HARI KONDABOLU, RECENTLY NAMED TO VARIETY’S TOP TEN COMICS TO WATCH TO HOST INTERNATIONAL EMMY® AWARDS GALA IN NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 19

MIPCOM, October 15, 2018 –The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that comedian Hari Kondabolu, known for his critically acclaimed documentary on The Simpsons, The Problem with Apu– will host the International Emmy® Awards Gala, on Monday, November 19, 2018 in New York.

Known for his incisively funny humor on matters of race and social commentary, Kondabolu has been described by the NY Times as “one of the most exciting political comics in stand-up today”. His various television credits include writer & correspondent forTotally Biased With W. Kamau Bell, performing on The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and a half-hour special on Comedy Central. His Netflix Special, Warn Your Relatives released early this year, has landed him on Variety’s Top Ten Comics to Watchlist. Kondabolu is currently on a national comedy tour in the US with his new material.

“Kondabolu is an outspoken comic who has that magical quality of making very serious topics extremely funny,” said Bruce Paisner, President & CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “We look forward to having him headlining our awards on November 19.”

Hari Kondabolu added, “It’s an absolute honor to host the International Emmy Awards. When I told my Mother, she had a huge smile on her face. It’s like I told her I was quitting comedy & going to Law School.”

Over 1000 international media and entertainment executives convene in New York each year for the International Emmy® Awards Gala. In addition to the presentation of Emmy® Awards for programming, the Academy will present two special awards. As previously announced , record setting Writer & Producer Greg Berlanti will receive the 2018 International Emmy® Founders Award and Sophie Turner Laing, CEO of Endemol Shine Group, will receive the 2018 International Emmy® Directorate Award.

This year’s Gala partners are: Phoenix Satellite Television, Globo, Ernst & Young, Deluxe, Miptv, RT America, Sofitel Luxury Hotels and Variety.

About The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a membership-based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from over 60 countries and 500 companies from all sectors of television including internet, mobile and technology. The Academy’s yearly schedule of events includes the prestigious International Emmy® Awards held in New York, The International Emmy® Kids Awards at MIPTV and a series of industry events such as Academy Day, The International Emmy® World Television Festival and Panels on substantive industry topics. The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences recognizes excellence in television produced outside of the United States, as well as US Primetime programs produced in languages other than English, with the prestigious Emmy® Award. Currently celebrating programming across varied areas including: Arts Programming, Current Affairs, Comedy, Documentary, Drama Series, News, Non-Scripted Entertainment, Short-Form, Telenovela, and TV Movie/Mini-Series, it also recognizes excellence in Performances & Kids programming. For more information, go to www.iemmys.tv.

At Mipcom, the International Emmy® Awards are located on stand P-1. N61.

MEDIA CONTACTS

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Eva Obadia, Senior Director, Communications & Partnerships
Tel: 212-489-6969
eva.obadia@iemmys.tv

The Lippin Group
Matt Biscuiti
Tel: +1-212-986-7080
matt@lippingroup.com