MUMBAI: After a four year absence Garry Shandling will return as the host of the annual Primetime Emmy Awards. The 56th edition will air live on 19 September on ABC in the US.
 

Shandling previously hosted in 2000, when the awards ceremony last aired on ABC. He has also hosted the Grammy Awards three times.

Shandling lightly added, "This is perfect for me, since I just recuperated from the last time. I love working with Don Mischer (the show's executive producer), and I can hardly wait to get that real sense of existence you can only get from being on live television for four straight hours."

Mischer claimed that when Shandling hosted the Emmys in 2000, the show received its highest rating in 14 years. "It was also a major hit with the critics all across the country. Shandling puts a lot of time and effort into his role as host, and he's funny and can roll with the punches -- which is important for a live show."

Shandling is currently lending his voice to Dreamworks upcoming animated feature Over the Hedge.

Meanwhile nominations will be announced on 15 July by Edie Falco The Sopranos, Tony Shalhoub Monk and Dick Askin from the Academys Leonard Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood, California.