This year, there's an Emmy for reality host

LOS ANGELES Real competition is coming to reality TV: Hosts including Ryan Seacrest, Howie Mandel and Tyra Banks are now eligible for an Emmy Award.

A category recognizing "outstanding host for a reality or reality-competition program" was created by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and will be presented at the 60th annual Emmys in September.

The award recognizes that reality TV has become "an integral part of television and our culture," John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the TV academy, said in a statement Tuesday announcing the new honor.

Besides Seacrest of "American Idol," Mandel of "Deal or No Deal" and Banks of "America's Next Top Model," other potential nominees identified by the academy include Ty Pennington of "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," Jeff Foxworthy of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" and Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris of "Dancing With the Stars."

Eligibility is open to hosts of programs entered in the reality program and reality-competition categories. Sorry, Simon Cowell: The award isn't for "reactive participants or judges," the academy rules state.

For Marlee Matlin, last place finish leads to exit

LOS ANGELES -- For the third consecutive week, a last-place finish has led to elimination on "Dancing With the Stars."

This week's celebrity casualty was Marlee Matlin, who came into Tuesday's results show with 21 out of 30 points. The actress lost her timing at various points during her mambo Monday with professional partner Fabian Sanchez, and the judges took note.

"You guys looked like you were forcing and struggling," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who noted that the mambo is more rhythm-dependent than other ballroom dances and she expected it to be most difficult for Matlin.

"You did a great job," said head judge Len Goodman, "but it just looked uncomfortable throughout."

After learning her fate, Matlin, 42, thanked the judges and her partner "for giving me the most beautiful art of dance in my life." She also thanked her family, her children and Henry Winkler, who appeared on Monday's show.

"He has supported me a lot over the years," Matlin said through a sign-language interpreter.

Six celebrity contestants remain on the ABC dance-off, including pro football player Jason Taylor, Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi -- who has finished in first place throughout the season -- R&B singer Mario, and actors Shannon Elizabeth, Cristian de la Fuente and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Priscilla Presley, Adam Carolla, Steve Guttenberg, Monica Seles and Penn Jillette have already been eliminated.

3rd 'Tudor' season to start filming in Ireland

LOS ANGELES -- Showtime's "The Tudors" and star Jonathan Rhys Meyers will return for a third season, with production set to begin in June in Ireland.

The show, with Rhys Myers portraying an especially fit and handsome King Henry VIII, is midway through its second year. The next season will air in 2009.

"'The Tudors' is now a fixture for us at Showtime and we're on our way to completing the entire saga of all six wives of Henry VIII," Robert Greenblatt, the premium channel's president of entertainment, said in announcing the series' pickup.

The drama tracks the king's romantic ups and downs with women including Queen Kather ine (Maria Doyle Kennedy), Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) and Jane Seymour (Anita Briem), as well as his clashes with the church.

-- The Associated Press