10-11, at the Microsoft Theater.

Nominations for the Primetime Emmys will be announced July 14 and presented Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. on ABC.

libby.hill@latimes.com

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