Last night’s American Music Awards were aired on ABC and featured some improv from mostly-absent host Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel said that he was a member of the Writers Guild and that he couldn’t write all of his own jokes ahead of time, and that he was “striking in [his] heart.” Most of the jokes were written before the strike was in effect, but Kimmel was forced to ad lib for those moments reserved for more current material, and he drew some of the attendees into his act. It probably was about as entertaining as it would have been had he written the full script:

The awards which were aired on ABC already had the basic script written before the strike but he needed updates on current events and that was the part where he added his own words to the script.

Included in the improvised opening remarks, Kimmel said, “This is going to be a little bit loose tonight because I’m a member of the Writers Guild and we’re on strike.” He adds, “It may not look like it, but I’m striking right now in my heart. I wasn’t allowed to write any jokes for tonight. That’s good for those of you sitting in the front row, but bad for you who have to sit through made-up crap.”

Kimmel decided to go into the audience at the beginning of the show and interact with the celebrities. Initially, he convinced American Idol alums Kellie Pickler and Jordin Sparks to join him on stage to dance the hit single from Soulja Boy, “Crank Dat Soulja Boy.” As he handed out props such as dark sunglasses and a white baseball cap to Pickler and Sparks, he wore a white hooded jacket and the three started dancing until Soulja Boy came in from backstage to help them out with their dilemma.

The strike, which has been ongoing on its third week, didn’t faze Kimmel in his hosting. Some of his improvised lines included an introduction to Snoop Dogg as “one of America’s most beloved and arrested hip-hop stars.” And during his final remarks he thanked “Promises rehab facility for letting so many of our stars out for tonight’s program.”

[From All Headline News]

The NY Times TV Decoder blog notes that “it would have been hard for Ms. Pickler and Ms. Sparks to look more uncomfortable” after they were called on stage by Kimmel to do the Soulja Boy dance. Jordin could really do the dance, though, you have to give it to her, but Kelly just kind of shuffled around.

Here’s the clip:

Along with being humiliated on stage, American Idol alumni took home some awards at last night’s AMAs. Chris Daughtry was named best contemporary artist while Carrie Underwood was awarded with best female country artist and country album of the year.

POP/ROCK

Male artist: Akon, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake

Female artist: Beyoncé, Fergie, Avril Lavigne

Band, duo or group: Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Nickleback

Album: “Daughtry” (Daughtry), “Minutes To Midnight” (Linkin Park), “FutureSex/LoveSounds” (Justin Timberlake)

COUNTRY

Male artist: Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley

Female artist: Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood

Band, duo or group: Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts

Album: “Let It Go” (Tim McGraw), “Me And My Gang” (Rascal Flatts), “Some Hearts” (Carrie Underwood)

SOUL/RHYTHM & BLUES

Male artist: Akon, Ne-Yo, T-Pain

Female artist: Beyoncé, Fantasia, Rihanna

Album: “B’Day” (Beyoncé), “Double Up” (R. Kelly), “FutureSex/Love Sounds” (Justin Timberlake)

RAP/HIP HOP

Male artist: Fabolous, T.I., Young Jeezy

Band, duo or group: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Pretty Ricky, Shop Boyz

Album: “Strength & Loyalty” (Bones Thugs-N-Harmony), “T.I. vs. T.I.P.” (T.I.), “The Inspiration” (Young Jeezy)

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Artist: Daughtry, Norah Jones, John Mayer

ALTERNATIVE

Artist: Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, the White Stripes

LATIN

Artist: Daddy Yankee, Juan Luis Guerra y 440, Jennifer Lopez

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Artist: Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac

SOUNDTRACKS

Album: “Dreamgirls,” “Hairspray,” “High School Musical 2”

BREAKTHROUGH

New artist: Daughtry, Plain White T’s, Robin Thicke

SPECIAL AWARDS

T-Mobile Text-In Award: Carrie Underwood

International Award: Beyonce

[From Showbuzz.cbsnews.com]

Here are photos of the arrivals, thanks to PRPhotos. And here’s a link to clips of the performances from ONTD. What the hell are Rihanna, Beyonce and Carrie Underwood wearing? Rihanna looks like she’s got on an apron while Beyonce is stuffed like a sausage into that silly dress. Carrie Underwood is wearing a doily with a choke collar.

Shown in order are Beyonce, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Ashanti, Kid Rock, Avril Lavigne, Jordin Sparks, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cirus, Nicole Scherzinger, Queen Latifah, Christina Applegate, Carrie Underwood, Jennie Garth, Kellie Pickler, Vanessa Hudgens, Julianne Hough and Helio, Ashley Tisdale, Chris Brown, Ryan Seacrest and his sister, Daughtry, Taye Diggs, Maroon 5, Soulja Boy, Duran Duran, and Gene Simmons.