Cedric the Entertainer to Host 73rd Emmys: ‘It Is An Enormous Honor’

Cedric the Entertainer (Credit: Shutterstock)

Cedric the Entertainer is set to host the 73rd Emmy Awards in front of a live audience this September.

CBS made the announcement Monday morning in a tweet and in a press release.

In a video posted on Twitter, Cedric Antonio Kyles, commonly known by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, said: “So what’s up y’all? Sitting here at the desk getting my stuff together right, and they told me I was supposed to be getting something special today.”

The actor and comedian then opened and held up an Emmys envelope with his name inside while saying, “Oooh Cedric the Entertainer, baby ‘bout to be hosting the Emmys!”

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This marks the first time The Neighborhood star and executive producer has hosted the awards show honoring the best in television.

“Since I was a little boy huddled up next to my grandmother, television has always been my reliable friend, so it is an enormous honor for me to host this year’s Emmy Awards,” Cedric said in a statement.

“I can’t wait to take the stage to celebrate all of the great shows and performances that made us laugh, cry, dance and sing over the past year,” he continued.

Nominations for the 73rd Emmy Awards will be announced in a virtual event, streaming live on Tuesday, July 13, at 8:30 a.m. PT on Emmys.com.

The Emmys will be executive produced by Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton directs for production companies Done+Dusted and Hudlin Entertainment.

The ceremony will be held at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles with a limited audience of nominees and their guests.

The Emmys air live on Sunday, Sept. 19 from 8:00-11:00 PM ET/5:00-8:00 PM PT on CBS.