Jimmy Kimmel will be the host for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards, it was announced today.

It will be the first time that the late night talk show host will be at the helm of the prestigious event.

The show will be held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 23 and the Jimmy Kimmel Live! star couldn't help but make a joke about his appointment.

"I hope to be able to do for the Emmys this year what Eddie Murphy did for the Oscars," Jimmy laughed referring to the actor pulling out of his hosting duties.

Jimmy has hosted big award shows before including the American Music Awards and the ESPY Awards and will bring the humour at the White House Correspondents' dinner in April.

Jimmy later tweeted about all the love he was receiving since the announcement.

"Thanks for your #Emmy hosting congratulations," he wrote. "I'll try not to embarrass us."

Director and producer Don Mischer will be the executive producer for the telecast. He was the person in charge for this year's Academy Awards extravaganza.