Emmys 2016: Jimmy Kimmel jokes about OJ Simpson, diversity and Donald Trump in opening speech

'Everyone in LA knows if you want to win, sit next to Marcia Clark'

The 2016 Emmy Awards are finally upon us and host Jimmy Kimmel's relatively tame opening speech broached subjects ranging from diversity to Donald Trump.

Arriving on stage, the US chat show host ran into the audience and presented a trophy to nominated Transparent actor Jeffrey Tambor before exclaiming: "Well, that saved us 22 minutes."

He proceeded to lock and load on one of the year's leading nominated shows American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson.

"I'd like to acknowledge the winner of tonight's plus one contest," he said, referring to Sarah Paulson who brought along lawyer Marcia Clark who failed to prosecute Simpson following her involvement in his high-profile murder case,

"Everyone in LA knows if you want to win, sit next to Marcia Clark," Kimmel quipped amid boos from Paulson who is nominated for playing the real-life figure in Ryan Murphy's anthology series.

The host then moved on to controversial Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"Many have asked who is to blame for the Donald Trump phenomenon and I'll tell you who," he said before pinpointing The Apprentice creator Mark Burnett. He continued: "If Donald Trump gets elected and he builds that wall, the first person who's going over it is Mark Burnett."

Kimmel finally commented on Dame Maggie Smith's inability to show up to the ceremony despite being nominated nine times, jokingly branding her "lame Maggie Smith."

Game of Thrones leads this year's charge with recognition in multiple acting categories as well as a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series.