Seth Meyers has been tapped to host NBC’s telecast of the Primetime Emmy Awards on Aug. 25.
NBC and the Television Academy have also set kudocast vet Don Mischer as exec producer of the live broadcast originating from downtown L.A.‘s Nokia Theatre.
There was little doubt that the host of this year’s Emmycast would come from NBC’s latenight ranks, given all the changes that NBC implemented this year.
“Seth’s expertise and ease in front of a live audience during his time at ‘SNL,’ as well as his comedic brilliance both as a writer and in front of the camera on ‘SNL’ and ‘Late Night,’ makes him the perfect choice to host the Emmys,” said Paul Telegdy, NBC’s prexy of latenight and alternative programming. “Plus, with Don’s vast experience at putting these type of big productions together, we’ll be in great hands.”
Peacock execs likely concluded that Meyers would get more of a boost from the Emmycast showcase than Fallon, who has been on a strong ratings roll since he took the helm of “The Tonight Show” from Jay Leno in February.
Fallon benefited from the Emmy spotlight when he hosted in 2010, about 18 months after he replaced Conan O’Brien on “Late Night.”
Meyers’ long run at “Saturday Night Live” makes him perfectly suited for awards-show duty. He also hosted ESPN’s Espy Awards in 2010 and 2011.
Mischer is an Emmy mainstay who most recently steered the 2012 telecast and also has numerous Oscars, Tony, and Olympics telecasts on his resume.
This year’s Emmy telecast falls on the final Monday in August — instead of its usual mid-September berth — because of NBC’s commitments to “Sunday Night Football.” On Wednesday, MTV announced it would mount its annual Video Music Awards bash the night before the Emmys, on Aug. 24, at the Forum in Inglewood.
