Fox confirms Emmys will go host-less this year

The Hollywood Reporter

Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier made it official Wednesday morning, announcing that the 71st Primetime Emmys will go host-less seven months after the Oscars successfully aired without a host. Collier pointed out at the TV press tour that so many "amazing shows" -- from Game of Thrones to Veep to The Big Bang Theory to Empire -- are saying goodbye. "I think it will give us more time to honor those shows," he said. Collier also pointed to the host-less Oscars' ratings bump. "The Oscars did very well," he said of its improved ratings this year. "That was something we paid attention to. This is a unique year for some of America's favorite shows and producers came to conclusion that spending more time on those was the right thing to do." This will be the first time the Emmys have aired without a host since 2003, when the ceremony was also on Fox. The Emmys also aired without a host in 1998 and 1975. Emmys producer Don Mischer adds: "It may be much better to put this show together without a host since it has worked before and it allows us to be a little more unpredictable." According to Variety's Michael Schneider, a host-less Emmys could pave the way for honoring all the classic shows that are celebrating big anniversaries this year, from ER to Friends to Seinfeld and even Beverly Hills, 90210 (which turns 30 next year). "It’s been rumored that Don Mischer Prods. and Done+Dusted have been eager to pay tribute to some of those fan favorite shows, which perhaps means some on-stage reunions," says Schneider. "Without a host, there’s also breathing room to showcase all of the awards and industry players being honored. With approximately 27 categories handed out during the ceremony, it’s usually a tight fit at the Emmys."