Emmys 2011: Fox's Mike Darnell Pokes Fun at 'SYTYCD's' Cat Deeley's First Nom

So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley scored her first Emmy nomination in the reality host category and as expected, she was in a chipper mood.

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"Mike Darnell, my boss, called me this morning at 5:45. He's like, 'Oh my goodness, this is amazing' and we're normally really cheeky to each other and slightly offensive in a really jokey way," said Deeley, who "was standing literally in my underwear with wet hair" while on the phone with The Hollywood Reporter. "I'm like, 'I can't take this from you, can you please stop being so nice, I just can't handle it.' "

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"And he said, 'It only took you seven years. What were you waiting for?' " Deeley recalled, laughing.

So You Think You Can Dance, nominated in the reality competition series category competing against Project Runway and The Amazing Race, snagged eight total nominations Thursday morning.

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"Yes, we are a reality show and we are also an entertainment show," the British host said of the series. "Never at any time previously would you have thought there will be an amazing ballet on Fox and on primetime or a paso doble or a Bollywood routine. It would just never happen. ... It does prove that the American dream is alive and kicking."

Deeley was beyond words in trying to describe what her first Emmy nom meant. "I can't even explain to you. It's so lovely," she said. "I'm British and I'm female. To be the only girl and the only British in the category is kind of amazing. I love it."

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"I'm about to head into work so I'm sure there will be much fun and celebration," Deeley said.

Email: philiana.ng@thr.com