SHOW BITS: Obama is a fan; Kimmel’s few funny bits

Show Bits brings you the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

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DANES PROUD OF OBAMA BEING A FAN

Claire Danes loves that President Barack Obama is a fan of her show “Homeland.”

“No pressure,” the actress said backstage after her win for lead actress in a drama series at Sunday’s Emmy Awards. “It’s way cool that he is a fan. It speaks to the relevancy of the show and it’s hugely validating.

Obama has said the Showtime series about a Marine returning home after being held as a POW, and who is now suspected by a CIA agent as working for al Qaeda, is his favorite.

_ Beth Harris _ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bethharrisap

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JIMMY KIMMEL AT TWO-THIRDS MARK

As he neared the two-thirds mark of his Emmy hosting marathon, Jimmy Kimmel hadn’t broken a sweat. Nor had he broken any records for laughter or hosting finesse.

Perhaps his most notable achievement was a prank: Inviting “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan to lie on the stage, then asking viewers to post on Facebook and tweet that Morgan “just passed out” and turn on ABC right now to see it. It worked, with the message going viral and maybe even boosting the Emmy audience for a few moments.

Otherwise, Kimmel keep the show moving, with a few forgettable jokes greasing the skids.

Oh yeah _ he offered up a parody of the “In Memoriam” fixture that’s a part of all awards shows. But this one was meant to salute someone still living, “to the life and work of someone everyone in this room admires, respects and loves.”

The person, of course, was Kimmel, who was displayed in slow-motion video clips while Josh Groban sang a sonorous song.

Too bad Kimmel’s best Emmycast moments were a practical joke and silly self-promotion.

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