Kenan Thompson to host Emmy Awards

KENAN Thompson thinks it is “ridiculously exciting” that he’s going to host the Emmy Awards.

The Saturday Night Live star can’t wait to take the helm of the annual event, which honours excellence in television, for the first time at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 and has promised it will be an “incredible” evening.

“Being a part of this incredible evening where we honour the best of the television community is ridiculously exciting, and to do it on NBC – my long-time network family – makes it even more special.

“Like all TV fans, I can’t wait to see the stars from my favourite shows.”

Jen Neal, executive vice president of Live Events for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said: “Kenan is well-regarded as one of the funniest, likeable and accomplished performers of the last two decades and his tenure on Saturday Night Live speaks for itself.

“We know he’ll bring an excitement and professionalism to the Emmy Awards that a show of this stature deserves.”

While this will be Thompson’s first time hosting the awards, he’s no stranger to the ceremony, having been nominated six times in the past, most recently last year for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Kenan and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live.

He has won one award in the past, taking home the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics prize in 2018 for the SNL song Come Back, Barack.

The nominations for this year’s ceremony were announced last month, with SNL adding to its record-breaking 306 overall nominations with another nine nods.

Succession leads the nominations with 25 nods.

Brian Cox, who plays the patriarch of the media dynasty, Logan Roy, and his on-screen son, Jeremy Strong, who portrays Kendall Roy, are both up for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Nicholas Braun, Matthew MacFadyen and Kieran Culkin – who play Cousin Greg, Tom Wambsgans, and Roman Roy respectively – are all up for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and Sarah Snook (Shiv Roy) and J Smith Cameron (Gerri Kellman) are both up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Ted Lasso and The White Lotus have 20 nominations each, while Hacks and Only Murders in the Building received 17 nods. |