Emmys have always loved hosting duos, beginning with Lucy & Desi
Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy continue to make Emmy history. Four years ago, their comedy series “Schitt’s Creek” won a staggering nine Emmys including best comedy series, actor, actress, supporting actors, writing and directing. Even before “Schitt’s Creek,” Eugene was no stranger to the Emmy universe, winning statutes in 1982 and 1983 as a writer on the beloved “SCTV.” In fact, Dan was just a month old when his dad received his second honor.
Eugene’s nominated this year for the 14th time for outstanding hosted nonfiction series or special for Apple TV +’ “The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy.” Now Eugene and Dan will be the first father and son to host the Emmys airing Sept. 15 on ABC. And here’s bit more history: the 77-year-old Eugene is the oldest Emmy host ever.
Having two hosts is nothing new for the Emmys. Back in 1952, the Emmys were hosted by the most famous husband and wife on TV: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It marked the only time spouses hosted. Desi went solo as host in 1957.
In fact, it was strictly a man’s world when it came to hosting chores. Finally, Angela Lansbury made history when she became the first solo female host of the 45th Emmys in 1993. Jane Lynch was the last female host in 2011.
Sammy Davis Jr. was the first black host in 1965 sharing the duties with Danny Thomas. Davis had been enjoying success in New York where he was appearing on Broadway in the musical “Golden Boy.” Fellow Rat Packer Frank Sinatra hosted in 1968. He shared his duties with none other than Dick Van Dyke, who at 98 this year became the oldest person to receive a daytime Emmy for guest performer in a drama series for “Days of Our Lives.” And this year, his CBS special “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic” is nominated for four Emmys including outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). There have been odd pairings over the decades.
Perhaps the weirdest was Angie Dickinson and Robert Blake-yep, the infamous Robert Blake-in 1977. They were probably paired because both were Emmy nominated for their popular police dramas NBC’s “Police Woman” and ABC’s “Baretta.” Wonder if Fred the cockatoo made a guest appearance?
The most Emmy hosts in one year? Back in 2008, five stars of reality competition series — Tom Bergeron, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Jeff Probst and Ryan Seacrest — shared the duties. The result was too many cooks in the Emmy kitchen.
The King of Late-Night, Johnny Carson, moved to prime time in 1971 for his first of four consecutive gigs as Emmy host. Carson previously hosted the ceremony in 1962 with David Brinkley in Washington, D.C. and the late great Bob Newhart. And in 1979, he segued to the Oscars which he also emceed five times.
Then there are the “Who?” Emmy hosts. The earliest hosts of the Emmys, which were then presented locally in Los Angeles, are largely forgotten names such as first emcee Walter O’Keefe in 1949. He was a well-known radio personality, actor, Broadway composer and syndicated columnist. O’Keefe replaced Rudy Vallee at the last minute after the actor/singer left town.
Though the 75th Emmy Awards were delayed from last September until January 2024 because of the actors and writers strikes that wasn’t the case at the 32nd Emmys in 1980. The industry was in the throes of an actors’ strike, but the show went on with Steven Allen and Dick Clark as hosts. That starless ceremony isn’t remembered for the hosts but for actor Powers Boothe’s appearance. Of the 52 nominated performers, he was the only one to show up to accept his award for outstanding lead actor in a limited series or special for CBS’ “Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.” He told the audience: “This is either the most courageous moment of my career or the stupidest.” Thankfully, he had a busy career until he died in 2017.
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