TOM BERGERON, HEIDI KLUM, HOWIE MANDEL, JEFF PROBST AND RYAN SEACREST TO HOST THE 60TH PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS

North Hollywood, CA –
In an unprecedented move, all five nominees in the category for Outstanding Reality/Competition Host – Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars), Heidi Klum (Project Runway), Howie Mandel (Deal or No Deal), Jeff Probst (Survivor) and Ryan Seacrest (American Idol) – have been named hosts of the 60^th Primetime Emmy® Awards airing live from the NOKIA Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 21 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the ABC Television Network. 

The Outstanding Host Reality or Reality Competition Program is a new category that was added to this year's nomination ballot. A complete list of nominations and more information available for download below.

“We’re excited by the addition of this new category as it reflects the broad appeal of reality television, and think it will be one of the most competitive moments of the night.  We’re thrilled to see these hosts’ roles and talent recognized, and look forward to watching them do what they do best on Emmy night,” said Vicki Dummer, Senior Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials and Late Night, ABC Entertainment.

"Reality television has grown exponentially over the past five years and it is now a bona fide programming sector. The Television Academy's decision to add this category is a reflection of the importance of this genre, and we are delighted with the Television Academy's choice of nominees," said John Shaffner, Chairman and CEO, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

Ken Ehrlich, executive producer of the 60^th Primetime Emmy® Awards said, "As we thought about the very important role of a host for this year’s show, it became more and more apparent that we should ask these people who do such great work as hosts on a weekly basis to host television’s night to shine.  This is what they do best, and we’re convinced they’ll do a great job for us on Emmy Night."  



Tom Bergeron, nominated for host of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," began his broadcasting career in 1972 in his hometown of Haverhill, MA.  He spent over a decade with WBZ-TV in Boston, hosting a number of popular shows. In 1994 he became host of “Breakfast Time” on F/X. The show morphed into"Fox After Breakfast" and eventually moved to the FOX network. 

In 1997, Bergeron became fill-in anchor on "Good Morning America," a position he held until segueing to "Hollywood Squares" in 1998, for which we won an Emmy.  While hosting"Hollywood Squares," Bergeron multi-tasked his way into a fill-in anchor gig on CBS'"The Early Show" and in 2001 also began hosting ABC's"America's Funniest Home Videos." 

In 2005, Bergeron was co-host on the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon and in 2006 he was elected national vice president of the Association.   He was also the 2007 March of Dimes Walk America spokesperson.  Vying for honors as the busiest man in TV, Bergeron is also hosting the Planet Green skein “Supper Club.”

Heidi Klum, nominated for host of Bravo's "Project Runway," is also executive producer of the Emmy nominated reality series now in its fifth season. Klum began her career as a top fashion model almost by accident when she won a national television contest in Germany.

She has since become one of the world's top models, serving as one of Victoria's Secret most recognizable “Angels” and gracing the covers of major magazines from Sports Illustrated Swim and Elle to Marie Claire and Forbes.

She has also achieved great success as an entrepreneur, with her own lines of shoes, fine jewelry for Mouawad and QVC, beauty products for Guthy Renker and her own capsule collection for Jordache. 

Howie Mandel, is nominated for host of NBC's “Deal or No Deal." He will also host a new syndicated version of “Deal or No Deal,” that premieres on September 8th and recently wrapped production on a new NBC series “Howie Do It.” 

Mandel began his stand-up comedy career when he was spotted at amateur night at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Mandel would then later be seen on "St. Elsewhere"for six years running, which catapulted his career with such other notable works as "Bobby’s World," "Little Monsters"and as the voice of Gizmo in "Gremlins." He has also guest starred in such hit television series’ among them are "Monk," "Medium"and "My Name is Earl."

Jeff Probst, nominated for host of CBS' "Survivor,” has traveled the world serving as both host and producer for the popular series, currently filming its 17th edition set to premiere this fall.  Probst received a Primetime Emmy in 2001 when the show won the first ever "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class)." He was also voted one of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful" that same year.

Probst had previously hosted VH1's "Rock and Roll Jeopardy," and was a correspondent for "Access Hollywood." Jeff also wrote and directed the Lionsgate released indie film, "Finder's Fee" starring James Earl Jones and Ryan Reynolds.  In 2007 he founded "The Serpentine Project," a non-profit organization to help foster youth transition into adulthood.

Ryan Seacrest is nominated for host of FOX's "American Idol." Last year, Seacrest hosted the 59^th Primetime Emmy Awards so this will be his second time on the Emmy stage.  He currently serves as managing editor and lead anchor for “E! News” and also serves as executive producer and host of E!'s  “Live From the Red Carpet” specials. 

Also under his Ryan Seacrest production banner is his radio countdown show "American Top 40"  and Los Angeles' No. 1 morning drive-time radio show, “On Air With Ryan Seacrest.”   He also executive-produces and co-hosts “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” live from Times Square in New York. 

Ryan also executive produces the popular "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" and "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" on E! and this fall will bring the reality show "Momma's Boys" to NBC.

The 60^th Primetime Emmy® Awards is being produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures LLC.  Returning with Ehrlich are producer Renato Basile and co-producer Danette Herman.  Lou Horvitz will be directing.

Download Complete Nominations and More



See the complete list of Primetime Emmy nominations and more information here:

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About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences



The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences was founded in 1946 just one month after network television was born. It is a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement of telecommunications arts and sciences and to fostering creative leadership in the telecommunications industry.

In addition to recognizing outstanding programming through its Emmy® Award, the Television Academy publishes Emmy® Magazine and stages many industry-related programs, services and year-round events for the television community.

For additional press information and resources concerning the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, please direct your inquiries to Robin Mesger of The Lippin Group at (323) 965-1990.

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