Emmys Add Award For Reality Show Hosts

LOS ANGELES — Real competition is coming to reality TV: Hosts including Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel and Tyra Banks are now eligible for an Emmy Award.

A category recognizing "outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program" was created by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and will be presented at the 60th annual Emmys in September.

The award recognizes that reality TV has become "an integral part of television and our culture," John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the TV academy, said in a statement Tuesday announcing the new honor.

Besides Seacrest of "American Idol," Mandel of "Deal or No Deal" and Banks of "America's Next Top Model," other potential nominees identified by the academy include Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," Jeff Foxworthy of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris of "Dancing With the Stars."

Eligibility is open to hosts of programs entered in the reality program and reality-competition categories. Sorry, Simon Cowell: The award isn't for "reactive participants or judges," the academy rules state.

Comments

[leftbehind2000]

and here I thought we'd already scraped the bottom of the sewage tank.

[truthyguy]

While they are at it they should add a category for:
"Most Pompous Asshole with no Talent in a Continuing Role Playing Him/Herself."

[soylentgreenleftovers]

One of the signs of the apocalypse.

[Fathoms]

Oh! The Mundaneity of it all . . .

[Shaddup]

And we're supposed to care?

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Ah. At last, the ultimate oxymoron. An Emmy Award for a reality show. Civilization is officially over.

[TexasDem0]

In the midst of war, economic chaos, and an openly criminal administration, THIS is what"s important to the American public?

[wadenelson1]

Actually, the worse things get the more Americans will bury themselves in tv, movies, and Britney just to forget about things for awhile. Bread and Circus.