Late night talk show host and former "Saturday Night Live" comedian Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday was named host of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, television's top honors, which will air on NBC in August.
"Jimmy was the natural choice as one of the most promising and likable young entertainers who will now have the chance to display his many talents on television's biggest night," said Paul Telegdy, executive vice president of alternative programming at NBC.
"His proven skills as a comedian and host — as well as his openness to new ideas — will fully engage audiences and ultimately deliver a lively Emmy telecast."
The move keeps the Emmy host in the NBC family, and is a less controversial choice than NBC's other late-night host, Jay Leno, whose "Tonight Show" draws more viewers than Fallon's "Late Night" but has taken considerable knocks in the press in the wake of the short-lived "The Jay Leno Show."
Executive producer Don Mischer said Fallon "has many talents. He can sing, he can dance, he does impersonations, and he does it gracefully and with ease."
The awards will air Aug. 29.