The idea for former press secretary Sean Spicer's controversial Emmys appearance came from host Stephen Colbert — and he anticipated the backlash.

Spicer poked fun at himself and President Donald Trump by exaggerating the size of the Emmys audience. CNN reports that Colbert came up with the idea of a cameo just a few days before the ceremony.

Spicer himself told the Hollywood Reporter, "I had a conversation with Stephen [Colbert] and his executive producer," he explained. "They came up with a concept, and I thought it was kinda funny. I said I'd be there."

In his appearance, Spicer pushed out a podium on stage and declared, "This will be the largest audience to witness an Emmys. Period. Both in person and around the world."

However, many viewers and celebrities took issue with "normalizing" Spicer.

But a source told CNN that Colbert doesn't worry about criticism, saying "Donald Trump normalized Spicer."