Larry Emdur is a staple on Aussie TV screens and has entertained millions of people over his 40-year career.
These days, the busy 59-year hosts both The Morning Show and The Chase Australia — but the father-of-two admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to become quiz master of the top-rated show back in 2021.
“The Chase for me is frightening, actually,” Emdur, who is up for the Gold Logie at Sunday night’s awards ceremony, told The Australian Women’s Weekly this month.
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Emdur wondered if his happy and joke-filled TV appearances might not resonate with the quiz show crowd when the hosting role came up.
However, the star has managed to take The Chase Australia to new heights and it is now a ratings juggernaut for the network.
“I’m anxious about the questions and what’s coming up — whether it’s a Latin word or a Japanese word or a Harry Potter made-up word. There’s a huge difference between a game show and a quiz show. It’s a different mode,” Emdur said.
“I’m this happy, silly, flippant guy. That’s me. As for the serious academic side, I don’t have much in that department.
“But they convinced me, and I was happy to be convinced. We thought, one more hit-out before I finish — because I’m getting older now — and it’s worked beautifully.”
Larry famously started his career as a copy boy at The Sydney Morning Herald. At 19, he moved to the TV screen and began presenting the overnight news on Seven.
He later switched to game shows, hosting Seven’s Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right on Nine.
Despite how busy his current schedule is, Emdur said he was having fun.
“I love it, if you’ve watched The Morning Show, it’s just fun, it’s not like a job … I’ve had the best run, I’ve been lucky in this business,” Emdur told The Nightly this month.
Reflecting on his Gold Logie nomination, Larry said he had always run his own race.
“I’m just playing my own game, having fun with it, taking the mickey out of it,” he said.
Larry said it was difficult to do the required Gold Logie campaigning — but he was well-supported.
“As for standing up with signs that say, ‘Go vote for me now’, I can’t really do that,” Emdur said.
“But The Morning Show is right behind (the campaign) and The Chase is behind it, so they can have fun and do the heavy lifting.”
You can cast your vote for Larry here.
Watch the Logies on Sunday August 18 from 7pm on Channel 7 and 7plus.