Emmy Awards 2012: Tracy Morgan passed out on stage -- Twitter stunt works

No, Tracy Morgan did not actually pass out on stage at the Emmy Awards. Playing on the prevalence of social media, host Jimmy Kimmel suggested that viewers tweet "OMG Tracy Morgan just passed out on stage! Turn on ABC now!" to help boost ratings play a prank on Twitter users who weren't watching the broadcast.

Even stars like Stephen Colbert and Joel McHale whipped out their phones to get in on the fun.  Morgan actually sprawled across the stage as part of the gag.

"Nashville" stars Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere, who took the stage as Morgan lay across it on his back, seemed a little confused by the gag -- and, for the record, Morgan remained prone during the entire commercial break that followed.

Our favorite part was when Morgan was finally dragged off the stage, wailing, "Tell Kerry Washington I'm all right!"