Craig Zadan and Neil Meron to produce the Oscars again
Credit: AMPAS
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is welcoming Craig Zadan and Neil Meron back as producers for the 86th Academy Awards.
The announcement represents a break with tradition, as the producers are usually chosen by the Academy president later in the year. Current president Hawk Koch will complete his one-year tenure this summer, at which point the Board of Governors will elect a new president to preside over next year's Oscar season.
Koch released a statement concerning the decision to bring back Zadan and Meron for a second year.
"Craig and Neil have the overwhelming support of the Academy governors to produce the Oscars again in 2014. In order to establish continuity with this year's enormously successful show, we felt it was important to give these consummate professionals the green light now to begin creating another great evening."
Under Zadan and Meron's stewardship, the February broadcast saw a significant ratings bump. The show, which drew upon Zadan and Meron's enthusiasm for movie musicals, attracted an average 40.3 million total viewers and delivered a 13.0 rating among adults 18-49. This represents a three percent increase from the previous year, and an 11 percent bump among adults 18-49.
"We are very honored to have been asked to return as Oscar producers for a second year. We look forward to creating a distinctive and entertaining show," Zadan and Meron said in a statement.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson added, "Craig and Neil have grat relationships, a sense of showmanship and a passion for our Academy. And they're a pleasure to work with. All perfect qualities for our show."
Zadan and Meron served as executive producers of the Oscar-winning Chicago, in addition to their role as producers of several Broadway plays (How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying; Promises, Promises), TV series (Smash), and TV movies (A Raisin in the Sun; Steel Magnolias).
The 86th Academy Awards will air March 2, 2014 on ABC.
