Beverly Hills, CA -- Regis Philbin will host the official 30-minute red carpet arrivals show preceding the 80th Academy Awards® presentation, executive producer Gil Cates and producer Dennis Doty announced today. This will be Philbin's first time hosting the show that airs beginning at 5 p.m. on the ABC Television Network, immediately prior to the Academy Awards presentation.

"Regis is the perfect guy to serve as host. He knows everyone, and everyone loves Regis!" said Doty. "I'm thrilled that he has agreed to be the ringmaster for this year's extravaganza."

This hosting assignment marks a return to the Oscar® red carpet for Regis, who was a pioneer interviewer of arriving stars beginning in the 1970s.

Philbin, who has hosted numerous morning shows throughout his career, is known for his enthusiastic manner and his famous ad-libs. He began his trademark "host chats" on his first talk show, "The Regis Philbin Show," on KGTV in San Diego. Philbin would start each show with his characteristic chats, engaging the audience and later on his co-hosts, in conversations about his personal life and the day's events.

Philbin holds the Guinness World Record for the most time spent in front of a television camera. He is best known for hosting "Live with Regis and Kelly." Philbin has also hosted "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "America's Got Talent."

The 80th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2008, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2007 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2008, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PT. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences