By Lindsey Bahr, AP Film Writer
"Girls Trip" producer Will Packer will produce next year's Oscars, the film academy said Tuesday.
It's the first time Packer has been selected for the gig and the third time in as many years that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and broadcaster ABC have enlisted new teams to produce the show.
"What an honor!" Packer said in a statement. "The power, the beauty, the romance of the imagery in movies has always attracted me. I'm fully embracing the challenge of bringing an ode to one of the most iconic mediums in the world to life."
As the founder and CEO of the film production company Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, Packer has produced or executive produced films like "Night School" and "Straight Outta Compton" as well as the television reboot of "Roots." Packer's chief of staff Shayla Cowan is producing the Oscars alongside him.
The Oscars have in recent years experienced declining ratings. Its pandemic broadcast earlier this year, like most major awards shows, was less than half of its previous low. But after this year's detour to Union Station, the proceedings are returning to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in 2022.
"He's already bringing a boundless energy and a focus on innovation to this year's Oscars, to entertain the widest spectrum of fans," said academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a statement.
The 94th Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC on March 27, 2022.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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