All-Star Comics to Brighten Primetime Emmys

If comedy clubs are empty on the night of the Emmys, it's because all the comics are at the 55th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Instead of choosing a single host, the Academy has rounded up an A-list of comics to anchor the event on September 21.

Conan O'Brien

"We’ve searched high and low to find the funniest people in California who are NOT running for governor," said Academy Chairman Bryce Zabel. "It was a challenge, but this all-star comedy team promises to make America laugh without asking for a campaign contribution."

Zabel made the announcement jointly with Gail Berman, president of entertainment for Fox and Don Mischer, executive producer of this year’s Emmy broadcast.

Currently slated to participate in the broadcast this year are Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Garrett, Darrell Hammond, George Lopez, Conan O’Brien, Garry Shandling, Martin Short, Jon Stewart and Wanda Sykes, with more participants to be confirmed in the near future.

"We wanted to try something different this year with the Emmys," said Mischer. "Instead of one comedic point of view running through the show, there will be many. Each act of the three-hour broadcast will begin with a different comic personality."

Ellen DeGeneres, a ten-time Emmy nominee and former host of the Emmys, has received one Emmy award and is currently starring as the voice of Dory in the animated film Finding Nemo. DeGeneres is launching her new syndicated daytime talk show on September 8th.

Brad Garrett is a two-time Emmy nominee for his role as Robert Barone in the hit series Everybody Loves Raymond, including his nomination this year as outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. Garrett was the first grand champion winner in the comedy category on Star Search and maintains a successful television and film career.

Darrell Hammond has brought to life a cavalcade of politicians, media figures, celebrities and news makers on television as a cast member of Saturday Night Live. Now entering his eighth season with the show, Hammond has mimicked a wide range of people including President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Sean Connery, Regis Philbin, Dan Rather, John Travolta, Jesse Jackson, Richard Dreyfus, Jay Leno and Ted Koppel.

Currently starring in the comedy series named after him, George Lopez continues to sell out comedy clubs and theatres across the country and has earned kudos for his dramatic role in the feature Bread and Roses. He has also had recurring roles in The Brothers Garcia and Resurrection Boulevard.

Conan O’Brien’s unique brand of comedy has earned him the title "Late Night’s King of Cool" from Entertainment Weekly and landed him on the magazine’s list of the "50 Funniest People Alive." A seven-time Emmy nominee, O’Brien brought his wit and style to his hosting duties on the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

A former host of the Emmys, Garry Shandling is a recipient of 19 Emmy nominations. Shandling’s subsequent series, The Larry Sanders Show, received a record-breaking 78 Emmy nominations, including one Emmy win for Shandling for outstanding writing for a comedy series.

Martin Short gives life to his 300-pound alter-ego Jiminy Glick, the legendary interviewer to the stars, in the fictitious talk show Primetime Glick. Short, creator, executive producer and star of Primetime Glick, is nominated this year for an Emmy award in the outstanding individual performance in a music program category, bringing his Emmy total to six nominations and one win. Short can currently be seen in the Los Angeles production of the Broadway smash play The Producers.

As host of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart won an Emmy for outstanding writing in a variety, music or comedy program. He has been nominated a total of eight times including his nomination this year for outstanding individual performance in a variety or music program. Prior to taking over The Daily Show, Stewart appeared in feature films and television.

Wanda Sykes currently stars in the Fox series Wanda At Large. In addition to her series, Sykes serves as a field correspondent on Inside the NFL and can be heard as multiple voices on Crank Yankers. She is the recipient of three Emmy nominations and one Emmy win for her writing on The Chris Rock Show.

In other Emmys news, Danette Herman will return as Coordinating Producer of the Primetime Emmy Awards. As a coordinating producer and executive in charge of talent, Herman has long associations with some of television's biggest productions. This will be her tenth year as part of the Annual Primetime Emmy Awards production team. She recently completed The 75th Annual Academy Awards and the 25th Kennedy Center Honors. Her other credits include The Tony Awards, An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre, and the Olympic Games.