Chelsea Handler will host MTV’s Video Music Awards September 12. It’s an honor rarely awarded to women—Handler will be the first since Roseanne Barr hosted in 1994, and only the third to come from outside the network (Bette Midler was a co-host in 1984). Handler, star of her late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on E!, said the gig would help her win more viewers. MTV’s general manager Stephen Friedman said Handler was an “unexpected choice,” but that it would work because of her dedicated fans. “While she has a broad audience, there is a sweet spot that loves her,” Friedman said. “Her college fan base, for us, really made the point that she will appeal more broadly.” The comedian will host a week of VMA-themed episodes of her show before the night of the awards.
