Best Reality Host: Gold Derby Awards

Since 2016, RuPaul Charles has fended off 32 presenters from 18 programs to win eight consecutive Best Reality Host Emmys for “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Now, the self-proclaimed queen of drag seeks to extend his streak. This time, he faces a mix of old and new challengers, some of whom are entirely new to the category.

RuPaul is currently up against the six hosts of “Shark Tank,” who managed to bounce back after being snubbed in 2023. Other contenders include first-timers Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”) and Kristen Kish (“Top Chef”), as well as four-time winner Jeff Probst (“Survivor”), who was last nominated 13 years ago.

Will RuPaul struggle to go nine-for-nine? Let’s take a closer look at each nominee.

RuPaul Charles (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”)

Hosting all 16 seasons of his competition show, RuPaul made history in 2021 as the most-awarded Black individual in Emmys history. Outside this category, he has won five Best Competition Program trophies for “Drag Race” (2018-2021; 2023) and a Best Unstructured Reality Program award for its companion series, “Untucked!” (2021). The main show has won 29 Emmys from 77 nominations.

Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary (“Shark Tank”)

This sextet of venture capitalists are nominated for the 15th season of their show, where entrepreneurs pitch products to secure investments. All members have been regulars since at least season four, contributing to the show’s four Best Structured Reality Program wins (2014-2017) and seven additional nominations.

Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”)

After two seasons, the American adaptation of the Dutch series “De Verraders” has earned its first Best Competition Program and Best Reality Host nominations. Cumming previously drew attention as a co-host of the 2015 Tony Awards and as a guest and supporting actor on “The Good Wife.”

Kristen Kish (“Top Chef”)

Kish, who won the 10th season of “Top Chef” in 2013, became its presenter from season 21 onward, following the departure of five-time hosting nominee Padma Lakshmi. The series, most recently filmed in Wisconsin, has 18 Best Competition Program nominations, including one this year and a win in 2010.

Jeff Probst (“Survivor”)

“Survivor” earned a Best Competition Program notice in 2023 after 17 years of being overlooked but is ineligible this time. Probst, after 46 seasons, has 11 Emmy bids, including four wins in this category’s earliest years (2008-2011).

Who will win the 2024 Emmy for Best Reality Host? The most significant difference from last year is that RuPaul now faces contenders he hasn’t beaten multiple times. The presence of new candidates like Kish and Cumming, along with Probst’s return, complicates his path to victory.

While RuPaul’s potential ninth win won’t come as easily as his eighth, his high favorability among voters likely ensures his continued success. Though Cumming has 32% backing from Gold Derby users predicting this race, RuPaul’s long perfect record suggests betting against him is risky.

Source: Gold Derby