Reality hosts now eligible for Emmy

Academy says new award recognizes impact genre has on popular culture

updated 10:49 a.m. ET April 23, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Real competition is coming to reality TV: Hosts including Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel and Tyra Banks are now eligible for an Emmy Award.

A category recognizing "outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program" was created by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and will be presented at the 60th annual Emmys in September.

The award recognizes that reality TV has become "an integral part of television and our culture," John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the TV academy, said in a statement Tuesday announcing the new honor.

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Besides Seacrest of "American Idol," Mandel of "Deal or No Deal" and Banks of "America's Next Top Model," other potential nominees identified by the academy include Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," Jeff Foxworthy of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris of "Dancing With the Stars."

Eligibility is open to hosts of programs entered in the reality program and reality-competition categories. Sorry, Simon Cowell: The award isn't for "reactive participants or judges," the academy rules state.