Primetime Emmy Tally: One (plus one Daytime Emmy)
How He Got the Gold: In 2012, as outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program, for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. He also won a Daytime Emmy in 2000, for outstanding game show host, for Hollywood Squares.
Now for the Noms: Two for outstanding reality-competition series, for Dancing with the Stars, in 2006–07; then five more for outstanding host for the same show, 2008–11 and again in 2013. He also received three Daytime Emmy nominations for Hollywood Squares, in 1999, 2001 and ‘03.
The Game Is the Same: “The comparisons [between Dancing with the Stars and Hollywood Squares] are this: both feature celebrity casts, carefully chosen to appeal to as many fan bases as possible. And both brought me producers who’ve trusted me to abandon the script.”
That Cha-Cha Challenge: “It’s an adrenaline rush walking onto that stage [for Dancing], minutes before every live broadcast. I feel like a kid in a candy store, but I have to remember that the R-rated ad-libs I used in rehearsal had best stay there.”
Emmy Memory: “There was a feeling of camaraderie with the producers and cast [when I won]. They gave the statue to me, but I felt like we won it together.”
Chill, Baby: “The secret to looking relaxed on live television? Vodka. And meditation. Not necessarily in that order.”
