Survivor

There is a new category this year for the Prime Time Emmy Awards, and it has me quite excited.  Probably far more excited than I should be.  It is for the Best Reality Show Host.  The Emmy Nominations will be announced next Thursday morning, July 17, and while we have a fairly good idea who the contenders are for the major awards, thanks to leaked short lists that have hit the internet over the past couple of weeks, we have no idea who the contenders for Reality Host will be.  While the categories for Best Reality Show are split into Reality Show and Reality Show – Competition, the Host category is a veritable free-for-all.  If you host any sort of prime time reality series, you are eligible.  Since prognostication is part of the BuddyTV repertoire, we thought it'd be nice to take a look at who likely will be nominated and who, in a perfect world, should be.

The Favorites

Ryan Seacrest, American Idol

He hosts the biggest show in the universe with a steady hand.  There are Seacrest haters, but those people are misguided.  Their venom is really towards American Idol in general.  If you watch Idol, then you know how great Seacrest is at lording over the proceedings and handling the often problematic judges. 

Jeff Probst, Survivor

The best host on TV.  Hands down.  Now, the voters may not share this belief, but for me, it's not even a question.  Survivor wouldn't be Survivor without Probst.  He gives an edge to the proceedings and his interactions with the contestants are an important part of the show's success.  His interrogations during tribal council are invaluable to the show and bring forward information that, under less savvy hands, would remain unsaid.

Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race

Even though Phil really doesn't do all that much on The Amazing Race, the series is an Emmy darling – it's won the Best Reality Show – Competition award every year since the category was invented.  It just wouldn't make sense if Phil got snubbed.  To his credit, he does a good job with the responsibilities he's given, and he's as amiable as can be.


The Contenders

Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model

Tyra annoys the piss out of me.  Forgive me, but I don't understand the appeal of a boisterous, inane woman who consistently makes a fool of herself on national television.  But, I suppose, she is a dynamic personality with legions of fans. 

Ty Pennington, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is a two-time winner of the Best Reality Show Emmy and Pennington is the out and out star of the program.  The series has lost its sheen in recent years, but Ty is a charismatic guy who carries the show on his back every week. 

Tom Bergeron, Dancing with the Stars

Dancing with the Stars is a constant nominee in the Reality Show – Competition category, and Bergeron does a fine job as the main host.  He's nothing special, but is an old pro who might be rewarded for a lifetime of sold work. 


The Dark Horses

Cat Deeley, So You Think You Can Dance 

Deeley is every bit as good as Ryan Seacrest at leading a predominantly live program.  The British import is sweet, charming, and wholly comfortable on stage, interacting with both the dancers and the judges.  I'd love to see her get a nomination, but I just don't see Cat having the clout. 

Padma Lakshmi, Top Chef

People seem to like her, but I'm going to have to plead ignorance here – I've never seen Top Chef. 

Howie Mandel, Deal or No Deal

Even though I kind of hate the show, I have to admit that Howie does an exceptional job as host.  He kills so much dead time, wrings every bit of possible suspense from his show and keeps it light at the same time.  In terms of difficulty, Mandel has one of the hardest hosting gigs on TV. 

Heidi Klum, Project Runway

Project Runway is a critical darling, but does Heidi do enough to deserve a nomination? 

Wayne Brady, Don't Forget the Lyrics

Don't laugh.  Brady is uniquely qualified for his job, and you'd have to search far and wide to find someone with Brady's confidence in singing and dancing along with the hour-long karaoke of Don't Forget the Lyrics. 


So, who will it be?  Here are my predictions for the five Reality Show Host nominees:

Ryan Seacrest
Jeff Probst
Phil Keoghan
Tyra Banks
Ty Pennington

Winner: Jeff Probst

It's about time Probst, the first great reality host, gets his due. 

Just for fun, here's who I would nominate if I was president of the universe:

Jeff Probst
Ryan Seacrest
Cat Deeley
Howie Mandel
Joel McHale, The Soup

Winner: Jeff Probst

I throw in Joel McHale knowing that The Soup is technically a Daytime Emmy show, but it's my fantasy, so that's that. 


-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of CBS)