From Jeb Bush to Carpool Karaoke: What worked and what didn't in Jimmy Kimmel's Emmys opener

NEW YORK -- It's hard to trump Andy Samberg as an Emmys host.

Maybe that's why this year's host Jimmy Kimmel had to rely on so many Donald Trump jokes.

Still, Kimmel did a solid job for the most part.

Here's a look at what worked and what didn't in his opener.

Didn't work: Carpool Karaoke

The team behind carpool karaoke won a Creative Arts Emmy last weekend.

But carpool karaoke -- a very popular segment on James Corden's Late Late Show -- doesn't always work.

Kimmel and Corden decide to tackle Jitterbug. Corden then kicks the host out.

It wasn't bad, it was just pointless.

Worked: Jeb Bush's cameo

Well, that was unexpected.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is clearly not a sore loser.

The Republican, who failed to become the nominee for the president this year, was the one who drove the Veep stars in the limo.

Jeb exclamation point, indeed.

Worked: Ryan Seacrest getting burned (literally)

After Jeb kicked Kimmel out (definitely a trend of this opening), Kimmel scored a ride with Khaleesi (Game of Thrones' Emilia Clark) and her dragon.

But the best part was when the dragon scorches Ryan Seacret, who is "live" from the Emmys carpet.

Didn't work: The Marcia Clarke joke

There were of course a lot of People v. O.J. Simpson jokes -- but one didn't really land with attendees.

"Everyone in L.A knows if you want to win, sit next to Marcia Clark," Kimmel joked.

Sarah Paulson, who played Clark in the highly popular FX series and who brought the real-life Clark as her date, was not pleased.

Awkward.

Worked: That Hollywood diversity bit

Kimmel sure knows his audience.

"This year’s nominees are the most diverse ever," Kimmel said. "The only thing we value more than diversity is congratulating ourselves on how much we value diversity."

He then told people of color in the audience to "find a white person right now, it shouldn't be hard...and say thanks for your bravery."

Ty Burrel (Modern Family) and Aziz Ansari (Master of None) immediately got up to hug.

"Make a rainbow connection," Kimmel joked.

Didn't work: Dissing Maggie Smith

How dare Kimmel insult the dowager countess?

The jokes weren't that bad but they definitely went on for too long.

"If you don’t know Maggie Smith, she’s been nominated nine times and she’s won the Emmy three times," Kimmel said during the bit. "How many times do you think she’s showed up to win? This time she had a Sunday ceramics class she couldn’t get out of."

Kind of worked: Donald Trump jokes

It wouldn't be an awards show without a few good jabs at Republican presidential nominee Trump.

Kimmel's best Trump slam blamed Celebrity Apprentice producer Mark Burnett for Trump scoring the presidential nomination.

"Television can also tear us apart. I mean, if it wasn't for television would Donald Trump be running for president?" Kimmel said. "No, he would be at home rubbing up against his wife Malaria." (Not a typo.)

"Thanks to Mark Burnett, we don’t have to watch reality shows anymore, we are living in one," Kimmel added.