Dan and Eugene Levy on How They're Prepping — and Keeping Calm — Ahead of Hosting the 2024 Emmys (Exclusive)
"We want to create an atmosphere that feels really welcome and celebratory," Dan Levy tells PEOPLE
The 2024 Emmy Awards are shaking things up by tapping the first ever father-son duo with Eugene Levy and Dan Levy to helm this year's show.
It's their first time in the hosting spot and the funny pair are more than ready for the responsibility.
"My dad and I are not stand-up comics, so we're coming at it from a very different place," Dan, 41, tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "But we're both really hard workers and we're determined to make it as great as it can possibly be. We want to create an atmosphere that feels really welcome and celebratory. This is a huge night in so many people's lives and we just want to be there to kind of make it as festive as possible for everybody."
For Eugene, 77, it's a reflective moment. "As first timers, our hope is that the show this year will have enough laughs, enough charm, enough goodwill and enough love for the medium that gave both my son and myself a start in this business," he says.
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The duo starred in the hit comedy Schitt's Creek together from 2015-2020 and are no stranger to the Emmys stage. Eugene won two trophies for SCTV Network 90 and two for Schitt's Creek, while Dan won four as writer, director, supporting actor and creator for Schitt's Creek.
They may be first-timer hosts, but they're not relying on any former hosts for tips. As Eugene explains, "We’re working with some very funny writers who seem to be in sync with our sensibility, and both Daniel and myself, by the way, have spent quite a few years writing comedy so I think we’re all in a good groove so far."
When asked who's sending one another more notes, Eugene says, "My son. He’s a perfectionist."
Dan has a slightly different story: "We’re both sending equal amounts; he just doesn’t quite know how to work his email as well as I do. So we’re dealing with a few technical issues, but that’s totally fine."
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The two are also approaching their looks for the night a bit differently. Dan says a few different suits may be in store. "I just feel like if you have the opportunity, why the hell not?"
"I told my dad early on, 'I think I’m going to switch it up throughout the show.' And he was like, 'Have fun.' I’ll be providing all the costume changes, and he’ll be my rock through all of that," Dan adds.
As Eugene puts it, "I will not even try to compete with my son when it comes to fashion."
The hosting job is no small feat, but knowing they have backup with one another certainly sweetened the deal.
"That was the big enticing element of all of this: knowing that we have each other’s back up there. I do think that we have such a nice chemistry with each other that it just takes the sting off of how intimidating the process can be," Dan says. "We’ll have a nice little funny banter back and forth throughout the night."
Adds Eugene, "We worked so well as a team [opening the 2020 SAG Awards], let alone the six years we worked together on Schitt’s Creek, and it’s that chemistry that we hope is very much present on the stage at the Emmys."
Though there are still nerves. Dan's dealing with it by keeping calm. "I am a worrier, and I think the worst thing I can do in this situation is overthink anything. Hopefully at that point we'll be prepared and we won't have to worry about it."
"It's new for me. I'm trying something new, which is not overthinking and worrying," he adds.
"For me it’s yoga and meditation before the big show," Eugene notes. "And if you buy that, you’re not entirely familiar with who I am."
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The 2024 Emmy Awards will air live on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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