Gilbert Cates to produce 71st Annual Academy Awards Telecast

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Gilbert Cates will return for a record-breaking ninth assignment as producer of the Academy Awards® telecast.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Robert Rehme announced today that Cates has agreed to produce the telecast of the 71st Annual Academy Awards Presentation, scheduled for the first time ever on a Sunday evening, March 21, 1999.

By producing the awards show for a ninth time, Cates beats the previous record held by Howard W. Koch, who produced eight shows over a 12-year period, although no more than two consecutively. Cates has held the record for the most consecutive stints as producer of the global telecast since 1995, having at that point helmed the show for six years in a row - from the 62nd Awards in 1990.

Says Academy President Rehme, "Gil's Oscar telecasts have become marvels of the art of pulling together a live television spectacular. And the television audience regularly rewards that artistry with the best non-sports ratings of the year. The annual Academy Awards Presentation is eagerly anticipated around the globe and that enthusiasm for this show is in no small measure due to Gil's skill as the man in charge."

Gil has a little extra on his plate this year as the show will begin half an hour earlier, at 5:30 p.m., preceded by a new network preshow to be broadcast nationwide on ABC from 5 to 5:30 p.m., leading directly into the 71st Annual Academy Awards® Presentation.