Andy Samberg receives mixed reviews from critics for Emmys hosting debut... while viewers take to Twitter to praise comedian
It is the most thankless job in Hollywood - emcee an awards show and all one gets is a truckload of criticism.
But SNL alum Andy Samberg signed up to host of the 67th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
And while his effort has received mix reviews, there's no doubt he had a blast on stage on Sunday night.
Critics were divided over the 37-year-old Emmy winning actor's performance as master of ceremonies, however, feedback on Twitter suggested Andy provided lots of laughs throughout the show.
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Can't please everyone: Andy Samberg received mixed reviews for his first ever gig hosting the Emmys on Sunday night
USA Today reviewer Robert Bianco was pleased that 'the right Andy Samberg showed up', saying the host was his charming and goofy self and the timing of his gags was just right.
He added that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star kept the show moving at a good pace and he avoided being 'gratingly smug' which he has been accused of in the past.
Bianco said 'For most viewers, the show only works if the host works, and Samberg did just fine. Like all modern awards show hosts, he did throw a few jabs at some of the folks in the room, but they were generally mild, which is what the job requires.'
Good effort: A USA Today critic wrote that the 37-year-old actor was charming and kept the show moving at a steady pace
Falling flat: Another critic wasn't too impressed by Andy's skits throughout the 67th annual awards ceremony
Variety's Brian Lowry, however, felt that Andy's approach 'didn’t wear especially well.'
Lowry was unimpressed with Andy's skits including a Mad Men finale spoof and a behind-the-scenes red carpet gag involving Tony Hale and Tatiana Maslany.
He concluded 'for anyone who hoped the guy behind D*** in a Box would somehow manage to shake up the Emmys, the host instead found himself pretty well boxed in.'
Andy's opening skit - which poked fun at the seemingly never-ending slew of new TV shows - appeared to go down well with many viewers who took to Twitter during the show.
Not quite: The Brooklyn Nine-Nine star also spoofed the Mad Men finale which didn't garner many laughs
Mazel! Bravo host Andy Cohen was very happy with the star's performance
Social media has spoken: Twitter response was also mixed but the actor certainly seemed to have people laughing
User Gavin Stenhouse said: '#AndySamberg best #Emmys intro ever.' while @snapcracklewatch said 'One minute in and #AndySamberg is already making me laugh #Emmys'
Bravo host Andy Cohen raved about the actor's hosting effort tweeting 'Big Mazel to @AndySamberg who has been hilarious in the face of a sea of Olive Kitteridge writers'
In March, the performer warned viewers upon the announcement of his hosting duties: 'Buckle your seat belts, Emmy viewers!'
'If you're not an Emmy viewer,' he added, 'you should strongly consider becoming one this year, because I'm hosting, and it’s gonna be a wild ride.'
Television Academy CEO Bruce Rosenblum said at the time: 'It's wonderfully fitting that we have Andy Samberg, an Emmy Award winner himself, as our host for this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards.'
'Well played': User @Lainey08 Liked what she saw
Good start! AP Entertainment also tweeted their encouragement
Fun and games: The actor was joined on stage by his old SNL chum Seth Meyer during the night
Fox Television Group chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden gushed about the network's golden boy. 'The moment the Emmy Awards' host was brought up, we said it had to be Andy.'
'He is fearless, hilarious, an award-winning comedian, singer, writer and actor with incredible live TV experience.'
'Andy has excelled in all aspects of the television universe, both from behind and in front of the camera. His humor, insights and charisma will be an exciting addition to our annual celebration of television’s best and brightest.'
Pals: The former SNL star gave Jon Hamm a big congratulatory hug backstage after he won the lead actor award for Mad Men
Sunday's gig as an emcee was Andy's first time as host of a major awards show.
He was featured as a cast member on SNL for seven years from September 2005 to June 2012 and returned to host for the first time on the season 39 finale in June 2014.
The funny man - who is married to Joanna Newsom - has an Emmy track record: The Lonely Island troupe member starred in and co-wrote the lyrics for a satirical SNL music video D*** In A Box that won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics in 2007.
Red carpet couple: Andy was supported by his wife Joanna Newsom at the event
The video co-starred Justin Timberlake and was about a memorable X-rated Christmas gift in a box.
Andy also made a cameo at last year's Emmycast - hosted by his good friend and former SNL co-star Seth Meyers - when he dressed as Game Of Thrones character Joffery during Weird Al Yankovic's parody performance of the HBO series.
In addition, Andy and his Lonely Island band members Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone performed The Lego Movie's hit song Everything Is Awesome at the Academy Awards in February.
The star follows in the footsteps of past Emmys hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Neil Patrick Harris and Jimmy Kimmel.
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