JIMMY KIMMEL:Thats nice of you to say.
I mean, just to be totally honest, I agreed to do this almost a year ago.
ABC asked me right away if I would do it.
Jeff Lipsky/abc
And I said yes.
And then of course the world turned upside down.
And I think that if we can do it, we should do it.
Theres no question about that.
Its almost like a home game version of a beloved television show.
Its like playingWheel of Fortunein your house.
I will be on this show a lot more than the host is typically on an award show.
Usually there are big stretches where the host disappears, and we dont have that luxury.
So yes, we are preparing for as many scenarios as we possibly can.
Will you be doing costume changes to switch things up?
Im just wearing my old tuxedo from the Oscars or something, or maybe the last Emmys.
I dont know which tuxedo Im wearing, but it will be a retread.
My guess is youll be wearing the one that fits.
and Ive gained a few pounds here in quarantine.
So, theyre going to have to let those pants out a little bit.
I just keep thinking about you on the stage at the Staples Center, at this enormous empty arena…. Its a ridiculous proposition.
And I was confused when we started this.
I was like, Why are we doing this in the biggest venue possible?
I mean, talk about feeling like an ant in a swimming pool.
But its just for safety.
Its just to keep people as far away from each other as possible.
We are asking our nominees and our presenters to help make the show fun.
And I think thats how most of the presenters approach it.
And the show is not about me.
Its not my talk show.
Its about all these people who are nominated for all these great shows.
And everybody wants to be funny.
And everyones got a lot of time on their hands right now.
This one is going to be very, very different from others.
And hopefully well never do this again.
Well, I mean, there are different degrees of that.
That would be fun to see.
So I will not tell anyone what to do with their private parts.
And thats what makes this exciting.
The more dignified, the funnier it is.
Congratulations on your nominations.
Im presuming that never gets old?
No, its exciting.
And Id be disappointed if we werent nominated.
And its exciting to be nominated with Norman Lear for something other than our talk show.
And I really enjoyed my working and personal relationship with him.
I mean, hes 98 years old and he still gets very excited about the whole thing.
And I love being a part of that.
He is an amazing man.
Theres not a hint of old age when you talk to him.
Once we can get a studio audience, we will do moreLivein front of them.
Is there anything about this time that has actually been illuminating for you in terms of doing your show?
So I will be very glad to be back in my office with my co-workers.
Is it partially to lend some normalcy to this very abnormal moment?
And for people who are in the television industry, its a dream realized.
Why take that excitement away from them when we dont have to?
Plus, I mean, lets be honest,were watching 15-year-old episodes ofThe Bachelor.
So, I think people will welcome some newly produced television.
For more on the Emmys check out the latest episode of EW’s Awardist podcast.
The 72nd Emmy Awards airs Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.
ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.
