Back in February 1952, the fourth-ever Primetime Emmy Awards were hosted by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the married couple behind “I Love Lucy,” from the Cocoanut Grove at the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel. It was also the last time spouses oversaw the proceedings. And actually, only one duo has even hosted the Emmys this century — Michael Che and Colin Jost in 2018.
Why all the Emmy hosting trivia? It’s on my mind as we play the classic awards parlor game of “Who’s Gonna Host This Thing?” — and with less than two months before the Emmys take place on Sept. 15, we’re running out of time for this year’s emcee to properly prep for the gig. (Just ask recent Golden Globes host Jo Koy — sometimes you need more than a week or two to get ready.)
Variety broke the news in July that Jesse Collins Entertainment, which produced the previous, delayed Emmys in January to raves, is back to oversee the next one. It did a great job with host Anthony Anderson in feting the Emmys’ 75th anniversary with a trip down memory lane.
Now, for the 76th edition on ABC, Collins could play off that spirit by celebrating partners and couples. What’s inspiring that? Glad you asked. ABC’s priority for fall is the new series “High Potential,” starring Kaitlin Olson — who just happens to be nominated for an Emmy this year, via her guest-starring role on “Hacks.” You know Olson from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” where she stars with her husband, Rob McElhenney. He’s also Emmy nominated this year, as a producer and star of FX’s unscripted series “Welcome to Wrexham.”
Two Emmy-nominated Disney stars with loads of chemistry. Whatta combo to host an Emmy event that could be filled with couples, partners and other duos, both professionally and personally. Presenters might include real-life couple Holland Taylor and Sarah Paulson, as well as Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts — all nominated this year.
The real fun would be reuniting on-screen couples and non-romantic duos from past TV shows — sort of a successor idea to January’s cast reunions, which included “Cheers,” “Martin” and “Ally McBeal.”
It all starts with Olson and McElhenney. Now, granted, Olson is busy filming a show that is critical to ABC’s fall lineup. So timing may not be on our side. If they can’t do, ABC has a strong stable of great hosts — Jimmy Kimmel helped steer the Emmys through its unusual audience-free COVID edition in 2020.
Kimmel just hosted the Oscars, and it was just revealed that he’s planning to take next year off from that telecast, so let’s give him a break here too. Among other ABC primetimers,Steve Harvey is another possibility — opening the door to a “Family Feud: Emmy Edition” sketch at the very least. Think about all of the network’s game show presenters: Michael Strahan, Elizabeth Banks, Shaquille O’Neal, Gina Rodriguez. (I’m not going to mention Ryan Seacrest. We’re still recovering from the 2008 five-headed competition series host disaster.)
Of course, if we want to go with the easiest choice — stand-ups — Disney could seize the chance to promote Hulu’s stand-up business. The streamer just made deals with Roy Wood Jr. and Bill Burr, and will launch its new comedy brand in November with Jim Gaffigan. (John Mulaney, who also just passed on next year’s Oscars, would be a great get — but I assume that if he’s not thinking about the Oscars, he’s not racing to do the Emmys in a month.)
So back to my original idea. It’s time to pull off a new Lucy and Desi as 2024 Emmy hosts. And why not with a modern-day version who also seem to be doing it all, Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney.
Bowing Out: Meanwhile, the recent news that President Joe Biden would drop out of the presidential race for the good of the country — allowing Kamala Harris to bring a fresh voice to the White House — got me thinking, naturally, about the Emmy race. (Since everything ultimately revolves around TV, after all.)
Over the years, several actors have pulled their submissions to give someone else a turn at the Emmy ballot box. Two notable examples: “Murphy Brown” star Candice Bergen and John Larroquette from “Night Court.” Brown opted to stop submitting her name after her fifth win as outstanding comedy actress in 1995, while Larroquette pulled out of the comedy supporting actor race in 1989 after winning four consecutive years. We salute you, President Biden, and Bergen and Larroquette as well.
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