Host an Awards Show? Asks Hollywood: “Whats the Fucking Point?”
As a result, theres often a mismatch between the talent networks want, and who they can land. “In m..
As a result, theres often a mismatch between the talent networks want, and who they can land.
“In many ways its a thankless job,” the second source said. “And despite what people think, these hosts arent paid tons of money to do that…. In a world where you often think, Well, money talks, it doesnt. If theyre not interested, theyre not interested. And it doesnt matter how much you offer. Theyre not gonna do it.”
“Comedians, obviously, are usually without exception the best [hosts],” the source added. “But again, its like, How do I win in this?”
Awards shows were once a vital way to boost a performers brand; they do, after all, come backed by built-in P.R. machines. But nowadays, there are plenty of other ways for a performer to promote their own work—methods that come with a lot less baggage than these galas, and offer a higher degree of personal control for anxious comedians and actors. Hosting an awards show also comes with another potential pitfall: An ideal emcee must not only entertain the audiences at home and in the room, but also must make sure not to do anything to offend the network that hired them.
“Everyones so fucking sensitive right now,” the first source said. “If the fans love it, youve probably alienated and pissed off the producers and the network, potentially advertisers. And if the network is super happy, youre probably getting crushed on Twitter for being boring. So then what?”
The bottom line: Why do something as involved as emceeing an awards ceremony when you can just as easily cash in on, say, a Starbucks commercial? When it comes to hosting, “Whats the fucking point?”
All of that said, the Emmys will not necessarily go hostless this year. A third source told V.F. that Fox is currently weighing its options, waiting until after nominations are announced on July 16 to reach out to potential emcees. Currently, the source said, the network is mulling two plans: “Theres one with a host, and theres one where I think you structure it [with] a through-line of presenters running through the awards.”
“I think you can do both,” the source said—but for Foxs purposes in this case, “itd be one or the other.”
That insider argued that audiences dont necessarily need a host to be happy with a ceremony like the Emmys, where the real focus should be on nominees achievements and the historic importance of their wins. “I think the way you tell the story of the awards themselves and the importance of those awards and the history of those awards [is more important],” the source said. “You know, like if people havent won yet, or have won a lot, or theres records to be broken—I think those are things that viewers are more attuned to than jRead More – Source
