Ellen DeGeneres
to return as Emmy host

Ellen DeGeneres, who drew praise for her graceful performance as host of the Emmy Awards presentation following the September 11 terrorist attacks, will be back in charge of the ceremony this year. The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, to be held September 18 at the Shrine Auditorium, will air on CBS. "You know me, any excuse to put on a dress," DeGeneres joked in a statement announcing that she was returning as host.

DeGeneres was a big winner at the Daytime Emmy Awards in May. She was named best talk show host, and the syndicated The Ellen DeGeneres Show was honored as best talk show. "Ellen has demonstrated her extraordinary ability to connect with the television viewing audience.... We are delighted to have her back," said Dick Askin, chairman of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Presenters announced this week for the ceremony include Halle Berry, Jon Cryer, Mariska Hargitay, Charlie Sheen, Jon Stewart, and Kiefer Sutherland. (AP)