@ THE EMMYS: OMG! KIMMEL HIJACKS TWITTER

So this is how time-wasting celebrity rumors get started.

Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel instructed people to go on Twitter and Facebook and write something along the lines of: "OMG, Tracy Morgan just passed out at the Emmys. Turn on ABC right now!" as a prank, just to see how quickly the information would spread (and inspire new viewers). Morgan, who was in on the gag, complied.

And, true to the pack mentality that develops instantaneously on social media, untold thousands of people actually did this. Many others simply read the words "Tracy Morgan" and "passed out" and thought Morgan truly had passed out.

Even Stephen Colbert @StephenatHome and Rosie O'Donnell @Rosie got in on the action, which prompted thousands more retweets.

Morgan was committed to the act, though: Not only did he lie down on stage, he actually stayed there through the commercial break and was hauled away, rambling to himself.

- Christy Lemire on Twitter: https://twitter.com/christylemire

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Tracy Morgan was completely committed to his role in Jimmy Kimmel's "prank" on folks not watching the Emmys.

Kimmel had instructed viewers at the show to post on social networks that Morgan passed out on stage.

The "30 Rock" actor remained on the floor through an entire commercial break before he was carried away by stagehands.

- Derrik J. Lang - Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang

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EDITOR'S NOTE - Show Bits brings you the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards through the eyes of Associated Press journalists. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.