"TV is back and it's exciting!" That, says "eTalk's" Ben Mulroney, is the upbeat mood audiences can expect at tonight's 60th Primetime Emmy Awards.
"Last year's show was not great," says Mulroney. In fact, the 2007 Emmy telecast was panned by critics for being long and dull.
"It was like having a party with no guest of honour. It was also the first time we saw what Ryan Seacrest looks like when he spreads himself too thin," says Mulroney.
With Seacrest at the helm the 2007 Emmys raked in a mere 13.1 million viewers, making it the second lowest ratings in the show's history. The 1990 telecast, which drew 12.3 million viewers, holds the record for the smallest audience figures in Emmy history.
"I am so excited to see how this year's five reality co-hosts will do," says Mulroney.
Seacrest and reality stars Heidi Klum ("Project Runway"), Howie Mandel ("Deal or No Deal"), Jeff Probst ("Survivor") and Tom Bergeron ("Dancing with the Stars") will share ringmaster duties during the live telecast, which airs from L.A.'s Nokia Theatre on Sunday, September 21 on CTV.
"Having five reality hosts is a smart idea," says Mulroney. "The producers are definitely being diplomatic and spreading the wealth around. But let's not forget that Heidi, Howie, Jeff, Tom and Ryan are no strangers to TV. Bergeron is exceptionally good on his toes. Heidi has really great comedic timing. These guys all have skills that go way beyond what they do for their shows."
Ben's big Emmy question
"I want to ask Stephen Colbert if he is following the Canadian election," says Mulroney. The 32-year-old CTV star also hopes to fire questions filled with Canadian content at international stars Klum and Mandel.
"I'd love to ask Howie what it was like to work on 'Deal or No Deal' in Canada or get Heidi to tell viewers what she really thinks about 'Project Runway Canada,'" says Mulroney. "We're going to try for as many stars as possible and see what we can get."
Calling the Emmys "a lot more relaxed than the Oscars to cover," Mulroney says the stakes are just as high and the nominees are just as proud of their accomplishments.
"Everybody wants to win badly," says Mulroney. "I'm rooting for 'Entourage' and 'Mad Men.' If they do well I'll be happy."
