Hey, why are Jeff Probst and Howie Mandel in the same Emmy slugfest?

"Mark Burnett wants to know why Howie Mandel got an Emmy nom," reports Bob Sassone at TVSquad.com, adding, "I'm just as surprised as you are to see that 'Deal or No Deal' is considered a reality show and not a game show . . . . Burnett doesn't think it's fair that you have someone like Jeff Probst, who hosts an unscripted (?) show like 'Survivor,' put up against people who host talent shows and game shows." READ MORE.

Mandel is among the five nominees for best reality host along with Tom Bergeron ("Dancing With the Stars"), Heidi Klum ("Project Runway"), Jeff Probst ("Survivor") and Ryan Seacrest ("American Idol").

Sassone adds this speculation: "I think it's the amount of time they focus on the contestants and the family members on stage and the tears and the personal stories that tip some prime-time game shows into the reality realm."

But, no, Bob, that's not really why. It's because of Emmy's Rule of 14. There must be at least 14 game shows in prime-time TV in order for them to get their own category. For now they're bunched with reality shows because both TV genres involve elements of competition.

Yeah, I know, I know. Until game shows get their own slot, Emmys ought to 'fess up and the category should really be renamed best reality or game show host in the same spirit as Emmy's hodgepodge category for best variety, music or comedy special. Or at least best reality-competition host, mirroring the category for best reality-competition program that currently doesn't include a game show among the nominees but could've if "Deal or No Deal" had sneaked in to the high five. That's where it competed.

(Photos: NBC/ CBS)