Vanessa Williams to host sixth annual “TV Land Awards”

TV Land today announced that Vanessa Williams, multi-talented actress, singer and star of the current comedy hit “Ugly Betty” has been tapped as host of this year’s sixth annual “TV Land Awards.” 03/13/2008 - Vanessa Williams - © Malcolm Ali / PR Photos

03/13/2008 - Vanessa Williams - © Malcolm Ali / PR PhotosVanessa Williams has maintained a reputation as one of the most respected and multi-faceted entertainers in the world, amassing accomplishments and accolades, one after another. She has conquered the musical charts, Broadway, music videos, television and motion pictures. She has sold over four million albums worldwide and her skills as an actress on stage, in film and on television have earned praise from the most seasoned of critics.The network also announced that this year’s show will honor Mike Myers, Garry Marshall, “Roseanne,” “The Golden Girls” and Jonathan Winters among others. The show will tape on Sunday, June 8 at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA and will premiere on TV Land on Sunday, June 15 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.The “TV Land Awards” is the network’s annual salute to the best and brightest in the world of entertainment. This year, the show will feature reunions of some of the most iconic casts from TV, showcase rousing musical performances and the always-popular television show parody, and for the first time ever, honor favorites in movies. Additional honorees will be announced shortly.“We are thrilled to have Vanessa Williams as the host of this year’s “TV Land Awards’, states Larry W. Jones, president, TV Land. “Her amazing talent has earned her international recognition and her charm and energy are sure to resonate with TV Land’s audience.”All of this year’s honorees are pop culture icons representing a cross-section of television and film that people in their 40s continue to love. Among the honorees are:THE LEGACY OF LAUGHTER AWARDThis is presented to performers who are funny and then funny and then funny again. They create timeless comedy by mixing the strange and the familiar, bringing to life characters, stories and moments that are both comically absurd, and, at some level, completely real. This year’s recipient is Mike Myers. Last year, this award was presented to Lucille Ball for her awe-inspiring work which continues to serve as an inspiration and a guiding force.THE LEGEND AWARDThis award is presented to an entertainer who has stood the test of time and ranks among the most memorable and celebrated in TV and movie history. TV Land will honor Garry Marshall as this year’s recipient.THE PIONEER AWARDGiven to performers who have distinguished themselves by pushing back the frontiers of the media and bringing true originality to the world of entertainment, this year’s Pioneer award is bestowed upon Jonathan Winters.INNOVATOR AWARDThis award is presented to a series whose influence is still felt and evident in television today; a show that carved our new territory, redefining elements of the genre and opening new pathways for others to follow. TV Land will honor “Roseanne” as this year’s recipient.THE POP CULTURE AWARDThis award is presented to a show that has crossed the line from television series to pop culture phenomenon. This year’s honoree is “The Golden Girls.”