Why Ryan Seacrest Could Be the Worst (Or Possibly Best) Host of the Primetime Emmys

Ryan Seacrest just may be the Jessica Simpson of the radio and television personality landscape. Bubbly, light, no mention of politics or intellectualism as far as the ear can hear. Not to mention impeccably blonde and bronzed. So when he was announced as the host of the 59^th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, there was much buzz. After all, while awards shows like the Video Music Awards and the People's Choice Awards may be all about the glitter and fluff, the three "biggies" (Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes) still attempted to maintain an air of dignity and refinement. Past Emmy hosts have included Ellen DeGeneres, Gary Shandling, and Conan O'Brien - genuinely talented comedians who are known for witty observations. Seacrest is known for interviewing pop music starlets on his radio show and for the E! channel.

Furthermore, this year the Emmys are being aired on the Fox network, which speaks volumes as well. The network that airs the program makes the decision as to who the host will be, and Fox wouldn't need Seacrest to fill out new W-9s - he's already on the payroll as the host of their hit show American Idol, which was the gig that launched his stardom. Although Fox churns out ratings darlings like American Idol and 24, they aren't known for quality. Fox has always been the fluff network, never producing shows with high caliber writing, save for The Simpsons.

The pairing of Ryan Seacrest and the Fox network does not bode well for the Emmys. They might as well take Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee off the list of nominations and throw a few awards at High School Musical. The Emmys have usually been what separates the ten percent of television programs with film-grade writing and acting from the ninety percent of fluff and smut television that airs. They're what separate Entourage from The Hills, Ugly Betty from Dr. 90210, Oprah from Jerry Springer.

But unfortunately, most people don't watch the former ten percent, but rather the latter ninety. The Emmy Awards, like many awards shows, have taken a huge ratings hit in these past years. If most people are watching shows that aren't nominated, such as VH1 reality programming and Spike TV shock shows, then they have little interest. So considering how many people watch American Idol and catch up on Britney Spears gossip with E! News, Ryan Seacrest undeniably has some pull with the viewers. As fluffy and shallow as his appeal may be, he could just what the doctor ordered to pull viewers back in this year.

The bottom line is this: Seacrest won't make witty comedic observations about world affairs that leave Bill Maher in stitches in the third row. But with the additional backing of the Fox network, the show just may see a spike in ratings, especially with the youth demographic. So the good news is that more people will be watching. But the bad news is that the Emmys may experience a huge lack of the quality it has displayed in past years.