Who will host the Emmys: Ryan Seacrest ... or Charlie Sheen?
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Can anybody wrestle away the next Emmy Awards hosting job from Ryan Seacrest? With the 2011 ceremony rotating back to Fox, the smart money is probably on Seacrest to host again.
The last time Fox had the Emmys, in 2007, Seacrest hosted to decent reviews (even though the theater-in-the-round format was blasted by celebrities in attendance). However, the following year on ABC was handled in the worst way by Seacrest and the other reality-show-host nominees.
Academy officials, Emmy producers and Fox have an interesting selection of possible hosts from which to choose, especially following incredible emcee jobs by Neil Patrick Harris in 2009 and Jimmy Fallon in 2010.
Assuming Fox wants one of its own stars in the job (in order of possibility):
RYAN SEACREST -- Host of the network’s biggest franchise, ‘American Idol’; might be in his contract that the gig is his when the show airs on Fox.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS -- Hosted to great acclaim on CBS in 2009; his show, ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ is actually produced by Fox even though it airs on CBS.
‘GLEE’ CAST MEMBERS -- The most popular scripted program on Fox might offer up a combination of Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison (or Morrison and Lea Michele). At the very least, expect the cast to perform a song or medley of tunes on the telecast.
HUGH LAURIE -- Well known as a variety and comedy performer in his native Britain before switching to the dramatic ‘House M.D.’ in America.
SIMON COWELL -- Fox will be launching Cowell’s new ‘The X Factor’ shortly after the Emmy Awards (a show key to future success for the network).
SETH MacFARLANE -- The creator of ‘Family Guy’ has hosted the two most recent celebrity roasts on Comedy Central.
Other possibilities if Fox doesn’t mind someone from another network (in order of possibility):
JIMMY FALLON -- One of the best Emmy hosts in recent memory; great combo of comedy, music, sketches and filmed pieces.
CONAN O’BRIEN -- Hosted two strong ceremonies on NBC; stronger possibility now that he isn’t on one of the broadcast rivals. (Turner would love to see their prize horse with a free big-time media push.)
STEPHEN COLBERT -- Always great with his presenter segment on each year’s Emmy ceremony. Does the majority of America know who he is?
CRAIG FERGUSON -- Top off-the-cuff comedian on television today. Would CBS allow him to cross over?
JIMMY KIMMEL -- Passed over for the Emmy assignment in 2008 when ABC unwisely chose the reality hosts.
CHARLIE SHEEN -- Would definitely bring in the viewers just to see what would happen.
RICKY GERVAIS – Just kidding, since he is fairly toxic for network hosting jobs in Hollywood right now.
ELLEN DeGENERES or JON STEWART -- Is it a step down to host the Emmys after hosting the Oscars? -- Tom O’Neil