Seth Meyers on Hosting the Emmys: Jokes Will Be "Upbeat," Not "Cutting"

Seth Meyers says his first few months of hosting Late Night has prepared him to host the Emmys for the first time in August.

"I feel the most ready than I've ever felt, but I'd certainly feel more ready a year from now, too," Meyers told reporters at Sunday's Television Critics Association's fall previews.

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Though Meyers, who was a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2001 to 2014, has plenty of experience in live television, he recognizes that he lacks some of the skills viewers often see in  awards show hosts. "I'm limited by the fact that I can't sing or dance," Meyers said.  "My skill set is always going to be in the monologue telling jokes." (Meyers suggested the show will also feature some pre-filmed pieces featuring him.)

But Meyers plans to take a different approach than recent Golden Globe Awards host Ricky Gervais, who relied more on harsh jokes about the nominees and various audience members. "Under the Lorne Michaels umbrella, he always stresses to try not to tell a joke about somebody that you would want to leave the cocktail party over if they showed up," Meyers said, insisting that he wants to mostly stay "upbeat and have fun." "You want to have a couple jokes where you walk out not knowing exactly how they're go ing to play. I think it's more playful than cutting or biting."

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Meyers will certainly have his work cut out for him, as the Emmys is already facing criticism over the increasingly confusing categories. (For example, William H. Macy jumped from drama actor to comedy during a season of Shamelesswhere a baby overdosed on cocaine.) However, Television Academy Chairman and CEO Bruce Rosenblum says that fixing these issues will be about redefining the rules.

"Our industry has evolved," Rosenblum said. "It's incumbent upon us to... respond to the evolution that's taking place in our business... They don't all fit into nicely defined boxes and we're going to have to respond to that."

Rosenblum also suggested that, as more an more quality TV is made, the Academy might consider adding more nominees as soon as next year. "It's something we will take a look at," Rosenbaum said.

The Emmys will air Monday, Aug. 25, live on both coasts beginning at 8/7c. Will you be watching?

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