HOLLYWOOD -- Bring on the Emmy Awards and get on with life, says comic actor, writer and producer Billy Crystal.

"We're up for 12 of them," Crystal says of the nominations that his TV baseball drama 61* is competing for in tomorrow's ceremony. "I'm dying to know if our name is on them."

Crystal directed 61*, the story of the dogfight that New York Yankees sluggers Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris waged during the 1961 season to break Babe Ruth's home run record. Maris ended up with 61 but found his record tainted by the infamous asterisk. The film was recently released to DVD by HBO through Warner Home Video.

Crystal says the Emmys are personal and important. "But, in the big scheme of things, it doesn't really matter in so many ways. But the work matters. The work always matters."

From a personal point of view, awards shows are useful and entertaining, the former host of the Oscars says. "I still think it's a big deal."

As for going ahead with the major awards shows, Crystal says it is no different from staging major sporting events. "It depends on how they're done, the tone of them. If it's right, I don't see why not. I just think there should be a tone that is appropriate with what is happening in the world."


More Artists