From a media release:

Paul Shaffer Announced as Host of the 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards

• Awards Broadcast Airs on Sunday, October 14th – 8pm ET/PT on Global and Slice
• Inductees Include: Randy Bachman, Phil Hartman, Russ Jackson, Sarah McLachlan, Sonia Rodriguez, Team Canada 1972
• Plus, JUNO and GRAMMY® Award-Winning R&B Artist Melanie Fiona to Receive the 2012 Allan Slaight Award

Shaw Media and Canada’s Walk of Fame are proud to announce Paul Shaffer (@paulshaffer) as Host of the 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards. Shaffer, a 2006 inductee, will emcee the prestigious Awards ceremony that introduces and honours this year’s roster of inductees from Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre on Saturday, September 22nd.

“It’s an honour to return home to Canada and host the Walk of Fame Awards. Like every other year, the lineup of 2012 inductees is outstanding and I look forward to learning their stories,” said Paul Shaffer, Host of the 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards. Broadcast on Sunday, October 14th – 8pm ET/PT on Global and SliceTM, the annual star-studded gala event will showcase top tier talents being honoured by colleagues with inspirational performances and touching words. A list of presenters and performers featured in the show will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“Paul Shaffer is a familiar face to so many Canadians and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome this accomplished talent and past inductee as Host of this year’s Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards,” said Barbara Williams, SVP, Content, Shaw Media. “Paul’s musical genius and famous comedic timing will add volumes to the broadcast that’s all about celebrating the accomplishments of Canadians.”

Musician, actor, author, comedian, composer and Canadian, Paul Shaffer has enjoyed a robust and diverse career in entertainment. Before signing on as David Letterman’s musical director and sidekick more than 30 years ago, Paul wrote and directed music for theatre and television including the Broadway production of The Magic Show and Saturday Night Live. In addition to recording his own albums, Coast to Coast (1989) and The World’s Most Dangerous Party (1993), Shaffer has worked with a myriad of artists including Diana Ross, Yoko Ono and Robert Plant’s Honeydrippers. Shaffer composed the Late Show theme song and, with Paul Jabara, wrote the #1 1980s dance hit “It’s Raining Men.” In 2002, he received his first GRAMMY® Award for Best Country Instrumental and four years later he was awarded a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and inducted into the National Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2008, Paul received the Order of Canada – Canada’s highest civilian honor. Shaffer holds two honorary doctorate degrees and resides in the New York area with his wife and two children.

“Paul is a very proud Canadian and one of the great musical minds of our generation. He has also become a wonderful friend of Canada’s Walk of Fame. We are looking forward to having him back on our show,” said Peter Soumalias, Founding Director, Canada’s Walk of Fame.

The two-hour 2012 Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards honours a selection of internationally recognized Canadian luminaries for their lifetime achievements in the fields of music, sport, film, dance and television, as well as the literary, visual and performing arts, science and innovation. Tickets to the Awards show are available to the public and on sale now. To purchase tickets, go to www.ticketking.com or call 416-872-1212. Canada’s Walk of Fame is produced by Insight Productions.